1972 Blazer - 'Bullet' Project
 

Figured I would post some pix of the progress I have made - mostly cleaning up this thing...

1st - I will start by saying that the carpet in this thing was the craptastic factory asbestos stuff that had about an inch of sand, dirt, etc. in it when I pulled it out.

A bottle of Simple Green and I was on my way to cleaning some of the cobwebs out of this thing...

Here are a few before shots...

Re: 1972 Blazer - 'Bullet' Project
 

First order of business - pull the front seats and then the carpet to see what I am really looking at rust wise...this is when I found the 357 Magnum Hollow Point bullet under the carpet - hence the project name.

If the PO would have pulled the carpet 5 years ago - it would have been in a lot better shape today...

Re: 1972 Blazer - 'Bullet' Project
 

More pix of the carnage...

I had to pour water on the floors to get some of the sand/dirt/dust out of it. That's why the floor looks wet in one of the pix.

I then cleaned half of the Blazer (psgr side) so I could see how dirty is was before.

Re: 1972 Blazer - 'Bullet' Project
 

that thing is great for around here, where did you buy it from?

Re: 1972 Blazer - 'Bullet' Project
 

I was surprised by how little rust this thing actually has for being in Ohio for 10 years (PO bought it in 2000 from Idaho).

One of the PSGR seat mounting bolt threads were stripped - so not sure what I am going to do about that yet - might be easier just to retap it later down the road...

Re: 1972 Blazer - 'Bullet' Project
 

I took a look at the driver side torsion box and found it full of sand, dirt, rust scale, etc.

After washing it out with a hose and making sure that the drain holes were cleaned out - I had a better idea of how the rocker boxes looked...

a few before and after pix - looks like they were never cleaned out...:(

Re: 1972 Blazer - 'Bullet' Project
 

Dude, nice progress on the Blazer. I'm liking the pics and the progress. Hopefully I can get my one Blazer going before you have two of them on the road. Look foward to more pics. Later dude. Mario

Re: 1972 Blazer - 'Bullet' Project
 

Keep on pluggin away she actually looks pretty good..

Re: 1972 Blazer - 'Bullet' Project
 

That does look pretty good for a Blazer in these parts.

Re: 1972 Blazer - 'Bullet' Project
 

Definitely in pretty good shape - I'm diggin all the detailed pics you are taking too!

Re: 1972 Blazer - 'Bullet' Project
 

Dig some more cleaning...

Took out the back seat - found the driver side rear seat bolt was snapped off - so more fun down the road to get that out...

A few more before I cleaned the whole floor...and then we get to the whole thing cleaned up...

All the floor brackets that held the side panels are rusted solid - so I will likely have to drill those out as well...

Re: 1972 Blazer - 'Bullet' Project
 

Floor is now cleaned up - might need to go over it again with a few clean towels just to make sure...

Then I took the shop vac to the torsion/support boxes on both sides and the passenger side rocker...

Last pic is the amount of dirt/mud that was removed from the driver side support box and the passenger side rocker...

Re: 1972 Blazer - 'Bullet' Project
 

More Torsion/Support box pix...

Passenger side was full of dirt as was the rocker...can't wait to get these off to see what is really in there...

Maybe I should host a BBQ at my place and local guys with welding experience can come and assist 'Save the Blazer'. :)

After a closer look the torsion boxes might need some work - they are soft in spots and a few 'layers' of metal came off easily when I was cleaning them out...

The last ones here are inside the passenger side box looking toward the front.

Re: 1972 Blazer - 'Bullet' Project
 

Last few...passenger side torsion box inside looking toward rear...

Re: 1972 Blazer - 'Bullet' Project
 

This one's going 2wd, right? Are you going to save the t-case for the green truck? I always wanted to swap in 205 with a column shift into it.

Re: 1972 Blazer - 'Bullet' Project
 

bouncy - this one will be staying 4x4 - the 2wd one is still out in AZ being built by 70rs/ss - yes they are the same dark blue color so that makes it a bit confusing...

My neighbors are going to be confused as well.

