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04 4dr 4wd build/rebuild
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Bought this 2004 for CHEAP from work. It's been sitting and neglected, but I aim to change that :) The truck fires right up, runs smooth and strong, goes into 4wd and will break all 4 tires loose, so it's a good foundation to start with for a reliable daily driver. I work in a salvage yard so parts are pretty easy for me to come by when I need them.
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1398617749 On the exterior it looks pretty good! Small scuffs and scraps here and there, and a little clear coat fading in a spot on the roof and on the two panels on the sides of the back window, but that's to be expected on a 10 year old vehicle in Florida. Things it needs mechanically: *AC - compressor locked up solid, so I'm replacing EVERYTHING but the evaporator *Intake gaskets - SURPRISE... noticed it was starting to seep a little coolant out the front when I got it *Mild overheating - installing a new water pump, thermostat, swapping the fan clutch, and flushing the coolant and adding new Dexcool *Small exhaust leak - simple fix, it's the flanged joint under the passenger side; new gasket and a pair of new bolts should fix that *ABS light on - hopefully as simple as popping the module off and fixing the notorious solder joints Everything else looks good and strong. Driveline wise I believe it is sound; no squeaks or rattles, no biding or popping, tires look brand new. Interior: *Driver's seat is SHOT - couldn't find another matching driver's seat, so I've got a full set of seats of a different cloth material lined up to go in *Driver's door panel is SHOT - surprise there... BUT, I've got a full set of ones that match the new seats anyhow :D *Door hinge pins - another surprise lol, the bushings look like they're starting to wear *Rear window release button - another common problem... but I've fixed them before on another blazer so that's not a big deal *Steering wheel is worn threw - already got another to replace it with Aside from that, the major things like the dash and all is in really good shape! Future plans in store: *STEREO! - I'm an audiophile... I've got components for all four doors and 2 Kicker CVR's in a ported box waiting to be installed, as well as a Pioneer single din to drive it all (would go with a double din, but I had a nice one in my last truck and never really made full use of it, so I don't see the use of one now...) *POSSIBLY a small lift - nothing crazy, maybe shackles and torsion bar crank just to get another 1.5" out of it *Wheels and tires - probably stick with 15"s, maybe 16"s it just depends on what I find, and will just put some sort of all terrains on them to keep it rather street friendly but still useful off the pavement *Fender flares - that all depends on the wheels and tires though; if they stick out too far, I'll look into some aftermarket flares *Lights - already plane on putting some HID's in the low beams and doing the quad-mod, and if I get bored enough I might try to actually projector retrofit them. I also want to put on some sort of light bar on the front to mount a pair of lights to *Roof rack - would like to find some sort of roof luggage rack/cage, be good for camping trips, and maybe give me another spot to mount some more lights up high *Exhaust - might do something to give it a little tone, but nothing that's going to piss the neighbors off lol Yesterday I tore into the engine bay and got started. I plan on getting everything mechanically fixed and reliable under the hood before I start anything on the inside like stereo and such. Degreased everything, got the intake torn off, started to pull some of the AC system apart, water flushed the block, radiator, and heater core, went ahead and changed the valve cover gaskets, and cleaned up and prepped the gasket surfaces for the intake on the heads, and went ahead and put on the new water pump. So now it's sitting with red shop towels draped all over the engine as I tear into the intake and throttle body to do some cleaning. I was pleasantly surprised to see this valve train considering the odometer reads 160k miles! https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1398617749 https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1398617749 |
Nice looking blazer. It looks really clean.
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You mean all 2 tires?
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Originally Posted by Tajohns34
(Post 625820)
Nice looking blazer. It looks really clean.
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Originally Posted by newguy
(Post 625822)
You mean all 2 tires?
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Originally Posted by blazen_red_4x4
(Post 625839)
At any given time yeah I guess so lol :P
Looks like it ran synthetic |
Originally Posted by newguy
(Post 625843)
Didnt mean to sound snotty. It is a nice looking ride
Looks like it ran synthetic |
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That would do the trick ;) almost put one of those in my old 91 Toyota a few years back but ended up selling it for something newer and more comfortable for a daily 1 hour commute :P
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New plans for upgrades while I got everything apart :D
After some research and hunting parts down at work, and a little luck finding some random things (remember I work in a salvage yard), I'm throwing on a 145 amp AD-244 alternator, a dual fan two speed electric fan out of an Intrepid, found an OEM ZR2 aluminum skid plate, and an aftermarket intake (which I need to buy a new filter for). i can't believe how well the Intrepid fan sits down onto the radiator and covers the entire core, like it was made for it! |
Bet the price is right also
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Originally Posted by newguy
(Post 626003)
Bet the price is right also
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I have had great success with my intrepid fans. Except that time that my controller box melted down.
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Originally Posted by Tajohns34
(Post 626023)
I have had great success with my intrepid fans. Except that time that my controller box melted down.
