convertible or not?

[Rokcrln]

I picked up a 70 2wd a few months ago and it will several more before it get started. I will be building a full custom show truck out of it as a calling card for my company. With out getting into all that I will be doing to it lets just say their will not be a single panel or item that will not get tweaked in one way or another. What I am thinking about now is I am planning alot of changes to the top and since this old fiberglass does not do well with being chopped and re-built I am thinking about building one out of steel. With that said I am also thinking I may make it a fixed top non-removable. I have other convertible's and have never removed the top on them eather. So I am thinking that the lack of wind noise, water leaks and all the other down falls of a vert. What are your thoughts and what have you seen out their. I know of one other member that has started a nomad blazer that has a fixed top as well but I plan on it looking more alone the stock look with out being stock

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[vtblazer]

A blazer is a blazer 'because' the top comes off.

That's their claim to fame, it's what makes them unique in the world of chevy trucks.

[gringoloco]

I personally say go for it. If anyone can do it and make it look stock, it's you.

I think it would be nice if you could keep the double wall, like the P/Us, with the ribbed inner structure all the way back. Maybe steal the sheet metal from a van or 'burban.

When it comes down to it, you will have a very unique, good looking machine that if it is anything like the rest of your work I've seen, will look completely stock.

That's a complement. Gopher it!

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by vtblazer

A blazer is a blazer 'because' the top comes off.

That's their claim to fame, it's what makes them unique in the world of chevy trucks.

Then call it a Tahoe!

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by gringoloco

Then call it a Tahoe!

Seen some very cool photoshop pics of these years in a 'Tahoe' style, build a true functioning 4 door/hard top with style and you'd certainly have an original calling card for the business.

[pound41]

I kinda think a long the same lines as VT what gives the blazer it's appeal is the full top removal. But I think that if you are going steel you start with a burb roof.
Based on new tech and the locking latches that are now available you could make a steel top that would snap down and one in 15 minutes, carried by one- two men, and be much more water tight than they are now. Think about your standard doublewall. you could take 3-4 snap down latched sitting down that side on the same bars. You don't have the peaks and valleys of the bolts which causes leaks. Up top convertible latches. More like a 55 tbird portal hole top or something. I know me sitting here yapping about it is easy. Structrally building it is another just my .02

[pound41]

I kinda think a long the same lines as VT what gives the blazer it's appeal is the full top removal. But I think that if you are going steel you start with a burb roof.
Based on new tech and the locking latches that are now available you could make a steel top that would snap down and one in 15 minutes, carried by one- two men, and be much more water tight than they are now. Think about your standard doublewall. you could take 3-4 snap down latched sitting down that side on the same bars. You don't have the peaks and valleys of the bolts which causes leaks. Up top convertible latches. More like a 55 tbird portal hole top or something. I know me sitting here yapping about it is easy. Structrally building it is another just my .02

[Rokcrln]

Originally Posted by vtblazer

A blazer is a blazer 'because' the top comes off.

That's their claim to fame, it's what makes them unique in the world of chevy trucks.

Personaly I feel what makes then unique is what we have all done with a basic truck and their claim to fame is being a two door truck with an enclosed rear! I know what you all mean about leaving the top removable and that is still on the drafting board and if I do that I may build it all out of alum. to keep it light. If it is steel it will have a van type outer skin with ribs and quick latches. As far as doing a 4dr tahoe were would you get the 4th door Don't worry this is in the plans as well once I fall appon a burb in good shape for a free price

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[2wdBlazer]

Wow....... Not sure what to say here. Blazer's were meant to be convertible. Even the boxy 73-75's looked kinda cool. GM missed the mark in 76+. I personally would feel like it's another blazer lost.

[bouncytruck]

I'm with VT, pound & 2wdBlazer on this one. Why take a rare convertable and make it a hard top? If you want a hard top, why not save your mone and buy a 2wd pickup and fab a full top for it? You wouldn't take a 57 chevy convertable and weld a top on it, would you?

If you weld the top on, don't you really just have the equivelant of a late model Blazer but with early fenders & hood?

If it is going to be a show truck, do you need to worry about water leaks? I think a polished aluminum removable top would be cool. That would really show off metal work abilities.

All that being said, it is your truck so you can do what you want and what would showcase your business best. I'm sure if you do it, it will be very cool.

