New Guy, Not So New Blazer

[JustLearnin]

Hey guys. Found this website a few weeks ago and proceeded to read my way through the first 100 pages! Amazing amount of information; wish I would have read first, then bought. Oh well...

Purchased a 1972 CST Blazer last fall. I was originally wanting something that I could plow snow with but still have fun in the summer with the family. I've had a few jeeps and really enjoyed them, but really wanted a longer wheel base.

I was able to get a month or so of summerlike driving; I took that top off first thing. The engine went out on me in the first few weeks, unfortunately. My mechanic swapped it out with a crate engine (330hp IIRC) so I could enjoy the last few weeks of nice weather. Swapped out the tires and wheels too. Already making memories with the family. The kids sure like it; the wife not so much (we had a little break down when she went with me to haul the jet ski out of the lake). Note to self, make sure the mechanicals are like new before introducing the wife to the new toy. She always loved the jeeps so I'm confident that once everything is gone over she'll enjoy it...

It's getting a frame off restoration this winter. Hopefully I'll get it back in about a month or so. (I highly doubt it'll see a plow now. ) Looking forward to getting it back! Anyways, here is how the rust bucket looked when I brought her home, and the old engine. First try on pictures, so hopefully it works...

[Tom Vogel]

Welcome. Looks like a worthy candidate.

[truckster]

Welcome, from south of the (Utah-Idaho) border.

[GhostTown]

Very cool. I'm in Southern Idaho, and just bought this. Love the orange and black color combo!

[JustLearnin]

Thank you guys for the warm welcome.

GhostTown, love that look. Especially with both trim pieces.

Here is a pix of my firewall; gives you an idea of what it's going to look like...

[JustLearnin]

Just got the bumpers delivered to the bodyman today!

[71Bowties]

Those bumpers are awesome!! Where did you get them?

Originally Posted by JustLearnin

Just got the bumpers delivered to the bodyman today!

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[JustLearnin]

Originally Posted by 71Bowties

Those bumpers are awesome!! Where did you get them?


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Thanks 71Bowties! I got them from a company in Georgia called Tactical Armor Group.

[71Bowties]

Those look like what I am wanting for my 71 build going on right now. I am curious to see how the fitment works for you.

BTW, I love that color you are going with and cannot wait to see it finished (or as finished as one of these projects ever gets...)

Originally Posted by JustLearnin

Thanks 71Bowties! I got them from a company in Georgia called Tactical Armor Group.

[JustLearnin]

Thanks. The hard top will be a tannish color, similar to the Softtop. Should make for a nice combo. I hear ya on finishing...I'm getting antsy and it's only been the winter. I've been amazed reading everyone's stories of their builds, unfolding over periods of years!

[swyfor5]

Welcome! Nice looking bumpers, how did your experience with Kyle go to get them? T.A.G. IS WHAT HE CALLS HIS COMPANY NOW. Used to be Kennesaw Mountain Accessories.Hope your deals with him went better than mine. I'm sure my bumper thread (rant) is still here somewhere. I'm still waiting to finish reworking my wincher I got from Kyle. Well enough about my troubles, good luck with the K5!

[JustLearnin]

Originally Posted by swyfor5

Welcome! Nice looking bumpers, how did your experience with Kyle go to get them? T.A.G. IS WHAT HE CALLS HIS COMPANY NOW. Used to be Kennesaw Mountain Accessories.Hope your deals with him went better than mine. I'm sure my bumper thread (rant) is still here somewhere. I'm still waiting to finish reworking my wincher I got from Kyle. Well enough about my troubles, good luck with the K5!

Thanks swyfor5. In my first post, I mentioned wishing that I had read all of the posts prior to starting this build, and your rant was one of the reasons. I figured out pretty quick that they had to be the same company. I am working through some issues with Kyle right now. I will be happy with them, I think, provided they fit properly, but with my blazer tore down I can't really check that yet. I know the bars weren't right on yours and all that, but how about the fitment?

[swyfor5]

Not totally sure yet, as I do not have it mounted. I did do a test fit-brackets to front frame rails and it looked good. I am lucky to have a friend close by to help with any fabrication/welding work to make it fit right. I read a bunch of bad stuff about Kyle before I ordered my bumper, but ordered it anyway. I am sure I will be happy with it when I get it right. I like the looks of your front bumper, hope it works out ok! I am going to have my friend John fab me up a rear to kind of match. Look forward to seeing yours mounted.

[JustLearnin]

I had some aftermarket bumpers installed several years ago on one of my one-ton dodges. I purchased them through the dealer so I'm not sure that they were made by T.A.G., but they have the same lines and style. I loved those bumpers! Fit well, and man, you could hit anything with them! That experience is the primary reason I went with these bumpers.

Here's a photo of the driveline going back on the chassis...

[JustLearnin]

Well swyfor5, my experiences with Kyle at Tactical Armor Group, apparently weren't any better than yours. I ordered my bumpers with the satin finish; I just assumed that it would be powdercoated. Ends up it's a paint. Per my bodyman, the metal was not prepped for paint, nor primered first. The paint flakes and rubs off by hand. End result is my bodyman is going to take care of it; strip them down and recoat them (love my bodyman!). The only recompense I could get from Kyle was $20 per bumper and replacement paint. Unfortunate really. Knowing this now, and FYI for anyone else dealing with TAG, I would certainly order the bumpers with a liner coating, which doesn't require metal prep I believe. Anyway, enough with the negative.

Here's a pix from today...

[Fw190d9]

Had the same experience with them. Ordered a multicarrier rear bumper and they shipped all the swing outs and parts to california and shipped me the bumper in Texas. Took 3 months to get the parts back. Then after all that, It didnt even fit right. I had to cut one of the spindles and re-weld it as it wouldnt clear the tailgate. None of my stuff was powdercoated either, cheap paint that would flake off. Had to strip all of it and re-paint it. Anyway, rant over, nice blazer. Should look pretty cool.

Evan Q.

[JustLearnin]

Wow Evan, that's poor customer service. Sorry to hear about that. I'm waiting to hear how mine fits, hopefully no issues...

[danw210]

Those bumpers are BAD ASS! Looks like you're going to have a really nice blazer there. Subscriberd to this one for sure!!! Keep up the great work.

[JustLearnin]

Originally Posted by danw210

Those bumpers are BAD ASS! Looks like you're going to have a really nice blazer there. Subscriberd to this one for sure!!! Keep up the great work.

Thanks danw210. Not doing much more than signing checks lol, but I'm looking forward to getting it back! Here's a pix with the bumpers recoated today.

[danw210]

Those look saWeeeeeeeeeeeeeeT!!! I know whatcha mean about signing those checks, lol.

[JustLearnin]

Well, getting closer. I'm hoping to see some pix this week of the Blazer in primer coat. Until then here is a pix of the re-upholstered back seat that I got today...

[JustLearnin]

Things are progressing well. The seats are finished and the bodyman has removed/replaced the last of the rust. Hope to see a primered rig real soon!

[JustLearnin]

Aaaannnd, another step forward...

[JustLearnin]

Paint...
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[POS1]

Nice. I'm looking forward to seeing this one come together. I have been contemplating buying the same bumpers from TAG and just putting up with the BS if the deal comes with it. I just think those bumpers are the best ones on the market from a looks-point-of-view.