73-87chevytrucks.com
73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Members Rides => Topic started by: Mike Phillips on March 11, 2008, 12:05:02 am
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1975 GMC Jimmy 4x4 Full Convertible
It's alive!
(http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/1975JimmyAfter003.jpg)
(http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/1975JimmyAfter004.jpg)
Purchased back in January 22nd, 2008 and a little over 2 months later we've successfully converted her from a manual 4-speed with a NP205 transfercase to a 700R4 overdrive automatic transmission with a NP208 transfercase. Today Steve over at Bowtie Overdrives (http://"http://www.bowtieoverdrives.com/index.shtml") dialed in the TV Cable for the most efficient shift points and she runs out real nice when you push the pedal to metal.
Now it's time for some detail work... it has a brand new paint job but it feels like it has some dry spray all over everything including the glass, so it's going to get an extreme makeover in the paintwork department.
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wow very nice...why the change from manual to auto?
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He posted in another topic that he lost his leg in a drag boat accident. Very nice Jimmy by the way! You'll love the overdrive.
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Congrats Mike, She Looks Real Good 8) Sounds like she was given an Earl Shyster paint job, like I had on my old Caddy >:(, but you could probably get away with a good color sanding.... As for the windows, a good concentrate of straight Non-AntiBacterial Dawn Dish Soap, a few Old Sunday News Papers, and elbow grease would help get rid of most of it... Then you just hose off the soap, and your good to go ;) Wouldn't recommend the soap coming into contact with the rest of your paint though, as if it wasn't sealed properly, it too will be stripped :o
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Awesome Mike! Are you going to paint the top the same color as the truck? Ever gonna run it topless?
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Sounds like she was given an Earl Shyster paint job, like I had on my old Caddy >:(, but you could probably get away with a good color sanding....
My last Blazer, a 73 2-wheel drive, had a $800.00 Maaco paint job and it was pretty bad, we did wet-sand it and buff it out and it came out pretty good. This paint job has a lot of orange peel so the plan right now is to wet-sand it using the Mirka Abralon system which starts at #1000 grit and goes to #4000 grit and then buff it out using the new Meguiar's M105 Ultra Cut Compound and then finish it with some lighter polishing using a DA Polisher and then of course seal it up with some wax.
It needs a new hood, this was a farm utility truck in it's previous life and the hood has a bunch of small dents that were scuffed and painted over instead of pulled, so the hood's pretty bumpy looking and down the road it will get replaced and painted.
Joker Truck sanded using the Mirka Abralon System
(http://forumarchive.meguiars.com/photos/mike_phillips/images/41412/original.aspx)
(http://forumarchive.meguiars.com/photos/mike_phillips/images/41411/original.aspx)
(http://forumarchive.meguiars.com/photos/mike_phillips/images/41413/original.aspx)
(http://forumarchive.meguiars.com/photos/mike_phillips/images/41414/original.aspx)
(http://forumarchive.meguiars.com/photos/mike_phillips/images/41415/original.aspx)
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Awesome Mike! Are you going to paint the top the same color as the truck? Ever gonna run it topless?
The top was restored and then painted using a Marine paint, forget the paint system but it's actually the nicest removable hardtop I've owned out of the 4 full convertible Blazers I've owned in the past, so there are no plans to re-paint it. There are plans to remove the top in the upcoming days, thought about taking it off on Wednesday in fact but want to make sure most of the rainy season is behind us first out here in the SoCal desert.
I have a rear roll bar and I'm looking for a front roll bar and after I get these installed I'm going to have a custom Bikini Top that goes from the windshield to the back of the rear roll bar. This will keep the sun from beating down on the tops of our heads while preserving the fun convertible feature of the truck. We live in Apple Valley, California and the sun is pretty bright out here most of the year and while we love convertibles we don't want skin cancer and my little boy likes to ride around with dad so I have the health of others to be responsible for too.
But yes, the top is coming off very soon!
(http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/images/smilies/Spot.gif) (http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/images/smilies/Spot.gif) (http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/images/smilies/Spot.gif)
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Very nice looking Jimmy !!! I like it !!!! ;)
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Man that is sweet!! ;D
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Good looking clean truck (http://arhunter.net/forum/Smileys/classic/cheesy.gif)
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AWESOME Mike, Glad to see you are enjoying it.
