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

[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?

[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

[smbrouss70]

Just found this thread, You know I love the '70 508 Dark Blue!

Keep up the good work!

[lks dcvn]

Thanks guys - appreciate the feedback! Still working down my list of stuff before this thing sees some road time.

[lks dcvn]

Now that I have all but one set of body mounts and bolts replaced (the ones under the radiator are still pending) - I took some pix of how the doors align with the bedsides. These doors appear to still be the stock doors so it's amazing how from each side they are not aligned with the side of the truck.

The driver side is spot on while the passenger side is a bit off in the door shape to bedside contour.

[lks dcvn]

I also mocked up the chrome bumper that came with the truck and have decided that I'm going to go with the white GMC bumper look instead of chrome for the time being. They are easy to swap if I decide to make a change down the road.

I will also need to adjust the rear driver side bumper bracket as it seems to have drooped a bit over time.

A few minutes with a level and some tools should fix that right up.

[twp1]

Looking Good!

[raggedjim]

Looking good, glad they worked out for you.

Rg

[lks dcvn]

A few more parts came in today and already installed them. Thanks jimmy70 for the license plate holder and working light housing... Looks right at home on the truck.

[twp1]

Looking good.

[lks dcvn]

Still making my way down the list of repairs on the Jimmy. Yesterday was new windshield and precision gasket day. One more thing off the list...

I used a glass repair chain with local service and the tech called in a co-worker to assist in the job. Little during/after shots.

[lks dcvn]

Been trying to get a few of the items on the list done over the past week while I had some time before the holidays.

• radiator leak - replaced with Champion EC-369 - fit in the stock mounts without issue or any mods needed
• check water pump/thermostat/heater core - replaced bad thermostat and upper & lower rad hoses - we have heat in the truck again
• power steering = leaking bad - replaced pump brackets to OEM and swapped in an original chimney style pump and added new stainless lines from Frank (PICKMUP) to the gearbox - not leaking any longer
• swap s10 column back to stock column - ordered a 4 speed column painted in the matching 508 Dark Blue Poly from Les (70shortfleet)
• swap in dark blue dash pad - pending

Yesterday, I went out to start the truck and got a crank/no start scenario. I'll add that to the list to diagnose when I get more time.

[harrisoncole4]

Cool build, love the one year only paint codes!

[Heydanl]

Hey there, I was just looking through your thread and think I might have an answer for the poor fitment at the top of your passenger door. I have a 72 Blazer I'm in the process of rebuilding and I bought a 67 C10 for parts. The C10s doors were much better than the Blazer's so I cut them down, thinking all C10/Blazer doors were the same. Well, they're not. When I put them on I had the same mismatch between the top of the door and the quarter that you do. If it appears that your door is the original, then you have a factory mismatch. Maybe that was the year of the changeover between profiles and some assembly line worker just thought "ah, what the hell" and stuck it on. Or maybe your truck got hit at some point and that was the replacement door that was installed. Anyways, in the photo, the orange door is from the 67 C10, the other is my factory Blazer door. You can see the difference in contour at the top of the door. (Not sure why the picture loaded sideways)

[lks dcvn]

right side up pic - I'll have to take a look and see. Good catch!