Ok guys, after wanting a k5 for years. I finally got one. Free at that. But wow...it does need some work. Talk about a project. Going to pick it up in a couple of weeks...here are some pics. They're pics from my camera phone so sorry about the quality.

I've seen them in worse shape brought back to live. My neighbor use to have a 77 like that one...


Chuck

I plan on being in it for the long haul. Seeing so many nice blazers on here really has me pumped. It's my first solo project and I'm chomping at the bit to get started. Even managed to track down a pair of doors that almost match. Brown/tan vs. brown white (paint job is a long way away).

for free great deal

looks solid don't see any rust

buy a $500 doner and getter going

keep us in the loop with lots of pics

Mark

Free is the best way... What are your plans with it?

Free is the best way... What are your plans with it?

Well immediate plans are to get it put back together. It's been sitting in a field for about8-9 years and consequently has been picked over. So, I need to start putting together what it's missing. In the same field are 3 other chevy's from that era and I spent part of this afternoon robbing stockpiling. I noticed today that it had factory cruise. I wouldn't mind getting that working again. I want to get it running and use it play for awhile. No change of color or repaint. Love the color combo and patina. Eventually, 3/4 ton suspension, overdrive transmission, redone interior (love the seat setup in tv's blazer) and maybe a cummins 4bt or another 350 with TBI. Either way, I think the color will always be the same. So as it sits now, I am scrounging parts because it is almost barebones. It has a 350 that needs to be gone through and the tranny and transfer case are there as well as the driveshafts. I looked at the tailgate today and everything seems to be there except that the glass was broken out. Any ideas, I would love to hear them. Thinking custom built rear bumper, front bumper and grill guard from a CUCV and some kind of rack built over the cab. Sorry if I rambled too much, but still floating ideas around the old cabeza. One guestion. Did chevy (or GMC) ever make 16" 6-lug rims that would fit this K5? Thanks for the imput and I will definately keep the board posted with pics as they come available.

that's in pretty good condition but how are the floors? i will be watching this one because im trying to pick up a 78 k5

that's in pretty good condition but how are the floors? i will be watching this one because im trying to pick up a 78 k5

Pretty good so far. I won't know for sure until I get it home and yank out all of the carpet. I did pull up one corner and it seemed solid underneith, but who knows. I love the body style and was considering a newer front clip, but I ruled that out. Love the look of these.

id keep it a 77 nose, i love the 73-78 fronts (not a fan of the 79-80 eyebrows)

Looks like a good project, more pictures hah.

i wouldnt complain if you dropped that off in my backyard..
the part i noticed is the rear quarters are straight that's a good score..
front fenders need love..
but the big seller is that the rears are in good shape..
good luck!

if im not mistaken its a 77 because of the yellow trim wich is pretty rare?

if im not mistaken its a 77 because of the yellow trim wich is pretty rare?

its a 77 becuase its obviously not a 75 gmc gentlemen jim lol. one year only really yellow trim, ex the 75 jim.

Ill take those lowbacks off your hands haha.

Speaking of the rare trim, is it possible to even get it anywhere. I have the trusty LMC catalog, but I don't see it in there. I went and looked at it again today and noticed that it has an aux gas tank with the filler in the driver's side rear wheel well. I need to take some more pictures of it so that maybe ya'll can help me identify it. Also had the factory vacumn cruise control, but doubt it works... we'll see. Have more pics soon. Thanks for input guys.

untill 78 they had the cap on the body. after that they had a door. i would definently pick this k5 up. i dont think the trim is reproduced and thats why its rare and was only on 77 k5s

*edit* i have never seen that before with the filler. post up some pictures, i cant think of why they would do that

trying to upload the pic but it won't let me. The factory tank is there with the cap on the body. This one us kinda "L" shaped and fits between the frame and edge of the body almost under the door frame. It has a pipe jutting out with a metal cap and a length of chain welded to it. As for the blazer itself, it is mine already. I have to finish cleaning out the garage and replace some parts that where scavanged over the years. Namely a new master cylinder, brake booster and I also need to find some cheap tires to get it onto a trailer and unload it with.

sounds good. not to hijack but heres the 78 im trying to get

http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee94/xmoder523/DSCF3378.jpg

Looks like you got a good deal, best of luck with the project!

Nice! At least you've got doors on yours. Is it in pretty good shape? What's keeping you? Take it home!

Looks like you got a good deal, best of luck with the project!

Thanks! and that is one great looking truck you have there. Always had a soft spot for that year...especially in 4x4.

