Beach Blazer

[RobNoLimit]

This will be the last project built here at No Limit before we move, and it's kind of fitting for So Cal. I had one of these (74) blazers years ago and they're a blast at the beach. Top off, coolers, boards, firewood, yep, good times. I also remember the old square body C10 suspension, made even worse by the short wheelbase, bouncing down the 91 fwy. The harsh ride was made even worse with dropped spindles, cut springs and a flipped rear axle. The price you pay for bein' cool. This clean K model will be doin' it right this time. It is a pretty solid driver, 350/700, but the owner wants more, and he wants it right. We'll be putting a new chassis with a WideRide IFS and Fatbar 4-link. we'll also be adding some bigger brakes, and a new fuel system. The new drive line will consist of a new Turn Key LS3 and L470 trans. Here's some picts as the it's coming apart.

[snopro]

this should be a very fitting build for your last one in cali. maybe a collector one day lol

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Where you guys moving to?

[RobNoLimit]

Early this summer we will be moving to Dandridge Tn. - just outside of Knoxville. It makes us feel a little better about our decision that Toyota is following our lead and pulling up stakes as well. I love Cali, but she no longer loves us back. Honestly we should have done this 20 yrs ago, but some relationships are hard to exit. The Blazer brings back great memories of a different California. When I sold my '74, one of the would be suitors asked about the top. I never had the hard shell, from time to time I would run a 'Bikini' top on it, I had a make shift board rack above the roll bar and windshield, so most of the time there was some shade from a stick or two. I had the Bikini top on it when it was for sale, and people would ask things like "How do you lock it?" and "What if it rains?" Growing up in Huntington Beach, and then Norco (Horsetown USA - ask Bret) we didn't lock things, I mean, what if your neighbor or friend needed something and you weren't home? And, if it rained, one of 8 days a year, you stayed inside and hung out with family and friends. A Blazer or Jeep was a fun vehicle back then, and this one will be even better than my old '74, but it will be locked up at night.
One of the drawbacks to almost any C10 is the front crossmember. When you drop a C10, the center of the front crossmember and/or the pivot shaft for the lower control arms will be the first things to hit the ground. And it's a hard hit. Next the headers will drag. Until recently, the last two or three years, all of the 'truck' headers hung below the chassis. But today, these are no longer problems. our new C10 pro-Tech chassis raise the front crossmember clearance and provide a flat sight line under the trucks. And over the last few years, we worked with the new guys at Headman Headers to make a C10-LSX header that fits in OE chassis, OE with our WideRide IFS, and in our custom chassis, and it doesn't hang down. This little red Blazer will sit right at 6" off the ground, OK maybe 5", and won't have any ground clearance problems, no tire rub problems, and full turn radius. Just as it should be.

[low68]

This is going to be a cool build. I will be watching this one.

[MSTSFabbed]

Dandridge! Heck yeah, I'm just north of Chattanooga! I'm gonna have to come make a visit once yall get all settled in.

The Blazers looking good!

[RobNoLimit]

We are about to fit the new chassis, and moving the body around this looked like a fun pict. Johnny says this is almost low enough.

[aggie91]

I really love those blazers with the full removeable top. I saw a post on another forum about your upcoming move. You are also going to share space with another builder?

Can't wait to see more on this one.

[Arrowhead]

Cool build, subscribing! Had a '73 that I fixed up in high school 30 years ago with new body panels, rebuilt the engine, 4" lift, etc. Always missed that truck and thought of building another. Nowadays though I appreciate the low stance instead of climbing up high to get in and work on a tall 4x4

[CampbellshotrodsAZ]

What? Another business leaving California? You don't say? LOL.

Cool build, always loved these trucks.

[Boatmark]

Cool project. Back in the late 70's / early 80's I knew a guy with one - dropped, green with blue based flames (sounds bad, looked great), chrome roll bars that doubled as a board rack . . . . . the perfect thing for cruising Ft. Lauderdale beach. Top? What top? We don't need no stinkin tops!

[RobNoLimit]

Today we are test fitting the chassis. A cut is needed to clear the top of the chassis in the rear, we knew that would happen. Just a little sheet metal work to do. The rest of it fits perfect. Here's the coolest part. We pulled back the carpet to see the O-riginal paint. Yep, she was Baby-Poop-Brown. Just like my old one. I'm feeling very nostalgic now.

[aggie91]

got to love the brick mason's hammer for doing sheetmetal work!

[RobNoLimit]

HAHA, Yep! I have a set of three. Square head, round head, and domed head. - flat tail, round tail, and pointed tail. Not too good for finish work, (I have a set of Martin hammers for that), but great for floor pans, firewalls and wheel wells. More mass = less work. You mean you don't have one of these?

So, the base chassis is out from a test fit, now we'll finish it up to a roller.

[rustomatic]

That Blazer needs clear plexiglass floors for that chassis. I'd want to be able to see it all the time, maybe even with LED lights that came on in the dark. That thing should be clearcoated and on display all the time--it's beautiful work that invites a brief lecture at any place and time. Somebody must really like the 2WD Blazer...

[bad86ss]

This is one cool ride!

[RobNoLimit]

Prepping more parts. Here is the new Turn-Key LS3 package.

[bmbrzmn101]

Fun looking project with a beauty of a frame. My wife and I were just discussing a blazer like this and how much fun they are. Hmmmmm.........Oh well, I already have too many projects.

Chris

[low68]

Great looking frame. Motor should be nice too!

[RobNoLimit]

As the motor goes in we do the finish of the fab work on the mounts. We are using one of our 'truss plate' style mounts, These add additional strength to the IFS crossmember and chassis, and can be used with SBC, BBC, and LSX motors. A modular design helps if there are changes later on. The truss plate fits into the crossmember and needs to be set close to the motor mount center (fine adjustment comes later) It's a long weld, but it looks cool when done. The upper section is in three parts, front plate, rear plate (3 degrees of motor tilt built in), and cross tube. Once bolted on to the truss, the tube can be moved front/back. The motor is then set in, trans bolted up, and then the cross tube is welded to the upper plates. (the upper truss mounts can now be un-bolted if needed) It works out very clean and strong.