Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

Does eastwood sell a diy it to parkerize, they seem to have everything else

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

yup

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

Small update with some pics.

I spent this weekend cleaning, sanding, and painting more parts.

1. AC/Heater box
2. Horns
3. Power Steering Pump
4. Vacum Actuator
5. AC Hose Assembly, Dryer, Expansion Valve

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

The back of the AC/Heater box was rusty so I used sand paper and a wire wheel to scrape off the rust and old paint.

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

I had no idea this piece was chrome. I'm not sure what it's called but it connects to the AC Hose Assembly and the U shape tube to the box.

I took Mothers Chrome and Aluminum polish to it. I went picked up one of those foam balls that you connect to a drill to polish them up. I never thought those things actually worked.

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

Here's the rest of the stuff I cleaned up and painted.

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

So this week I'm going to try and get the upper and lower ball joints installed. I had to take the axle down to a local shop to have the old ball joints removed because there was no way I was able to remove them myself.

I want to install the new ball joints myself, but I'm not sure if this is the right tool?

I'm not sure where this other piece goes. It came with one of the upper ball joints. Could anyone help me out me here? Thanks

Once I have this done, I want to put my leaf springs back in with the new bushings and shackles I ordered from ORD. However, all my bolts, including the center pin to the leaf springs is at the plating shop and they wont be done for 2 weeks. Can I pick up a center pin at a local auto shop?

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

Yes, that is the correct tool.
The threaded piece is the upper ball joint tapered hole. You will probably need to remove the old one. It takes a spanner socket available at your local napa for about $20. After you install the ball joints and remount the knuckle in the inner C, you will need to torque that to 50 lbs before you put the upper ball joint nut on.

You're doing a great job on refurbishing those parts. Wish I had that kind of energy right now.

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

Thanks, sockalaminski

So ran into a bit of a problem with the ball joint press kit I rented from Oreilly's. The adapter is just a hair short from fitting over the stud (see pic)

I measured the width and what I need is 1 3/4" ID adapter to fit. I can't find any places that could sell me an individual adapter.

My other option is I can take the knuckles down to a local shop that would press in all 4 ball joints for $120. I'd rather save the money and do these myself.

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

Your detail /cleaning work is really impressive. Good job.

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

I hope did this right. Can you tell if I seated this properly?

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

Thanks, Tom

I just wish I can translate these cleaning skills into the mechanical side of things ..lol

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

Looks like it is seated. Mine fit tight on my ball joint too. They make those kits as generic as possible to fit many different sizes.

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

ok cool. I was worried for a minute, there. When I couldn't tighten it down anymore I switched the receiver from the top to underneath and it pressed in a tab more pretty easily until it would go anymore. I found a Youtube video that shows how to do it.

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

Bolts came back from plating shop. I had them done in Zinc Clear (silver), Zinc Chromate, and Zinc Black.. They came out a lot better than I thought they would have considering the condition they were in.

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

pics

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

I had most of them done in the Zinc Clear. The wheel studs came out really good. The exhaust brackets were pitted pretty bad to begin with so that's the best they could come out, but good enough for me.

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

Everything looks really nice. You'll be afraid to drive it when you're done. When I get to this reassemebly stage, I may try the eastwood products. Do you mind me askimg what all that hardwarwe costs to have done?

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

The bolts etc. look great!! I knew you'd be pleased.

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

@Briank - It was $350 for all of them. Not bad considering if I replaced everything with new hardware. I'm definitely going for show look, but I'm going to drive the hell out of it (except 4 wheeling)

Thanks, Pete. Glad a I went with your recommendation!

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

Leaf Spring question. I put the leaf spring back together and noticed a difference in the way the spring eye bolt lines up. One one of them it is flush and the other has about a half inch separation.

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

That hardware looks awesome.

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

Those spring eyes dont look the same diameter either. The one thats against the end looks larger in diameter. Maybe a replacement from another truck ? Or judging by the taper at the end it didnt get rolled all the way or was yanked by something and unrolled. Im not a 4wd guy I have never taken a 4x4 that far apart. A spring place could maybe fix that.

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

Just curious - do you still have the winch/front bumper?

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

I think the PO replaced one of the springs. One of them had some old yellow paint on there and from what I was told by someone locally, was that it came from a "pick and pull"

As far as the diameter of the spring eye bolt, they should be the same bc i replaced the bushings using the same size on both sides and they both fit pretty snug.

It just looks weird to me, so I think I'll just play this one safe and order a new set.

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

I do.

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

Sending PM

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

Got the front axle bolted up this weekend. However, I've decided I'm going to get a new set of leaf springs. I just don't like they way these are sitting, plus I've replaced just about everything else, so i might as well get a new set of springs that will last. I'm looking for a stock ride height

Which brands have other guys used?
so far I've found Skyjackers and SDTruckSprings

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sj...t/model/blazer

http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/index....oducts_id=7688

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

Ok guys, I have just a small update here.. But stay tuned, I'm about to get some real progress done this weekend.

