Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

Looks like I have two options for the poly Gas tank.

1. Try to route a fuel hose with enough bend to fit around the body mount. I have about a 1-1 1/2 clearance. I took this pic from another thread because its exactly what I'm dealing with here.

Attachment 1302221

Attachment 1302222

2. option is I moved the tank back a few inches and drill holes into my frame to line up the new straps.

Here is a pic of TJ's blazer with the oem gas tank. There's enough clearance to move it back some. I just want to opt for the easiest solution. Oh and it looks like I routed my 2 line going across incorrectly.

Attachment 1302223

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

The OEM set up has a u bolt that has 2 tight 90 degree bends onthe passenger side, it drops from the top down, drivers side uses j bolts. Using the u bolt makes it easier, so you don t have to get a wrench up in there to tighten it down. Then it just has 2 nuts, one on either side of the strap

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

I've been banging my head against the wall these past few days with this gas tank and fuel line routing. I think I figured it out from looking at other K5's frames. I think the original owner cut out the crossmember that sits behind the OEM tank in order to fit the 36 gallon tank that was in there.

If you notice the 2 fuel lines running across in the open space above.. These are supposed to clamp down on top of this missing crossmember.

Am I going to have to find a blazer frame at a scrap yard and cut this piece out and weld it to mine?

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

Coming along and looking great. Wondering where you got your u bolts for the front Dana 44 axle shown in your pic and if they are zinc coated or raw? I'm having a hard timing finding coated for the earlier smaller tubes.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1410058853

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

I would put something in there for structure. Even if it isn't the factory piece you could use some u channel cut to fit or something similar I'm sure. The stand tubes are suppose to bolt to it as well as fuel sending w/h clips to it as you can see in my pic .

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

Fuel tanks on Blazers were like an after thought in there design. I replaced mine with a poly tank, heated up the filler neck with a heat gun and bent the tube forward 30 degree's. Not a great alternative but it works for now. Filling at the pump is slow 7 Min's. Good luck.... rest of your Blazer is looking good.....Ed

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

[QUOTE=tjsblazer;6850641]Coming along and looking great. Wondering where you got your u bolts for the front Dana 44 axle shown in your pic and if they are zinc coated or raw? I'm having a hard timing finding coated for the earlier smaller tubes.


PM sent. If anybody else is interested. WFO Concepts in Northern California makes these. Grade 8 with Clear Zinc Finish.

http://www.wfoconcepts.com/cr/U-Bolts/3208/3611

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

This cross bar I believe is riveted so I think I might be able to find one at a scrap yard or something.. I'm not going to make it a priority, but once I find one I'll fab a new one in there.

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

Picked up some goodies this weekend.

1. Original OEM Fuel Tank Straps
2. Original OEM Fuel Tank Skid PLate
3. Original in dash AM Radio.

All for $200.. I had to drive about 80 miles to Stockton, but so worth it. I'm so stoked about the radio. I'm going to hang on to it until the body goes in for paint (one day) lol

I'm going to take the Fuel Tank skid plate and straps in for powder coating. While I am there I'll also have the read diff skid guard powder coated, along with my rally wheels.

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

Some more progress pics. I worked on it Friday and Saturday, but I'm going to take the day off today and lay on my couch and watch some football.

1. SkyJacker Monotube M9521 Front Shocks installed
2. Steering Column assembled.
3. Brake Lines routed
4. Main and return fuel line routed.
5. Rear brakes assembled with all new hardware, drums, and shoes.

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

More pics

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

That was a fast find on the tank skid plate. Strong work!!! Still need to get pics of my K5 to you as relates the aftermarket tank/cross member.

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

I had to replace that same rear crossmember on my 72 K5 where the previous owner had welded straps from it to the bumper and snatched it beyond repair. I got one off of a 71 pickup and it was the exact same thing. I bolted it in with carriage bolts and it made it look like rivets on the top. I am sure they are probably the same on 67-72 models, that would be much easier to find than a blazer chassis.

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

Check the blazer for sale section. 1rippen6 has some blazer chassis parts for sale.

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

[quote=72K5CSTDarkOlive;6851423]Thanks a lot. I was having a hard time finding coated. They even sell them in a kit form with 3x 2.75 and 1x 3.625. I got my rears from ORD but they don't stock the smaller Dana44 unless you want raw steel.

Did you buy all your line clips from Inline tube as well. Did they come as a complete kit or did you have to just count up the different sizes and order all individual pieces?

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

Very nice work.....

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

Thanks Drillrod. I'll check it out. Good to know that the same crossmember on a pick up could work, too.

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

Those are the original clamps that were on there before. I actually did one smart thing during this rebuild and made sure to keep the clamps.

I had these along with many other bolts and nuts cleaned and zinc plated. Came out nice, right?



[quote=tjsblazer;6851951]

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

I'm dreading this part because that filler neck is directly in-line with the shackle. I was thinking of using a rubber hose and bending it, but I'm not sure if would cause a kink in the hose or not.

I'm open to any alternatives even if it means paying somebody to fabricate some sort of extension that bends and curves up like the original. Is something like even possible?

