Lks Dcvn: 70 2wd GMC Jimmy Conversion Project

[lks dcvn]

Picked this up last year from another board member to add to my collection. I've always wanted a GMC Jimmy and this one was already converted to 2wd from the prior owner so that made my decision easy. It was well documented with paperwork from the dealership, protect-o-plate and some service records from the original owner.

I've been working on it here and there and figured it was time to document the progress I've been making.

The PO purchased it off Ebay (snowy picture below if from Ebay listing) and then drove it home (Colorado to New Mexico I believe) before the conversion started. Here are a few pix from when it was purchased by the PO before the work started on the conversion. It started as a Colorado truck, then moved to New Mexico, then Texas and now Ohio. I am the 3rd owner.

It has the original rebuilt (with paperwork) SBC 350 and the SM465 was swapped for a Muncie M22 when the conversion happened. Front suspension was swapped from an 86-88 5 lug suburban and the rear axle had the axles swapped to 5 lug at the same time.

[lks dcvn]

The body, complete with 49+ years of bumps, bruises and battle scars is relatively solid in all the right spots. Having been around Blazers for years, this one was very complete with minimal rust.

It was perfect (and still is) for what I want to do with it - clean it up, get is safe and reliable and then drive the hell out of it. The seller was honest and told me everything I asked about the truck included getting a pic of a few key spots that are normally rusty. The entire exchange was great having never met the board member who was still living in Texas. Thanks for being awesome low'n slow!

The utility buckets sold by the PO were replaced with some OBS blue buckets and the rear stock seat and spare tire carrier will still in the back. The PO was looking to upgrade the paint so the truck got a light treatment of black primer over the OG paint/patina as color options were being reviewed. Hence the color squares on the rear passenger quarter in the 1st pic.

Here are a few pix of the listing ad from when I bought it on the forum. It was a running, driving truck that was a daily driver and then sat for several years before it was listed for sale.

[lks dcvn]

Once in Ohio - the 3 simple goals were to get it cleaned up, get it safe and then get it reliable.

It needed some cleaning as had been sitting a bit - before pictures below.

[lks dcvn]

Some more before shots...

[lks dcvn]

a few cleaning progress pictures - just Simple Green, a small scrub brush and some paper towels...

[lks dcvn]

and a few more of the cleaning phase

[lks dcvn]

As noted earlier the truck was still wearing the OG one year only 1970 Dark Blue paint under that primer so I carefully wet sanded off the primer to get the truck back to dark blue. It took me a few hours over a few days to get it to where I wanted.

The original cowl was missing so I also started looked for a 1970 dark blue paint cowl to replace the off color one on the truck.

Here are a few pix of the first wash this truck got just before the color swap got under way.

[lks dcvn]

starting at the tailgate, I started to see some solid progress and then continue to refine my process to make sure I was only taking off the very top most layer of primer.

[lks dcvn]

after a few more hours/days of light wet sanding - the truck was starting to look pretty good and revealed some pretty impressive patina from it's time out West.

[lks dcvn]

I'm also building a 1972 factory 2wd Blazer and I picked up some new wheels from another board member and staged them next to the Jimmy to see how they looked.

I was able to find the 1970 original paint dark blue cowl in Maine (on FB marketplace) and worked with a board member to help with shipping it to me in Ohio. It was the last piece of the truck that wasn't blue so I did the swap, checking for rust in the cowl and then bolted on the blue one.

[lks dcvn]

I started a list of parts that needed attention or replaced so I could keep an eye out for them.

After seeing the 20" American Racing Torque Thrust IIs near the Jimmy, I started looking for a set of simple rims/tires for the truck w/o breaking the bank.

I found a set of American Racing rims and tires on FB about 45 minutes from home so I went and scooped them up.

The Jimmy got an upgrade from 15" steelies to 17x8 AR Torque Thrust wheels as the drop spindles on the truck was very close to rubbing without some grinder wheel intervention.

[lks dcvn]

I've been slowly making fixes on the truck.

Fixed the wiring for the alternator to charge the battery
Swapped the gas tank and sending unit - the fuel gauge works now
Swapped the ashtray with one that has matching 70 dark blue original paint
Installed a used dark blue dash
Replaced the battery with a new one
Replaced the shifter boot as the old one was ripped up a bit
Replacing the body mounts and bolts

List of items still needed (that I can think of right now):
Power steering has a leak
Radiator has a leak near the top coolant hose
Replace rear license plate light housing and bulb
Blower motor works w/ a jumper wire - will not work from the dash controls
Find/install round mirror head for driver side
Find/install mirror arm and round head for passenger side
Install replacement windshield and gasket
Find/Install white GMC bumper
Replace current seats with a driver blue set I bought last summer

[low'n slow]

Let me know if you don't find the mirrors. I'm sure I sent them.

