Introduction and 2wd Blazer in progress

[gclark1]

Hey guys, new to the site and really enjoy the level of knowledge some have out there. I like looking and reading what others are up to. I have been working on my 77 2wd Blazer for a while doing the body work necessary to make it straight. Had a bit of rust and then I did a few other custom mods that will make you look twice. My next step is to get it to 280 grit sandpaper and then blow it apart and take the body off...

[lolife99]

Welcome to the board!
I love all the 2wd blazers.

[lowridergmc]

looking good.whats the drop specs?

[gclark1]

I actually bought it with that suspension on it. Blazer was in storage for 22 years! Heated and/or cut coils from 20+ years ago will be changed out for Western 2.5" spindles and 2" coils. Rear is just de-arched, but I have no idea how far. Before I pull the body off, I will be mocking up the suspension to get the ride height set and will then be able to tell you more intelligently what I have.

[68Timber]

Welcome! Love the stance, it has a cool rake just like it is. What color do you have planned?

[gclark1]

Here is a rendering I had done. I am looking to somewhat mimic a truck my brother used to have back in the 90's that was what I believe to be a factory color. Even if it is not, I liked the combination from his 77 pickup that I want to use that as a baseline. I am using more modern colors with quite a bit of metallic. Anyone know of a "champagne" color I can do a test spray on? I have the maroon picked out from a 2012 Dodge truck, but the center color continues to elude me as I have now tested 3 colors and really have not found "the one."

[tvblazer78]

Welcome!

[gclark1]

Just finished sanding the body (not the top though) with 280 grit and it looks amazing! I washed it and then ran some water on the side for this picture so you can see all of the dents that remain...

[YoungBurb88]

Being that you've sanded her down, is it safe to assume you've found your champagne color? If so what did you finally settle on?

[gclark1]

Well, actually I have been sanding for about 5 months. I am by no means an expert at it as the last time I painted a vehicle was the 79 2wd Blazer I had in high school and college and that was 15 yrs ago. However, to answer your question, yes, I did find my champagne. It is off of a 2012 Escalade and is actually called Gold Mist metallic. Here is a spray out I did on my old tailgate with my new trim just sitting there, just to make sure I liked the combination.

[67cheby]

Nice Blazer !

[gclark1]

Thank you! It will not be quite as over the top amazing as your pick-up, but in the next few weeks, the body is coming off and I am going to put it on a rotisserie so the belly can be cleaned and painted. I am very hopeful of a pretty darn nice driver when all is said and done.

[DrppdBlazr]

subscribed

[gclark1]

You know you are crazy when you begin to do bodywork / bondo on an area that nobody else can see or appreciate. Took off the doors to get the jambs cleaned and painted and just had to sling some bondo. I could not possibly put the doors back on less than 100% right.

[67cheby]

LOL, nice work !

[gclark1]

Well, after about 12 hours of bondo and sanding multiple times on the stinkin inside of my doors, I sprayed some primer! I have officially entered the looney house now. As I continue to sand and then re-apply body filler, I keep asking myself - who is going to see this, or even be able to appreciate it? The only thing that keeps me going is that I will know it has been done right. This kind of work must someday come to an end so I can move on...

[68Timber]

Nothing wrong with doing it the best you can, right? Looks good.

[DrppdBlazr]

^^^^^^

lol wtf

[gclark1]

Yes, weird for sure. If there are others that got hit with the same message, I can only wonder if there is a way to remove this type of message from the forum??? Unless I am missing something, this just appears to be some sort of spam message.

[gclark1]

Even though I have not been posting updates, I have been hard at it! Unfortunately, when you are still sanding, one week (and month) kind of looks like the last one to anyone on the computer screen. I got to the point of being able to pull the front clip and engine and other related stuff. Firewall was welded for the holes not necessary and now the bondo resumes. I keep thinking I am 3 weeks from paint, then another 4 weeks goes by...

[68Timber]

I know what you mean. As long as you're on it, right? I segue from false starts back into parts buying modes seamlessly.

[Low87]

Looking good! I had a red/white 2wd 77 Blazer years ago. Can't wait to see what you get done on this one.

[gclark1]

Some progress that you can actually see this time! Got the firewall and dash primered for the first time. It came out pretty respectable, but still needs some fine tuning.

[gclark1]

Spent my "vacation" over the last 4 days sanding and doing some final assembly before I send the Blazer to the painter. Hung the door and gate, and all of what is now assembled has been sanded with 400, finally! Need to finalize the remaining parts over this week and the weekend, then it can go away for a nice new appearance.

[68Timber]

I wouldn't have guessed you could get a reflection that good out of 400 grit, looks great.