Great job rebuilding your ZR2 man it looks awesome! I have a 2000 that I absolutely love and she is going strong but damn, the rust and rot is heartbreaking. I do what I can to keep it fixed and I have a local guy who fixes what I cannot. If I ever won the lottery I would gladly hire someone to make it just like new and the hell with the cost. Great, great work I hope your Z keeps rolling for years and years!
HOLY CRAP! I had to lay down and take a nap after watching all the work you performed. Simply amazing! Where on Earth did you get the motivation and energy??????????? You sir, are incredible and the same goes for your ZR2. This video gave me the motivation to go out and work on my own ZR2. Thank you!!!
My motivation came from being a cheapskate. I paid 17k for my dam truck when it was 2yrs old with 37kmiles. Its been long paid for. With the price of decent used rigs being around 15k, i couldn't justify that. I dumped some money and a shit of work into her, and man its a proud feeling. Its "free traveling" every time i get in it. And it's amazing that it actually STARTS after all that! LOL . Been 3yrs and starting my 2nd plow season and shes a old gas guzzler, but Solid and dependable.
Man I had a 2001 daily drove it for 10 year's put 252,000 miles on it, it never left me stranded! I beat the crap out of it! I was always off roading it. No it wasn't rotted that bad I tried to keep it clean. When I sold it with 252,000 miles on it, it had the factory original drive train, nothing was rebuilt. It had the factory Bilstein shocks on it also at 252,000 miles! Damn good truck!!!
I kinda did the same thing with my 2000 blazer 2 door this summer.. It took me 3 months and around 300 hours just to redo the body and I documented it with around 500 pictures as the work went along. I really enjoyed watching this video and I must say that it's a great job you did on your S10.. It's nice to see people give a vehicle a second life!!
Thanks man. I did loose cruise control tho. That blows. Its gotta be because of the cab/eng swap. Computers don't control as much as I thought. Oh well.
Eric Touchette NO. Just whatevers in that haynes book. But theres something called a "body module" thats buried deep in the cabs. Those are important. Lol. Mines long gone.
Send me a private message with your email and I'll send you a dropbox invite so that you can download the chevy blazer 98 to 04 factory technical pdf's. They should be ok to solve the problem you have.. Only the back end of the truck will be different, the electrical engine, tranny, xfer case, front diff should be the same. I have been able to solve all my issues on my blazer with these pdf. The wiring diagrams traces are in color so that helps to follow the components from page to page. If you need help with your diagnostic just ask. Have a great day!!
Wow, glad I found this, going to need to do a similar restore job to my 97 Blazer ZR2. Lived its life in new england so all of those body mounts / bushings are just crumbling apart, then there's the frame rot, then there's the body rust, along with whatever else I have not yet discovered. Tons of sweaty hours awaits but it CAN be done! Thanks for uploading.
Wow very cool! I myself restored a 1996 S10 ZR2 ground up. I ended up buying a new 4.3 chevy crate motor as good rebuilders are hard to find in California plus I never plan to see this thing, now that I put so much work into it. Thanks for sharing!
I live in Pittsburgh PA, it's a shame that they use so much salt in these areas. I lived in Spokane Washington for many years and you don't see any vehicle's rotting away like here in PA and Ohio. With the amount of taxes we pay there's no reason that we should have to deal with our states ruining our cars and trucks.
These ZR2 models and ZR2 Blazers are soon to skyrocket in price, so if you own one, hang onto it… and if you want one, better get it now, because the affordable price window is quickly shutting!
James I tried what you did too I even think I seen your add on craigslist when I was looking for parts for my build same part of ohio NW..I ended up making a few trips to see family in new Mexico and found a full donor truck I've decided to install a 4.8 ls 4Le80 instead of the 4.3 and add a lift kit, por15 and completely make it rust free.. if you look up cherry pick auto parts in Toledo Ohio there parts are cheap especially on the all you can carry holidays...there inventory has always got a few zr5/zr2 to plunder .. it's 1$ to enter the yard... if your in north Ohio its well worth the drive for anything
You provided some extensive insight into what it will take to make an S10 right. It’s sad that GM makes such an iconic brand more or less disposable exhibited by the amount of rust present and other deterioration like the cracked frame. I have an ‘02 4WD 3-door and fantasize about doing this very project. After watching this video, it will more than likely stay a fantasy.
