December,69-72 Blazer of the month - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BobbyK · 12-01-2004, 02:46 AM

I been given an early Christmas gift and am honoured with the December Blazer of the month.
So here's a little History on my beloved 71 Blazer.

I bought it back in 1999 in Pheonix Arizona from a guy who was buying a new house and needed the cash.Looked it over and settled on 5K.
I got my money's worth as all in all it was a REAL solid truck.
Here is what I started with.

MMMM...velvet.

From the time I bought it to present I've been working on it and also driving it daily.

In Nov. of 2002 I started the rebuild and took it off the road for 7 months.
Myself and a friend tore it apart and stripped the paint off and repaired the rust.

Typical rust for our trucks.You can poke your figer through these inner rockers.

Anyway...a little elbow grease, a few bucks and 7 months later, I end up with this.

Something that's nice to look at but ugly enough to still play in.

I've done ALOT of crap to this truck.Here's just a few mods.

Started with a rebuilt 4 bolt main 355 SBC and mated that to a TCI built 700R4.To make the 700R4 fit I moved the eng forward 1 7/8ths to retain the orig mounting points of the T/C and keep the driveline angles stock.

Then put in TPI from a 91 Camaro.

Rebuilt and recovered my buckets and rear seat.As well as putting in new carpeting from ACC.

Added dual electric 14" fans.Keeps the beast nice and cool.

Rebuilt and converted my factory A/C to R134.Cools nice!

I added rear disc brakes from TSM.Used a 78 Corvette M/C and rear brake calipers(with integral parking brake) and prop. valve from a 84 Cadillac Eldorado.

Well I just noticed how long this is getting so I'll end it here.
I'd keep going with all the pic's of the mod's I've done but this post is long enough.
Can you tell I love this stuff!!!!

ALL the pic's to ALL the mod's I've made to my Blazer can be seen ****HERE****

JayDubBlazer · 12-01-2004, 04:20 AM

Sweet looking ride like the engine. Takes a lot of guts to take a truck like that offroad

*dtlilly* · 12-01-2004, 07:31 AM

Congrats on the award, you have a great looking ride.

vtblazer · 12-01-2004, 09:11 AM

To have it is to use it.

Great mods, very nice work.
Really sweet blazer.

Mark70Z · 12-01-2004, 11:49 AM

Your Blazer is sharp! I hope mine looks half that good when I get it finished.

71jimmy · 12-01-2004, 01:00 PM

That's SWEEEEET! Especially like the TPI. How hard was it to bolt on and how much did it cost you to convert. I'm still a long way from rebuilding my motor and converting to TPI looks interesting, if I can afford it.

Great ride!

BobbyK · 12-01-2004, 01:11 PM

TPI was $1,700.00.That was a "turn key" set-up...Just install and go.
I know that that sounds expensive but piecing together a system can be just as expensive,unless of course you get everything from one doner car.

LUV2XCLR8 · 12-01-2004, 04:54 PM

Another Outstanding Member Of The "Blazer Club"

tpi72blazer · 12-01-2004, 04:56 PM

Very nice Blazer! Your TPI conversion looks good. Do you have a hidden front winch?

teamharvey · 12-01-2004, 08:52 PM

Very nice......can`t wait until mine is complete.

BobbyK · 12-01-2004, 10:16 PM

Yup....Warn 9000 right behind the bumper.

*Gee_Emm* · 12-01-2004, 11:15 PM

I love the color, not too common.

teeitup · 12-01-2004, 11:29 PM

You did a GREAT job, sweet looking blazer!!!!!!

**Yukon Jack** · 12-02-2004, 05:36 PM

Definitely one of my favorite K5's - awesome stuff you have done to it.

Burt4x4 · 12-07-2004, 03:19 PM

YYYYYYEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABOBK!

Congrats BobbyK, you deserve it!
Burt

chevyal71 · 12-07-2004, 07:22 PM

NICE!!!! I had the TPI idea also and I have a doner car. could you tell me about the harness? did you buy one out of Jims Performance or splice the blazer and TPI harness together? Also how much did you gain from this conversion?

BobbyK · 12-07-2004, 09:25 PM

Harness is from Jim's performance.

