AZ BS Thread 4²0

Fucking lazy American dog.

 

Haven't posted about the Blazer in a minute. Been working on it a ton, mostly just cleaning it up for Expo. No mods yet. Cleaned up the canvas and ceiling material since it had gotten moldy from 24 months in the midwest. Built a new front lift panel from scratch which is the ultimate bitch of a job that involves 140 rivets and 60 screws. Fixed up the seats a bunch, raised the center console 3 inches so its like an actual armrest now, cleaned the shit out of the interior, repaired a bunch of little damage that was incurred since the truck was in someone else's hands and last but not least, went to town on the paint. What a difference a buffer and a few hours of work makes on old single stage paint. Even though its dented, dinged, and patina'd I plan on giving it one more polish before the show. The results are outstanding in person.

It will be in the Four Wheel Campers booth if anyone wants to check it out. Hit me up if you go to the show. I should be there Friday afternoon and evening and some amount of Saturday. I think we're going to camp in the Blazer in the booth on Friday night and then maybe camp in the Tacoma outside of town Saturday night. Haven't settled on plans yet. Anyway, people want pictures so...

Before and after seen here, the bedside is polished, the door isnt. This is after a single round with a medium compound buffing pad. Even the trim looks better!


Old lift panel that was crumbling so badly it almost couldnt hold up the roof.


New lift panel done.


New lift panel installed.


Before and after of the seat repairs. Eventually these will get reupholstered with some southwest-y fabric but they are 1000% better now. A Magic Eraser and some gaffers tape work really well on 40 year old vinyl.

Before


After




I have a bunch more stuff showing up over the next 7 days that Im hoping to cram in before the show. No matter what its going to be a blast and Im really enjoying the project.

 

Wish I had known my local Costco has propane fire pits for $99 before I gave Bezos money...

PSA, check your local Costco if you're interested in one of these.

 

Looks great!!!

 

What ground tents does everyone use for camping?
Me and my GF are wanting to do more paddleboarding/kayaking trips and it makes so much of a difference not having to worry about a hotel and thieves.

I already have a Kodiak Canvas 10X14 tent that we use, but that takes up so much space leaving very little left over once the kayak is in, also I hate setting it up in the dark. Im leaning towards one of the coleman instant tents or the gazelle tents. Doesn't need to be big, just me and her and her Malinois, a queen sized air mattress and a lil dog cot that he will definitely leave in the middle of the night to come cuddle.
Edit: I should add most of the camping will be in Payson, Flag, sedona, White mountains and will opt for the kodiak tent when we go to colorado.

 

I haven’t used a Gazelle tent. But seen em. And ya they setup pretty easy and look like they work well. But folded down they are kinda big. Like 10”x10”x5’ like a log you have to strap down.
My buddy had a insta Coleman in Florida. Same was like packing a EZ Up and leaked like Niagara Falls in the rain. So he always had a tarp. Granted we’re dry here so May luck out.

 

I found a Coleman at Costco for 99. It’s a 6 person not instant but it works great

 

I used the coleman in my ground dwelling days. Never had a problem with leaking or anything. I forget the brand we currently have in our backpacking setups.

 

Eureka has some pretty good deals on their factory seconds.

https://eurekacamping.johnsonoutdoors.com/outlet?jo-page=2

the A Class is basically opened but not used, definitely worth the discount imho

This 3 person tent might be nice

https://eurekacamping.johnsonoutdoors.com/outlet/tetragon-hd-3-tent-second

 

Sure you dont want to stick around till Sunday? Thats the day I always go.. less traffic

 

We’re headed up Saturday to camp out side of the grounds and then we’ll attend Sunday

 

Im usually burned out by Sunday but we will see. Wifey and I are planning to check out literally everything since we are starting to shop for the next rig (something big enough to accommodate at least 4 people) so it might take a while.

 

I'm still using an old Eureka tent from the 80s I inherited and works like a champ. I probably have 30 nights in it myself

 

We used em in scouts when I was a kid, they can take a beating for sure

 

We typically camp Friday and Saturday then attend Sunday when its died down a bit. Its gotten too busy over the years and its a bit cheaper and more lax Sunday.

 

Everytime I’ve been it’s such a shit show you just walk in

 

Yeah the last time I went they didn’t check anything, I still buy tickets but you can just walk in

 

I have always wanted to attend the expo. It sounds like parking is an issue? If Sunday is the least crowded, that is what I would want. Can I bring my dog? For those of you talking about sleeping on the ground in a tent.... FTS!

 

Sunday will be better for sure. Parking likely wont be an issue then. You might have to walk a bit to get into the show, thats all. Def bring your dog, everyone has their dog with them!

 

Can someone help me out, I’m installing my rear shocks and cannot for the life of me push the shock into the lower mount. what am I doing wrong?