84 Jimmy Build

[1981lt1]

It's been a while since I've posted but I have started another project.  I picked up this 84 Jimmy a couple of weeks from a local guy who wasn't going to be able to finish it due to the large amount of metal work it's going to need.  I knew from the start it's got a lot of rust in the typical areas, and I've done this before so I'm not worried.  Right now, the priority is rust repair.  Both inner/out rockers are gone, both kick panels are gone, both front floor pans need to be patched, the firewall is rusted at the seam, and the roof needs to be replaced.

[1981lt1]

I'm starting at the top, and since they don't make a roof panel for the Jimmy/Blazer, I'm going to have to get creative and modify the truck roof.  Luckily, the back header panel is still solid so I don't have to fabricate any mounting brackets where the top bolts to the cab.  However, I did get way ahead of myself and ripped out the drip rail and then found out there is no reproduction piece available.  Fortunately, I can fix the piece and put it back after I do some heavy rust scrubbing and spray some rust converter.  As you can tell, it's a good thing I removed the panel from all of the rust behind it.  The only reason I pulled this panel off is because it had about a silver dollar sized rust spot on the B pillar but nothing else showed the amount of rot behind it.

[Shifty]

Wow!  That's a whole lot work, but done correctly will be bad to the bone!   

[Mike81K10]

Love K5s and Jimmys! Most of them that are affordable needs plenty of work. Sure would be nice to have one in great shape. Best of luck and good roads ahead.

[1981lt1]

GM could have definitely done a better job at sealing these things (the trucks too).  It's not something for an amateur that's for sure.  Luckily I'm not afraid of cutting things!

[VileZambonie]

Most of the parts are either reproduced or easily reproduced for this year, so that will be helpful. 73-75 is where there is more fabrication of your own parts needed. Good Luck with it!

[1981lt1]

I just submitted my first of many orders for parts.  Should have a truck full of replacement panels arriving by next week so I can start replacing the rusted pieces.

[1981lt1]

Got the old roof off yesterday and now I'm waiting for my new panels to get delivered so there isn't much to do right now.  I knew the quarter panel was going to need some work so I started to grind where I knew there was filler, but I couldn't imagine the carnage that somebody did.  I have never seen this much filler in a single spot.

[VileZambonie]

Some people should never touch vehicles. Metal work is time consuming but worth it. I don't get the built of Bondo mindset.

[Shifty]

Jeso Christo! 

[VileZambonie]

Heat that up with a propane torch and it'll scrape right off.

[JohnnyPopper]

Wow! You are a brave soul!

Can't wait to see more progress...

[Shifty]

I don't know if I would dig all that out, then work it, or cut it out and weld in a repop (or OE, if you can find one)? 

[1981lt1]

I knew the quarters needed some patch work so I was already planning on cutting it up but now I’m gonna rethink what I’m gonna do. Right now the priority is getting the floors and roof fixed. After that I’ll figure out the quarters.

[Shifty]

Cheers to you for saving another Square that would have gone to the scrap heap of history!