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AWESOME Mike, Glad to see you are enjoying it.
It is so much fun to drive, of course "fun" is a relative word, this thing has a pretty stiff suspension and it rides pretty rough but I don't mind at all. It seems to have a ton of power for a small block that supposed to be a stock rebuild, it does have Doug Thorley Headers and Flowmasters mufflers, it's kind of on the loud side but sounds real healthy. The transmission seems to be shifting perfectly and throttle response is crisp.
Now I have to put the interior back together and spruce it up as it's all apart and kind of messy but we have Wednesday off this week and by Wednesday night it should be mostly re-assembled.
One thing for sure, my 9-year old son LOVES riding around in the Taz Truck. This is my son in this Batman costume in the back of our 1959 Cadillac which by the way has a 462 Big Block Chevy in it.
(http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/Batman1.jpg)
:)
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That is sweet I'M JEALOUS OF THE FULL CONVERTABLE
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Very nice looking blazer. Enjoy.
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awesome looking blazer you got there. :o :o i love the stance it has.
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Sounds like she was given an Earl Shyster paint job, like I had on my old Caddy >:(, but you could probably get away with a good color sanding....
My last Blazer, a 73 2-wheel drive, had a $800.00 Maaco paint job and it was pretty bad, we did wet-sand it and buff it out and it came out pretty good. This paint job has a lot of orange peel so the plan right now is to wet-sand it using the Mirka Abralon system which starts at #1000 grit and goes to #4000 grit and then buff it out using the new Meguiar's M105 Ultra Cut Compound and then finish it with some lighter polishing using a DA Polisher and then of course seal it up with some wax.
It needs a new hood, this was a farm utility truck in it's previous life and the hood has a bunch of small dents that were scuffed and painted over instead of pulled, so the hood's pretty bumpy looking and down the road it will get replaced and painted.
Joker Truck sanded using the Mirka Abralon System
(http://forumarchive.meguiars.com/photos/mike_phillips/images/41412/original.aspx)
(http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/Batman1.jpg)
Funny thing is, MAACO gets a Bad Rap mainly because of their lack of proper masking, and that is mainly on the Rush/Bargain Basement Jobs!!! I have seen some quality & durable work coming out of the Good Local MAACO's, just with lots of Overspray..... When the owner took the time to Prep the Car/Truck, and Masked it off themselves, or paid to have it done, 90% of the jobs only needed a slight Cut & Buff, to make the vehicle something to be proud of up close or at a distance!!! Earl on the other hand, despite what you paid for, you still get a crap finish and then some >:(
Definately a Fan of the Mirka's products, their stuff just makes it that much easier 8) For me, the Abralon & Abranet makes sanding a Vehicle that much more tolerable, since when used right, your not sucking in alot of dust!!!! Back went I was in Auto Collision Repair & Refinishing in High School, I had Odd-Ball Projects to Prep & Paint, since I didn't have a car till late.... I did alot of the Prep Work on a Fullsize Turbine Hydro, acouple of Search & Rescue Huey's, and a '82 GMC Armored Truck for SWAT use, most of which was done outside during a Hot/Fairly Muggy Summer :o
I take it the Joker Truck is another one of your Trophy Winners, or one you did for a Customer??? Looks Pure Evil :o Your Son makes a Menacing Dark Knight, Christian Bale's Acting Coach??? 8) Definately Envious of the Ka-Daddy-Oh!!! :o :o
As for the Jimmy's hood, is it me, or is it Screaming for a steel Cowl Hood ??? I'm sure Batman would agree that it too should wear a Cowl Proudly ;D I mean you wouldn't expect Batman to Ride Around without a Cowl now would you ;)
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Funny thing is, MAACO gets a Bad Rap mainly because of their lack of proper masking, and that is mainly on the Rush/Bargain Basement Jobs!!! I have seen some quality & durable work coming out of the Good Local Macao's, just with lots of Overspray..... When the owner took the time to Prep the Car/Truck, and Masked it off themselves, or paid to have it done, 90% of the jobs only needed a slight Cut & Buff, to make the vehicle something to be proud of up close or at a distance!!! Earl on the other hand, despite what you paid for, you still get a crap finish and then some >:(
Just to note, the Maaco paint job on my 2-wheel drive 73 Blazer was on it when I bought it, we sanded it down and buffed it out and the sides came out pretty decent and kept their shine, the hood on the other hand just never had that the polishability of the rest of the paint. A couple coats of wax and it would look pretty good from 15 feet away.
