79 Blazer Smash 2.0

[DrSmash]

Got the bumper mounts tack welded and I’m thinking I don’t need to add a bunch more metal to protect the body at the corners. I’m not going to worry about it and just let nature take it course when rock hit those corners and save all the weight of more tube and bracing. The side plates for the bumper aren’t quite done yet but you can see the transition angle to the shackles. When you’re in a tight spot and backing up hitting a ledge or rocks on the shackle you go nowhere. It’s just out of reach of the shackle at full travel and will transition from bumper to bottom of the spring and back to the tire when backing up. Just need to make it stronger for those “skinny pedal hits”

Another body mod I feel is necessary in my crawlers is access through the floor to the drivetrain. Just made another floor piece like the blazer already had. If I need more clearance for the transfer case I can just modify the removable piece easy peasy.

 

[DrSmash]

Fuel cell skid plate framing is designed to also brace the shock towers to themselves. A piece of aluminum under the tank and I’m thinking that some 10 gauge expanded metal for the fuel pump filter area. The expanded metal piece would be removable from the frame by itself. Good air flow and would keep most trail trash at bay. The framing is 1” sq x.120 wall tube. Right now there is 8.4” front the pumpkin to the framing and I’m setting full bump at 6” up travel.
Got the pieces cut out to finish off the bumper mounting but didn’t have any 1” bolts laying around get to that next time.

 

[metalmachine]

Looks really good dude!

 

[DrSmash]

Finished the fab to the rear bumper brackets. They will hold up to some abuse.

 

[metalmachine]

Looks beefy

 

[DrSmash]

I chose a Donaldson 2 stage air filter meant for mining equipment. It flows a 1000cfm when clean and 450 cfm when clogged. It’s huge with a 5 “ inlet and outlet. It definitely was not going to fit under the hood so I hatched the idea to put it where it is now. It’s a true cold air cowl induction cause it’s taking air right from the cowl. It’s also really high so great for water crossings as well.

 

[Blue85]

I have a feeling there will be lots of grins had in this ride.

 

[DrSmash]

I have a feeling there will be lots of grins had in this ride.

Already there, can’t wait till it’s running.

 

[warrpath4x4]

lol

 

[DrSmash]

Kinda slow day just cleaned up and patched some of the sheet metal. Cleaned up the smashed in firewall tire clearance spots and finalized them.

 

[DrSmash]

New year new engine. Fits like a glove now to make the mounts.

 

[metalmachine]

Badass!

 

[DrSmash]

engine mounts.

 

[DrSmash]

I use aluminum set-up bushings when fabricating. They are undersize just a tad so they go into the tube effortlessly and the tubing sleeve from the urethane bushing of the bolt size you want. They save soo much time I got mine from WFO Concepts in Placerville Calif.

I use a plasma cutter but not a plasma table. Everything I build is a one off creation and built by hand. I work alone with the exception of a friend or a kid helping out every now and then. Been in business for 20 years commercially and will keep doing it as long as I can. I don’t like production work , I did try it out with triple stick shifters for Toyota dual cases. It yeah didn’t like it. The shop is small I’ve had a couple Magazine covers one on JP mag and 1 on Four Wheeler mag. I focus on 3 projects or so at a time with in between work mostly repairs that the other shops in town won’t or can’t do. This build is my all out pull out all the stops for myself. It’s not all coilover and linked and I’ve done plenty of that and I’ve been building trucks for 40 years and love me a proper leaf spring build that works as well as a link one. Anywho thanks for following along I appreciate it.

 

[DrSmash]

Had to offset the intake tube for the shock.

 

[DrSmash]

Engine mounts are in and allowed me to put the transfer case in. Cut the floor a little so I could clock the case to be flat with the lowest part of the frame which is back by the rear spring hangers. Going to make 2 crossmembers one for the trans and one for t-case. Measured for drivelines and going to have my trusted shop build them out for me.

 

[DrSmash]

One crossmember down and maybe 3 more to go. One more for sure under the transmission with bushings and I’m feeling like a hard mount ( won’t be connected to the drivetrain) under the bell housing and a hard mount just behind the transfer case. The one under the bellhousing would support a skid plate and so would the one behind the transfer case. The one behind the transfer case would also have the mount for the rear traction bar. The exhaust will just squeak by the crossmember and frame

 

[DrSmash]

Frankenfloor. It’s now 3 removable pieces. Have to switch out the wire for .023 to get all the sheet metal welding done.

 

[DrSmash]

put the pedals back in and the steering column. The steering shaft needed to make room for shock travel.

 

[doubletrouble]

Lookin good, I was just thinking it had been awhile since the last update.