The Blazer was rewired with a stock replacement harness but I have since modified those harneses as well.

The TPI wiring and the orig. Blazer wiring are independant of each other.Other than grounds and power they do not mix.

My gains were approx. an extra 50 miles to the tank.(that's hwy miles with a 700R4 locked up doing between 65+75mph)
Instant startup and smooth idle,better throttle response.

The downfall of a stock TPI is that it falls flat after 5000rpm.The size of the runners really limit it's potential for power.
But for me and what I use my truck for it works great for me.

Burt....your one crazy MoFo!

Thanks though!!!

chevyal71 · 12-08-2004, 08:39 AM

BobbyK, Thanks for the info. Better mileage and performance, whats not to love there. Not to mention the cool look under the hood. 5000 rpm is plenty(not looking to smoke the rear tires ya know) Your work is an inspiration to us All i'm sure. Thanks for the great presentation!

loblazer · 12-09-2004, 02:07 PM

Hey Canuck! Nice truck and congrats.Lots of work but it paid off.

Doug

**Canadian694x4** · 12-12-2004, 03:30 PM

Congrats BobbyK! Truely Inspirational!

rustyg · 12-25-2004, 01:44 PM

I'm diggin' your Blaze! Can we clone it? I've been looking for a good set up for rear discs for awhile, how are they working for you. Sounds like you have fun wrenchin on your ride(s) Keep up the good work.

**FRENCHBLUE72** · 12-26-2004, 12:18 AM

Bobby that is a sweet azz blazer....

BobbyK · 12-26-2004, 01:54 AM

Thanks for the comments gents.
Rustg,The rear disk's work great ever since I put the 3/4 ton Booster on.

12-01-2004, 02:46 AM	#1
BobbyK Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Petrolia,Ontario,Canada but working in Port Huron,Mi. Posts: 1,771	December,69-72 Blazer of the month I been given an early Christmas gift and am honoured with the December Blazer of the month. So here's a little History on my beloved 71 Blazer. I bought it back in 1999 in Pheonix Arizona from a guy who was buying a new house and needed the cash.Looked it over and settled on 5K. I got my money's worth as all in all it was a REAL solid truck. Here is what I started with. MMMM...velvet. From the time I bought it to present I've been working on it and also driving it daily. In Nov. of 2002 I started the rebuild and took it off the road for 7 months. Myself and a friend tore it apart and stripped the paint off and repaired the rust. Typical rust for our trucks.You can poke your figer through these inner rockers. Anyway...a little elbow grease, a few bucks and 7 months later, I end up with this. Something that's nice to look at but ugly enough to still play in. I've done ALOT of crap to this truck.Here's just a few mods. Started with a rebuilt 4 bolt main 355 SBC and mated that to a TCI built 700R4.To make the 700R4 fit I moved the eng forward 1 7/8ths to retain the orig mounting points of the T/C and keep the driveline angles stock. Then put in TPI from a 91 Camaro. Rebuilt and recovered my buckets and rear seat.As well as putting in new carpeting from ACC. Added dual electric 14" fans.Keeps the beast nice and cool. Rebuilt and converted my factory A/C to R134.Cools nice! I added rear disc brakes from TSM.Used a 78 Corvette M/C and rear brake calipers(with integral parking brake) and prop. valve from a 84 Cadillac Eldorado. Well I just noticed how long this is getting so I'll end it here. I'd keep going with all the pic's of the mod's I've done but this post is long enough. Can you tell I love this stuff!!!! ALL the pic's to ALL the mod's I've made to my Blazer can be seen **HERE** __________________ 71 blazer,350SBC,approx.375HP,700R4,factory GM TPI.Dual electric fans,33x12.5x15 ATR on stock suspension. Petrolia,Ontario,Canada but working in Port Huron,MI. See ALL my Blazer pic's HERE Last edited by BobbyK; 12-01-2004 at 10:31 PM.

12-01-2004, 04:20 AM	#2
JayDubBlazer go cyclones Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Ames, IA Posts: 1,885	Sweet looking ride like the engine. Takes a lot of guts to take a truck like that offroad __________________ Wes PROJECT OLE GREEN 1972 Blazer 4X4 350/700R4 2017 Silverado LT

12-01-2004, 09:11 AM	#4
vtblazer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Vermont Posts: 8,538	Sweet Blazer To have it is to use it. Great mods, very nice work. Really sweet blazer.