(http://archive.meguiarsonline.com/gallery/data/500/2Blazer2.jpg)
I take it the Joker Truck is another one of your Trophy Winners, or one you did for a Customer???
This is a customer's car. I've buffed it out a few times and also did a complete wet-sand, cut and polish on it.
As for the Jimmy's hood, is it me, or is it Screaming for a steel Cowl Hood
Agree 100% It's another thing on the to do list but it doesn't have the same priority as a front roll bar, I have a rear roll bar for it and want a front roll bar and then I'm going to have a full Bikini top made for it in black vinyl to protect our heads but let us take the hard top off. We live in the Mojave Desert and the sun is pretty intense. But "yes" it's on the list.
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i love that coler red
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Funny thing is, MAACO gets a Bad Rap mainly because of their lack of proper masking, and that is mainly on the Rush/Bargain Basement Jobs!!! I have seen some quality & durable work coming out of the Good Local Macao's, just with lots of Overspray..... When the owner took the time to Prep the Car/Truck, and Masked it off themselves, or paid to have it done, 90% of the jobs only needed a slight Cut & Buff, to make the vehicle something to be proud of up close or at a distance!!! Earl on the other hand, despite what you paid for, you still get a crap finish and then some >:(
Just to note, the Maaco paint job on my 2-wheel drive 73 Blazer was on it when I bought it, we sanded it down and buffed it out and the sides came out pretty decent and kept their shine, the hood on the other hand just never had that the polishability of the rest of the paint. A couple coats of wax and it would look pretty good from 15 feet away.
(http://archive.meguiarsonline.com/gallery/data/500/2Blazer2.jpg)
Yeah pretty much the same with all the MAACO's around here as well, generally it is because they are unable to reach the full length of the hood while it is in place... To get around that, it's a good idea to have them remove it for painting, and replace afterwards... You can even bring the vehicle in apart, then reassemble after the painting...
I take it the Joker Truck is another one of your Trophy Winners, or one you did for a Customer???
This is a customer's car. I've buffed it out a few times and also did a complete wet-sand, cut and polish on it.
Very Impressive Work Mike 8)
As for the Jimmy's hood, is it me, or is it Screaming for a steel Cowl Hood
Agree 100% It's another thing on the to do list but it doesn't have the same priority as a front roll bar, I have a rear roll bar for it and want a front roll bar and then I'm going to have a full Bikini top made for it in black vinyl to protect our heads but let us take the hard top off. We live in the Mojave Desert and the sun is pretty intense. But "yes" it's on the list.
Glad to hear the Hood is Mike, it too is one of my additions sheetmetal wise, and my G/F(soon to be Wife) said it is manditory for my truck ;D Understand where you are coming from on the Cage/Roll Bars, as I remember a few of these trucks that Neighbor Kids had, and decided to take some of the more Dangerous Local Curves at High Speeds :o Lets just say that either they all didn't make it(ones in the 73-75 models), or some did(Those in the front of the 77-91's), but never interest in owning another like them(Yes the same can be said to those that had Early Bronco's and Early Ramchargers as well)!!!
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Took the top off last week and bolted in the rear roll bar, still looking for a front roll bar. Here's a couple shots from today, a sunny day in the warm sunny high California Desert.
(http://archive.meguiarsonline.com/forums/photopost/data/648/1975JimmyTopOff001.jpg)
(http://archive.meguiarsonline.com/forums/photopost/data/648/1975JimmyTopOff002.jpg)
:)
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Awesome Mike! I think you should paint the top to match when you put it back on for winter.
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SWEET!!!
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man that is a nice Blazer! i tend to prefer the looks of the 76-91 Blazers with the half cab but that is a pretty truck!
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bad truck
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Friend gave me a seasoned 9' Long board... My son is now President of the Mojave Desert Surf Club
(http://archive.meguiarsonline.com/forums/photopost/data/648/Old1975Jimmy.jpg)
Looking for one more 9 footer to have duallys...
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Wow Mike, now that's a Great Looking K5 Jimmy! 8) :o 8)
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That looks SWEET. I am SO jealous!
