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littlejimmy · 07-20-2005, 11:39 PM

I am a new member here but have been reading for months on end. I own a 73' GMC Jimmy which my dad bought in 72'. After thirty years of owning the truck I bought it from him two years ago. Well the finances are in order and I have 9k to invest in the truck. I rolled the truck when I was fourteen, weekly "borrowed" the truck growing up ( unknown by the old man.) , Blew the motor when I was fifteen, ect, ect, ect. I sold a 2000 Dodge cummins 4x4 to pay for my madness. The gut wrenching part about my project seems to be that 9k is only going to get me "most" of the way to my goal. The truck has 389,000k miles on it and "looks" better than 85% of the trucks from that date but the body is cancer laden (can only be seen if carpet is lifted up), Steering, Brakes, Engine, Tranny, Transfer case, Diffs and axles, all u-joints need to be replaced or rebuilt and that's before the cosmetics... Looks like I will be with you folks for a while. First to be tackled, Controls= Steering and brakes. Any helpful tips for cheap mild upgrades in these area's would be greatly appreciated.

Mudder · 07-20-2005, 11:48 PM

This will be a good place for info. I wont say everyone will always agree on things here but you will get a opinions on everything. Will this blazer be taken off road or just maily a street truck???? Lift or leave it alone?

BTW welcome to the site.

littlejimmy · 07-21-2005, 12:02 AM

It is going to be lifted( the old man will crap himself when he see's how I "wreched" a good truck.), Mostly street but with well mannered off road capability's. I have put a great deal of research into springs and shocks looking for a good combination and have somewhat decided to go with tuff country springs with blisten shocks. My goal is 35's, I am still battling myself between a 4" or 6" lift. Would like the body to ride as low as possible without to much carving. I will be towing a 14'x7' cargo trailer a few hundred miles a month so maybe airbags will be in the trucks future as well.

Mudder · 07-21-2005, 12:10 AM

Here is a pic of my daughters Blazer with 35's x 15.50's, a 4" tuff country and 3 inch body lift. I think it would be alright without the body lift.

Hoods69BadBowTie · 07-21-2005, 01:21 AM

Damn, thats a sweet looking Blazer!
-Later

bouncytruck · 07-21-2005, 11:38 AM

Welcome to the board from Seattle. Sounds like you've got a good project. If you go with a 6" lift, you may consider cross-over steeriing. It might make it a little more stable with the tires and towing. Also, on a '73, get the brace welded into the frame around the steering box.

littlejimmy · 07-22-2005, 01:50 PM

Bouncytruck,
I am mechanically inclined and the crossover steering seems to be complicated. I have never seen the system on a vechicle so I am concerend that if I retreive all of the parts I will still not know what I am doing. Pictures say a thousand words..... but seeing in real life is a dictionary.

tedfrk · 07-24-2005, 09:28 PM

mudder 67 did you give that blazer to her.that is one of the nicest i have seen in a while.very clean not all the bolt on crap.

Mudder · 07-24-2005, 10:30 PM

I helped her get it from a friend when she got out of HS. She then had a guy paint it that more or less ripped her off with very poor body work. It's not in very good shape today as it sits.

earl87gta · 07-24-2005, 10:59 PM

you should have kept the doge and swapt over the drive trian to the blazer. But from ware you are now go with 6in BDS springs in the front 2in springs and shackle flip in the back. 14blt ff rear axle in the back and update the d44 in the front to 3/4 ton. by a good set of axles for the D44 and find a 14blt with 4:10 in it allready then you will only need to regear the front. Get a detroit locker for the rear and the front buy a disk break kit for the 14blt off ebay . stainless break lines and do the cross over steering it is cheap if the 73 has flat top knucles I cant remember if they do or not. you most likey have a 203 transfer case in it but ut may be a 205 if its a 205 good if its a 203 look for a 205 but keep the 203 incase you ever want to build a doubler. Next get new high angle drive shafts with CV joints. All of that will suck up around 3K. After that depending on what you have left after you buy rims and tires. While your doing all of that have the trans rebuilt and the engine gone threw you didnt say what it had for engine and trans but I would guess that guy the time both are rebuilt you wont have a lot left for body work.

a28doc · 07-25-2005, 04:33 AM

if your only going for mild offroad Id save my money on the crossover steering and replace front end parts when you do the lift on it Id recommend a 4" lift as you will be still towing a trailer you will need a 6" drop ball. If your serious about upgrading the brakes Id spend a little more money and buy a front disc brake upgrade kit which has larger rotors and calipers this will set you back about 600 bucks. Id then buy myself a good crate motor from GM performance and rebuild your tranny. as far as rearend goes Id find a used 14 bolt FF and rebuild it with a locker installed with at least 4.10 gearing or larger and also rebuild your front dana with same gearing make sure you put in new u joints in front and rear shafts 1350's preferrably. If you do all this and do most of the work yourself you still should have a ton of money left to work on body and interior. Best advice I can give you is shop around for the best prices and deals and gl in your endeavor and welcome to the board
Doc

07-20-2005, 11:39 PM	#1
littlejimmy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Portland Posts: 4	The Beginning I am a new member here but have been reading for months on end. I own a 73' GMC Jimmy which my dad bought in 72'. After thirty years of owning the truck I bought it from him two years ago. Well the finances are in order and I have 9k to invest in the truck. I rolled the truck when I was fourteen, weekly "borrowed" the truck growing up ( unknown by the old man.) , Blew the motor when I was fifteen, ect, ect, ect. I sold a 2000 Dodge cummins 4x4 to pay for my madness. The gut wrenching part about my project seems to be that 9k is only going to get me "most" of the way to my goal. The truck has 389,000k miles on it and "looks" better than 85% of the trucks from that date but the body is cancer laden (can only be seen if carpet is lifted up), Steering, Brakes, Engine, Tranny, Transfer case, Diffs and axles, all u-joints need to be replaced or rebuilt and that's before the cosmetics... Looks like I will be with you folks for a while. First to be tackled, Controls= Steering and brakes. Any helpful tips for cheap mild upgrades in these area's would be greatly appreciated. Last edited by littlejimmy; 07-20-2005 at 11:49 PM.