Re: 1972 Blazer - 'Bullet' Project
 

Wow, you've become quite the collector!

Re: 1972 Blazer - 'Bullet' Project
 

I figured this one would be worth more (when reselling) than a 72 2wd 3/4 ton - this one has a few more options as well - :)

I traded it straight across and got a bunch of extra parts with it:

original motor with A/C brackets - needs rebuilt
skid plate
6 lug rally wheels (15x8)
Swing Away Tire Carrier (with brackets)

I think I got a great deal with all the extra stuff I got with it...

Right now my fleet consists of:

1967 SWB truck - still out in CO - :)
1969 Blazer (your old one)
1970 C10 - going to my Dad (hopefully on Father's Day)
1972 Blazer 4x4 (the one in this thread)
1972 Blazer 2wd (out in AZ)
1995 Impala SS
1997 Yukon GT (daily driver)

Re: 1972 Blazer - 'Bullet' Project
 

Wow...nice collection!

Re: 1972 Blazer - 'Bullet' Project
 

Sent ya a PM about some "spare" Blazer parts I have that you may want/need!?

Re: 1972 Blazer - 'Bullet' Project
 

I'll be checking this out for info ;)

Re: 1972 Blazer - 'Bullet' Project
 

I haven't touched this project in a few weeks - I ran out of steam working on my Dad's project back then so I rebuilt the dash that was in this and color matched it to the truck...I am at work so no pix now - but can get some when I get home.

I also removed the beat up dash pad that I will replace when the time comes - I just couldn't look at the beat up/ripped thing anymore.

I can't wait to start on this one - but need to get the other one done first.

We all know how that goes...

**I also scored some new torsion boxes/caps if it turns out that these are in bad shape**

Re: 1972 Blazer - 'Bullet' Project
 

Finally remembered the pix...:)

I need to fix the wiring for the gas tank and a few other things...but I figured I would post it up...

Re: 1972 Blazer - 'Bullet' Project
 

Those loook great

Re: 1972 Blazer - 'Bullet' Project
 

Thanks - I had a replacement bezel sitting in the box that I was going to use on my 67 project that is coming and figured I would try and clean this one up a bit...

Took it apart, painted the inside white, replaced all the bulbs, cleaned the lens and then painted the visible spots a color match to the factory blue.

Painted the needles while I was in there and then bolted it back in...here is a pic (albeit not a good one) from when I was looking to buy it - PO never got the gas gauge line fixed either - :lol:

Re: 1972 Blazer - 'Bullet' Project
 

I am waiting for my neighbor to get back from his vacation (he travels all the time since he is retired) so I can paint my Dad's truck and get it out of my project list...

In the mean time I washed the outside of the blazer this weekend - the top had moss and was black from sitting so long - it took me about an hour to go over the top and clean it up so it was white again.:lol:

I also tried to fix the gas gauge over the weekend - but I want to drop the tank to check the sending unit - since the guy I got it from put in a poly tank - not sure if he replaced the sending unit or just put back in the old one - :crazy: I need to set aside a few hours of time - since when I do this I will likely find some other stuff that needs attention or cleaning or repaired (every project I have is like that it seems).

Some time ago I took a 3M strip disk on my angle grinder and cleaned the rust out of the passenger side floor - then treated it with some Ospho I had in the garage...after that I painted the passenger side floor with some extra Master Series Coating (www.nomorerust.com) I had laying around...it has held up really well. It is a good test since the windshield frame is toast in spots and leaks water onto the floor when it rains - yes I need to get that replaced...

There is still pitting in the floor after cleaning up the rust - but I have a replacement floor pan section coming and I wanted to test it out something before the replacement happened. Once the new metal is welded in - I will be painting the floor with this stuff prior to adding carpet back in...

I need to get some pix of the cleaning, and the floor now...

In about a month or so - I will need to get a picture of the 3 blazers in my collection

1969 Blazer 4x4 - 6" lift with 35" tires
1972 Blazer 4x4 - Stock Suspension with 33" tires
1972 Blazer 2WD - static drop = 2.5" front and 4" in the back

Should make for a good picture in the driveway...