12-01-2004, 01:00 PM	#6
71jimmy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 1,084	That's SWEEEEET! Especially like the TPI. How hard was it to bolt on and how much did it cost you to convert. I'm still a long way from rebuilding my motor and converting to TPI looks interesting, if I can afford it. Great ride! __________________ '71 Jimmy, 350, SM465, NP205, 2in Tuff Country lift, 33s on rallies, TBI, softtop and hardtop "If life was fair you'd be able to afford one of each and a garage large enough to house them all."

12-01-2004, 01:11 PM	#7
BobbyK Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Petrolia,Ontario,Canada but working in Port Huron,Mi. Posts: 1,771	TPI was $1,700.00.That was a "turn key" set-up...Just install and go. I know that that sounds expensive but piecing together a system can be just as expensive,unless of course you get everything from one doner car. __________________ 71 blazer,350SBC,approx.375HP,700R4,factory GM TPI.Dual electric fans,33x12.5x15 ATR on stock suspension. Petrolia,Ontario,Canada but working in Port Huron,MI. See ALL my Blazer pic's HERE

12-01-2004, 07:31 AM	#3
dtlilly Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Shadow of Lambeau Field Posts: 5,597	Congrats on the award, you have a great looking ride.

12-01-2004, 11:49 AM	#5
Mark70Z Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 128	Your Blazer is sharp! I hope mine looks half that good when I get it finished.

12-01-2004, 04:54 PM	#8
LUV2XCLR8 The LuvShack Garage Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side) Posts: 30,475	Congrats Another Outstanding Member Of The "Blazer Club" __________________ Owner/Op: "TN Classic Transport Carriers" The Toy: "Square Vette" 72 Hybrid Blazer Toy Barn: "LuvShack" 40 x 60 x 20 Shop Big Piggy: "Goliath" 07 Kodiak C4500 Lil Piggy:"Maddy" 88 Silverado 3500 Hauler: "Feathers" 14 Aluma 8218T

12-01-2004, 04:56 PM	#9
tpi72blazer Tpi72Blazer Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 92	Very nice Blazer! Your TPI conversion looks good. Do you have a hidden front winch? __________________ Indian - the other money pit

12-01-2004, 08:52 PM	#10
teamharvey Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Turlock, Ca Posts: 579	Very nice......can`t wait until mine is complete. __________________ 71 Custom 20 Deluxe..soon to be SWB 1/2 ton 1 incredible wife 2 great kids

12-01-2004, 10:16 PM	#11
BobbyK Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Petrolia,Ontario,Canada but working in Port Huron,Mi. Posts: 1,771	Yup....Warn 9000 right behind the bumper. __________________ 71 blazer,350SBC,approx.375HP,700R4,factory GM TPI.Dual electric fans,33x12.5x15 ATR on stock suspension. Petrolia,Ontario,Canada but working in Port Huron,MI. See ALL my Blazer pic's HERE

12-01-2004, 11:15 PM	#12
Gee_Emm Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 4,002	I love the color, not too common.

12-01-2004, 11:29 PM	#13
teeitup Just like to part out trucks!! Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Meriden, Ks-North of Topeka 10 miles Posts: 27,396	You did a GREAT job, sweet looking blazer!!!!!! __________________ 67 Chev swb stepside 4x4 283 4 speed SOLD 72 blazer 4x4 4 speed Cheyenne 72 GMC swb 4x4 fleet 4 speed, original paint 1958 Cameo (one of 1405 built, it was my dads) 2020 chevy Apex 4x4 crew cab 1969 Z28 with the 302 1980 chevy swb 4x4 1964 chevell Malibu SS 1976 K20, sold new originally out of my dads chevy dealership Members that I've met, over 200 probably closer to 300 in the 12 years I've been on this site, everyone I met "It was a pleasure"

12-02-2004, 05:36 PM	#14
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,683	Definitely one of my favorite K5's - awesome stuff you have done to it. __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

12-07-2004, 03:19 PM	#15
Burt4x4 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 1,842	YYYYYYEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABOBK! Congrats BobbyK, you deserve it! Burt __________________ 1972 K5 MPFI454/Sm465/Np205/D60/14FFd/Re-Centerd H1s w/Swamper Iroks



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12-07-2004, 07:22 PM	#16
chevyal71 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: central ny Posts: 44	NICE!!!! I had the TPI idea also and I have a doner car. could you tell me about the harness? did you buy one out of Jims Performance or splice the blazer and TPI harness together? Also how much did you gain from this conversion?