[raggedjim]

Kevin, you can do what you want (I know it would come out well looking at the other work you have done) but keep this in mind, when I drove my blazer with the top on it rarely got any attention at all (except from truck guys). Once I took the top off EVERYONE wanted to look at it and ask questions about it.

The guys who are into these trucks will see the effort that went into it, but the average person off the street thinks I have done custom work to my blazer, with the fixed top alot of people would assume it is stock.

Keep us posted! Rg

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by Rokcrln

As far as doing a 4dr tahoe were would you get the 4th door

Exactly!
The perfect way to really show off your talent/abilities by fabbing one up that looks original.

[Chevy Muscle]

I also don't know what to say.

You have a rare blazer there. I would feel like crying if it had a permanent top welded on.

I'm not against custom trucks, shaving door handles and side markers make for nice and clean minor custom jobs and are fair game, but when it comes to major changes that make a blazer no-longer a blazer........ that's where I would cross the line.

It's your truck, but I would rather see a less-rare pickup used for something like what bouncytruck suggested.

In the end, I guess it's really your choice since you own it.

BTW, I've been following your progress on the crew-cab and I love it. I guess I am contradicting myself here, but pickups and burbans are less rare than 2wd blazers. I'd love to have both that crew cab and the 2wd blazer.... but I have the $$$$ for neither.

[LUV2XCLR8]

Kinda something like this

[Blizz]

That poor poor Blazer. It's like the spirit of the Blazer is gone when you have a perm hard top. I've always loved the fact that you can remove the top. I have a Tahoe but it just wasn't enough so I finally was able to find and buy a CST and the guy sold it with both the soft top and the hard top. I can't wait to get it going so that I can cruise with the top off.

[Chevyman63]

I agree with Bouncy and the '57 Chevy concept but..., It is your truck and your opinion counts the most here. I think how ever you can showcase your talent the best is the right way to go.

[IGOR]

Wow - that full hard top is UGLY!!!!

Have you guys seen this one? This is what you should do - this is one of the sweetest 2wd Blazers I've ever seen... Please excuse the pic quality...

[bouncytruck]

I have the 67-72 special magazine with an article on that truck. It is extremly nice. I really dig the dash...

[Pop's72]

This was posted in Suburban section a while ago. I think it is very cool because it is a Burb that has been shortened, not a Blazer that has a hard top welded on.

[Rokcrln]

Originally Posted by bouncytruck

I have the 67-72 special magazine with an article on that truck. It is extremly nice. I really dig the dash...

But now wait is that still a blazer? It does not or could not have a top onit anymore. So is it now just a uni body pick up with out a top!

Now guys don't get all worked up over my blazer as it will most likly get a steel REMOVABLE top built for it. And yes I still plan on pounding out a 4dr Tahoe one of these days when I get time. As far as the coments about taking a 2wd truck and building that up with the body mods I want well, I have one that is in the works already.

Now also keep in mind that while yes I have 70 2wd blazer it is very rough and alot of guy would have (and did) pass it up. It was a running and driving blazer that I gave less than 2k for just a few months ago so that should tell you about its condition. It needs almost every piece of sheet metal replaced or re-worked not from rust but body damage and that will make a good calling card (and How-To dvd) by it self. As far as the rain and show car comment, My view of a show car is one that is just that a full blown show car but than after a year of showing gets it's tires driven off in rain and shine!

Also I am glad you like th eCrew cab build, it has been fun and just think it is being build as a daily driver. Wait untill you see the work going into Project Lemon Drop. That will be alot closer to a show truck and get even more detail fab work.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[Rokcrln]

Originally Posted by Pop's72

This was posted in Suburban section a while ago. I think it is very cool because it is a Burb that has been shortened, not a Blazer that has a hard top welded on.

Attachment 200918

Yes I have seen that one before. That is more like what the 4dr Tahoe will look like but just a bit longer. The burb front doors are a must for a 4dr but should not be on a 2dr. We know what the factory did for 2drs and that was not it. But I still would use it as my comuter truck

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Build it!!!!!

[ian villeza]

Keep it a vert. Hard tops are boring.

[Rokcrln]

Asfar as the 4dr Tahoe it would not be to far of a stretch from my curent project!

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[gringoloco]

Blazer faithful wanna be really sick? The red tonneau roadster up a few posts is a "rare" 1970 model...