This isn’t Steve Green’s first go-around at building a custom ’72 Chevy Blazer. The one you see here is a replacement of another truck of the same year that he regrettably sold off back in 2003. You never really know what you have until it’s long gone, but it took a while for this sentiment to really hit home for Steve. It took seeing another full custom Blazer to reignite the fire to build the truck he always envisioned of owning.
“I bought this Blazer back in 2010”, Steve says. “It was just like the one I had let go of, and since I’ve had a second chance with one, I’ve changed things up with it quite a bit over the years. This current version of the truck was inspired after seeing what Delmo did with the ’72 Blazer build called Larry. Once I saw that truck, I just knew I had to have something that looked close to it.”
Back when Steve was searching for a Blazer to replace his old one, he took to local classifieds to help find exactly what he was looking for. It took seven years to track one down that wasn’t completely hacked up. When purchased, this Blazer had a solid static drop underneath it with an ok tweed interior in the cab. Steve took a chance on the Blazer and immediately introduced the truck to a fresh RideTech air ride system, 20-inch billet wheels, and a 2002 LS1 motor swap – not too bad of a start, right?
“I drove the Blazer like this until the winter of 2016”, Steve recalls. “That’s when I decided to go with the Porterbuilt frame/suspension upgrades, and it wasn’t until 2018 when I went ahead with the motor and transmission rebuilds, as well as a whole bunch of stuff that got the Blazer to where it’s at now.” The modifications that Steve glossed over are actually some pretty impressive improvements that have taken his truck to the next level and beyond.
With the truck sitting lower thanks to the Porterbuilt Level 3 suspension package, and the whole assortment of top shelf components, Steve decided to up the ante by finishing off the revamped chassis with a set of 22-inch Raceline Commotion wheels. Behind the wheels is the upgraded braking gear in the way of beefier Wilwood 6-piston calipers and 14-inch rotors. Before the chassis was even reassembled, the factory frame rails and all of the Porterbuilt chassis parts were powdercoated, which makes for an ideal finishing touch for both cosmetic and durability reasons. Since Steve planned on seeing the Blazer back on the road for the long haul, he wanted to ensure the frame and components were well protected from the elements.
The LS1 that Steve had already planted underneath the hood was plucked and handed off to Nickens Brothers Racing Engines for a full rebuild. The engine was then blessed with upgraded parts to have it looking and performing better than it ever has. The recent horsepower output for the LS1 comes in right about 450, and the engine has never purred better. Paired with a freshly overhauled 700R4 transmission, Steve has enjoyed stretching the Blazer’s legs out around town, as well as on extended road trips with no issues to report.
To whip the exterior into shape, Steve had a few tricks up his sleeve to get the exact look he had in mind. A 1968 C10 front end was put into place, and a whole new paint scheme was put on top of the to-do list. A specially mixed paint color reminiscent of a classic sea foam aqua hue was utilized along with an offset of a white painted top and bumpers to give the Blazer a timeless appearance. Mar-K chrome trim was brought in to freshen up the outer detailing, as was a set of GSI door handles and LED lighting from front to back.
To balance the Blazer out correctly, Steve had planned for a complete interior restyling to better complement all the work that was put into the truck’s exterior. Custom upholstery and panel work by Advanced Auto Trim, fresh carpet and a full audio system went a long way to creating a cool and clean interior space perfect for setting the mood just right. Of course, air conditioning was must since Steve had planned on spending lots of time on the road with his refinished ride.
“Aside from the looks, I wanted the Blazer to be built and maintained in order to drive across country if need be”, Steve comments. “My family and I have had many great experiences loading up and driving it from Texas to Columbus, Ohio, Dino’s Git Down in Phoenix, as well as all over the place within the state of Texas.”
Even though you’d think Steve would never think about selling the Blazer given what happened after he sold his last one, the thought did cross his mind – maybe for just a minute or two though. “I had thought the proceeds from the sale could fund another build, but we decided to hang on to it and pass it down to our son, Connor Green. I’d rather keep the Blazer in the family since my father-in-law, John Jones, and I did a good amount of it in our shop at home. A solid group of my Relaxed Atmosphere club members also lent a hand to get it done – this truck means a lot to us.”
We don’t always get a second shot to do things over, but when you need one bad enough, you’ll do what you have to do to make it happen. That’s what Steve Green did, and he regrets nothing about the opportunity he created for himself and his family to cruise stylishly into the future.
Steve & Shelly Green • ‘72 Blazer
- 2002 Chevy LS1 engine machined and assembled by Nickens Brothers Racing Engines, Conroe, TX
- Comp Cams mild camshaft
- Champion aluminum radiator
- Mechman alternator
- MSD Wires
- Speed Engineering headers
- Custom 3-inch exhaust system w/ MagnaFlow muffler
- Vintage Air Front Runner pulley system
- Chevy 700R4 trans by Best Transmissions, Houston, TX
- One-piece driveshaft
- Porterbuilt front and rear Dropmember kits, upper and lower control arms, panhard bar
- CPP Spindles and rack & pinion
- Firestone airbags
- RideTech HQ shocks all around
- Flaming River steering column
- Wilwood master cylinder, 6-piston front and rear calipers, 14-inch rotors
- Boyd’s Welding fuel tank
- Powdercoated factory frame rails and all Porterbuilt crossmembers
- 22×8 and 22×10 Raceline Commotion wheels
- 255/30ZR22 255/30ZR22 Nitto Invo tires
- PPG paint specially mixed and sprayed by Walter Jones, Magnolia, TX
- Changed front clip to 1968 sheetmetal
- Mar-K side trim kit
- LED head and taillights
- Front and rear bumpers powdercoated
- GSI billet door handles
- Factory seating reupholstered, custom door panels and more by Advanced Auto Trim, Houston, TX
- Daytona black carpet
- Classic Instruments gauges
- Alpine head unit
- Kicker signal processor, amps, front and rear KS speakers, Comp C 10-inch subs installed by Heath Schultz and Steve Green, Tomball, TX
- Front and rear Dynamat insulation
- Vintage Air A/C system with Gen IV controller
- Painless Performance Products wiring
- Naiser Racing steering wheel components