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Checking in From Ft Worth

T

Tr@xx

Registered Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2022
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Location
FT Worth TX
Good morning Ya'll. Carl here, I am new to the forum and to Chevy. I picked up a 79 Blazer a couple days before heading out to sea (I am at sea now).
Been reading through the forum for ideas and looking for parts and good ideas to get my basket case up to snuff and reliable.
Most of my experience with modding a vehicle has been on jeeps for rock crawling. I have moved on from that.
Right now I am looking at a mild build for back roads, camping and maybe a BDR trip or 2.
I am not sure of all the things needed yet, She seems to have a mild build engine, exhaust is missing, most of the interior is in the back of the truck, head lights are missing (efffen crack heads just cut the wires to steal the LED lights) hole in the fuel tank (same crack heads drilled a hole to steal the gas).
Right now the my priorities are to 1. get her streatable, 2. start moving towards a extended camping config, 3. Set up for 8 lug wheels to match my M-101 trailer and of course ready to tow said trailer.
 
Good plan. Get it safe and drivable. Breaking down in the boonies sucks.

Extended off road camping trips are the best. Lots of options. Sleeping inside, tent outside, rooftop tent on top. Depending on which way you want to go will dictate the plans. Key thing is keeping the gear organized and easy to access.

Going 8 lug is easy. Ideally you get a 14bolt full floater axle from a 3/4 ton squarebody truck. Bolt in and bulletproof for 99% mild built engines. Next up is a 14 bolt semi floater from a 3/4 ton truck or suburban. Still a semi floater but way stronger than a 10 bolt your truck should have. Front is easy. Yes a Dana 60 is the ideal way do go if you can find one for a decent price. Next option is just getting 8 lug rotors and parts from the knuckles out from a 8 lug 10 bolt.

Start a build thread here too! We like to follow along.
 
welcome @Tr@xx

agree with everything Zoo said. Sad situation with peps stealing everything these days, and the authorities, not giving a rats ass. Make me want to do violence.

You can get the upgrade headlight harness and splice it to the cut truck harness. Most people rave about the difference.

nice 4"ish lift will clear 35" with 3.5 to 4" backspace, maybe just a tad of fender trimming.
 
I would recommend moving this thread to the Garage, get more traffic than a regional page.

Martin
 
Thanks for the welcome Gents.
Yeah, there is not much that gets my hackles up than thieves. But what goes around comes around, eventually they will get theirs.
I don't plan on getting into anything harder than semi maintained dirt roads, and I am not a throttle jockey. So, I don't really see the need for heavier axles.....that said a bolt in 3/4 ton swap would be easier, better brakes and more durable. Still the primary reason is to match the M-101A3 trailer 8 bolt axle to minimize spares. Not a deal breaker.
Camping, I want to keep it simple and tent camping with minimal goodies. Now I did see someone on here put a hammock in the back. That may take care of the tent or just pull the seat and put down a pad in the back. Granted if the Family goes then I will be pulling the trailer and things get more complicated.
The headlight harness upgrade? Speak to me, what are we talking about here? Is it just a new plug or what and where can I find more info. Getting older here and I light lights specially at night. Still, don't want to be that guy that is blinding everyone else on the road.
Lift and 35s, not yet. I need to see what I have going as far as gear ratios and RPM ranges, another can O worms. Still on that line of thought, Most of the lift kits that I did see are springs in the front and blocks in the rear. Is there a quality lift with springs front and rear?
The Garage? okay, I wasn't sure about a general introduction thread. I'll see if I can move it and get some pictures posted. Thing is that I am at sea now and think old dial up speeds for internet.
 
