New life for an old 2wd, farm Blazer

[turp mcspray]

Thanks for the kind words everyone.
Low Elco...I do use Durablocks. I have a lot of different blocks that I use. I use a lot of oddball stuff that is laying around as well. Paintsticks, rubber hose, DA paper cardboard centers, etc. Just about anything that works for a given area. I try to get all my blocking done in the dry sand stage. When I re-prime, I just spray 1-2 thin coats, to fill the majority of my 120 scratches. If you pile on a bunch more primer, you NEED to re-block it wet to get it flat again. (more work) I usually knock my final prime down with some 320 wet, with a black Meguires semi-soft sanding pad, the go over that with a soft pad and some 500 or 600 depending on what color it is going to be.
Meathead... For the quality that I like to put out, a nice rust free body will take in the neighborhood of 300 hrs to do. Rust will add to it. Do some quick math, and you will see it is expensive!
It took 4 1/2 months, from the day I started this project, to the last pics posted. I usually have 3 or 4 big projects, going at all times, with some smaller stuff thrown in between. I didn't start the thread untill WAY into the build. So it's not going as fast as it may seem!

[PHAT TONY]

Do you mind my asking how many guys work for you? I'm always interested in resto/rod shops elsewhere. I'm a one man show in a little shop on an acerage, the "alberta oil economy" keeps the labour pool pretty shallow and those that want to do resto work usually can't cut it in a production shop; you know what kinda work they do.

[turp mcspray]

I am a 1 man band. I had a guy working for me for awhile. He did nice work, but I had spent so many years prior working alone, and had gotten such a good reputation, that my customers would INSIST that only I work on their vehicle. And I am SO anal about every little detail, that I had a really hard time letting anyone else do anything. Having a restoration shop has always been my dream, so I have this stupid idea that I have to do EVERYTHING myself. It's not the best plan for profitability, but it is truly my passion. I am at my shop for probably 70-80hrs. a week. I live to work, and would probably be considered a textbook work-aholic. When I die, I won't be rich, but I will know that I will have made my mark on this world, one car at a time. Yeah, I know it sounds corny as hell, but it's the truth!

[PHAT TONY]

Wellsir, my hat's off to ya; you do quality thorough work and can keep more balls in the air at one time than most, that's for sure.

[turp mcspray]

Everyone has a system, that works with their way of doing things. For me, Once the main tub is painted, I like to install firewall stuff (both inside and out) as well as glass, and as much engine stuff as possible, before the doors and front clip go on. Less parts to lean and crawl over = less scratches, chips etc. to have to go back and fix later. Plus the firewall, engine etc. is so much easier to get at. As they say, "work smarter, not harder".
A few "before" shots of the a/c box. I always take lots of multi angle shots, before I take something apart. It makes assembly a lot easier, as the the old memory, is quite as good as an elephants!

[turp mcspray]

I like to spray this stuff down inside of doors, quarter panels, etc. It will run down inside of a tight area, and dry to wax-like surface, repelling water, and preventing rust from growing within. The stock 40yr. old latches are too icky to reuse. I like the new ones better!

[turp mcspray]

Cleaned up the door wedges. I decided to go ahead and hang the doors as well.
Believe it or not, I hang doors, fenders etc., by myself, I've only lost my balance, and dropped 1 heavy door, on its corner, in 20 some years. LOL!

[turp mcspray]

A few pics of the other side, and inside areas.

[71swb4x4]

Looking good! We are headed to the hills at the end of the month, is there admission to your Blazer museum?
There is a name and address on that envelope, wouldn't bother me, just thought I would mention it in case it's your name and address and you don't want it on there for everyone to see.

[turp mcspray]

Some assembly behind the dash. I didn't even notice the envelope. I don't think I've ticked anyone off real bad, so I'm not too worried. Thanks for the heads up. When, and how long will you be here? If you have time, you're sure welcome to stop by check out my projects. If you've never been here before, let me know what you want to see, and do. I'll try to point you to some of the neat, "off the beaten tourist path" kinda stuff!

[turp mcspray]

More under dash, and some firewall.

[turp mcspray]

More firewall area.

[turp mcspray]

Some a/c box pics.

[turp mcspray]

More misc. detail stuff.

[turp mcspray]

Brake stuff, and left firewall area.

[turp mcspray]

Underdash etc.

[turp mcspray]

Some more misc. firewall.

[turp mcspray]

Ok, just a few more, and I'm done for now!

[PHAT TONY]

I hope the poker on the door handles you use is long enough to reach the latch; I've had problems there in the past(had to put the old button in the new handle). Can't imagine who don't LOVE a red Blazer!

[Low Elco]

Sorry for the threadjack Turp, but my cab and bed are both down nice and solid, and my cab is about 1/2 inch lower at the character line. Is this normal? Should I measure and shim the cab like a bodylift? No isolators on the bed and urethane cab mounts. All seems square and solid. Kinda scratching my head at this point. Any help is appreciated!
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[notsolo]

DROOL...Super nice job on this Blazer, Thanks for the under dash and firewall pic's. I also need help remembering where parts came off, I didn't take enough pictures. How do you keep paint from being damaged, on reassembly, my paint is thicker and I get a wrinkle when screw tightens up on paint.

[turp mcspray]

Phatty...I didn't have any issues with these handles. And they look really nice!
Low..Did you use new cab mounts? I would loosen ALL of the mounts, (core support as well) add shims to get the body lines even, then add additional shims to any cab mount to frame gaps, that may still exist. You want all 6 mounts to be setting on the frame before you tighten them down, or else you will put stress on the cab, which will twist it out of shape, and make your doors no longer fit.
Notso...I remember that being very common with enamel. It was thicker, and softer. So emblems and trim would "sink" into the paint once snugged up good. When a screw goes right up against the paint, I have poked the screw through a piece of electrical tape (just tare off a piece about 1/2" long or so, sticky side to the screw) install screw, then pull the tape out. Or try a little dab of grease on the back side of the screw head, so it will slide and not grab the paint. And DON'T tighten any more than you need to.
Hope this helps!

[PHAT TONY]

Originally Posted by turp mcspray

Phatty...I didn't have any issues with these handles. And they look really nice!
Low..Did you use new cab mounts? I would loosen ALL of the mounts, (core support as well) add shims to get the body lines even, then add additional shims to any cab mount to frame gaps, that may still exist. You want all 6 mounts to be setting on the frame before you tighten them down, or else you will put stress on the cab, which will twist it out of shape, and make your doors no longer fit.

I was reffering to the handle contact with the latch arm itself, not panel fit. It's good they worked for you, as I said I've had bad luck with repo outer handles on both trucks and cars.

[turp mcspray]

I did know what you were reffering to, because I had that issue with some camaro handles. a simple bolt on piece, turned into an hours worth of modifying, to make those "pokers" contact the latch. I have also heard of some other outer handle complaints. So far, these were issue free. Hopefully they will hold up! By the way, I checked out your thread this morning. Beautiful looking Blazer you built! I painted a custom Buel chopper, for a buddy of mine, in that same color.

[PHAT TONY]

Sorry, my bad; didn't notice the "Low.." before your reply about cab/box adjustment. And thanks, I'm "fairly" happy with my Blazer; we always know what's wrong with our own stuff don't we.