Zach’s 72 blazer build
 

Picked up this nice and rusty blazer for the start of my build. It has lots of good parts just needs almost every piece of sheetmetal replaced or repaired. My dad and I just finished a ‘69 C20 so I figured this time I would actually document this build.

Re: Zach’s 72 blazer build
 

Welcome
I will follow along with your build.
Any pictures of The 69 C20?

Re: Zach’s 72 blazer build
 

Before and almost After. The windows hadn’t yet been installed in the doors.

Re: Zach’s 72 blazer build
 

69 Looks good.
What is your plans for the Blazer?
Will you keep it mostly original or big lift and custom stuff?

Re: Zach’s 72 blazer build
 

Looks like it was a well optioned blazer. Nice find, and good luck!

Rg

Re: Zach’s 72 blazer build
 

Good find. The tow hooks are a big bonus and the single wall top is nice. Any chance to see a photo of the SPID?

Re: Zach’s 72 blazer build
 

Original body and interior with a small lift and updated wheels/ tires and some kind of LS under the hood.

Re: Zach’s 72 blazer build
 

Drove over 1000 miles round trip this weekend but ended up with another blazer for parts. This one I will be using the body from and swapping some of the parts to from the red one. The floor and windshield are in great condition on this one and that’s why I bought it.

Re: Zach’s 72 blazer build
 

Cool!!
Now you are off to a good start.
Awesome.

Re: Zach’s 72 blazer build
 

. ..

Re: Zach’s 72 blazer build
 

Thanks for posting the spid. Very nicely equipped. Pete

Re: Zach’s 72 blazer build
 

Nice to have a spare tub to work with - congrats on the new project. Keep us posted with pix/progress.

Which color are you going with once you get that far?

Re: Zach’s 72 blazer build
 

I’m using the frame, axles, and tub from the orange donor. The axles are 3.73s where as the red one just has 3.08s. It will most likely be painted back orange. The options between the two are actually pretty similar.

Re: Zach’s 72 blazer build
 

Been awhile since an update. I have since gotten a running driving donor blazer I’m going to swap the orange body on. I got a set of bedsides from GMCpauls and I’ve gotten the old bedsides removed from the orange blazer.

Re: Zach’s 72 blazer build
 

Great. / That donor looks to have a lot of parts . That will help a lot.
Looks like your well on your way.

Re: Zach’s 72 blazer build
 

Tuned in.

Re: Zach’s 72 blazer build
 

Wow - nice work! How was the bedside removal? I will need to do this on one of my blazer projects in the near future. Please keep us posted on how the new ones go on as well.

Re: Zach’s 72 blazer build
 

Removing them was pretty easy, just unbolt everything. Don’t forget the spot welds on the lower b pillar though they were the only thing that held me up once it was unbolted.

Re: Zach’s 72 blazer build
 

It doesn’t look like much but I pressure washed and degreased everything one more time before I start body work and getting ready to put the new bedsides on.

Re: Zach’s 72 blazer build
 

Looking Good.
I like your progress.
One thing I try to remind myself is/
Do you want it (Right) or do you want it Right Now (at Lesser quality).

Re: Zach’s 72 blazer build
 

Spending the weekend stripping undercoating. It comes off pretty well with a little hand held torch and a putty knife.

Re: Zach’s 72 blazer build
 

All 3 of your bodies look like a better start then what I have...

Re: Zach’s 72 blazer build
 

Following.

Re: Zach’s 72 blazer build
 

Thanks they each have their pros, I went with the orange one due to the bed floor being perfect with zero rust issues and a perfect windshield frame. It seems like every blazer I look at rusts differently. Surprising enough the completely rusted out red parts blazer had a nice windshield frame and front floor but everything else was bad on it. The fenders and bedsides were literally completely gone when I unbolted the top.

Re: Zach’s 72 blazer build
 

I will be using this great idea on my drivers side front fender well.
I am in the process of removing the front clip.
I chiseled 3/4 inch of tar off the bolts heads.
It looks like someone drove this truck through a Fresh Highway paving Job.:lol:

Re: Zach’s 72 blazer build
 

My dad picked up a bottle for the welder today and we got some work done. I patched bothe the right and left step up on the bed floor today in preparation for putting the bedsides back on. We also cleaned up the lip up the bed floor that will be covered and primed it.

Re: Zach’s 72 blazer build
 

Great progress.
Looking Good.
Once the fenders go on. Then you can
really see the Real progress of a Good Job
Well done.
Best part is your Dad is helping you.

Re: Zach’s 72 blazer build
 

Following

Re: Zach’s 72 blazer build
 

I’ve gotten a lot more done on the blazer. I have about 6 weeks to get most of the body work finished on the tub and set it on the other frame so I can send it to get painted. Bedsides are all mounted up and seem to fit great. I have gotten bolts in every hole so far without needing a die grinder. Tonight I got the wheel wells bolted in as well. Next on the list is mount the tailgate and put the top back on so I can mount the doors before I start work on the cab floor.

Re: Zach’s 72 blazer build
 

Did a little work on the dash tonight, a previous owner hacked up the radio so I cut it out and put in a double din plate. Still needs a little smoothing but it’s all welded in and should look decent when I’m done.

Re: Zach’s 72 blazer build
 

fixed pix. Looks good - how did the bedside install go? Everything line up as it should have?

Re: Zach’s 72 blazer build
 

Thanks they fit really well for an aftermarket part with so many bolt holes to get lined up. Every bolt was able to be installed without having to enlarge any holes. I was worried how everything would line up once I started putting more parts but I got the tailgate on with a pretty acceptable gap and the top set on today. Next it’s time to cut down a set of doors and get them mounted up so I can start work on the floor pans and rockers.

Re: Zach’s 72 blazer build
 

..

Re: Zach’s 72 blazer build
 

Started working on the floor and inner rockers on the drivers side. So far I have the a pillar repaired, inner rocker tacked and bolted in , and the cab support replaced.

Re: Zach’s 72 blazer build
 

Looks great! Did you put the bedsides on first and then the wheel wells? Any challenges with those holes lining up? Might have to pull the trigger on a bed floor and bedsides in 2019 if it is that plug and play.

Re: Zach’s 72 blazer build
 

Nope everything lined up great I highly recommend them. The tailgate gap looks very nice and the top fit with the sides well too.

Re: Zach’s 72 blazer build
 

I’ve gotten a lot done lately since my last update. Almost all of the wedding has been finished inside the tub and I replaced the cab supports while everything was cut out. I swapped the front axle under the frame so I could test fit some tires before I get it ready for paint. I also decided to go a new route and picked up an aluminum 5.3 to swap in.

Re: Zach’s 72 blazer build
 

Nice

Re: Zach’s 72 blazer build
 

Looks great! But I must admit I'm a little sad the turbines are leaving.:lol:

Re: Zach’s 72 blazer build
 

You can’t tell in the pictures but two are one backspacing and two are another, I had no idea until I got the tires mounted on them and something didn’t look right.