Introduction and 2wd Blazer in progress

[gclark1]

I know, I know - I have been slacking with updates. The good news is that I have still been rolling along. I am not a stereo guy, so this will not have much in the way of loud tunes. Here is a shot of the wheels that just showed up (rears only) and the engine as it sits. Everything that I am doing is coming out exactly how I want it to, it just takes a lot of time to make my vision come to life...

[68Timber]

Love your choice in wheels and size. The accessory brackets look great. Are they base/clear?

[lowrodderchev]

looking good man love that color motors awesome

[gclark1]

Bruiser, yes, base clear on the accessory system and pulleys. Motor is a single stage paint I had mixed up to put over a very light epoxy sealer so as to only put on as much material as necessary to color it.

Thanks for the encouraging words guys. Hope to have it fired up in 2-3 weeks!

[gclark1]

After over 1 year+ of being on the message board and not the "builds" thread, I am moving over. I have just started a new link that you will have to get back on board if you want to follow this Blazer to completion. It is not that far away! If you have followed this far, get back on so you can see it drive down the road in just a few short months.


http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...99#post6653799

[gclark1]

There are just too many of you out there following this build to jump ship and update the "builds" part of the forum. I am going to keep this going after all in this section. Not much to see as of late, but the progress continues. Should be firing it up this weekend and then I get to clean up the wiring mess I have made. Headlights work, so I am doing at least something right...

[gclark1]

I took an extended weekend and spent the last 5 days and about 40 hours making progress. Got it fired up on the first kick. No leaks, no issues! Got the front ride height set and now can get the front wheels ordered. Overall tire height will be the same as what is shown now, so the fender will be right at the top of the tire - exactly what I was after. Got the under body wiring all cleaned and handled as well as most of the under hood wiring all cleaned up from the rat nest it was before I got it to fire up. I did get my headlight rings installed and the upper and lower trim around the grille. Can't see a ton of progress, but I can assure you, it was a long 40 hours!

[Low Elco]

Do you hear that? It's the AWESOME train, pullin' into the station!

Good to see you're a knockoff guy as well. Are those Budniks, BS, what?

Looks like 40 hours well spent.

[gclark1]

Billet specialities. I was hoping that someone would think my progress was cool. Thanks low elco! Getting closer...

[smbrouss70]

Don't feel bad. You got more done than I did this past weekend. I spent all day for 6 days working on my new Blazer to get it running right. All that really got accomplished was change the fuel tank and fuel pump, set the timing and adjust the carb. It definitely looks like nothing changed, but I wore myself out getting it all done.

[68Timber]

Looks great! The stance is perfect, look forward to seeing it with the fronts on.

[gclark1]

Thanks guys. Just ordered the fronts. 17x8 with 4" back. I might have considered 3.5 back, but the wheel specs say 4" is their minimum.

Smbrouss - I dont feel bad at all. These things just take a lot of time if you want them done right. Spend the time now, or spend it later when you are on the side of the road. Either way, time is necessary - just a matter of when you want to spend it.

Bruiser - the rears took about 3 weeks to make and ship. I hope the same for the fronts.

[Low Elco]

Any Wheels yet? About time to quit workin' and start Cruisin'!

[gclark1]

No wheels yet. Hope to be this week. In the meantime, I made a list, completed it, then made another list and have been going through it like crazy. Had a very good weekend cleaning up wiring, making new spark plug wires, installing front sway bar, master cylinder, brake lines, front bumper, driveshaft, and other misc stuff.

LowElco, it might have been you that said I should make a list. It sure helps you get and stay focused / organized. I am nearly back to the point of being able to fire it back up again after slicing and dicing all of the wiring to make it clean.

Even though it looks like a very minor accomplishment, here it is with the front bumper installed. I have the grille, but am waiting to get the condenser plumbed and lines routed through the core support before I install it.

[Low Elco]

Always a list. I'm a big overthinker, and the king of option paralysis. So a list, even if it's really loose, and even if you're not really following it, is a good plan.

I like the top end bling. You're now at the point where I'd be sleeping 4 hours a night thrashing to get this together. Is momma stoked?

[JWall]

That's a good lookin' blazer!

[Jonboy]

That really looks nice! Please don't take my lack of comments for lack of interest. I check in here for updates pretty regularly. This Blazer is definitely turning out great!!!

[gclark1]

Thanks for all of the comments guys. I am getting closer each week. The front wheels arrived today, but I am out of town on a business trip, so I will have them with tires on Friday. I should be able to get them on by the end of the weekend. The rears were tough as the wheel thickness where it mounts to the hub is about 1/2" thicker than my stock wheels. It was a bear finding the right wheel stud that is longer with the same thread pitch and knurl size. I kept the details from the rear, but likely the front will not be the same, so I will have to conquer that before they can be mounted.

Jwall - nice looking rig yourself. I am a big fan of these old trucks with the factory trim. Kind of takes you back a bit...

Jonboy - no need to reply often. If you like the progress or have any thoughts or questions along the way, please ask. Otherwise just hanging out in the background watching is perfectly fine.

LowElco - wife is excited, but not nearly as much as my 10yr old daughter is. My youngest is always outside in the garage asking me about how does this work, what is this for...

Look for a picture next week with the fronts on!!

[gclark1]

Front wheels/tires on!

[smbrouss70]

Looks Great!

[68Timber]

Wow! Looks great!

[gclark1]

Thanks guys! I got some other stuff done as well, but nothing you can really see. I just need to get some brake fluid through the lines and it can drive around the neighborhood for the first time. I will be siting on a bucket, but the first run will be a really big step.

[Jonboy]

Wheels look right on!

[gclark1]

Thanks Jonboy - they came out just how I wanted them to. The fender is pretty well right at the top of the tire. All 4 shocks have about 3" of travel up/down, so I am confident I will not have rub issues going over bumps at speed. I wanted it low, but not too low where I have to pay attention to every stinkin bump in the road.

The rake is obviously on purpose. I know the trend is to make them level with big wheels and little tires, but I wanted a throw back to the way they used to be.

[eighteenninetytwo]

Could you please post some pics of the tailgate area and how the cream sidebar wraps around with the trim. One pic with it open also would be just fantastic. I'm currently going through color considerations for tailgate so I'd Reese ally appreciate a couple of pics.