The Great Critter Revival ‘09

[BLUE THUNDER]

Road trips are always awesome. I hope the job thing works out for you soon dude. I'm gonna need more K5's on the road this fall for the Blazer Round Up.

[Critter]

I don't have any cool pics to show, but the most important aspect to this build has been obtained...I got a JOB! I started at the first of the month, so everything is a "go" once again. I will be calling some concrete guys starting tomorrow for quotes to get the slab poured for my little shop. I told myself that I will not tear into the blazer any further until I have a proper place to work on it. The shop wont be anything special, 30x30 with one man door and one large overhead door. Plus it will have enough power for a welder, air compressor, and a plasma cutter

While I refuse to dismantel the Critter any further, that doens't mean I am against gathering some more parts in the meantime. I have been talking a lot with Jtrux (you think I would have learned my lesson by now ) and we have determined that I need to rethink my drivetrain. Previously, I rebuilt my th350 and resealed my NP205 and after driving them everything seamed fine. I had already planned to replace my 12 bolt with a 14 bolt so the only other question mark was the engine. Before I ripped out all the wiring, it ran fine. Started right up, didn't make any bad noises, and pushed the 35s down the road at 70 mph no problem, even with gears that are way to tall. However I had planned to rebuild it from the ground up. If I know myself I would end up spending WAY too much money as I would like to put some rolling parts in it along with aluminum heads etc.

So we thought for the same price I could get a complete 5.3L drive train and a 4L60E or 4L80E and possibly a NP241 (or try to adapt my original 205, not sure yet). I know it would take a lot to make it happen, but I am excited. Things might turn this direction. Wish me luck!

[72Levi]

I am glad you found a J-O-B, now finish the Blazer ;-) so we can have a meet!

[Critter]

Originally Posted by 72Levi

I am glad you found a J-O-B, now finish the Blazer ;-) so we can have a meet!

I'm glad as well! However, I think it will be a while before I am driving anywhere. I have been doing a lot of drivetrain research and I think I have decided that I am definitly going with a newer model efi setup. Not gonna talk about too many details yet.

Got some guys to quote the slab for my shop, hopefully that will be done in a couple weeks, realistically, and I can start on the building structure. I'M SO EXCITED!

[lks dcvn]

Congrats - sounds like you are heading in the right direction. I want to see how you go about fixing your rust as mine looks very similar to what you are dealing with...

Good luck!

[Critter]

Originally Posted by lks dcvn

Congrats - sounds like you are heading in the right direction. I want to see how you go about fixing your rust as mine looks very similar to what you are dealing with...

Good luck!

Well, I realized that since I'm going with vintage air, I don't need the kick panel vents and that was one thing I was dreading. My drivers side is pretty rough and I was going to have to recreate that area. Beings as I am still somewhat new to metal work, I was pretty concerned about it. Now all I have to do is go back with a flat peice of metal and be done with it.

Also, I found my concrete guy, he should be able to pour next week!

[Critter]

It's not Blazer process, but it is directly related. This is the beginnings of the Critter's new home. The guys are going to finish the dirt work/forms/steel tomorrow and pour concrete on Wednesday. I cant wait, neither can the ol Critter!

The animals loved it, the wife's cat thought I had just installed the worlds largest litter box.

[BLUE THUNDER]

NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'll be there to work on my blazer too.

[1sik52]

Looks like the Boxer had his eyes on lunch which is in the following pic! LOL!

[Critter]

No way! That cat is a mean MOFO! Seriously, the male boxer (the lighter tan one) and the cat play tag with each other quite a bit. Pretty funny actually.

[Critter]

Originally Posted by BLUE THUNDER

NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'll be there to work on my blazer too.

Bring your body work crew with you when you do.

[Blizz]

Originally Posted by Critter

Bring your body work crew with you when you do.

I've been trying to get one of those guys to come do mine, he won't budge though. Nice dog btw, I have 2 boxers.

[Jtrux]

Yep, it'll be full of junk in no time.

[Critter]

Originally Posted by Jtrux

Yep, it'll be full of junk in no time.

Nope, I'm not gonna let you put your blazer in my new shop.

[Critter]

MMMMM...Delicious concrete

[Big J]

NICE!

[northern 85]

Lucky you and critter!

[Thealien]

Nice, mine lives in a tent!

[Critter]

Santa Clause stopped by the loading dock at my work today! My wife decided I would be happier with something for the Blazer rather than a bunch of socks for Christmas (it only took me a few years to make her realize that!). On Dec 18th I placed the order for my own present "from her". It got here today.

LQ4 6.0L take out from a 2006 Silverado 2500 with 29K miles. It has all the front accessories, the flexplate, starter, computer, harness, DBW pedal, etc. I am HAPPY to say the least. My plan is to find a 4L65E to pair it to and have the computer control both of them. Also, I will be getting the adapter kit from AA to mount said 4L65e to my factory NP205. There's no turning back now that the money has been spent.

Also, I am placing an order for material to finish up the shop. Then it's just a matter of time before I can get my Dad and or Brother up here to help me a little with the building.

[lks dcvn]

Nice!

[mcbassin]

SWEET! ENGINE!

How are you coming on your building? I'm ready to add on to mine...just need cash and time to build it.

[BLUE THUNDER]

Sweet Terry!!! Nice score. Cant wait to see it in the Blazer.

[Critter]

Originally Posted by BLUE THUNDER

Sweet Terry!!! Nice score. Cant wait to see it in the Blazer.

Me too, but now the work really begins! I still need to track down a tranny, but then it's adapter after adapter after adapter. Most everything I need is after market only like engine mounts/crossmember, tannny/Tcase, wiring, etc and it's all PRICEY!!! Thealien has given me a lot of info plus I have been doing as much internet research as possible.

My main issue now is I have too much going at once. Obviously, finishing the little shop is Job #1, but I am also pretty far into teardown on the patch panels, now I have the drive train swap to contend with. I am open to advice from any of y'all experts. After I get the shop done, what should I do first, finish the body work, get it primed, then remove the tub for the drivetrain work? Or should I remove the tub, do all the drivetrain work, then put the tub back on and finish out the panels/body/paint? Any suggestions???

[mcbassin]

Terry,
Please stop calling your shop little! Mine is 30X30 too. If you don't do what I did and put a boat and tons of junk, cabinets, shelfs, workbenches, 4wheelers, tools, etc. in there you will have plenty of room to work on your balzer. I want to add about 20 feet to mine and move the boat and 4 wheelers out so I can move our chassis and a camaro into it.

As far as your tub, well I don't know I've never done rust repair on one of those. It seems to me it would be better to leave it on the frame until you get the rust all repaired. But, tons of guys on here take the cabs or tubs off and have them blasted. I really don't know, probably depends on how deep you will need to get into it? good luck!

[Critter]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Terry,
Please stop calling your shop little! Mine is 30X30 too. If you don't do what I did and put a boat and tons of junk, cabinets, shelfs, workbenches, 4wheelers, tools, etc. in there you will have plenty of room to work on your blazer...

As far as your tub, well I don't know I've never done rust repair on one of those. It seems to me it would be better to leave it on the frame until you get the rust all repaired. But, tons of guys on here take the cabs or tubs off and have them blasted. I really don't know, probably depends on how deep you will need to get into it? good luck!

Fair enough, from now on it's "my shop"

As far as the rust goes I have a decent amount but most of it is NOT what I would consider overly structural. The outer and inner rockers will be changed, but the biggest part of the floor and the rocker boxes are fine and will be staying in place. Basically I am scared of body work and having the drivetrain swap to worry about is a good way to put off the inevitable!