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Man, that's nice.
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Ohh man that is soooo cool! 8) 8)
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Sweet looking Jimmy
I didn't know you can surf in the desert :D
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too cool! looking good
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Big thanks to everyone on this forum for all the help I've received in getting the Jimmy to where it is today.
THANK YOU!
My first post here related to the Jimmy Project was asking for help converting this truck from a manual 4-speed to an automatic and it's now sporting a 700R4 from 1985/1986 with no computer controls. I had Dana Sniff rebuild it and install a real shift kit into it and when you floor it and go through the gears the front end jerks up hard from 1st gear to second gear and I like it that way.
Converting a 4 speed to an automatic
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=6977.msg39577
The top has been off since about 1 week after finishing the conversion to an automatic and it's likely never going on again, I've already removed all the carpet so when it rains the water can find it's own way out and what doesn't will evaporate.
I have a 454 sitting on an engine stand waiting to be installed in place of the 350 small block Chevy, just need some time and a few components for the engine swap.
Until then this Jimmy is a BLAST! to drive, even though it has a stock small block, it does have Doug Thorely Headers that dump out to Flowmasters with 2" pipe throughout so it sounds good. 4-Wheel disc brakes so it stops on a dish plate, (not a dime but close).
Basic stereo system which is more than enough and seat belts for 5 people... what more could you want?
Best of all is my son, who is 9 and is also a car guy like his dad, absolutely loves driving around with me in the Jimmy.
We do try to be practical about it as this is our "toy" and to make up for the gas mileage I'm fixing up a 1974 Datsun Truck for a parts chaser and long distance commuter to work. I chose a 1974 because here in California you don't have to smog anything from 1975 and older and it will get about 20 mpg if I keep my foot out of it. Just to note, this is an automatic model too...
Before
(http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/1974DatsunProject001.jpg)
(http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/DatunSeatMakeover003.jpg)
Side-by-side
(http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/1974DatsunProject005.jpg)
After
(http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/1974DatsunBMW001.jpg)
Anyway... just thought I would share the surf board picture and say thanks to everyone on the forum...
:D
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nice datsun..and boat! it would look cool behind the jimmy
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The Datsun comes with that parking brake or was it special ordered? :P Seriously the blazer is awesome and looks like a bunch of fun. Boats and Blazers seem to go together especially with the top dropped and surf board. Great ride.
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I've only taken the boat out twice since buying it but so far it's been a blast...
This one is after the Father/Son Campout back in August,
(http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/2008FatherSonCampout008.jpg)
The boat is an all original 1967 Starline DeVille
(http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/2008FatherSonCampout004.jpg)
Seats fold down into beds so we camped inside the boat and off the ground... (Desert is fully of all kinds of creepy, crawling things)
(http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/2008FatherSonCampout007.jpg)
Boat has a 120 hp 4 cylinder Iron Duke, runs out at 45 miles per hour, only paid $2000.00 for it...
(http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/2008FatherSonCampout003.jpg)
(http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/2008FatherSonCampout002.jpg)
Jimmy needs and is getting a big block for a little more power pulling the boat down the road...
;D
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Man, thanks for the mini vacation sitting at my desk busy with paper work I just looked at those pics and stepped out to the lake for a minute. That was very relaxing. I feel so much better now.
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My father had three of those Datsun pickups. Cant kill them, they all rusted away, but still ran cherry.
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That's a great looking Jimmy, Mike. Nice job! I'll bet that boy of yours has his sights set on it. AND the boat,er- camper Ha! :D
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Maiden Voyage - Took the Jimmy 4-Wheeling to Johnson Valley Dry Lake Beds
After trimming the fenders (http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=10812.0") so the 35" Boggers would fit with plenty of travel clearance while travelling over rough terrain, my son Rand and I took our 1975 GMC Jimmy 4x4 on her maiden voyage to Johnson Valley Dry Lake Beds to test her out. We bought this truck just about 1 year ago as a Father/Son project truck and weekend toy as well as boat puller.