I ended up ordering a set of new leaf springs (front and rear) from generalspringkc.com. I might as well.. I've decided to go all out!

I also ordered a rear disc brake conversion kit that I ordered through ScottHotrods.. I probably could've saved a few bucks going through Summit, but after talking with their main tech guy, I was sold on their customer service. Customer service is a huge value to me and they'll be there to help out if I have any problems with the install. The kit includes Wilwood calipers, disc brakes, adapters, parking brake lines/kit.. basically a straight bolt on.

I had my hub powder coated gray and requested they put a clear coat on it because I heard this will help last longer and is more resistant to scratches.

I pressed in the new studs into the hubs and painted the leaf springs.

Installed all new races seals and bearings, too.

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

Updating with pics .

Removed the rear axle.. SOO much easier than the front. Took off all the brake parts, back plate, removed 3rd member, and axles. What tool or home made tools do guys use to remove the Yoke?

I also removed the rear bumper, brackets, exhaust hanger brackets, rear shocks.

It now sit on all 4 jacks.

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

more pics

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

The PO welded a bracket together to the frame to use as a hitch.. However, he cut the hitch part off and left me with a upside down T

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

Update? Are You losing momentum?

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

Updates!!! Sweet Blazer, good thread!

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

He guys, so i had a few set backs with wrong parts and things like that. I also was on vacation for 18 days and just got back yesterday. (Rome, Sicily, and Croatia)

This weekend I should be able to get the front leafs springs on. I received the correct size bushings from ORD this time. Wasn't there fault that original ones didn't fit.

The axle was powered coated 60% gloss black. I have a local guy reassembling my gears and axles. The rear axle is having all new seals and bearings, as well as a ring and pinion master installation kit. I'll be picking this up today from him.

My goal this weekend is to have the following done:
1. Install front leaf springs and finish assembling the front axle hubs and wheels
2. Run the new stainless steel brake and fuel lines from Inline Tube.
3. Install the new polyurethane gas tank.
4. Install the rear axle, assemble the new drum brakes, parking brakes.
5. Install the new rear leaf springs

I'm pretty confident I can get all this done, since I should have a couple extra hands helping me out.

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

Well, with an 18 day vacation, you should definitely be rested. Good luck with your list. Glad to see you're still on it.

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

1 step forward 2 steps backward. That list above just became a pipe dream LOL


So I got the leaf springs issues worked out and installed them this morning. Just as I was thinking everything was going to go smoothly I ran into more problems.

I started to reassembly the hubs and discovered the threads on one of the spindles are in bad shape and will need to either tap them or replace the spindle. So I decided I would install the other side. I started putting everything back together and realized the larger gear would not slide inside the hub. I decided to use an old race seal and a rubber mallet and lightly tap it through, which it did end up going in. I noticed that when I finished pushing it through, the coil spring wouldn't even push it back out. (that's without have the long ring on) I thought that was odd...I decided to assembly the rest of the parts. Once I had the outer locking hub back on it would not move from the lock position to the free position. Now I cant even get the larger gear ring out and seems to be stuck in there. I'm not sure what I could've done wrong since I installed them exactly the way they are supposed to go back in..

I've posted a few pics below. I took a picture of the order of how I installed them using the other hubs parts.. The other picture if the larger gear ring that is not stuck and I can't get out now.

Any help would be awesome.

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

Here's a pic of the assembly sequence from a set of instructs with a NOS set of hubs I have...

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

Thanks for this Pete.

I ended up solving the problems with the hubs and the bad threads on the spindle.

I took the bearings and race seals out of the hubs. I then started to clean all the dirt and grim stuck inside the groves of the hubs because I believe this was causing the larger gear not to slide through smoothly as it should. So I spent about 4 hours cleaning them up pretty good. I cut out a piece of cardboard to place inside the hub and plenty of napkins to catch the dirt. (see pics)

I removed the bad spindle and used a file to file off the ends of the bad threads on the spindle. That did the trick and I was able to get the spindle nuts to thread on smoothly.

So today I finished assembly the hubs and putting on the brake calipers. Doesn't seem like a whole lot, but with the amount of work I had to do just to start putting it back together it was a full days worth.


The first pic below shows how much crap was inside the hubs. I took a very small file and a small flat head screw driver to scrap everything off.. This stuff was stuck on there to say the least.. Took me a good 4-5 hours to really clean them out well. The 2nd pic is just show that I cut a piece of cut board the same diameter size of the hub and included a few paper towels to make sure none of the dirt falls in the grease. I also removed the bearings and seals, too.

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

I must say, I had a big smile on face after seeing the hubs and calipers installed. I was going crazy constantly looking at an axle not bolted to leaf springs and steering at spindles. lol..

The axle was powder coated and all the bearings and seals replaced. Basically a complete rebuild, minus the ring and pinion.

I also got the front skid bar installed. The front end is almost complete. Need to put get the steering arm, stabilizer, pitman arm, brake lines and I should be done with the front axle..

Doing a tear down on a front axle was very challenging, at least for me, I had no idea what I was getting myself involved with. new: