The Great Critter Revival ‘09

[Critter]

Well, I figure it is time for me to put this in some sort of build thread, even though at the moment it is made up more of destruction than building.

A little history…I had been looking for a 1st gen Blazer off and on starting around 2001. I got serious a couple years ago and picked this one up in August of 2006. I knew it had some issues but I also knew it had a lot of the options I wanted. I.E. tilt, A/C, 350/TH350, etc. After I bought it I realized it was a Highlander package as well. For the last couple of years I have been gathering parts, casually fixing things, and getting it road worthy. Tuned up the engine, rebuilt the tranny, rebuilt the front axle/spring bushings, new rear suspension. Blah, Blah, Blah. This winter it finally became fully street legal…just in time for me to get serious about restoring it. I have most of the big parts gathered up like a full set of virtually spotless OEM sheet metal to bolt on (except for a driver door that I am currently looking for), along with a new rear axle and some newer style GM seats from a 2001 truck. The rest of the parts like, grill parts, pretty much all of the interior pieces, and all the seals/gaskets and so on will be purchased as I go.

The first pic is where she was sitting back in 2006. The others were taken after I had done some work.

[Critter]

As far as my goals for this thing, I plan on taking the resto-mod approach. I want the body to look basically stock as far as trim, bumpers, and a solid color paint scheme (still haven’t figured out which color that will be), the interior will be stockish with modern updates here and there. Under the hood things such as wiring and plumbing will be cleaned up and improved as needed and the original 350 will be rebuilt and mildly upgraded. I would like for it to eventually be nice enough for me to take to local car shows and club gatherings, along with weekend drives to the river, beach, etc. I don’t plan to run it up and down the rocks or anything but at the same time I’m going to drive it where I want and ENJOY it.

I also think I need to add that I have owned and worked on a number of old Chevy trucks, but this is my first attempt at a “frame off” rebuild, so I’m sure it will be slow and painful for everyone.

[Mint68]

Gotta love Texas. In Nebraska it is extremely difficult to find something in that good of shape. Everything has been rotting forever here. Good find, I really like the wheels.

[Critter]

I started pulling the front clip off a few weeks ago and then the doors. This week I got going on the rockers. Here are a few pics of you typical rust. I had a fairly decent idea of how bad it was being that I could see most of it through the holes. Time to order some patch panels…site venders here I come. I plan to totally fix the drivers side before I move to the passenger. Plus I got a couple little spots to fix on the firewall, but they are on flat surfaces and should be fairly easy to patch.

[Critter]

Finally got the drivers rocker off. YEAH! As I figured, I will need inner and outer rockers, the outer floor strip, kick panel, front cab corner, and lower front bedside area.

[Critter]

...and a couple more for the heck of it.

[Critter]

here they are

[Critter]

The PO had done some previous body work and a respectable looking paint job, probably around 15 years ago. Of course he had to use the stereotypical slab of bondo in at least one place. The part of the tub between the drivers door and rear wheel is by far the worst part. I couldn’t resist taking out some frustration on this slab of bondo. I was curious if it was hiding a huge dent or Swiss cheese rust, or both.

Turns out there were a couple of rust pin holes but mostly it was a huge dent. At one point there was probably 3/8 inches of bondo. The bondo finally tapered off around the top of the wheel arch like I thought it would (I had the magnet over it quite a bit)

[Jtrux]

The race is on, my passenger rocker came off tonight too.

[OldCreek]

What's it called when you use your own name in the title for your build thread?

[Jtrux]

Originally Posted by OldCreek

What's it called when you use your own name in the title for your build thread?

Technically speaking, Critter is the name of his blazer, he's a wierdo.

[litebulblsc]

If you don't mind me going off topic and asking, what is the highlander option?

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by Critter

Finally got the drivers rocker off. YEAH! As I figured, I will need inner and outer rockers, the outer floor strip, kick panel, front cab corner, and lower front bedside area.

For your inner rocker replacement, look into the part Tri-Pro sells for trucks, you get alot more to work with than the blazer version.
The full length truck part includes the lower 'A' pillar holes and a fair amount of floor area too, it'll give you more option's to work with.

Pic of the part I'm talking about:



Here's a decent thread to look over, it addresses where your heading...
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=249323

Enjoy...

[lks dcvn]

Watching this one...I will have a comparable fix on a 72 4x4 Blazer when it shows up in a few weeks from Columbus, Ohio after a trade for my 72 C/20...

Good Luck with your build - as overwhelming as it will be - the end result will justify the stress of doing it...

