The Wanderers build

superbuickguy

Explorer
while the total isn't done (nor is any part of it), I'm pleasantly surprised at how affordable the interior work is. $500 for carpet, $200 for more sound deadening, $400 for the saggy roof, $1200 for the dash, $1600 for the seats. Seats with leather seating surfaces (and new foam) and the dash with some minor modifications to stock but will be a solid upgrade... of course, 2 months wait time... but it's a lot less than I expected.

not recovering the rear seat. This is getting a camper - thus leaving the area open most of the time.

what isn't affordable is all the exterior parts (like grill) the cars giveth and the car taketh away. Lamentations 30:2 SBG version.
 

superbuickguy

Explorer
a year ago, I bought a box full of squarebody weatherstrips... misc stuff. Finally got around to inventorying it and found I have enough to do the Blazer and probably the 4 door truck's doors with weather seal (channel and glass wipes.
54y2PIUh.jpg

didn't get windwing stuff, but I have like 10 of them and at least 2 with decent seals.
fitting on the pretty stuff, mostly the keep it safe
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my 'goal' on this is that someone would think I modified a new Blazer with lift, fender flares and nice seats.... sure, there is a lot more into it but that's the goal - so no painting chrome, no blacking grills or rear trims
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probably will tint marker lights but that's about it for that... .again, looks stock but not
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and again, the entire point of this build is an overland rig - so the camper, not the truck, is the focus
 

superbuickguy

Explorer
Back to the Blazer
I thought the white was jarring
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so I blacked out the sun (that would be a cool song title)
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bought new K5 badges
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then worked on trying to find the holes that the painter conveniently filled and painted over... failed, but I'm gluing it in place so no worries
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then started installing the flares
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more tomorrow.
 

superbuickguy

Explorer
then again, I could be working on the tailgate, still, by the time SEMA rolls around... lordy
first, though, attach the rear aluminum strip
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then work on latches.... not terrible, but a PITA and fiddly
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then work on the switch
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oh but wait, more parts
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picture for posterity
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and the problems... corrosion on the contacts
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I'm so glad this never became a thing at GM.... what a stupid way of holding a cylinder together
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by now, you probably realize the issue is the switch isn't working
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don't have a 4th hand to take a picture of this being tested by the problem is this bit
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doesn't hang out on that pin... it allows power through the various contacts (twist the key makes the contact complete the power circuit to the other wire. That copper part should be attached to the top (the back side of this piece via the missing stud)
B0BDealh.jpg

so my attempt to save $100 failed.... or I I just didn't feel like seeing how terrible my soldering skillz are....
and finally, to make myself feel better, I successfully (and that was fully successfully) attached the new motor to the bracket
EMJScvSh.jpg


anyway, back to waiting for parts.... I have plenty to do...
 

superbuickguy

Explorer
repainted the front... there were 2 more coats after this... it's nice and black
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then there will be some assembly required for the rear bumper
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and to mention... I ordered a replacement bumper for my Colorado on 6/18. I still don't have it and we're still in the "two weeks" BS that they say. This bumper, I ordered 2 weeks ago.... I'm not saying use Move products but I am saying if you don't, you'll wish you did
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superbuickguy

Explorer
Just remember, what I'm working on took a high school graduate seconds on the assembly line.... geesh
another one of those high impedance air gaps
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time to strip
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it's just an empty shell of itself
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can someone please explain to me why the English lick paint - you've heard them talk about it "give it a lick of paint"
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now with paint
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figured I'd give myself a boost by welding this together.... my initial feeling is they overbent a line.... hope I'm wrong
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superbuickguy

Explorer
time to start the reassembly
first, fix the wiring
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then remember I forgot to drill the holes for the wires... oops
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difference between factory and aftermarket - see the marks for drilling the holes in the gm one?
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a lock on
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Tuesday, I have to get this to the glass shop to put in a new front window... did I mention my trailer is 250 miles away?
 

superbuickguy

Explorer
carrying on... other door stripped
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drilled the holes
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then deburred with these
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then put on the aftermarket mirrors. just no
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I will probably disassemble them then make them black - aftermarket mirrors are plastic, not stainless, like the originals. kind of a win/lose thing but the win part is it's a lot easier to get paint to adhere to plastic.
Qrc1bSOh.jpg

I'll use the stock base with the plastic cover and the arm. might even make them heated since I have to take them completely apart.

but that's later. Tomorrow it gets its front window.
 

ITTOG

Well-known member
carrying on... other door stripped
NnOl4Cwh.jpg

drilled the holes
gkC7B1uh.jpg

then deburred with these
STNa91Ah.jpg

OXwaL0nh.jpg

then put on the aftermarket mirrors. just no
GS4jNK7h.jpg

I will probably disassemble them then make them black - aftermarket mirrors are plastic, not stainless, like the originals. kind of a win/lose thing but the win part is it's a lot easier to get paint to adhere to plastic.
Qrc1bSOh.jpg

I'll use the stock base with the plastic cover and the arm. might even make them heated since I have to take them completely apart.

but that's later. Tomorrow it gets its front window.
It is looking great, except for the mirrors. They seem out of place. Maybe if the arm wasn't so tall?
 

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