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Well after rain most of last week, and a weekend on the beach with the misses for our anniversary :D I'm back at it. Popped the manifold apart for some cleaning. Taking the upper and lower half to work tomorrow and going to pressure wash them. Cleaned up the spider injector assembly and got it ready for reinstall.
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1399418115 https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1399418115 |
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Every day I love my job just a little more :) this came in an 04 today. Good dash bezel, good turn signal switch without rubbed off cruise button lettering, and a NICE steering wheel WITH FACTORY RADIO CONTROLS! I'll be hooking them up to an aftermarket interface for a pioneer deck. Grabbed the clock spring too which will be needed with it for the controls wiring.
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1399477434 https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1399477434 https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1399477434 |
Nice find.
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At this rate your gonna have a sweet ride soon
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got the intake back together this afternoon, ready for install tomorrow!
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1399508735 while I had the throttle body off, I went ahead and did the throttle blade mod https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1399508735 also cut the original mounting brackets off the Intrepid fan and mocked it up on the radiator. after the intake gets installed and the RTV is curing, I'll probably fab up the brackets to hold it in place https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1399508735 https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1399508735 still can't believe how snug this thing fits! https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1399508735 |
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little more progress today. I think it should be fired up tomorrow :)
got the new ac condenser, new ac compressor, new ac lines, larger alternator, temp switch in the passenger head for the electric fans (which I had to make a relocation bracket for the oil dip stick tube to make it fit), and fancy intake installed (the intake I know isn't going to do much more than make noise, but I got it for pretty much nothing so what the heck lol) tomorrow I got to swap the belt I got out for one that's about an inch longer (didn't think about the new alternator being larger when I got the belt lol), put the upper and lower radiator hoses back on, put a replacement screw back in the distributor cap since I dropped one... change the oil, put fluids back in it, going to get the electric fan mounted up, and Monday I have the harness at work that I need to bring home to wire the fans up https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1399774460 https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1399774460 https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1399774460 https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1399774460 https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1399774460 https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1399774460 https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1399774460 https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1399774460 https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1399774460 Had to get creative to get the threaded plug out of the passenger head in order to install the temp switch. And by creative I mean I took a dremel to a cheap 3/8 extension and made a tool to fit the stupidly sized square but needed to get it out lol https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1399774460 |
new score from work today, a like-new radiator. must have just been replaced before the poor 4dr got into a wreck... the DexCool in it even still looked fresh. Good find too because I tried to flush mine yesterday after I took it out to put the new condensor in and the water barely trickles through it... looking into the cap hole, it looks all gunked up...
also going to swing by and pick up new upper and lower hoses after work so I don't have to worry about those either :) |
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Threw that radiator on it this afternoon, along with new hoses, got the fans mounted, and the stock shroud trimmed up and reinstalled, and got the right size belt on to accommodate the new larger alternator. Came out almost looking factory, which is just what I was going for :)
Tomorrow just got to put antifreeze in it, change the oil (from the intake manifold gasket repair), then fire it up! If the weather holds out (suppose to start raining Wed or Thur here) I'll get the fans wired up and working. Want to get it running first. Attachment 31328 https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1399946996 https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1399946996 https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1399946996 https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1399946996 https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1399946996 |
Fired it up today! Runs smooth, better than before. At least moved it so the grass can be mowed where it was lol. Tomorrow I'm going to try get the fans wired up and if time permits, get the AC charged up and working.
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Good news. Sounds like its been an easy one so far.
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so far yep, just taking too long... only a few hours of daylight at the end of the work day, and the weather isn't helping much either... Florida this time of the year is a pain in the arse...