07-20-2005, 11:48 PM	#2
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	This will be a good place for info. I wont say everyone will always agree on things here but you will get a opinions on everything. Will this blazer be taken off road or just maily a street truck???? Lift or leave it alone? BTW welcome to the site. Last edited by Mudder; 07-20-2005 at 11:51 PM.

07-21-2005, 12:10 AM	#4
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	Here is a pic of my daughters Blazer with 35's x 15.50's, a 4" tuff country and 3 inch body lift. I think it would be alright without the body lift. Attached Images Last edited by Mudder; 07-21-2005 at 12:11 AM.

07-21-2005, 01:21 AM	#5
Hoods69BadBowTie Chevys Kick A$$ Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zootown, MT Posts: 12,699	Damn, thats a sweet looking Blazer! -Later __________________ HOODS is what I answer too -'79, '77, '88 Pickup Sold, '85 Camaro, '83 T/A, '81,'83,'90 K5 Blazer All Sold -'79 3/4 ton "Big Yellow Bananna" Lifted 4spd. 39.5 TSL Swampers, The money Pit -'86 K5 Blazer Silverado 6.2 4" lift 35"s -'95 Ext. Cab Shorty 4" Tuff Country rolling 35" M/T's -'83 Monte Carlo T-Tops. 126,500 Original Miles -LATER I would rather push a Chevy then drive a ford!!

07-21-2005, 11:38 AM	#6
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,049	Welcome to the board from Seattle. Sounds like you've got a good project. If you go with a 6" lift, you may consider cross-over steeriing. It might make it a little more stable with the tires and towing. Also, on a '73, get the brace welded into the frame around the steering box. __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

07-21-2005, 12:02 AM	#3
littlejimmy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Portland Posts: 4	It is going to be lifted( the old man will crap himself when he see's how I "wreched" a good truck.), Mostly street but with well mannered off road capability's. I have put a great deal of research into springs and shocks looking for a good combination and have somewhat decided to go with tuff country springs with blisten shocks. My goal is 35's, I am still battling myself between a 4" or 6" lift. Would like the body to ride as low as possible without to much carving. I will be towing a 14'x7' cargo trailer a few hundred miles a month so maybe airbags will be in the trucks future as well.

07-22-2005, 01:50 PM	#7
littlejimmy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Portland Posts: 4	Bouncytruck, I am mechanically inclined and the crossover steering seems to be complicated. I have never seen the system on a vechicle so I am concerend that if I retreive all of the parts I will still not know what I am doing. Pictures say a thousand words..... but seeing in real life is a dictionary.

07-24-2005, 09:28 PM	#8
tedfrk Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: forked river nj Posts: 147	mudder 67 did you give that blazer to her.that is one of the nicest i have seen in a while.very clean not all the bolt on crap.

07-24-2005, 10:30 PM	#9
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	I helped her get it from a friend when she got out of HS. She then had a guy paint it that more or less ripped her off with very poor body work. It's not in very good shape today as it sits.

07-24-2005, 10:59 PM	#10
earl87gta Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Kingsport TN Posts: 4,641	you should have kept the doge and swapt over the drive trian to the blazer. But from ware you are now go with 6in BDS springs in the front 2in springs and shackle flip in the back. 14blt ff rear axle in the back and update the d44 in the front to 3/4 ton. by a good set of axles for the D44 and find a 14blt with 4:10 in it allready then you will only need to regear the front. Get a detroit locker for the rear and the front buy a disk break kit for the 14blt off ebay . stainless break lines and do the cross over steering it is cheap if the 73 has flat top knucles I cant remember if they do or not. you most likey have a 203 transfer case in it but ut may be a 205 if its a 205 good if its a 203 look for a 205 but keep the 203 incase you ever want to build a doubler. Next get new high angle drive shafts with CV joints. All of that will suck up around 3K. After that depending on what you have left after you buy rims and tires. While your doing all of that have the trans rebuilt and the engine gone threw you didnt say what it had for engine and trans but I would guess that guy the time both are rebuilt you wont have a lot left for body work. __________________ Earl 68 2500 4x4 GMC Burb

07-25-2005, 04:33 AM	#11
a28doc '87 V20 4x4 Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: South Western Ohio Posts: 1,073	if your only going for mild offroad Id save my money on the crossover steering and replace front end parts when you do the lift on it Id recommend a 4" lift as you will be still towing a trailer you will need a 6" drop ball. If your serious about upgrading the brakes Id spend a little more money and buy a front disc brake upgrade kit which has larger rotors and calipers this will set you back about 600 bucks. Id then buy myself a good crate motor from GM performance and rebuild your tranny. as far as rearend goes Id find a used 14 bolt FF and rebuild it with a locker installed with at least 4.10 gearing or larger and also rebuild your front dana with same gearing make sure you put in new u joints in front and rear shafts 1350's preferrably. If you do all this and do most of the work yourself you still should have a ton of money left to work on body and interior. Best advice I can give you is shop around for the best prices and deals and gl in your endeavor and welcome to the board Doc __________________ '86 K5 Blazer 4x4 FOR SALE '87 v20 4X4 '99 S10 Blazer 4X4



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