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

Look up filler neck supply, i used them and they have several prebent hoses, or you could go old school and put an external spring on it, or internal. Keeps the hose from kinking...

I fooled around with mine for months and months, ruining the oem tank neck, until not so lo came to my rescue, and gave me me a new neck to start over with....putting it back in the oem location was the only answer. Take a look at my build it might give you some ideas


https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2944/...62cecc76_c.jpg
20140923_080310 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/people/97391199@N06/]

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

Thanks, Jim

I checked out their website. They only carry the 1 1/4 inch 90 degree bend. I think if I used that and trimmed it down, I might be able to make this work. However, I would still need to connect another hose to this hose that then connects to the filler hose pipe.

I was scrolling through you build thread but couldn't find the section where you modified the filler neck. Do you remember what page it is?

Btw - You have some really great reference material from what I've seen so far in your build.

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

Thanks....i think around page 87 is some of my tank problems

I thought for sure they had 45degree, but you may end up sleeving the hose, to get what you want, and use certain parts of the hose. The OEM metal tube off of the tank has about 3 differant angles and bends. The problem is that little stub they give you to start with, the oem has bend right away

I may have some straight alum. tubing to sleeve it

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

Thanks, I'll check it out.
They have 45 degree angle bends for every size except a 1 1/4 which is what I need.. Figures..

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

Well, its close enough that a good clamp could squeeze it down to make a proper seal, or you could take 1/2 of the 90 and add a tube(sleeve)

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

Is this Radiator Hose salvageable? I'd like to use it to keep the original look.

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

I think the 45 degree would make for an easier install and take your advice and clamp it down tight enough to seal it.

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

If you get rid of the blue, it would work. I d use a sealant like permatex (old school) aviation to seal up the imperfections. If it leaks, then get another one, got one here if it fails.....

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

I think I found my missing Xmember... It was right there in front my the whole time, just not in it's original place

I am almost certain the original owner cut the cross member and moved it back just behind the last body mount and has it running above the frame rail and welded it to the square looking block.

Attachment 1306036

He also fabricated this piece that is welded to the backside of the xmember so he could have a hitch, which he cut the hitch off, btw.

Attachment 1306037

Is this square looking block that is sitting on top of the body mount stock on these blazers or is this another brilliant modifications the OO made? I'll look again today to see if it is welded to the body of the blazer or the top of the frame.. If it's welded to the top of the frame then I think it's definitely a modification because other blazer frames that I've seen with the body off the frame have not shown this piece.

Attachment 1306038

Attachment 1306039

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

Hello,
I do believe that you are indeed missing a cross member. I tried to take some pictures of one of mine. I have three 4x4 Blazers and they all have the cross member. The pictures are from my 71. The 72 frame goes back and bolts directly to the bumper. The cross member is riveted top and bottom four rivets total. Hope this helps.
Paul

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

Thanks BlueK5. That does help.

I found a local place that carries a lot of parts for our trucks. I was able to pick this up..

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

Opinions welcome please

I'm going back in forth between purchasing a new oem style 4 Row radiator to keep the factory look, but I really like these aluminum ones by Entropy. I also like the idea that it can come equipped with dual electric fans. It's also a direct fit.

As far as originality, does a radiator make much of a difference?

My K5 isn't 100% original anyways, since I have a different engine and missing the air cleaner, but most everything else is pretty original.

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

Admittedly, I am a biased purist. You've gone through a lot to keep the K5 looking OEM. IMO the aluminum would look out of place and unless a big cost savings I'd say get a new brass/copper. If possible, rebuilding the original Harrison may be the least expensive way to go and you know it will fit with the existing mounts and available cushions. Some aluminum radiators will fit but not align well with the mounts.

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

The Aluminum one would run $650 + $150 for the wiring harness.

Classic Heartbeat has the brass/copper 4 row for $389 + another $400 for dual electric fans and wiring. It's pretty break even at that point.

I think I'll end up going with the OEM look but with electric fans.

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

I m afraid i m going to have to side on originality on this one, i ve struggled mightily with my alum. rad., didnt help that i was using a '68 front end, which is designed for a single row rad.

My biggest issue was outlet pipe on the bottom, if that is not ' just right' you ll struggle to find an answer to make it work

I would think an OEM rad. would work w/o fans, many a original truck did nt have them
JMHO

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

I'am having this exact same dilemma on my k25 :lol:

$650 for a radiator is what gives me pause.

I did not know Classic Heartbeat sold radiators.I will have to look into that.

And you guys are right.These trucks run just fine with OEM parts.

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

Do you have the original (or equivalent) radiator?

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

An original 4row will cool just fine. Id personally stick with the GM clutch fan unless you have some reason to need the elect. fan setup.

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

I do. When the truck did run, the coolant was always a brown color. Can these things be completely cleaned and refurbished?

If so, I rather go that route.

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

The only reason I'm considering the electric fan is that I heard the fan clutch sucks up horse power and I'll be running the AC unit as well.

Is there much noticeable difference in power w/o the use of fan clutch?

Re: Attempting my first build 72 K5
 

I think I am convinced. After my experience with the poly gas tank, I don't want to deal with anything else that does not bolt on exactly right.. I don't have the skills for custom fab