The "In over my head" build thread

[SeventyOne]

Thanks for your service, Mondo.

I agree and I do want to blast the whole rig.

My only concern I have is completing the panel/rust replacement with the body off the frame. Something tells me I need to do this with the body on the frame with the doors and top on to make sure everything is straight.

But maybe being on a cart with the top and doors on will be good enough?

Never done this before so I don't want to screw something up and regret it later.

Originally Posted by botmfedr1

Just my two cents. Several of my brothers do bodywork/paint for a living and in most cases if they are given the opportunity to remove the body they will. Especially since you have the frame pretty much completed. So perhaps you should get a bodyshop to media blast the entire tub. As you may have read on here, once you get into the body channels- there might be more rust issues than you see on the surface. I am on my 3rd , this one a Blazer and as i suspected...more issues.
media blast
fix all rust issues
under coat
body work, then put it back on frame....then paint. Trust me...you don't want to manuver a freshly painted body onto a frame...
Nice work so far!

mondo

btw...I am active duty Army, 20+ years and counting...Godspeed for your brother!!!

[cst 72 blazer]

me and dad had a conversation about the hitch on mine not to long ago when i replaced the tank.it was welded in just like yours and back is 72 my dad had bought a brand new cst blazer he said his was welded in as well..what an awesome job your doing keep the pics coming!

[SeventyOne]

Are you saying that was stock?? It sure wasn't pretty looking...

[mcmlxix]

My .03 cents....

I would brace the tub with alot of X members. Bolt in to the door jambs side to side, same for tailagate openiing. Also from door jamb to A pillar, door hinge area. Once its fully braced, then you can cut the rockers without too much worries and have it media blasted. Dont remove the braces till the body is back on the frame. Once its on the frame, install and align doors, then fenders and hood. Once its all straight, repair the structural rust at the rockers...

[SeventyOne]

Ok thanks MCM. I like that plan.

So rather than buying a rotisserie, I'm going to attempt to build one from two engine stands. I'll post pics along the way...

[Tom Vogel]

You could have mine for say $500. Worked great on my tub. You would have to come down here with a trailer, but I dont think you could buy the metal for that.

[SeventyOne]

Tom V. you're getting a PM...

[Tom Vogel]

Heres a couple more pics... The rack, which is the largest part, measures 11 1/2' X 4'. I suppose that part could be taken apart further, like the rotating part and the body cart part, but I wouldnt because its already set up for the first gen Blazer tub.

[botmfedr1]

Seventyone....2 more cents....Just get that rotisserie from Vogel...save your self the headache with all that bracing and x member stuff.....lol

Then when your done, you can sell it. I am sure a body shop around there could probably use it. I am guessing it would be like a car dolly...i have bought 2 and sold them for just as much as i paid for it when i was done using it.


Mondo

[SeventyOne]

Pretty much what was thinking. Though I might hang on to the rotisserie for future builds....

Yes, that's proof that the K5 disease has now made it to the brain....

Tom V.: consider the rotisserie bought. Just need to figure out how to get it home.

Originally Posted by botmfedr1

Seventyone....2 more cents....Just get that rotisserie from Vogel...save your self the headache with all that bracing and x member stuff.....lol

Then when your done, you can sell it. I am sure a body shop around there could probably use it. I am guessing it would be like a car dolly...i have bought 2 and sold them for just as much as i paid for it when i was done using it.


Mondo

[Nothinghead]

Wow, this si a cool build. Anything new in the last month?

[SeventyOne]

Thanks, NH!

Aside from driving down the coast to pick up Tom's rotisserie, The body is now completely stripped of extra parts (radio, steering column, real wheel tubs, basically anything that can be unbolted) and I am sourcing a media blaster. I have a few I need to give a call to.

Soon as I have it blasted and primed I will get new pics up.

[blazerboss]

Originally Posted by SeventyOne

Thanks, NH!

Aside from driving down the coast to pick up Tom's rotisserie, The body is now completely stripped of extra parts (radio, steering column, real wheel tubs, basically anything that can be unbolted) and I am sourcing a media blaster. I have a few I need to give a call to.

Soon as I have it blasted and primed I will get new pics up.

This is almost as fun as reading a good book... keep it up (with photos too)... can't wait for the final chapter!

