Lks Dcvn - 1972 2WD Blazer Build

[Beau2a]

Hey thanks. I think I will eventually put carpet over it. For now just gonna drive it like this. I'm really happy with how it turned out. It does a nice job cutting down the noise.

[Tuff Gong]

Nice work. I'm always checking back for new progress.

[rayray767]

Were you planing on going to the Super Chevy Show?
I'm going Saturday give me a shout we could meet up
Your PM box is full I tried leaving you my number ....
Ray....ttyl

[1956cameo]

Looks like a heck of a start! I wish I could get my hands on a tub like the blue one for my next project. That thing is solid. Looking forward to seeing this one come together.

[bigdon-70blazer]

Subscribed to this one....can't wait !

[lks dcvn]

Still cleaning this thing up a bit..spent some time prepping for the power washer.

[lks dcvn]

Picked up some new stripping materials to see how well they did on surface rust with minor pitting. They are 80 grit nylon impregnated with abrasives. I had a coupon for $5 off my next purchase at the local hardware store and took a gamble on these. They did better than I expected.

Here is a few pictures before I started on the surface rust after it was power washed.

What I neglected to get pictures of was the after on the front suspension or where I painted it with www.nomorerust.com silver paint to coat the framerails to stop rust.

[lks dcvn]

Treated the core support with the no more rust paint, gave it a shot of paint and then added the headlight bezels to it.

You can see the cleaned up frame and suspension in the shots below.

[lks dcvn]

Picked up more parts...

• set of new BFG 275/60/15's to put on the 15x8 rally wheels I picked up a few months ago - hoping to find time to mount them this week
• ECE 2.5" drop spindles - backordered a week
• ECE 4" rear drop springs
• ECE LS motor mount kit
• ECE Transmission Crossmember
• ECE Extreme Drop Crossmember
• Replacement rear bumper brackets from RockAuto - to eventually replace the heavy metal aftermarket one that was installed at some point
• Replacement coil spring mounting hardware, cups and bolts since I know mine will be more rusty than I will like to reuse
• Replacement rear U-Bolts since it looks like I will have to cut mine off when I do the rear spring replacement

Need to get the time to start working on this thing...

Upcoming items that are on my list to pick up:

• LSx Motor and Auto Trans
• Entropy dual pass radiator with LS fans and wiring
• Factory Style Rear bumper
• Right Stuff Detailing SS brake lines
• New booster and MC

[rayray767]

Can't wait to see it 😉👍

[Tynee]

I like it.

[lks dcvn]

Finally an update 4+ months later.

I spent my limited free time over the past few months removing the rest of the non-metal parts (wiring harnesses, dash cluster, heater components, etc.) to prep the body for a media blast to see what lurks at the bare metal layer before digging into the resurrection.

Yesterday - the 2wd Blazer and several new parts were loaded into a trailer bound for TN. I also picked up another 2wd Blazer chassis to go with the tub sitting in my spare garage bay.

I coordinated to split the rest of the build between two different shops in 2017.

Body and chassis work - the plan is to take the original tub sitting on the chassis, media blast it and then determine the amount of work ahead to bring it back to solid metal.

I'm already aware of the following areas of concern:

• new 71/72 front clip (fenders, hood, grill, bumper, etc.)
• new pair of 72 blazer doors - moving over old OEM door internals
• One piece front floor replacement
• Cowl panel rust repair - still deciding on shaving the firewall/cowl trench
• torsion box replacement
• outer rocker replacement
• B-pillar repair on both side - each with their own level of rust/rot
• Replacement of both rear wheel tubs
• Repair of rear floor near tailgate area

Chassis will be blown apart, media blasted and then powder coated matte black with all suspension components. Chassis will be given a 2.5/4" drop using ECE components that were shipped down with the truck, new front end suspension rebuild with Moog parts and cross member mods to allow the exhaust to tuck up closer to the body.

Paint will be the original 1972 524 Red-Orange and the bottom of the tub will be Line-X'd to prevent future wear and rusting. Still on the fence about having the inside done with Line-X as well as I'm not sure if I am going to do carpet or not yet. Thoughts from the group on if Line-X'ing the inside of the tub?

Next will be an American Autowire Update Series 510089 to make sure the wiring is up to snuff.

Top has cracking and the hatch struts need replaced - might go to gas struts here - and once complete - the top will be used sparingly so still not sure if I want to pursue a lot of work on the top yet.

Drivetrain - (Street Machinery) - After the body work, paint and chassis are complete - Boris and the gurus at Street Machinery perform the rest of the items on the blazer including:

• LS motor install - including all cooling and fuel needs -
• 4L60e/4L65e/4L80e install - depending on which LS gets installed
• stand-alone LS harness

As for the extra 2wd blazer chassis/tub - I am going to start another build thread once I get that going...

[rayray767]

Line-X'ing the inside of the tub is always a cool look without carpet. It's also a Protector against moisture problems when having carpet ...
Unexpected rain / morning dew / spills etc...

[Beau2a]

I had mine Rhino Lined over the weekend.

[Beau2a]

One more

[HARDCORECASH]

That looks great Beau2a!!

[rayray767]

Super cool looking !

[lks dcvn]

The blazer made it safely to start the body work. After removing the orange tub from the body it became apparent that the tub would be a lot of work so the Blue tub was sent down last week to use instead and the spare 1970 2wd chassis was also sold.

The original 2wd chassis has been media blasted and is pending powder coat. The blue tub will be blasted, mated to the frame with Wes's new blazer body mount kit and then body work started with the top in place.

I ordered up some Dead End Garage bolt in exhaust cutouts for the x-member and a red head steering gear box this week. They are on their way as the frame is going to be put together with new MOOG parts as well as the ECE 2.5/4" static drop.

[lks dcvn]

Digging into the blue tub...found some spots I'm glad were found now so they can be cleaned up and repaired.

Looks like even in Montana - these things rust away from the inside out.

[lks dcvn]

Frame has been blown apart to make sure no rust is hiding and being prepped for powdercoat - a few more pix...

[DaHos]

I see some things very similar to mine in these pics !!! Keep er up !!!

[lks dcvn]

Frame is back from powder and assembly has started - hoping for rolling chassis by the end of the week.

[raggedjim]

Nice, makes me question not pulling the tub off the frame...

Good work, Rg

[gringoloco]

Wow, just wow.

[lks dcvn]

This is the fourth 2wd 70-72 I have owned since I joined the forum. I'm at a spot now where I can build one up and keep one for awhile. This one is getting the full treatment...

I also picked up a 71 4x4 blazer project to tinker with while this one is being built. No pics or build thread for that one yet. It's getting some work done to make it safe/reliable for the summer.