Project: Forged K5 - 1972 Blazer Build
 

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!!:buh:

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 -

Re: Project: Forged K5 - 1972 Blazer Build
 

Some more pics.......

Re: Project: Forged K5 - 1972 Blazer Build
 

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

Re: Project: Forged K5 - 1972 Blazer Build
 

Thanks mtully.

Re: Project: Forged K5 - 1972 Blazer Build
 

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

Re: Project: Forged K5 - 1972 Blazer Build
 

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?

Re: Project: Forged K5 - 1972 Blazer Build
 

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!

Re: Project: Forged K5 - 1972 Blazer Build
 

Anything new Justin?

Re: Project: Forged K5 - 1972 Blazer Build
 

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!)

Re: Project: Forged K5 - 1972 Blazer Build
 

Awesome! Look forward for updates!

Re: Project: Forged K5 - 1972 Blazer Build
 

Gonna be a fun truck!

Re: Project: Forged K5 - 1972 Blazer Build
 

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

Re: Project: Forged K5 - 1972 Blazer Build
 

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.....

Re: Project: Forged K5 - 1972 Blazer Build
 

Got my DIY4x parts in last week....

Re: Project: Forged K5 - 1972 Blazer Build
 

Got these.....

Re: Project: Forged K5 - 1972 Blazer Build
 

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

Re: Project: Forged K5 - 1972 Blazer Build
 

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

Re: Project: Forged K5 - 1972 Blazer Build
 

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!

Re: Project: Forged K5 - 1972 Blazer Build
 

A couple more....

Re: Project: Forged K5 - 1972 Blazer Build
 

Thanks for posting them dude!

Re: Project: Forged K5 - 1972 Blazer Build
 

I dig the white on black combo.

Re: Project: Forged K5 - 1972 Blazer Build
 

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.

Re: Project: Forged K5 - 1972 Blazer Build
 

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

Re: Project: Forged K5 - 1972 Blazer Build
 

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?

Re: Project: Forged K5 - 1972 Blazer Build
 

wow that rendering looks awesome!

Re: Project: Forged K5 - 1972 Blazer Build
 

I agree....Chad is awesome to work with. Hoping he gets some more business from my posts.

Really reasonable and captured all the details I asked him too.

Re: Project: Forged K5 - 1972 Blazer Build
 

Killer rendering..and that LR3 doesn't suck either!

Re: Project: Forged K5 - 1972 Blazer Build
 

Thanks Justin.....My wife really wanted an LR3 so I gave in but told her she had to let me powdercoat the wheels to make it a little different. She agreed and I think it turned out pretty good. My tow rig for now.....crazy but it's rated to tow like 7,700 lbs!

Re: Project: Forged K5 - 1972 Blazer Build
 

I love the rendering, makes me what to do one for my truck.

Re: Project: Forged K5 - 1972 Blazer Build
 

So in my first post I mentioned how much I regretted selling the 72 Jimmy and how I might be able to get part of it back. Well for the last year I've been stopping by every few months to check in with the guy who bought it....he owns a body shop about 25 minutes from my house. A couple weeks ago I stopped by and he said it was my lucky day. He told me he would sell the Jimmy back to me for the same price he bought it for as he just doesn't have time to work on it.....so a couple days later I paid him and brought it back home.

The main reason I had regretted selling it is the almost perfect single wall black top that was on it, as well as a 1/2 top that I let go with it.

Here are a few pics of it......

Re: Project: Forged K5 - 1972 Blazer Build
 

Been a little busy lately......Mostly on non Blazer related stuff! But the Blazer is not going anywhere....... just patiently waiting!

We made an addition to the family....

Re: Project: Forged K5 - 1972 Blazer Build
 

Our first child....Mattie Lilla Mae Garrison and my beautiful wife Chandra.

Re: Project: Forged K5 - 1972 Blazer Build
 

And proud Dad......

Re: Project: Forged K5 - 1972 Blazer Build
 

Congrats!

Re: Project: Forged K5 - 1972 Blazer Build
 

Also working on a new house......building more than the 3 of us need but hoping it pays off when we sell it in a few years. View from the back.

I know, I know......only a 2 car garage what was I thinking!

Re: Project: Forged K5 - 1972 Blazer Build
 

A little blurry but here's the front until I get some better pics.....

Re: Project: Forged K5 - 1972 Blazer Build
 

Thanks Chad!

Re: Project: Forged K5 - 1972 Blazer Build
 

Justin, congrats on everything, first child, new house, got the truck back, beautiful wife. Should be a country song in there somewhere...

You sir, could be the member with the most on his plate while trying to pull off a restoration
Good luck to you!

Re: Project: Forged K5 - 1972 Blazer Build
 

I've never heard of a happy Country song. Usually the Wife runs off, the house roof leaks and the truck gets stolen. :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

Congrats to your new addition ! That double car garage will soon be filled with toys so you had better start building a shop now.;););););)

Re: Project: Forged K5 - 1972 Blazer Build
 

Thank you jaros44sr!

Yeah I think I'm stretching myself just a little bit......😁