Motivation!

[x ReAcT x]

where did you get the bushings that go in the frame for the front shackle. Cant find them anywhere. I went to the ORD website because they have the front shackle kit but all i need is the bushings. Thanks in advance. Your build looks great, hope to get mine looking that good one day ha

[SeventyOne]

You should be able to buy a kit from Prothane. I think that's the manufacturer.

Hell I may even have an extra set...let me look.

[SeventyOne]

Dang it's been another long time since posted!

Guess I was getting burned out and needed to step back a bit...

I was getting hung up on starting the body work and rust repair. I called a media blaster who wanted $3000 to blast and prime the truck - this seemed ridiculous to me. I contemplated saving the cash to have this done or upgrading to a nice 2-stage compressor and buying a blaster and doing it myself. In any event it was demoralizing and rather than worry about the project I just let it sit...

Good new is since Christmas I've refocused and have been making more progress on the build. Just for the sake of moving forward I am continuing with finishing up the chassis and will deal with the body later.

Work done since my last post:

• stainless brake and fuel lines ran
• Fuel pump installed
• Braided pump to carb fuel line installed
• GM serpentine setup installed
• Cleaned and painted the hubs and rotors (which were starting to acquire surface rust)
• Installed brake calipers and pads
• Removed 3 row radiator brackets from core support and bolted in 4 row saddles

Pics coming of all this I promise...

But my latest issue is with the power steering pressure hose. I wonder if the metal line is too close to the engine block? There is probably 1/16" to 3/32" gap between them now.

The line is new from Napa made for a 71 Blazer...but then again 71 Blazers didn't have serpentine setups. I had to mildly tweak/bend the Napa line to get it to install at all. So is it too close? Should I bend the line a little more? Is there something I can place between the block and line? Is it fine, move on?

Here's some pics...




The hose looks close to the belt in this pic but I'd say there's an inch or so of clearance.

[SeventyOne]

Mods,
This should probably be moved to the build section.
Thanks.

[Tom Vogel]

I spent alot of money on body and paint, But... it cost 400$ to blast mine, and Im sure the epoxy sealer did not come to $2600. Check around. just sayin

[SeventyOne]

Originally Posted by Tom Vogel

I spent alot of money on body and paint, But... it cost 400$ to blast mine, and Im sure the epoxy sealer did not come to $2600. Check around. just sayin

And I do expect to pay a good amount for paint - but I am glad you agree the blasting/priming cost was excessive. Also I think he was quoting me for some 12 hours of labor also at around $720. Does ~$1900 sound right for primer?

I have another lead on a shop that only blasts but need to figure out where to take it to get primed afterwards.

[fxdxharley]

1900 still seems way high to me. 400 is about right for the blasting then i would guess around 600 to prime. thats including the materials. so $1000 total would be my guess. but things are alot more out west then on the east.

[SeventyOne]

Originally Posted by fxdxharley

1900 still seems way high to me. 400 is about right for the blasting then i would guess around 600 to prime. thats including the materials. so $1000 total would be my guess. but things are alot more out west then on the east.

Yeah - between $1000 to 1500 was more what I was expecting to pay. I'll do more digging locally to see what I can find.

Back to my power steering line problem - I did more searching on the board (love this site!) and found a guy using a '75 C-10 line. I'll pick one up and see if that solves my clearance issue.

[SeventyOne]

Ok I think I found a solution I like for the power steering lines.

Pressure line is from Napa for a '75 C-10. Clears the block and frame as well as any moving parts. So if anyone is running a SBC, w/ a serpentine setup, with the engine moved forward 1.75" to fit a 700r4 - this is your hose!

Return line is also from Napa for a '71 K5. It looks nothing like my original hose/line and more like a universal fit but it should do the trick. you'll notice in the picks I haven't cut the hose to length or slide it onto the return port on the pump yet. Just mocking it up for now.

How important is it to get a frame clamp to hold the line to the frame?

[Tom Vogel]

That will work just fine.

[rwhite692]

great looking build, 71! Sent you a PM about the upholstery guy here in Tracy.

[SeventyOne]

Thanks. Had to stop work on it for a bit. Back on track now to start metal work on the body. Amassing some new tools and doing a TON of reading.

Hope to have the body back on the frame by summer (if not sooner!)