Here's our first post on 73-87ChevyTrucks.com for this project
Time Stamp: January 20, 2008, 10:44:27 PM
Thread: Converting a 4 speed to an automatic (http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=6977")
Since purchasing the truck off eBay it's underwent a number of changes and there are a few more to go, for example we're going to install a 454 Big Block Chevy starting sometime in March or April of this year. After that some rollbar and rollcage work on the interior, a new hood, some better seats, a suspension upgrade, probably an 8" lift kit with new front and rear springs, a shackle flip and then a new stereo system and CB radio with a PA Speaker, (Son wants the PA Speaker)
We would like to thank everyone on this forum for all their help in answering all the multitude of questions we've posted and seeing us through to the success we've experienced so far.
Thank you!
Without futher ado....
Eat my dust...
This is what it looked like following us in on the State Park dirt road.
(http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/JimmyJohnsonLake022.jpg)
Johnson Valley Dry Lake Beds is about 15 miles out of a small desert town called Lucurne which is a small town on the way to Big Bear Lake in the high California Desert.
(http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/JimmyJohnsonLake017.jpg)
(http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/JimmyJohnsonLake001.jpg)
(http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/JimmyJohnsonLake003.jpg)
This is my son Rand
(http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/JimmyJohnsonLake004.jpg)
(http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/JimmyJohnsonLake018.jpg)
Real men, (and real boys), don't use doors; they climb up the tread lugs on the tire and swing in by holding onto the rollbar
(http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/JimmyJohnsonLake006.jpg)
This is Daphne The Dark Overlord, Destroyer of Planets and Civilizations
(http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/JimmyJohnsonLake021.jpg)
This is me (Son took picture)
(http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/JimmyJohnsonLake020.jpg)
First Test - This trail going up this bluff is actually a lot steeper than it looks in the picture
(Rand opted to stay at the bottom of the hill and take pictures) :)
(http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/JimmyJohnsonLake007.jpg)
(http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/JimmyJohnsonLake008.jpg)
(http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/JimmyJohnsonLake009.jpg)
(http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/JimmyJohnsonLake010.jpg)
(http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/JimmyJohnsonLake011.jpg)
(http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/JimmyJohnsonLake012.jpg)
Going back down
(http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/JimmyJohnsonLake013.jpg)
If you get too far right, chances are good you'll rollover
(http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/JimmyJohnsonLake014.jpg)
(http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/JimmyJohnsonLake015.jpg)
Safe and sound...
(http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/JimmyJohnsonLake016.jpg)
Parting Shots...
(http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/JimmyJohnsonLake017.jpg)
(http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/JimmyJohnsonLake000a.jpg)
Summary
Didn't get any flat tires, didn't roll the truck and didn't break anything so all-and-all it was a great first 4-Wheeling experience!
:)
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Thank you for sharing
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Looks liike you had an awesome time. Thanks for sharing with us. Great pictures also.
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Thanks for sharing. Awesome pics. What did you do to the original rollbar in the back? It looks like you already added one to the truck.
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What did you do to the original rollbar in the back? It looks like you already added one to the truck.
I found a factory full roll bar for sale from a 1972 Blazer. Bought it, removed the rear roll bar and replaced it with the full roll bar. I still have the rear roll bar in storage but like the safety of the full roll bar. I'm also going to add some more bar to the front up to the windshield and then down to the floor. Then add a handle on both sides to hold onto and the components between Batman and Robin you see here,
(http://archive.meguiarsonline.com/forums/photopost/data/819/Batmobile007.jpg)
Thinking about painting the Jimmy black and creating the "Bat Truck". One of my friends owns a Batmobile recreation, I've buffed it out a few times and it's pretty cool. He said he could help me to obtain the parts I need to create my own version of a Bat Truck. (Just in the thinking stage right now)
This is my son going for a ride,
(http://archive.meguiarsonline.com/forums/photopost/data/819/Batmobile047.jpg)
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Thats cool.
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I like the Batmobile!
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I'm diggin the Blazer. That looks like a cool place to take the kids and fart around in the truck. We don't have that in these parts. Pic #13 would make a good calender or garage art pic.
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it looks like you guys had alot of fun!! i really like how the Blazer looks. The pics your boy took going up the hill the sunset background is really cool-the one where you just get to the top..
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That's a great looking Jimmy, Mike. Nice job! I'll bet that boy of yours has his sights set on it. AND the boat,er- camper Ha! :D
LOL
He wants the Jimmy, the boat and the Datsun...
The Datsun offsets the carbon footprint of the Jimmy and you don't have to smog either of them here in California, not that they pollute.
:)