I feel your pain, I live in Southern Ohio and I'm Rebuilding a 1984 S10 4X4 Blazer right now from the ground up, It was wrecked and the Frame was bent, So I bought a new frame and it was Rusty but Straight, Right now I'm trying to Rebuild the Frame and get the POR 15 on it, I can't wait until it's done tho Lol
I feel your pain with rust its the worst. I have a GMC SONOMA 4.3 but I haven't gotten any rust yet. They use salt out here in Idaho but I've been lucky so far. I've got an idea for you see if you can find a cab of a S10 from the Desert 🏜 southwest and finders or just a whole truck that's the same thing you have. Then take all the good parts off that truck and transfer all the good parts to your frame be sure to take your down and have it sand blast and have powder coated. And then when put all back together have it under coated. That will keep the rust at bay. Yes it sounds like a lot of work and money 💰 or just do what you can do. I'm in the same boat as you are and that's money 💰 so luck. If it's making you mad walk away from for a day or 2 that will help you re-group
I may do a restoration. Like this on mine when I swap to the turbo 5.3 and me just gimo ahead and so a solid front axle swap at the same time. Wish I could find a stepwise bed that would look right on a zr2. Great work on your rig man. Us shade tree guys can get shit done.
just bought a 2003 zr2 in Florida. 100% rust free over 200k mileage well maintained. near mint interior for 4k runs perfect. i would search for a better truck than do all that work however great job. i would do all that rust work on a vintage musclecar only
This is what a brand new truck will look like after 1 canadian winter , my avalanche had a mint body when i got it by the next spring i had 8 inches of rot up the rear quarters , and rockers were rusted bad , i think we should get money back from taxes at income tax time just to offeset the rot our cars take from all the salt they use , i remember when they used to use sand and our cars would last longer , sure it didnt melt the snow but it also didnt destroy a 40 thousand dollar truck in 1 winter . This is why i dont buy any new cars or trucks i buy old junkers that cost 1500 bucks and drive them til they die , its way cheeper in the long run , i get 4 years most times from truck to truck and im fine with paying 500 a year for a vehicle i can scrap out when im done with it , my harley on the other hand is still mint and i got it in 1997 .
GREAT JOB NICE TRUCK . IF YOU COULD HAVE I'VE SEEN AN OLD NISSAN HARD BODY & THE WHOLE TRUCK WAS DONE LIKE YOURS BUT HE USED RHINO LINER PAINT FOR THE BODY .
Yeah yeah, I misspelled donor bunch of times. The 2001 had new torsion bars and lower control arms replaced before I got it. I caked 2 gallons of Fluid Film on as much of this truck as I could. Rebuilt trans back in 2005. Truck runs like new its nice. Hoping to get 5yrs min, 10 would be ideal!
I'm gonna coat the underbelly of mine with atf fluid and hope for the best. I had the weld cracks at my lower control arms as well. Must be a common problem.
Had to by-pass the VATS on it. If you get it tuned thou vmcsn make more power, get better mileage and cut off VATS so the dash light stays off off. (Vehicle Anti-Theft System). I have to disable it on the computer I'm using for my turbo LS swap.
In Az that truck wouldn't be worth its weight in scrap.But good job.I got a similar ZR2 I bought in 1999 almost new.Trans and unitbearings has been a problem but truck is dependable and has had no issues other than aging sensors and fuel pumps.
I got a 2000 zr2 and the frame is cracked the same way. I bought a 99 zr2 for parts got it down to the frame now and planed on replacing all the suspension parts then gave up and haven't touched it in months. Watching this makes me want to get back at it. Im just scared i wont be able to put it all back together
Amazing job, I would not even know where to start, but I'm also not a mechanic of any sort either. I'm looking to become one though, would you have any advice?
Very nice work. I have 2003 ZR2. Silver also. You probably figured out why the rear diffs looked different by now but for others; Std. S-10 has 7.750" ring gear, ZR2 has 8.50". a bit wider also I believe. ZR2 also has wider (longer) A arms and longer front axles. ZR2 is called the High and Wide option. I love mine. Just under 120,000 miles. I have question for you though: Is it possible to R&R front flairs w/o removing the front fenders? I need to repaint mine and fix the rubber seals. Seems there are 2 hidden fasteners on the inside? Any input to that process would be much appreciated.
