71 Blazer rescued from its grave. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

REVS · 03-22-2011, 09:23 PM

I'm looking for some advice on my 71 that been sitting for 15 years in my yard. The Blazer needs floors, A pillars,B pillar, rocker box supports and cab supports. I braced the top of the windsheild years ago and removed some of the floor. Right now the truck sits on its frame with no top, doors or front clip. What steps should I take to rebuild this Blazer.

NW_Ryker · 03-22-2011, 10:16 PM

Well, to be honest, it sounds like you'll have a lot of rust repair to do if you keep the tub you have. I would go out and find a rust free tub and mount it on the frame you have. I don't think you should have a hard time finding a decent tub in Florida and it will save a ton of time.

mustardjimmy71 · 03-22-2011, 11:08 PM

lets see some pics

jimmypop · 03-23-2011, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NW_Ryker

Well, to be honest, it sounds like you'll have a lot of rust repair to do if you keep the tub you have. I would go out and find a rust free tub and mount it on the frame you have. I don't think you should have a hard time finding a decent tub in Florida and it will save a ton of time.

x2

1949gmc · 03-23-2011, 12:45 PM

You know, you might want to find a Wyoming or Montana truck, stripped if possible, so that you can move your good parts onto a clean body/chassis. Obviously, get a truck that has the things you may not have, such as top or interior. If you don't have much to swap over, then a complete truck might be your answer. Fixing extensive rust can be done, but it takes a lot of money, time and patience. If this is your first rebuild of this style truck, then, more than likely,you'll be making a few mistakes that will need to be done again... its a learning process. When I cut the passenger floor out of my truck, some things I had to do two and three times. By the time I moved on to the drivers side floor, I felt like I was an expert and it went more quickly. BUT, if you were going to build a trail rig, then the body may not be as important. You just need to focus on the suspension and drivetrain. Find some pics of vtblazer's blue rig that he sold last year. That truck was beat to crap, but it was cool as hell.

REVS · 03-23-2011, 08:20 PM

Thanks for the info. Not many Blazers around to find a tub. I guess my question is should I install the doors and fenders before replacing the floors? I have a top but its never been mounted on the truck. I'll post some pics, need batteries now.

NW_Ryker · 03-23-2011, 11:16 PM

If you can't find a tub I would buy a replacement floor and install that. Also, I would redo the body mounts before doors and fenders. This will keep the truck level which makes it easier to put the top on.
Posted via Mobile Device

**lks dcvn** · 03-24-2011, 09:31 AM

It is all fixable - just takes patience, money and time.

I fixed all those spots on my blue blazer:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=341224

In order...

- if you ever intend to use the top again (or sell it with one) - put it on and bolt it down before you do anything - this will keep things lined up before you cut any metal
- replace body mounts to new rubber to make sure alignment is on for the tub
- brace the A pillar to the B pillar to avoid pillar sag and body shifting [causing sticking doors, etc.] - some make adjustable supports to get the measurements dialed in
- you are going to be working from the inside out after you take off the doors/fenders [this is what I did].

Pix will help us see what you are working with...

swyfor5 · 03-24-2011, 06:30 PM

Save it! I'ts worth it!

03-22-2011, 09:23 PM	#1
REVS Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: New Port Richey Fl. Posts: 11	71 Blazer rescued from its grave. I'm looking for some advice on my 71 that been sitting for 15 years in my yard. The Blazer needs floors, A pillars,B pillar, rocker box supports and cab supports. I braced the top of the windsheild years ago and removed some of the floor. Right now the truck sits on its frame with no top, doors or front clip. What steps should I take to rebuild this Blazer. Last edited by REVS; 03-22-2011 at 09:32 PM.

03-22-2011, 10:16 PM	#2
NW_Ryker Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Carnation Wa Posts: 199	Re: 71 Blazer rescued from its grave. Well, to be honest, it sounds like you'll have a lot of rust repair to do if you keep the tub you have. I would go out and find a rust free tub and mount it on the frame you have. I don't think you should have a hard time finding a decent tub in Florida and it will save a ton of time.

03-22-2011, 11:08 PM	#3
mustardjimmy71 toys'r'us Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Penticton, BC, Canada Posts: 347	Re: 71 Blazer rescued from its grave. lets see some pics __________________ 71 jimmy bone stock 350 sm465 33x12.5 rallies 79 caprice landau full load crate350 th350 lowered 20"wires 00 f150 reg cab sb 4x4 5.4L

03-23-2011, 12:45 PM	#5
1949gmc Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Lindenhurst, IL Posts: 659	Re: 71 Blazer rescued from its grave. You know, you might want to find a Wyoming or Montana truck, stripped if possible, so that you can move your good parts onto a clean body/chassis. Obviously, get a truck that has the things you may not have, such as top or interior. If you don't have much to swap over, then a complete truck might be your answer. Fixing extensive rust can be done, but it takes a lot of money, time and patience. If this is your first rebuild of this style truck, then, more than likely,you'll be making a few mistakes that will need to be done again... its a learning process. When I cut the passenger floor out of my truck, some things I had to do two and three times. By the time I moved on to the drivers side floor, I felt like I was an expert and it went more quickly. BUT, if you were going to build a trail rig, then the body may not be as important. You just need to focus on the suspension and drivetrain. Find some pics of vtblazer's blue rig that he sold last year. That truck was beat to crap, but it was cool as hell.

03-23-2011, 08:20 PM	#6
REVS Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: New Port Richey Fl. Posts: 11	Re: 71 Blazer rescued from its grave. Thanks for the info. Not many Blazers around to find a tub. I guess my question is should I install the doors and fenders before replacing the floors? I have a top but its never been mounted on the truck. I'll post some pics, need batteries now.

03-23-2011, 11:16 PM	#7
NW_Ryker Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Carnation Wa Posts: 199	Re: 71 Blazer rescued from its grave. If you can't find a tub I would buy a replacement floor and install that. Also, I would redo the body mounts before doors and fenders. This will keep the truck level which makes it easier to put the top on. Posted via Mobile Device

03-24-2011, 09:31 AM	#8
lks dcvn Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 4,348	Re: 71 Blazer rescued from its grave. It is all fixable - just takes patience, money and time. I fixed all those spots on my blue blazer: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=341224 In order... - if you ever intend to use the top again (or sell it with one) - put it on and bolt it down before you do anything - this will keep things lined up before you cut any metal - replace body mounts to new rubber to make sure alignment is on for the tub - brace the A pillar to the B pillar to avoid pillar sag and body shifting [causing sticking doors, etc.] - some make adjustable supports to get the measurements dialed in - you are going to be working from the inside out after you take off the doors/fenders [this is what I did]. Pix will help us see what you are working with...

03-24-2011, 06:30 PM	#9
swyfor5 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Marion, Mi. Posts: 2,429	Re: 71 Blazer rescued from its grave. Save it! I'ts worth it!



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.