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Dug in today and got the fans wired up. One speed kicks on with the temp sensor in the head, the other kicks on with the AC clutch. During the next week I'm going to put a 3 position switch in the cab to have more control over them. It'll be someone out of site so it's not in the way or really noticeable, and so I don't trip it on accident, not sure where yet though. Down (what will look like off) will be fully automatic, will kick on with the temperature and AC as needed. Middle will be full override off (only reason I'm doing that is for possible water crossings, something you have to keep in mind here in Florida...). Up will be full override on, both fans at full speed, not matter the state of the engine temp or AC on or off (or even ignition on for that matter)
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Got a fresh driver's seat bolted in today, upgraded to power! :D Also bolted on a new door panel that holds SOLID ;)
Swapped front marker lights for ones with factory fogs in them. Not wired up yet, going to just put a switch in the cab for them that's only hot with the running lights. Swapped the plane jack cover for one with a pull out cargo cover built into it (random find at work, didn't even know there were two different ones lol) Fixed the floppy center console cover Tomorrow I'll be bring home the passenger seat to match, found a cigarette burn in mine :P Attachment 31310 https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1400544842 https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1400544842 Be getting to the fun stuff soon :D https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1400544842 https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1400544842 |
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Got the matching passenger seat installed today. Sort of like the full forward tilt of the 2 door seats. Might give a little extra room when I take it out camping and spend the night in the back with the GF ;) lol
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1400635762 https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1400635762 Pulled the old raggedy steering wheel off and put the new one on with the radio controls :) Radio controls not wired to anything yet, I'll be hooking them to an aftermarket controller later on for an aftermarket radio. https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1400635762 https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1400635762 While I was in there I swapped the multifunction switch for one that actually still had lettering on it, lol https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1400635762 https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1400635762 Interior is really staring to look nice :D https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1400635762 I also went ahead and repaired my rear lift glass button. Made a how-to thread too https://blazerforum.com/forum/lighti...61/#post627629 |
Soldered together some plug-and-play door speaker harnesses this afternoon by joining the aftermarket harness with the + and - plugs to the connectors scavenged from the original door speakers. JL components for the front, Kenwood components for the rear. Get to drill some nice size holes for the tweeters in the crisp door panels that I waited so long to find lol so tomorrow will be a measure 4 times and cut once day. Plan on putting the tweeters just in front of the inside handles on all 4 doors, seems to be plenty of room there. Wouldn't even bother with the tweeters since I know there's some up in the dash, but once I hook the two 12"s up I have a feeling it's going to be lacking on the high end without them lol
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by me reading this and you installing a multifunction switch I figured out the stuff on the end is cruise control lol
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Originally Posted by Riggins Brian
(Post 627769)
by me reading this and you installing a multifunction switch I figured out the stuff on the end is cruise control lol
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Got the component door speakers installed today. Talk about holding your breath when making a cut... I was nervous as hell drilling giant holes in my good door panels lol but they came out great! JL Audio in the front, Kenwoods in the rear. Sounds WORLDS better than the factory speakers even with the stock radio, but I'm putting in the Pioneer deck tomorrow, going to solder the harness together here in a few minutes.
This was my plug and play harnesses I made for the speakers. Would have uploaded last night but Photobucket was down for maintenance apparently... https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1400811388 https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1400811388 https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1400811388 And here's the finished product of the tweeters installed in the doors. https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1400811388 https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1400811388 https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1400811388 https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1400811388 https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1400811388 |
great build so far I like the creativity with the audio
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thanks :)
got the radio installed Friday afternoon, starting to run 0 gauge wire to the back. started by running through the antenna grommet and under the carpet to the center console, but I think I'm going to pull that back out and run along the frame and just come up through the floor... not sure yet. didn't mess with it all 3 day weekend, went out of town https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1401209766 https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1401209766 |
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So I ended up completely changing the routing of the 0 gauge. Backed it out of the antenna grommet (and had to re-seal that...), went down and along the top of the frame rail, then came up through the floor under the right seat. Drilled a nice big hole and then used a trunk floor plug I found in a car at work to make into a grommet. Ended up using a spare fuse holder for now to step the gauge down to 4 for the amp, but I'll be replacing that fuse holder with a distribution block so I can send power to the area where the jack is, I plan on installing a power inverter in there later on. This setup will do for now :) seat fully folds back without issues.
Got the RCA signal and remote power wires also ran down the front right door sill, got to unbolt the right rear seat again though... because I'm going to route them up underneath it too like the 0 gauge. Didn't think about running it under there when I had it unbolted the first time :P Trying to make it as clean as possible. I'm use to wiring up systems behind the back seats of pickups where the wiring is never really seen so it doesn't have to be all neat and tidy. This will be pretty much out in the open... I also plan on in the near future adding a high current quick disconnect on the amp power wires as well as a disconnect on the remove wire (the RCA's I can just unplug from the amp) so I can quickly and easily unplug and pull the amp and box (amp's going to mounted to the box) when I need the rear room. There should be plenty of room under the covers on the rear seats when they're folded forward and down to hide the unplugged wire lead. https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1401247940 https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1401247940 https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1401247940 https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1401247940 https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1401247940 https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1401247940 |
better then my wire set up lol come do mine im in jeresy
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Actually the first time I've ever attempted to run 0 gauge lol the thickest I've ever ran in the past is 4 gauge. I figured I might as well run this since I have it, plus it gives me room to expand later and run a few more things off the junction block like a power inverter (or 2 :) ) My GF has cycstic fibrosis and she has to do breathing treatments every day. I'd love to have a rig set up so I can run her treatment machines off power inverters no matter where we're at like for a camping trip :) She's never been camping before, partly because of how tied to home she is because of her illness... Only have an 800watt inverter right now, but I may get a larger one, or just a second 800watter, we'll see
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Got the amp and subs wired up. They sound pretty decent but I need to tune the setup desperately...
https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1401333492 https://blazerforum.com/forum/attach...ine=1401333492 |
Got a new amp from work to hook up. Tried to just use my old Sony Xplod that I had in my last vehicle, but after a little research it's only good for about 200 watts per channel with a 2 ohm load. New one I brought home is good for 600 watts on a 2 ohm load :) With the speakers that are good for 800 watts a piece, it should really help them out. They just sounded really underpowered when I fired them up after the install...
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