welcome, this is the harness upgrade. it makes your lights brighter


Heavy-Duty Headlight Harness

Shop from thousands of parts and accessories to help you restore, maintain, and customize your Chevrolet, GMC, Dodge or Ford truck or SUV. Keep 'em on the road with the right part, right price, right now.
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Tr@xx said:
Good morning Ya'll. Carl here, I am new to the forum and to Chevy. I picked up a 79 Blazer a couple days before heading out to sea (I am at sea now).
Been reading through the forum for ideas and looking for parts and good ideas to get my basket case up to snuff and reliable.
Most of my experience with modding a vehicle has been on jeeps for rock crawling. I have moved on from that.
Right now I am looking at a mild build for back roads, camping and maybe a BDR trip or 2.
I am not sure of all the things needed yet, She seems to have a mild build engine, exhaust is missing, most of the interior is in the back of the truck, head lights are missing (efffen crack heads just cut the wires to steal the LED lights) hole in the fuel tank (same crack heads drilled a hole to steal the gas).
Right now the my priorities are to 1. get her streatable, 2. start moving towards a extended camping config, 3. Set up for 8 lug wheels to match my M-101 trailer and of course ready to tow said trailer.
Click to expand...

Tr@xx said:
View attachment 405705View attachment 405706View attachment 405707View attachment 405708View attachment 405709
Click to expand...

that looks like a newer model than a 79 going by the front clip.
 
Yeah, kinda looks like a dual headlight set up. I checked the vin and and it is a 9 for year and that is what the title says. I'll see if I can find a picture of it before the stuff was off.
 
Trim around the grille opening would put it at 83-88.

I recommend the relay upgrade too. Used the same setup on mine. Makes a difference when the lights get true battery voltage.
 
Weird, Yeah I can see what ya'll are talking about on the front clip.
Vin on the dash CKL 1?9F seriel #
Sooooooo, looks like the PO changed the clip on me. Now I am wondering if it was wrecked or what.

Edit, found something on a parts website. Looks like it is a 81 to 87 front radiator support and fenders. Good eyes. I would have been ordering off the vin and had the wrong stuff.
 
Last edited:
All that differs is the trim and the core support. Fenders and hood all interchange from ‘81-‘91.

‘88-‘91 grille and bezels overlap the fender and front edge of the core support so the trim around the edge isn’t used.

Not hard to do. Only an issue if you really like the little quad headlight look of the ‘89-‘91 version.
 
Yeah, I would check your title and VIN. That is not a '79.

Martin
 
Fuel tank door indicates the tub is A 80’s. Assuming the the interior is original, that’s a 80’s steering column & center console. If I’m seeing the rear trim plaque correctly, it has a black ring around the edge, not a 79 plaque. Think you got a mid 80s.
I have a rear14 bolt smf that I will sell cheap…..
 
Jimmy85 said:
Fuel tank door indicates the tub is A 80’s. Assuming the the interior is original, that’s a 80’s steering column & center console. If I’m seeing the rear trim plaque correctly, it has a black ring around the edge, not a 79 plaque. Think you got a mid 80s.
I have a rear14 bolt smf that I will sell cheap…..
Click to expand...

what gear ratio is the 14 bolt?
 
Good morning, welllllll. I got the wife to find and photo the title and according to the title, it is a 79. The VIN on the title matches the VIN on the dash and the VIN says its a 79.
Maybe the bones are 79 and the sheet metal is 81-87.
I really need to get back to start a clean up and see what exactly I have. To say I am disappointed is an understatement.
So far I think I have......
79 Chassis/tub going off the vin
81-87 front end going off of you guys and looking up parts/pictures online
Mild build on eng. to much shiney stuff on the eng.
TH350 trans looking at the pan
6 bolt conversion ????? have 6 lug wheels
Mid 80s interior from you guys and pictures on line mainly judging from the center console.

I was planning on having parts waiting on me when I get back, but it looks like that will be on hold until then.
So, Clean her up to see under the crud and make sure she is what I think she is.
go through the boxes of pieces and parts to see what I have
Get her put together and running.
Inspection, plates etc.
 
Agreed, from what is going on here there has been some part swapping.
Where abouts would the vin be on the frame?
 
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