[Jtrux]

Originally Posted by vtblazer

For your inner rocker replacement, look into the part Tri-Pro sells for trucks, you get alot more to work with than the blazer version.
The full length truck part includes the lower 'A' pillar holes and a fair amount of floor area too, it'll give you more option's to work with.

Pic of the part I'm talking about:



Here's a decent thread to look over, it addresses where your heading...
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=249323

Enjoy...

Nice link, lots of good pics.

[Twisted78SS]

Looks about the same as my project50th, I am going to keep an eye on this one. Good luck with your plans, it sounds pretty good!


Drew

[Yukon Jack]

Will be a fun project to watch - sounds like you have a good plan. The color looks alot like the color on my K5.

[RckyMntnKng]

Cool rig!

I love those wheels....anyone know where you could get them in 8 on 6.5?

[mudman316]

I too will be watching closely as I will be doing the same to mine this spring and summer. I will have to replace bottom boxes also. nice project truck keep at it you'll get it done. at least that is what i will be telling myself during mine to try to keep a little sanity.

Are you supporting the pillars with anything while you do the work or is the boxes doing their job still?

[Critter]

Originally Posted by Mint68

Gotta love Texas. In Nebraska it is extremely difficult to find something in that good of shape. Everything has been rotting forever here. Good find, I really like the wheels.

Texas is weird, East Texas trucks = RUST, but West Texas = SoCal/Arizona sheet metal. Here in Central Tex, it's 50/50. I guess mines about average condition for the area.

Originally Posted by litebulblsc

If you don't mind me going off topic and asking, what is the highlander option?

Basically it is a trim package, there were "A" "B" & "C" Highlander options. Usually they consist of A/C, ps, automatic, tinted windows, chrome, etc. The main difference is they had a special plaid seat covers. They weren't OVERLY rare or anything, just kinda a nice bonus for me to find after I bought the thing. If the search function was working, you could find info on it pretty easy.

Originally Posted by vtblazer

For your inner rocker replacement, look into the part Tri-Pro sells for trucks, you get alot more to work with than the blazer version.
The full length truck part includes the lower 'A' pillar holes and a fair amount of floor area too, it'll give you more option's to work with.

Pic of the part I'm talking about:

Here's a decent thread to look over, it addresses where your heading...
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=249323

Enjoy...

THANK YOU! I am going to go this route...gonna make a parts order next week.

Originally Posted by RckyMntnKng

Cool rig!

I love those wheels....anyone know where you could get them in 8 on 6.5?

They are out there if you look, not sure if you can still buy them new or not; mine were put on back in the 70's according to the PO. They annoy me cause they are made from magnesium and need those special lugnuts, but they have kinda grown on me because of the "nostalgia" I guess.

Originally Posted by mudman316

Are you supporting the pillars with anything while you do the work or is the boxes doing their job still?

I don't THINK I need to do that, I have some floor jacks to put under things if I need to, but my torsion boxes appear to be in great shape (no rot what-so-ever, just surface rust), somehow, so I feel that everything will stay in place. Somebody tell me if I have lost my mind.

[1956cameo]

This should be an interesting build to watch. I cant wait to see more.

[Bentblazer]

Those rockers look similar to what I had to work with, hope you have better luck! I'll be watching

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by Critter

I don't THINK I need to do that, I have some floor jacks to put under things if I need to, but my torsion boxes appear to be in great shape (no rot what-so-ever, just surface rust), somehow, so I feel that everything will stay in place. Somebody tell me if I have lost my mind.

At a minimum, do something to maintain the door opening.

Your going to be getting into the front pillar and once you break it loose, you'll be amazed at how much the firewall is going to move.

Fair warning though, build the brace so it's 'convenient' to work around.

[Critter]

Originally Posted by vtblazer

At a minimum, do something to maintain the door opening.

Your going to be getting into the front pillar and once you break it loose, you'll be amazed at how much the firewall is going to move.

Fair warning though, build the brace so it's 'convenient' to work around.

Sorry, I must have misunderstood earlier. Yes, at the moment I have a square tube brace that goes from the cowl mount on the firewall to the upper door area on the bedside, so the top part of the opening can't "open" up any more. I also am waiting on my assistant to come over and help me put the top back on. Thats why I haven't moved any farther at this point. I am hoping that the fact my tortion boxes are in good shape and that I just replaced my body mounts, that everything will stay pretty much in place. I have been naive in the past though.

[mudman316]

forgive me please, but, I too will be doing the same thing to mine.

I was going to plan on the top holding everything.

With top on and doors off

do you still need a brace while doing bodysupports coming to A pillar and B pillar

and while doing A pillars and boxes?