Project 71 build thread

[MNorby]

I guess I need a name of sorts for this rig but here is the build up of my 71 K5.

Here is how I found it:



$150 later I had it home:






Original plan was to get the 350 and 4 speed running and just put a 4" lift and 35s with 3/4 ton axles under it. Found some 4" springs frome a friend and built a shakle flip in the rear and got an extra set of 3/4 tons I had under it:

[MNorby]

After getting that far I made the decision to part out my buggy and put my 454, th400, 203/205 doubler, Dana 60 fron and 14FF rear end in the blazer and go 500 caddy and rockwells or mogs in the buggy. I have a set of 40" TLSs and also scored a set of used 40" MTRs on aluminum wheels for $300 so I'll have a set of street tires for the friday night top down cruise through town and the TSLs for the trail duties. First step was to swap the 454 in. I built this engine 2 years ago or so and desktop dyno numbers are ~450hp/500 ft-lb. I researched and opted to move the engine forward 1" to help clear firewall. I used the engine pads out of an 80's style chevy and was going to use the crossmember too but opted to just build my own for more clearance:





After getting the engine and the TH400 in place I could tell floorboard clearance was not going to work. I had some old 3" body lift pucks so I put them in along with new poly body mounts:




I didn't like how tall the 3" body lift made it and still couldn't get the t-cases high enough so I opted to cut the floor out and cut the body lift to 1.5" then built my doubler crossmember:

[MNorby]

Then I went through my Dana 60 front end to prep if to install in the Blazer. It has 4.56 gears and a lockright locker. I wanted to install 52" long rear springs from the rear of a 1/2ton chevy or whatever (I have a handful of these things laying around so nice and cheap/free) into the front of the blazer and also move my front end forward more for more wheelbase and better appraoch angle. Here is the 60 and the crossmember I built to mount my springs to in the front:






Then I had to trim the fenders some. I may have to cut more later:

[MNorby]

I got a STC fastrack top off ebay and got it installed along with a blingin grant steering wheel I picked up for $75 and the CD play so I had some tunes to work with. I also installed 3 curcuit breakers under the dash to use as protected juntion boxes basically one for always hot, acc hot and run hot for accessory installs later on (no pics though). I started waxing the paint and it is starting to kinda shine again. I didn't get to the front drivers side fender and you can kinda see the difference. I have don'e more waxing on the pass side and it shines alot better than the drivers side as a whole too:







That is where I am now. Next I need to change my rear end to my 14FF with 4.56s, detroit locker and disk brakes and installe a gas tank (you can see the big tank in the bed when I cought it. The PO said the stocker corroded so was removed. I am going to install a 31 gal tank from a later model blazer.

[Yukon Jack]

Cool to have the build all in one thread! You know I dig your K5!

[BUDDY]

Alright, I've just about decided to move to WY just so I can drool over this blazer. I would LOVE it if you had/will take more pictures of the custom crossmembers you've made.

It is looking great!! Mad props yo!! I guess, or whatever that means.

Later,
Buddy

[MNorby]

Originally Posted by BUDDY

Alright, I've just about decided to move to WY just so I can drool over this blazer. I would LOVE it if you had/will take more pictures of the custom crossmembers you've made.

It is looking great!! Mad props yo!! I guess, or whatever that means.

Later,
Buddy

Thanks everyone for the compliments
What crossmember pics would you like? I have alot of the building steps of the crossmembers too

[BUDDY]

Originally Posted by MNorby

Thanks everyone for the compliments
What crossmember pics would you like? I have alot of the building steps of the crossmembers too

Any & all! If you have dimensions that would be incredible, but I'd take just the pictures.

AAMOF, if you don't want to post them up, send them to me & I'll post them for you. It would be a disservice to anybody else, if they weren't posted.

I salute you!

[johnnywagon]

WOW! I am very impressed with all your custom fabbing. I really like your front spring mount/crossmember...I wish I had seen it before I started what I am doing to my front mounts (here's pix...crossmember is coming soon). How do you like your front lock-right? I might try one, but I do drive a little on the streets in the winter...to get to the off road park, anyway. Thanks & again, very impressive,

[LUV2XCLR8]

Wicked, so how does that 3 lever thingy work?

[MNorby]

Originally Posted by LUV2XCLR8

Wicked, so how does that 3 lever thingy work?

With the doubler and triple stick setup one stick is a basic high-n-low, the other is a front end high-n-low and the 3rd is the rear end high-n-low. Effictively can put in front only double low or rear low any any combiniation thereof. I will install line locks on the front and rear too so can lock rear brakes and put in front wheel drive and pivot.

[johnnywagon]

MNORBY, Thanks for the feedback. I think Im gonna try one. I'm only running 36's on my D44, but I abuse the hell out of it. One day D60 w/crossover...one day...