You are making good progress.

[lks dcvn]

I'll take a look for the mirrors this weekend - thanks low'n slow!

[lks dcvn]

Found the passenger side mirror arm, bracket, gasket and screws today...and a host of other things I was going to pick up over time. I guess I should have looked in that extra tub of parts first. Duh on my part. No mirror heads, but those are easy enough to find.

Got the rest of the cargo floor body mounts and bolts replaced this morning. The last 2 sets are the cab floor (by the pedals) pair and the radiator support pair.

I'm going to replace the radiator in the spring and will wait to do those until I'm ready so I can do it all at the same time.

The shifter boot I bought already tore (it was $8 shipped so no biggie) after using it twice to move it in/out of the garage so I'll be looking for something that will last a bit longer. I don't think leather/modern boots look right in these trucks so I may need to do some checking for options. What are you all using for your shifter boots?

Here is the set of seats I picked up that will eventually be swapped into the Jimmy. It's a driver set of blue buckets and rear bench that were too cheap not to buy when I saw them. They came will all brackets and should be an easy bolt in upgrade when the time comes.

[MYTQUIK]

Nice job!!! This thread got me motivated when I saw it last week. A buddy of mine has been coming by and helping me get mine road worthy.

[lks dcvn]

That thing is awesome MYTQUIK - what are the details on your truck?

[MYTQUIK]

Originally Posted by lks dcvn

That thing is awesome MYTQUIK - what are the details on your truck?

Thank you.
I bought it about a year and a half ago. Previous owner converted it from 4x4 to 2wd,gear driven 327 with a 700R4 with Ford 9inch rear,disc brakes on all 4 corners and lowered with a c-notched frame. I should be on the road by next weekend. Kinda looks like we are going in the same direction on our builds.

[72gmguy]

Hey Tom,
What was your wet sanding process? What grit of paper worked best for you? I just picked up a 69 blazer and thought I might try the same process. I figured I would ask before purchasing a bunch of paper in the wrong grit.

[lks dcvn]

I actually used a 3M red scuff pad so I could monitor the removal and not go into the color. I found it to be fastest (although not easiest) for what I wanted. My concern was not taking off the OG paint.

It took awhile to only take off the very top layer and not go too far. I spread it out over a few days to give my hands a rest. Go slow, check your work and keep water running over the panel to gauge how much top coat is left. I was happy to find patina and no new body damage or bondo on the body when I was done.

Here is a chart that shows comparable grit based on the pads that I found on the internet if you already have the paper and don't want to buy anything else.

SCOTCHBRITE GRIT CHART

7445 - White pad, called Light Duty Cleansing - (1000)

7448 - Light Grey, called Ultra Fine Hand - (600-800)

6448 - Green, called Light Duty Hand Pad - (600)

7447 - Maroon pad, called General Purpose Hand - (320-400)

6444 - Brown pad, called Extra Duty Hand - (280-320)

7446 - Dark Grey pad, called Blending Pad (180-220)

7440 - Tan pad, called Heavy Duty Hand Pad - (120-150)

[72gmguy]

Thanks for the tips Tom. I really appreciate it. Watching some of your builds makes we want to try and tackle my rocker structure repairs. Keep up the great work and write ups!

[lks dcvn]

Post up your pix of the rocker structure repair - many have been there before and can assist in approach, things to consider and challenges to avoid.

I've been doing this stuff as a hobby and find myself following other build posts and watching youtube videos on 'how to' and then just digging in.

Even if you goof it up - you can learn from that and fix it the right way in the future. These trucks have been fiddled with by somebody for over 50 years - they didn't have the insight that this collective forum does.

[72gmguy]

I will start a build thread when I'm ready to tear into it. I don't want to muck up your build thread.

[lks dcvn]

All but the very front cab mounts and bolts are replaced now and finally got some nice weather over the weekend so did a bit more cleaning before snapping these pix.

I have a lead on a white rear patina bumper to install on this and will start looking for a front white GMC bumper with the right level of patina to install and then we should be in business.

[raggedjim]

Looks good! I think I still have a a set of painted bumpers for a GMC, I could check if you are interested (I'd hate to ship though...)

Good luck, Rg