The rebuild of Big Bird, 1970 Blazer

[Cyclone Traveler]

And so the build begins.

I found an original Big Bird yellow Colorado Blazer in New Mexico and shipped it to Virginia to begin a frame off restoration and addition of many custom modification. The Blazer had never been restored which at least allowed me to know exactly what needed to be repaired. Rust, lots of it!

It has sat in my garage for about a year now and I have finally got serious and set a deadline for the 2014 Hot Rod Power Tour.

My son is helping tear apart..

 

[Cyclone Traveler]

The beginning of stripping Big Bird.

 

[sponsoredbydad]

Nice! Just remember take lots of pictures for reference later after it's all taken apart. BRACE the door area Before removing hard top and any rocker/floor pan metal ER I mean rust. And don't be afraid to ask questions.
O-Ya Welcome

 

[Cyclone Traveler]

Getting her off the frame...

 

[Cyclone Traveler]

Building a custom dolly....

 

[Cyclone Traveler]

Thanks, no worries I have lots of pictures... And bracing, well I have a lot of that now too...

 

[y5mgisi]

Subscribed.

 

[Cyclone Traveler]

Out come the floors and rockers....

 

[ryoken]

what's that on the rotisserie?

 

[Cyclone Traveler]

Floor, rockers, and toe/dash panel out...

 

[Cyclone Traveler]

That's my buddies 68 Camaro convertible that he has to have ready for the 2014 Hot Rod Power Tour too...

 

[Cyclone Traveler]

So here is where I am after tonight's marathon, and the garage cleaned up.... No floors... A and B pillars are not attached and the front is hanging from bracing on the dolly.... Time for the new floor... And a bunch of parts to pick up at Fall Carlisle...

 

[bp71k5]

As I was scrolling through the pictures, I just kept seeing less and less and less sheetmetal. Eeek, good luck!

 

[Cyclone Traveler]

And a lot less rust... :-) bad picture, but this is the new floor... And test fitted the new toe/dash panel... The floor needs another evening of modification before I can test fit...

 

[ashman]

wow, you don't mess around! Looks like you know what you're doing though. Can't wait to follow your build through to the finish.

 

[Cyclone Traveler]

I have always wanted a Gen 1 Blazer and I finally was able to buy one. A 1970 Blazer, nicked named Big Bird (BB) by my family. BB was originally sold new from Daniels Chevrolet in Colorado Springs, CO and migrated to Albuquerque, NM where I found her and had her shipped to Annandale, VA to begin an extensive restoration and modifications.

Life/work got way in the way and BB sat in my garage for almost a year before I finally made time to start this summer. It also helped that a buddy and I have both set goals to have each of our respective projects ready for the 2014 Hot Rod Power Tour next June. So needless to say, I have a lot of work and little time to get it done the way I envision the completed project.

Now for pictures of what's been done so far:

Euphoria after the purchase:

 

[Cyclone Traveler]

The Plan, no particular order:

1. Repair all the rust...
2. Strengthen the frame
3. Update the drivetrain
4. If it was once rubber, replace it...
5. Repaint... Black...
6. Modernize interior... more to come...
7. Modernize motor... more to come...
8. Add cage...
9. Custom soft top...
10. Frankenstein... 68 front clip...
11. Trail ready... Custom bumpers... Winch... Tire and fuel rack...
12. Make it a daily driver...
13. Have fun!!!
14. Relocate to Colorado...
15. Have even more fun!!!

I will keep posting progress and changes in design as they evolve through the process.

 

[y5mgisi]

Sounds awesome man! Cant wait to see how it turns out for you!

 

[Cyclone Traveler]

Since the government is still shutdown, I took advantage of the day and prepped and test fitted the new floor and toe/dash panel.

This is a complete replacement floor for the trucks, which is longer and has additional framing to support the fuel tank. Also, the floor is prep for a bench seat, wrong for the blazer, and fuel tanks... The seatbelt brackets are also in the wrong place and will have to be modified. No worries, I'm putting 2007/new GM suburban seats front and rear and will be modifying the floors so they look factory...

Nothing like drilling and cutting up a new floor. But now I have good scrape metal for the A and B-pillar repairs... Waste not...

When I removed the original floor I kept the back 6-8 inches that attached to the rear bolts and welded to the bed. This was used as a template for cutting the new floor and shaping the lip to match the factory. I made sure that the rear seat holes and seat belt holes were a part and used those to scribe the new floor in case I need them later in the build. I also removed all the rear brackets and will blast, paint and reinstall on the new floor.


Lots of hammering and dolly work...


At this point I was close to test fitting... However, my jig was not cooperating and I had to key and remove the front mount bar. Drilled, tapped, bolted and cut the welds so it is removable yet still functional once the floor is in the truck.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[Cyclone Traveler]

Almost there, needs some work but its close...