87blackblazer
Registered Member
It's bitter sweet...
My wife came into the marriage with an '87 Blazer (350, 4X4, and many miles). The truck shows it's age.
The rocker panels and area under the tailgate are pretty rusted - not through, but pretty bad nonetheless. There is also a good amount of spot rust on several of the body panels. There's also some surface rust on the frame, but it's not bad. What's the best method to repair those areas?
The engine is pretty strong. It burns a little oil and leaks some around the rear seal.
The suspension is extremely stiff and the steering is impossible to align (and therefore get to track straight). I could probably get it shimmed, but the shops that I've taken it to are far too expensive for the quality of work performed. I also believe that the power steering components need replaced b/c there's quite a bit of play there.
All of the accessories still work, but the HVAC fan isn't very powerful these days. Likewise, the power windows and door locks are no longer up to snuff. I know that the wiring is extremely corroded and most of it needs replacing.
With that introduction, I plan to restore the beast but I'd somewhat like to do it in one fell swoop rather than piece-mealed over time. But where to start?
The rocker panel and tailgate rust is one of my top concerns, but the steering/suspension is up there too.
How would you begin? Ideally, I'd have a garage large enough to dismantle it down to the frame, get the frame and body media blasted, frame powder coated, and body painted. I'd rebuild the entire rolling chassis to get rid of the suspension/steering problems. I'd like to put a small lift on it, but I don't think the Mrs is up for that. I also think the engine needs rebuilt along with tranny. I would replace the entire wiring harness and most of the electrical components. The interior needs to go as well.
Unfortunately, I don't have a garage that big. So where do I begin and how would you proceed?
My wife came into the marriage with an '87 Blazer (350, 4X4, and many miles). The truck shows it's age.
The rocker panels and area under the tailgate are pretty rusted - not through, but pretty bad nonetheless. There is also a good amount of spot rust on several of the body panels. There's also some surface rust on the frame, but it's not bad. What's the best method to repair those areas?
The engine is pretty strong. It burns a little oil and leaks some around the rear seal.
The suspension is extremely stiff and the steering is impossible to align (and therefore get to track straight). I could probably get it shimmed, but the shops that I've taken it to are far too expensive for the quality of work performed. I also believe that the power steering components need replaced b/c there's quite a bit of play there.
All of the accessories still work, but the HVAC fan isn't very powerful these days. Likewise, the power windows and door locks are no longer up to snuff. I know that the wiring is extremely corroded and most of it needs replacing.
With that introduction, I plan to restore the beast but I'd somewhat like to do it in one fell swoop rather than piece-mealed over time. But where to start?
The rocker panel and tailgate rust is one of my top concerns, but the steering/suspension is up there too.
How would you begin? Ideally, I'd have a garage large enough to dismantle it down to the frame, get the frame and body media blasted, frame powder coated, and body painted. I'd rebuild the entire rolling chassis to get rid of the suspension/steering problems. I'd like to put a small lift on it, but I don't think the Mrs is up for that. I also think the engine needs rebuilt along with tranny. I would replace the entire wiring harness and most of the electrical components. The interior needs to go as well.
Unfortunately, I don't have a garage that big. So where do I begin and how would you proceed?
Wait, maybe I got that backwards...