Nice! At least you've got doors on yours. Is it in pretty good shape? What's keeping you? Take it home!

my mom, im only 14 so im still trying to convince her. i have the money for it and all it needs is a motor. she knows i like them but i dont know y she wont let me but im going to have to tell her i will do a lot of yard work and stuff to get her to let me get it. it has 4 inch lift, sm465 tranny, im guessing a 205 with a d44 up front and 12bolt rear

my mom, im only 14 so im still trying to convince her. i have the money for it and all it needs is a motor. she knows i like them but i dont know y she wont let me but im going to have to tell her i will do a lot of yard work and stuff to get her to let me get it. it has 4 inch lift, sm465 tranny, im guessing a 205 with a d44 up front and 12bolt rear

You sound like you know your stuff for a 14 year old. Good luck on getting it, im a 18 year old and ive got somewhere around 15 cars to my name haha. Helps when between you and your old man weve got 150 some, good luck on your guys builds.

You sound like you know your stuff for a 14 year old. Good luck on getting it, im a 18 year old and ive got somewhere around 15 cars to my name haha. Helps when between you and your old man weve got 150 some, good luck on your guys builds.

im no expert but i have been looking at build threads and reading about them for a while. i can do basic car stuff and can balance tires and mount and dimount them from the rims using the machine and some other stuff

Well immediate plans are to get it put back together. It's been sitting in a field for about8-9 years and consequently has been picked over. So, I need to start putting together what it's missing. In the same field are 3 other chevy's from that era and I spent part of this afternoon robbing stockpiling. I noticed today that it had factory cruise. I wouldn't mind getting that working again. I want to get it running and use it play for awhile. No change of color or repaint. Love the color combo and patina. Eventually, 3/4 ton suspension, overdrive transmission, redone interior (love the seat setup in tv's blazer) and maybe a cummins 4bt or another 350 with TBI. Either way, I think the color will always be the same. So as it sits now, I am scrounging parts because it is almost barebones. It has a 350 that needs to be gone through and the tranny and transfer case are there as well as the driveshafts. I looked at the tailgate today and everything seems to be there except that the glass was broken out. Any ideas, I would love to hear them. Thinking custom built rear bumper, front bumper and grill guard from a CUCV and some kind of rack built over the cab. Sorry if I rambled too much, but still floating ideas around the old cabeza. One guestion. Did chevy (or GMC) ever make 16" 6-lug rims that would fit this K5? Thanks for the imput and I will definately keep the board posted with pics as they come available.


Sounds cool and thanks..

Did a little more scrounging this afternoon. I have decided that I am going to try to get as many parts for free as I can. I know I will never be able to finish it that way and will have to spent way more than I want, but I think it will be fun to try. For example, today I helped a friend with a little project. He needed to pull a motor and tranny out of a truck and I got to pick over what was left. Well the truck had been sitting longer than mine so I didn't get much, BUT I did get two doors, and A/C evaporator and a blower motor. The doors and straight and need to be cleaned up but hey they're free. The blower motor was gone from my K5 as well as the A/C evaporator. It got dark on us but I am going back tomorrow to get the instrument cluster and bezel as well. Not the faux wood that I have but straight and clean and I might be able to sell it to someone who needs one or trade it for something else I need. Anyway here are some pics of my scavenged parts.

nice those doors look nice. what are you goign to do about the trim on the doors?

nice those doors look nice. what are you goign to do about the trim on the doors?

Not sure that these are going to be permanent doors. I found a guy on CL that has a 1980 with the cordova brown and tan. They are power locks and windows and in great shape. Pretty reasonable too. I am probably going to get those and either use these temp or sell/trade them for other parts. But if he has already sold them, I'll just use these for awhile.

oh cool. sounds like you have a good plan.

do you have pics of your new doors yet?
Ken

do you have pics of your new doors yet?
Ken

lol, I'll go take some now as a matter of fact.

I'll have to wait and take some tomorrow when I have more light. My phone's flash is pretty horrible. But I will be posting them this weekend. Also on the scavenger hunt front, I got a master cyclinder, power steering pump bracket and hoses, as well as an A/C evaporator. It took forever to get it out, but I finally did. What should I do to facilitate putting it into my K5? It seemed to be a very tight fit. I am also considering going to a serpentine belt set-up. So far the grand total investment on this project is $80 for the newer doors (power windows and locks minus the harnesses) and approximately $20 for a master cylinder and brake fluid at Autozone. Not too bad yet. Anybody know a good source for the wiring harnesses for the doors? muddyblazer suggest a surburban as a good donor.

late model blaze ie 80ish also a good donor

Just remember if you go with a serpentine setup you'll have to go with a reverse rotation water pump...


