Son and Dad rust experience

[rainman15]

Could you have done the rocker panel without removing the front fender?

Also did you drop the fuel tank to do the floor and cab work around the front door areas? 

I'm working on a similar project and will be doing nearly the exact same kind of patches you have done there, and I have ZERO experience with metal work or welding. Your posts have been very helpful to me. 

[frogman68]

Could you have done the rocker panel without removing the front fender? No I had to cut out behind the fender plus the door needs  to come off in order to line it up

Also did you drop the fuel tank to do the floor and cab work around the front door areas?  Yes I dropped the tank for two reasons. Safety and ease of access to under neath

I'm working on a similar project and will be doing nearly the exact same kind of patches you have done there, and I have ZERO experience with metal work or welding. Your posts have been very helpful to me. 

Before you weld anything screw it together take pics and post this site has got me to this point. Practice welding on scrap for some time till you are good at it.

[rainman15]

Turns out I'm gonna get very lucky on this welding thing.  I just learned that I have a certified welder at my boat shop at work (I'm in the Coast Guard).  We spent a ton of money to train this guy and I didn't even know he worked here... Anyway, he's agreed to help me out by providing some training on scrap metal before I actually start on the truck.  I don't want any help on the actual truck, just some training and a place to practice ahead of time. I want all this project to be my own work, not someone elses.

[frogman68]

Turns out I'm gonna get very lucky on this welding thing.  I just learned that I have a certified welder at my boat shop at work (I'm in the Coast Guard).  We spent a ton of money to train this guy and I didn't even know he worked here... Anyway, he's agreed to help me out by providing some training on scrap metal before I actually start on the truck.  I don't want any help on the actual truck, just some training and a place to practice ahead of time. I want all this project to be my own work, not someone elses.

That is great . I havent had time to work on the truck Boy Scout leader training is going to take all my time for the next month

[frogman68]

This summer has been too hot to work on the Blazer. But this morning it was in the low 80's
The frame to body mount in the middle of the bed were rotted , checked with Chris and he could not get em so I made some .
I think they will be ok (only made 1 so far) what do you think



That is a piece of 1/8 plate drilled to the specs of the old mount then I welded a piece of 1/8 X 2 angle iron then cut that to the correct angle



I cut and drilled another piece of the 1/8 X 2 angle and drilled a hole in the bottom frame rail




cut some 1/8 X 1 square tubing and ran it between the 2 pieces on the frame then put another piece of the 1/8 plate with the proper hole for the bushing cut out



all welded and bolted in the bushing is in with the washer (the angle iron is representing the floor)

[Old77]

Wow! there is a lot of work to be done with that blazer but you guys are doing a GREAT job on getting the panels repaired. I experienced some of the same headaches with my C10 but the good thing about trucks is that if your bed is rusted out you just go grab another one! That's got to be a chore to replace the whole floor of the rear of your blazer.

[frogman68]

Wow! there is a lot of work to be done with that blazer but you guys are doing a GREAT job on getting the panels repaired. I experienced some of the same headaches with my C10 but the good thing about trucks is that if your bed is rusted out you just go grab another one! That's got to be a chore to replace the whole floor of the rear of your blazer.

Thanks its going slow (that is a good thing one thing among many this site has taught me is to go slow) since its hot and my son is working on his Eagle project. I havent taken any recent pics but I have the rear floor screwed down now doing some extra bracing, making sure the wheel wells fit  then I will pull the floor back out and prime and paint the supports then weld it in. Hopefully this will be the last weekend for his Eagle project then Labor Day weekend I can get back on this in earnest

[Blazin]

Wow! All I can say as a body man, thats allot of work. As for your first time, looks like you jumped in ankles deep head first. Looks great though.

[frogman68]

Wow! All I can say as a body man, thats allot of work. As for your first time, looks like you jumped in ankles deep head first. Looks great though.

Thanks you taught me most of this The rear floor is in if I find the camera I can finally take pics
Had some issues with the wheel wells meeting the floor and body. So I just welded them in instead of bolting .
Last piece of the body (major anyway) is the DS rear quarter. Then she will be ready for some primer.
Right now I have way to many projects going so the 76 is on the back burner, with that means I will be putting the 76 front end on this.

[Bitzer!]

Just a little concern > great use of good welding gloves but the bare arms!

Seriously thats some good work you two are doing. A saying over here is "slowly, slowly catches monkey!"
Not sure where it comes from but it fits the bill 

[frogman68]

Here is the floor in will get better pics thru my back out and cant clean it out lol

[jaredts]

Starting to look like something again.  Nice work!  Just don't get frustrated and give up.  It'll be worth it in the end.

[Captkaos]

WOW!! Great progress!

[frogman68]

WOW!! Great progress!

It would not of been possible with out you
From the parts (and great customer service) to this site without any of em this truck would not be where it is today

[Captkaos]

Thanks for the kind words but you deserve the credit.  That is a serious undertaking.  I scraped one like that.