X-Man i dont think there is ANY possible way to remove those front flares man. I had a hell of a time getting the ones i wanted to use off the truck! Maybe its easier if u live down southn but up here everything was just rusted to shit. I actually had to break ALL the inside mounts from botj my fenders. So they are only held in place from the "visible" screws. But its good enough for a paid for Rig. Lol.
@Jack Ostrander- can you elaborate some, get me started? Seems there are 2 hidden fasteners, one fwd and one aft. Can I loosen the inner fenders to gain access by gentle prying? What are the hidden fasteners? Bolts? Rivets? I don't mind cutting fasteners with die grinder or chisel but need to be able to reuse the flairs. I would like to do one side and then make a video of how to do it on the other side. I'll give you honorable mention if you can provide useful info.
8 or 10 mm nuts,can't remember, I used small wrenches and sockets with swivel where possible. Take the inner fenderwell off, get flashlights, wd-40 the nuts, take your time, you can do it. My truck is a florida truck so my nuts came off easy, they can break off though.
@Jack O- Yes, I was out looking around with bright light and mirror today. Looks like there are 3 inside fasteners. The one nearest the doors appear to be most difficult but won't know for sure until I start. Going to be a cussing day for sure. I have very little rust but will use Pen oil for sure. All the stuff sitting on inner fenders will have to be detached and moved. I'll have to disconnect the battery, move ECM, coolant tank, fuse box, windshield washer tank, air box. All opportunities for ah shit moments. Thanks for the input. I hope to make video of it but there will be lots of beep outs I'm sure. Good thing I was NAVY, I know lots of cuss words. Will let you know when I make some progress. Thanx Jack.
I was worried about by 2000 zr2 because it was from the beach but I lucked out ansxmdx under all the bakes on mud was good uncaring. My 87 k5 is barely rusty either but the frame under the n't has nothing in the zr2. Zr2s are heavily over built. That's why when I killed that 4.3 I found an L33 aluminum block 5.3 H.O. (the 5.e weighs the same as the 4.3) to swap into it.
I see you were able to get the front flairs off w/o removing the fenders. What's the trick? I have a silver 03 ZR/2. need to repaint my flairs an replace the rubber seal. Also, I really like the "topper'. Good looking truck, of course, I'm bias. ;-)
Thank Xman. Good luck getting those front flares off! They have screws (which u can see from the outside of the tires). But there are like 5 or 6 that you cant even freaking get to or see from the inside. Mine are only attached from those screws we can see on the outside. I broke every one of the inside bolts. Your best bet would be to try and slip in a thin piece of paper between ur actual fender and the little strip of moulding thats on the outside of flare, then just sand and paint.
@@jameslango9785 Thanks for the reply. I wish I could do it that way but I need to replace the rubber molding. Finding replacement rubber has become a challenge also.
Sorry I Had to Mute Your Music. I Am doing this Same thing to 1996 ZR2 Blazar. Also 205 thousand miles. Did You Have a Hard time Finding the Bushing Set?
This bed is off a standard S10. So the rear flares are off a ZR2 Blazer. Only the Blazer flares will fit a non ZR2 s10 bed. You can tell, cause they look a little weird. They don't stick out as far as real the original ZR2 flares..
I plan on doing the same thing to my s10 most would say why do this to a POS S10 well it was the last thing my mother gave to me and mine and her last conversation was about redoing her truck so it begins
Hell yeah bro. Its doable for sure!! Its really ALOTTA FRIGGIN WORK THO!! But it IS manageable. Good luck!! If its paid for, why not drop some money on it. Either spend a few K$ on urs, OR TEN K on a USED one. I will do a 2yr follow vid on mine next few months.
You need to drill holes in the bed and fenders. You also need to weld a lip so the flares will screw into. I have a page on Facebook. Zr2 and S10 Parts. You can contact me there if you need photos or other questions answered.
Its the challenge. Keep learning, keep overcoming. Been 6yrs, Rigs still pushing snow. Have to make a follow up vid one day. Its also expensive to Fish or Hunt. Buy gear, Rods, guns, maybe a boat? Or just stop at the grocery store. Hmmmm..?