Re: 1972 Blazer - 'Bullet' Project
 

pix...

top cleaning (before) and floor shot - I guess I didn't get an after shot...duh.

You can see my Dad's truck waiting in the back yard to get some time with the paint gun - :)

Re: 1972 Blazer - 'Bullet' Project
 

Dude, if I was anywhere near I'd give you a hand. Well, I'd at least show up and watch.

Re: 1972 Blazer - 'Bullet' Project
 

Thanks Mario - just need to get one of these things done.

I started cleaning out the 67 SWB GMC last night since I had about an hour to kill after dinner.

That will be an interesting project...

Gas Gauge Fix
 

Since I had some free time over the weekend I decided to try and get the gas gauge working...pull the tan wire from the fuse box - no change in the needle when the key is in the on position...grounded out somewhere.

I checked the ground - cleaned up the metal and then reinstalled it - whoever thought that the design of these things was a good idea - was an idiot - If I had smaller hands that would have helped, but nonetheless - I was able to get it back together...no dice - still grounded out somewhere.

I didn't want to drop the tank since that would have taken a lot more time so I traced the wiring and didn't find anything suspect...so I figured the only good way would be to drop the tank and check the sending unit.

My last experience with this was draining the tank, dropping the tank, and then replacing the sending unit. The last one I changed had a broken float and the thing was black and corroded - so it needed replaced anyway.

Well - I had a spare poly tank that I was going to use in another project in the garage with a new sending unit - so I figured it would be an easy swap...wrong.

Drained the tank - 17 gals later (I have only put in a few gals from my gas cans since I have owned it) - so thanks to the PO for filling it up right before delivery - :) - I don't think that he intended to do this. That took about 30-45 mins.

To do this - I had to cut the factory line from the tank to the fill neck since the line was ripped up a bit from the clamps and the POs work on it...last time - so it needed to be replaced anyway. New hose and new clamps on the grocery list at NAPA.

Then I move onto the bolts that hold the tank straps to the frame - I put my socket on the bolt - one turn and the damn thing breaks off - :(

I then loosen the bolt that is holding the tank on so I can drop it down and remove the wires from the sending unit - no dice - guess I will have to try the other bolt - that breaks off as well - so now I drop the tank and figure I will come back and take care of the bolts at reinstall time...

I drop the tank to see the entire sending unit rusted beyond belief. I got a few pix of it and will post them later. I was actually surprised to see it was that bad. Anything I can put on the new one to prevent this (dielectric grease on the ground and sending unit connection)? Also there was a splice/reconnection in the sending unit wire near the connector - not sure why somebody would do that -:crazy: - so that will be inspected and fixed prior to putting this back up in the frame rails.

I then went to get the bolts off the frame for the straps - that snapped off a bit ago - they were carriage bolts so I had nothing to get them off and the other bolts were not going anywhere since the threads of the bolts were solid rust - I love Ohio.

I get the sawsall out and try to get a decent angle on the bolts - not happening - so I get out the cut off wheel and they grudgingly came out after 15 mins of cutting and trying not to burn the truck down.

Now, the last time I did this my local Napa had the fuel hose in stock so I drive down there to get it - nope - other store has it though (20-25 mins across town) - so I figure - why not. I show up and they don't have any either - special order only. :( Now the other one close to home is closed...next time I will call and have them confirm that they have it.

I will have to call it in today and get the hose later on my way home...hopefully I can get to it tonight when I get home. If not, it might not happen this week - since I am booked solid for the remainder of it.

Also - when this was driven up from Columbus the PO said that he had the console and the rear side panels (crappy shape - but could be used for a template) - and he would be up near me again sometime he would drop them off...that was in April.

I have called every now and again to see when he would be up and he called me on Saturday to tell me he found some other things as well..

1. Beauty Rings for the 6 lug rallys
2. A/C Brackets for a 350 - not sure if all 7 are there - we will see.
3. A/C lines for the system

He will be up in 2-3 weeks and will bring it with him. So if this stuff is in good shape - the deal just got sweeter. :)

Re: 1972 Blazer - 'Bullet' Project
 

Two steps forward, 3 steps back. I used hydraulic hose for the gas filler line because of the odd size. I hope it holds up to the fuel rather than oil.

