'72 Bluggy: Rocks/ 47s/ LoMax

[RGV72BLAZER]

Updated: 7/6/12...Skip to post 500 for the most recent updates

well wasn't sure if my thread should go here or somewhere else but i guess it can be moved. i'm finally starting to collect my parts & will post pics of the stuff that i already have. i may end up posting other threads as i may still have questions on my set up. you can see quicker updates here if you're intersted http://www.rgv4x4.com/forums/showthread.php?t=426 but i've gotten so much from this site so i'll post updates here whenever i have any.

i picked up my Gen I back in March '02. it was brown, with a white top, 350/th350/np205, 32 BFG ATs, D44/12 bolt with 3.08s, and stock lift. this pic is of when i got it stuck out at South Padre Island, TX about 2 days after bringing it home.

P.S. IF MY PICTURES AREN'T SHOWING, PLEASE LET ME KNOW

 

[RGV72BLAZER]

...A few months later, i had a coat of sunset orange pearl metallic paint thrown on it, reupholestered seats, a 3" lift with custom springs, & 35" MTRs...

...had it in show quality, but before i knew it i was pushing it to the limits ...

 

[RGV72BLAZER]

...so after a night of too much of this :beer: and a pride too great to overcome, i destroyed the rocker panels, the front D44, the rear suspension, and had no brakes [which i realized when i was driving 60 mph getting to a busy intersection ]...so i decided to get far more serious about my wheelin' & plain n simple i just wanted to tear up all my buddies that have jeeps...so i began disassembly of the whole thing in Oct. '04...

 

[Engineered Vintage]

Nice - so just out of curiousity (and based on the fact that I might attemp it this weekend) how did you physically remove your tub from the frame?

 

[RGV72BLAZER]

so i spent the past year & a half pissed off that i took thing apart and anxious to get the thing running and just gathering parts. i have my range box 203 for my doubler, ORD shackle flip and HD shackle, bushings for the front springs, 52" & 63" springs, exhaust for my sbc [which i may not use if i go up to a bbc], 44" boggers, h1 wheels, D60 [5.86s, detroit, 4340 chromoly inners/outers, 1410 yoke], D70 HD [5.86s, detroit, 35 spline shafts], and some other little things here and there...

 

[RGV72BLAZER]

Nice - so just out of curiousity (and based on the fact that I might attemp it this weekend) how did you physically remove your tub from the frame?

lmao ...this part sucked...on the rear we used a cherry picker...on the front my cousin & i used a 2x4 that was wider than the tub and picked it up a few inches while a buddy pulled the chasis out, then we sat it on some barrels...that's a quick summary & not as easy as it sounds...what i recommend is use a cherry picker and get plenty of man power and brace the tub with tubing so that it won't collapse...that's something i didn't do on mine & i regret not doing but too late now...

 

[RGV72BLAZER]

so here are my plans:

tires/wheels:
44" boggers on 16.5 H1s [heard that h1s can't be run on the 44s b/c of the runflats ?]

axles:
d60/70

steering:
sky high steering
hydro assist [leaning toward rocklogic unless someone has a suggestion for a beefy setup]
maybe a borgeson steering shaft

suspension:
(F) 52" spring swap, 7 1/4 shackle from BWP, SKY front x-member, ORD rear hanger, zero rates to push the axle forward, and greaseable ORD bushings throughout
(R) 63" springs, ORD greaseable bushings, ORD shackle flip and 6.0 HD shackle, maybe a zero rate
*looking to get around a 118 wheelbase

Motor:
either a sbc 350 or bbc 454 running on propane with a mild build nothing worth snapping axles

Tranny:
700R4

T-Case:
NP203/205 Doubler with a 3:1 LoMax in the 205

& Little Things Like:
10 pt cage
NARROWED FRONT & REAR FENDERS
dual batteries
rock protection
winch
and hopefully a custom soft top



THANKS SO FAR TO:
www.austink5.com
www.ck5.com esp. burt4x4, greg72, lucasj, & jekbrown
friends & family

will keep things updated hopefully

 

[Engineered Vintage]

Where would you have run bracing looking back - in the door jambs?

 

[RGV72BLAZER]

where the doors are at and somewhere to keep the firewall supported as well. try this link out http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=184024

 

[Engineered Vintage]

I'm a member over there too-

I'm tempted to leave my top on and do it - although I obviously don't want anything to shift. My rocker boxes are solid underneath - and there are only small pinholes in my floorboards.

I pulled my front clip off without using a breaker bar - even the bolt that was up under the firewall that held the fender on came right off on both sides...

 

[Burt4x4]

WOW!
One Hellov a project with one hellov a good ending

Can't wait too see more pics as you put it all back together.
Good Luck
Burt

 

[vtblazer]

Way to get serious RGV!!

All just to pound on your buddies...perfect motivation.

 

[RGV72BLAZER]

...thanks...lol...i ordered up my sky high steer kit yesterday and x-member and shackles...i'll probably be ordering my new orings for the H1s today...this weekend i'll once again taken on the task of removing old rubber bushings from the springs so i can measure the spring eyes to order up my greaseable bushings from ORD

 

[RGV72BLAZER]

just a quick update:

*setup the frame & axles at a 118" wheelbase
*mounted the rest of the boggers on the H1s but still have to figure out how to run the runflats or get some pvc ones from usa6x6
*got my propane setup...just need a tank
*found a BBC {that's right Burt} for 350 + a 14 bolt
*talked to Kyle at NWF, got everything going...got my doubler, 203 rebuild kit, 3:1 lo max, etc. will wait on my triple shifters until i set up my clocking position
*ordered up a new wiring harness, energy susp body mounts, a steering column off of ebay

 

[RGV72BLAZER]

within the next week i hope to remove the inner sleeves from the springs and order up the rest of my suspension pieces so that i can remove about 32 rivets , sand the frame, paint it, set up the suspension, & bolt everything together & get the tub back on...i have to drive an hour back to my parent's place to work on it so it's kinda hard sometimes...i can't wait...here's a buddy removing the rubber bushings with a $12 propane torch...better than the drill, pull, drill method ....

 

[CarnivoreMan]

Wow.. Your freaking diving in all the way.. Sweet

 

[RGV72BLAZER]

yep yep...i hope by the end of the summer, all i'll need is to build my tranny, setup my f/r bumpers, get a winch, & other little things...hope to have it ready around december or earlier

 

[Yukon Jack]

Very sweet project you have going on.

 

[RGV72BLAZER]

Very sweet project you have going on.

thanks...i got the bug, it's been almost two years since i started this project, and i just need to wheel something...gonna attack the biggest rock & mudhole as soon as i get it done...

 

[steve_kibbe]

I can't wait