Chuck

Just remember if you go with a serpentine setup you'll have to go with a reverse rotation water pump...


Chuck
I remember reading that in the serpentine thread. Is that water pump factory for any vehicle? So that when go to the parts counter I can ask for a certain year model so-and-so. I really like the clean look of the serpentine set-up and if I can find a donor vehicle, I can upgrade a lot of parts. The only thing I am still confused on is how to eliminate the smog pump bracket/roller/etc, but I hope by the time I get there I will have the figured out.

Is that water pump factory for any vehicle?



I used one for a 92 Chevy pickup with a 350.

I have a factory set up on my 90 Blazer...


Chuck

looks like a fun build, keep us posted...

Does anyone know if the front bumper is any different between my '77 and say an '86? I really want to mount a military CUCV bumper grill guard on my blazer and found one.

bumpers are different, i think they are the same till 1980

the bumpers are different but the mounting points and bolt holes on the frame are the same up to 87 or 88

the bumpers are different but the mounting points and bolt holes on the frame are the same up to 87 or 88

Will it look odd? I really like the way that the grill guard and bumper look, but don't want it too buy one if it won't work or fit on my truck.

i always thought it would look cool but thats me

the only difference between the stock bumpers i swapped was the original had turn signals in it and the new did not. if you're getting a aftermarket bumper/grill guard that may be an issue. the later model grill guard will also have a larger opening around the headlights because of the quad headlights on the later model blazers/subs/trucks. i've swapped a late model winch bumper on a 77 blazer and the only thing i had to do was mount turn signals from a trailer kit on the bumper. they make flush mount led signals now that would look pretty cool imho

The problem with the LED bulbs by themselves as a direct replacement, is they need a rectifier bridge for the low amp draw, mostly with the dual usage bulbs (blinkers, brakes). If you get an aftermarket setup, they have them built in.

There is more info in this thread:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?p=2959637

This is what I have and also what I want to put on. I also have my new doors. I lucked out in that the door panels and trim match what was in the truck originally except now I will have power windows and locks. Unfortunately the doors did not come with the wiring harnesses. I have found a few sets in a local boneyard. Has anyone ever retrofitted these harnesses in a truck that didn't originally have them? How hard was it? The truck should be home in another week. (fingers crossed) Also did find some pretty bad cancer rust in the passenger footwell so will need to replace the floor pan. Once the truck is home, I will pull out the carpet and see how much actually needs to be replaced.

i did the retro fit for power doors about 10 years ago. make sure you get the relays for the power locks.

what size tires are you looking to put on? and are you planning on a cucv grill guard on? it should look better than the flimsy looking one on there now.

what size tires are you looking to put on? and are you planning on a cucv grill guard on? it should look better than the flimsy looking one on there now.

I don't plan on going any bigger than 33's at this time. I do want to put on the cucv bumper and grill guard.

The doors I got have the switches and thats it. I know I need the wiring but where are the relays?

The doors I got have the switches and thats it. I know I need the wiring but where are the relays?

The relays on mine were under the dash...i wound up pulling ALL the wiring from a P/U with power doors and just splicing in the rear window switch

That's a nice clean truck. I wish mine looked like that when I got it. I had a lot of rust repair. floor pans are easy.

Thanks Damian, I'm just ready to get it home and start on it. Went to my local parts yard today and had a major score. As I was on my way out, I spotted an old brown and tan chevy truck. Piqued my interest and walked over. They had just pulled it in and it had the rare yellow body molding. Seeing how I am slightly broke today, I was only able to get some. Namely the two door pieces that went missing when the passenger door was robbed of my k5. So now I have all of the trim for the k5. Man was I excited. I plan on going back and getting as much as I can while it's still there. I was told it only came on two vehicles, the 77 k5 like mine and the gentleman jim. But this truck had no other markings and was pretty plain jane. However there is a shyte load of parts I need on it. Man I feel broke thinking about it. I also took the time to post some pics of my doors that I got and the trim. Also the auxilliary tank that I have no idea about.

nice score and you are correct on what they came on

nice score and you are correct on what they came on

I'm not so sure that this was a Gentleman Jim truck. It was brown and tan, not black and gold. Pretty bare bones. No tilt..black instrument panel and bench seat. No markings at all. Had A/C and such, but nothing special about it. Could it be that that yellow trim came on another truck as well? Either way, I want to go back and get all of the yellow trim incase I need and extra piece or someone else might need it.

does it look like this? if not than it could have been swapped

http://gmcspecialeditions.com/jim3.jpg

[quote=bigblazerboy;3088736]does it look like this? if not than it could have been swapped



it does not. Maybe it was swapped but it was on there like it came from the factory like that. It all seems to be there too. I think I'm going to go get the rest of it tomorrow.