12-07-2004, 09:25 PM	#17
BobbyK Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Petrolia,Ontario,Canada but working in Port Huron,Mi. Posts: 1,771	Harness is from Jim's performance. The Blazer was rewired with a stock replacement harness but I have since modified those harneses as well. The TPI wiring and the orig. Blazer wiring are independant of each other.Other than grounds and power they do not mix. My gains were approx. an extra 50 miles to the tank.(that's hwy miles with a 700R4 locked up doing between 65+75mph) Instant startup and smooth idle,better throttle response. The downfall of a stock TPI is that it falls flat after 5000rpm.The size of the runners really limit it's potential for power. But for me and what I use my truck for it works great for me. Burt....your one crazy MoFo!Thanks though!!! __________________ 71 blazer,350SBC,approx.375HP,700R4,factory GM TPI.Dual electric fans,33x12.5x15 ATR on stock suspension. Petrolia,Ontario,Canada but working in Port Huron,MI. See ALL my Blazer pic's HERE

12-08-2004, 08:39 AM	#18
chevyal71 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: central ny Posts: 44	BobbyK, Thanks for the info. Better mileage and performance, whats not to love there. Not to mention the cool look under the hood. 5000 rpm is plenty(not looking to smoke the rear tires ya know) Your work is an inspiration to us All i'm sure. Thanks for the great presentation!

12-09-2004, 02:07 PM	#19
loblazer Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Fergus, Ontario Posts: 481	Hey Canuck! Nice truck and congrats.Lots of work but it paid off. Doug

12-12-2004, 03:30 PM	#20
Canadian694x4 Born To Lose Club Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta/Oxenden, Ontario, Great White North Posts: 13,306	Congrats BobbyK! Truely Inspirational! __________________ Brian Smith - "Born To Lose" 1969 Chevrolet K10 LWB Fleetside - Proud Owner For 20 Yrs - 1 of 208 Built & Sold In Canada! - 283 V8/350TH/NP208, 2" All Spring Lift, 32" Good Year MT/R's. 1972 GMC K2500 Custom LWB Fleetside - Proud Owner For 2 Yrs - 1 of 571 Built & Sold In Canada! - 350 V8/SM465/NP205, 4” Rough Country Lift, 33” Interco TSL Thornbirds 2007.5 GMC Sierra SLE 2500HD 4x4 - Proud Owner For 15 Yrs - 6.6L V8 Duramax Diesel/Allison 1000, 2" Lift, 33" Mickey Thompson MTZ's. 2008 Yamaha Raptor 700r - Proud Owner For 13 Yrs - ITP Mud Lites. 2015 John Deere 1025R - Proud Owner For 6 Yrs - 24HP Diesel/H120/54D/260B/SB1154.

12-25-2004, 01:44 PM	#21
rustyg Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Gap-Pa. Posts: 186	Congrats on a real nice blazer I'm diggin' your Blaze! Can we clone it? I've been looking for a good set up for rear discs for awhile, how are they working for you. Sounds like you have fun wrenchin on your ride(s) Keep up the good work. __________________ 71 k10 swb 72 k5 72 Burb 4x4 72 GMC Burb 4x4

12-26-2004, 12:18 AM	#22
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,590	Bobby that is a sweet azz blazer.... __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

12-26-2004, 01:54 AM	#23
BobbyK Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Petrolia,Ontario,Canada but working in Port Huron,Mi. Posts: 1,771	Thanks for the comments gents. Rustg,The rear disk's work great ever since I put the 3/4 ton Booster on. __________________ 71 blazer,350SBC,approx.375HP,700R4,factory GM TPI.Dual electric fans,33x12.5x15 ATR on stock suspension. Petrolia,Ontario,Canada but working in Port Huron,MI. See ALL my Blazer pic's HERE

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