Project: Forged K5 - 1972 Blazer Build

[Justin G]

Project Intro -
For the past couple years I've been working on a K5 build. Started off in September 2012 excited about a 1972 Jimmy I traded a 2003 Honda Foreman for......see that one here.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=542753

Parts Collection -
Although it seems like I haven't made any progress in 2 years, I've managed to acquire a few items that I'll be using for my build.
1986 CUCV - 1 Ton Axles, Hydroboost Brakes
2009 LY6 Engine - w/ 144,000 miles out of a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
6L80E AWD Transmission

The Sell -
Finally came to grips with the fact that my Jimmy was a mess. Needed new metal everywhere. Floor pans, rockers, torsion boxes, bedsides, bed patches, inner fenders front & rear. There wasn't a section of the Jimmy that didn't need some work. So after tearing it apart and stewing over it for 2 years......... I sold it!!

Depression & Regret -
It's funny..... that Jimmy was a heartache from Day 1, but I'm still bummed it's gone! In a moment of weakness & frustration I posted a Craigslist add putting the whole project up for sale.......before I knew it a guy showed up with a trailer and cash in hand and I had sold the Jimmy. I deleted the add before anyone else could show up! If it works out I might be able to get part of the Jimmy back......More on this later!

The Purchase -
After a few weeks of nation wide searching I settled on a 1972 Blazer I found fairly close to home. It was about 4 hrs from me.....just outside of Atlanta, GA. Still a project.......but a lot better starting point for my build.

Basic Build Plans -
1972 Blazer
6.0 LY6/6L80E/NP205
1 Ton Axles
H2 Wheels
37" BFG's
07-14 Tahoe/Yukon/Escalade 2nd Row Captains
Family Roll Cage

Pics -

[Justin G]

Some more pics.......

[mtully79]

Looks like a good start, best of luck with the build!

[Justin G]

Originally Posted by mtully79

Looks like a good start, best of luck with the build!

Thanks mtully.

[swyfor5]

Sounds like a good plan to me. What are your plans for lift height and tire size?

[Justin G]

Originally Posted by swyfor5

Sounds like a good plan to me. What are your plans for lift height and tire size?

I'd like to run 37's but may settle for 35's. Planning on using DIY4x's B52, & Rear Shackle Flip & Switch. Discussed my plans with Kurt and he thought these kits with the EZ Inch and Body Pucks would give me what I needed to clear 37's. I think that will be around 7" of lift.

Swyfor5 - Been following your build.......didn't see where you had selected a new tire size. What are you thinking on yours?

[swyfor5]

Decided on Nitto Trail Grappler M/T's. 40/13.50R17 on B.A.D. beadlocks. Was running 39.5 Super Swamper TSL's before I went to the one ton axle setup, with the same 8" Superlift suspension system. Also went with the DIY4X4 shackle flip which I love because it eliminated the 4" blocks I was running with the 1/2 ton setup. Just saving cash for the new shoes! I figured NITTO was good enough to win 2014 KING OF THE HAMMERS, and it's the all around aggressive tire I am looking for!

[swyfor5]

Anything new Justin?

[Justin G]

Swyfor5 - Thanks for asking......Just collecting parts and fixing a couple things I broke on the first 2 attempts at a maiden voyage with the Blazer.

Attempt 1 - Needed to make a trip to the gas station (which is less than a mile down the road)......I made it about an 1/4 of a mile down the road & broke the rear ujoint. Great thing about a 4x4......it easily converts to a FWD! I removed the rear drive shaft on the side of the road and took it back home. Picked up some new u-joints and strap kit.....just need to bolt my drive shaft back in, but attempt #2 brought on more problems to fix.

Attempt 2 - Tried to make another run to the gas station Blazer died on me about 1/8th of a mile from my driveway. Luckily my wife and a friend who happened to be driving by helped me push it back into the driveway. Although frustrating it was quite funny. After putting a few gallons in the tank I couldn't get it to fire. It sat at the corner of my driveway in the yard for a day until my brother in law helped me tow it back to the shop.

I heard through the same friend that helped push it back to the yard that one of my neighbors thought it was for sale and stopped by twice to look at it. Haha.

After many attempts to get it started after running it out of gas (I thought), I found my my carb was spitting fuel everywhere and I decided to have my quadrajet rebuilt and I'm still waiting to get it back from the local guy I used. I looked into other purchasing other carbs like the Holley Truck Avenger or Edelbrock AVS Off-Road, but decided since the carb setup and 350 were just temporary until the LS swap, I wouldn't spend any extra $$$ on new parts. We'll see how the rebuilt Quadrajet works.....

I did pick up some new front seats.....I'll post some updated pics this weekend when I see how much work it is going to take to install them. (Some fab work will be required!)

[swyfor5]

Awesome! Look forward for updates!

[K5 Addiction]

Gonna be a fun truck!

[K5 Addiction]

Makes me miss my old Blazers. Someday I'll build one & keep it.

[Justin G]

Originally Posted by K5 Addiction

Makes me miss my old Blazers. Someday I'll build one & keep it.

Hey James.......you'll probably have your truck finished and another Blazer built by the time I get this Blazer project done!

Looking forward to some more updates on the The Old Duffer.....

[Justin G]

Got my DIY4x parts in last week....

[Justin G]

Got these.....

[Justin G]

I took these over to Discount Tire......

[Justin G]

Still have to get the H2 wheels powdercoated but here is what they will look like when I'm done....

[Justin G]

So I saw some of Chad's (Hellaflush3d) work over on the 67-72 truck projects section of the forum and asked him to work up some renderings for my Blazer. Can't say enough about his work!

[Justin G]

A couple more....

[Hellaflush3d]

Thanks for posting them dude!

[mtully79]

I dig the white on black combo.

[Justin G]

Originally Posted by mtully79

I dig the white on black combo.

Thanks mtully......I had Chad render the color as Porsche GT silver. Had him draw it with LineX texture like MCMLXIX did to his Blazer (his is white LineX) I may go a little darker when the time comes but I definitely will be doing the black wheels, grille, bumpers, trim, etc.

[mcmlxix]

The renderings look great... but I guess I am biased....

[Justin G]

Originally Posted by mcmlxix

The renderings look great... but I guess I am biased....

Thanks MCMLXIX......looking forward to your finished Blazer. You and a couple others on here are the inspiration for my build. I'll try not to copy too many of your great ideas!!

How's yours coming ........any progress since the flooded shop incident?

[Lieferson]

wow that rendering looks awesome!