I thought that all 1977's with 2 tone got the 1 year only yellow trim...


Chuck

all 77s had yellow trim. i have 5 77s, 4 are two tone paint, and all 4 have yellow trim, 3 trucks 1 suburban.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y264/Snappedintohell/Cars/Truck2-1.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y264/Snappedintohell/Cars/truckss3.jpg
(dont ask, its a convertaburb haha)

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y264/Snappedintohell/77threequarter.jpg

i dont have pics of the 4th, its on the farm. But all 77s had yellow trim with two tone.

Thanks, that really does clear up alot. I really like the convertaburb walt!

that is cool!!
just gave me an idea..................................

that is cool!!
just gave me an idea..................................

only covertable i own, and it has a 454 th400 and a tow package!!


Guy cut the top off this truck to haul rock, looks to be a rust free truck, at least before he cut off the back. he could of just bought a truck..... oh well. Ive always thought about cutting the whole roof off and making it a full convertable.

:lol:
some people, huh?

Looks like a cool project bro, any updates?

Looks like a cool project bro, any updates?

Nothing major. I've been working 6-7 days a week. Have been scrounging parts with the time I have and have plans on pulling the motor this Sunday to start work on that. As soon as I get into it, I promise to update with pics. I do have a question for everyone. I am thinking about going back stock as far as the wheel tire combo. I love the look of clean white wheels with factory hubcaps and the old style skinny mudgrips. What do you guys think about that and where can I still find those tires. I am also thinking of the F*** King Ranch style for the seats.

Would some 31" Mud Terrain BFG's blackwall side out be too contemporary?

Most mud tires look pretty primitive to me


Rich Corinthian Leather King Ranch seats seems like an obvious choice for a ough 'n' ready mud machine like you are crafting ---- Just kidding, but whatever makes the backside comfy, and if you can get a deal on 'em, go 4 it

Not too contemporary. I actually really like the BFG MT and probably will go that way. I just like the look of aggressive lugs with factory white wheels. As for the seats, yea I've thought about that too, and it might be like putting silk slippers on a hog but the look would be awesome. What I would love to find is 16" 6 lug rims that where factory on some GM vehicle that I can use on this truck. Any ideas?

hows the build comming?

Man, it has been awhile. I finally got the motor out to find I need a new crank and rods. What was supposed to be a 4 bolt main is a 2 bolt. The front calipers locked up when moving it. There has been a few set backs but have been finally able to get back on it. The top is pretty well shot but found one in my neighborhood from a '91 dirt cheap. I am about to buy a motor from a friend that supposedly needs to just be gone through. It's a newer carb vortec "supposedly" We'll see, but at $100 bucks I can deal with it. All in all I'm glad I am finally getting some time to get to work on it. Pics to follow soon. Not much looks different, just motor pulled apart.

If its a vortec, Its well worth $100. The heads are worth more then that. "needs to be gone through" usually needs to be rebuilt. You don't need a 4 bolt main unless you are making more then about 400 hp. If you plan on making more then that you can add the splayed 4 bolt main to the 2 bolt block, which will be stronger, because the 2 bolt block has stronger webbing.

If its a vortec, Its well worth $100. The heads are worth more then that. "needs to be gone through" usually needs to be rebuilt. You don't need a 4 bolt main unless you are making more then about 400 hp. If you plan on making more then that you can add the splayed 4 bolt main to the 2 bolt block, which will be stronger, because the 2 bolt block has stronger webbing.

It is supposed to be a vortec. I talked to the guy yesterday (kid actually) and he said that the PO told him it was running. Couldn't have been more than a year ago. I already had the original 350 pulled apart for a rebuild. No reason why I can do the same for this one and take my time rebuilding the first one. I'm definitely not worried about it being a 2 bolt main. I do not plan to make this a hot rod or a mudder; more of a cruiser. I also found a little side project that will pay me the $100 bucks to buy the vortec. Easy as pie too.

Side note, does anyone have experience with converting power door locks/windows to manual? I have two sets of doors. One with power and no harnesses and a set of manuals. The power ones are the ones I want on my truck but I don't want to hassle with hunting down the harnesses and retrofitting them into a truck that didn't have that option. At least not any time soon. Any help is appreciated. thanks guys

Since i didn't catch the thread in time....
I was going to mention swapping in a 87 or
so up master and booster to get better stopping.
Old masters were a 7/8th bore where as the newer
ones are 1 1/8th bore with a quick take up valve.

Please take a bunch of pics of that fuel tank....have
a post up for that exact item...

DW