Re: 1972 Blazer - 'Bullet' Project
 

Few pix of the process...

Stopped by Napa on the way home last night to pick up the fuel hose - didn't come in for some reason - which means I couldn't get this thing fixed yet...:(

It does look pretty clean underneath though - only some surface rust.

Any issues with not using the charcoal canister line when I put the replacement stuff back in?

Re: 1972 Blazer - 'Bullet' Project
 

Got the tank back in today since I was out of town for the long weekend - dodged the rain and had an hour to spare...met up with board member badboy007 since he was heading up to Ann Arbor with a floor pan that I bought a bit ago from him.

Gas gauge works again - :) - however, now I need to replace the bolts on the straps so that they cinch the tank up a bit since I ran out of thread on the ones that came with the tank I bought - :( They hold the tank up OK - but the straps aren't solid on the tank...so while I am in there - might as well make it right - I will probably pick up some bolts from TSC.

Everything else looks good though - just can't fill up the tank yet so if the rain stays at bay this week - I can get this replacement tank project wrapped up and move on to the next 'headache'.

Re: 1972 Blazer - 'Bullet' Project
 

So is the poly tank a direct replacement? How about the filler neck, does that line up OK?

Re: 1972 Blazer - 'Bullet' Project
 

Direct replacement - sorta - filler neck - thankfully, the PO or somebody down the line when they went over to the poly tank they cut the metal line off the old tank and then used fuel line to bridge the gaps to the fill neck.

I included a pic that indicates what I am talking about...I just loosened the hose clamp and moved the whole assembly over to the new tank kit.

It never leaked when I put gas in it - and when I put a few gals in it today there were no leaks again - so I would consider it good to go (minus those damn bolts).

Now I will just need to get a replacement sending unit for the old one and it should be good to go again for another project.

Did I ever mention that dropping these tanks is a PITA. :)

Re: 1972 Blazer - 'Bullet' Project
 

"Direct replacement - sorta - filler neck - thankfully, the PO or somebody down the line when they went over to the poly tank they cut the metal line off the old tank and then used fuel line to bridge the gaps to the fill neck."

Yup, that is exactly what I did when I went from steel to poly. I went back to steel for a larger tank..
:mm:

Re: 1972 Blazer - 'Bullet' Project
 

I have a motorcycle jack (about $100 at sears) that works great for raising/lowering the gas tank.

When you get the shorter bolts and the tank up where you want it carefull tightening the l bolts that come with the tank/straps. I like things tight and broke the L right off the bolt. Dropped the tank AGAIN welded the bolt better than it ever was and installed the tank AGAIN (I was getting good at it by now.

Good luck

As far as the charcoal cannister, I redid all my lines and rubber hoses and am using it. Venting can't hurt? I still have to go slow filling the tank and my vent line is new, straight, and not kinked?

Re: 1972 Blazer - 'Bullet' Project
 

Just bought a transmission jack from Harbor Freight for a 100, looked at it and thought it could double as a gas tank jack:lol:

Thanks for the info, can you take a pic of the fill side of the poly and steel tanks...your so good at removing it, just trying to see what I'm in fir

Re: 1972 Blazer - 'Bullet' Project
 

I went with a steel tank. I soldered a fill tube from another tank to the new tank (kind of a pain, I would do it again though, I think it is the right way). If you use a steel tank and solder make sure you get and use tinning paste, it will make your life much easier (now you tell me).

I thought I had pics of me working on the gas tank. Installing filler tube, undercoating entire tank, rubber strips for the straps and where the tank touches the frame (hopefiully keep squeeks and rattles to a minimum) But I can't find them???

Re: 1972 Blazer - 'Bullet' Project
 

(Now you tell me)ROTFLMAO,BTDT
Already got the tinning butter, thanks for the heads up... can you post up a pic of your fuseblock, I would like to see where you plugged in your tach wire...sorry, got you mixed up with Thealien