73 2wd Jimmy "C514"

[Hertzdaddy]

Hello everyone. I've been lurking a lot and posting a little for a while now and its time to get this build thread started. I bought this Jimmy back in Aug. 08 but through some bad circumstances it didn't get to me until this June. Plans for this build include dropping a 514" Caddy motor in it and fixing it up to be a play toy with maybe some occasional drag racing. I'm not planning on making it a daily driver but it should be able to haul the family to the ice cream parlor on the weekends. It has a mini tub on it now so bigger wheels and tires are planned. Also some caltracs and a posi rear end.

The motor is out right now for some minor work. I'm cleaning up some of the work done to the engine bay too.

Should be a lot of fun when I'm done.

[Jonboy]

Right on. Cadillac power rocks!

[N2TRUX]

Sweet project. Love the stance and color. Is that Caddy motor painted Ford blue? You know that will hurt the performance..

[Hertzdaddy]

Yep, its Ford Blue. It wasn't my idea but it should cause some confusion for anyone looking under the hood. I've got my fingers crossed that it will run ok and not leak oil though.

[Jonboy]

The early Cadillac V8's were a similar shade of blue. Maybe you could fib and say it's Cadillac Blue?

[Farmer Mike]

That's my old Jimmy! I recognize it from the toggle switch under the steering column (rear window), mini-tubs, and herculiner.

Any of these pix look familiar? I'm happy it's being well taken care of!

Mike

[menace121978]

wow! very nice! at finding your old truck... what a trip!

[dieselarmy13]

Cool!

[Hertzdaddy]

Yep that's it. I had found some paperwork with old names on it and was thinking, based on the work done, that this person might be on this board. And I was right!

The truck is in good shape considering its age. The owner down in FL didn't do much to it besides paint. The door panels are missing now too.

Did you do the gauge cluster swap? Anything else you could tell me about it?

PM sent.

Eric

[LiveAnimals]

Mmmm topless, haha. Good lookin Blazer man.

[Farmer Mike]

Howdy,

I owned the Jimmy for over 8 years. The truck was originally from California. I bought it in Phoenix in April 1996 as a collection of parts sitting on a rolling chassis. I installed a 400 small block and a turbo 400 (375) transmission. I liked the look of the newer front clip so I added front sheet metal from a 86 donor truck (What was I thinking?!). The original rear end was a 12 bolt with 3.73 gears and ladder bar suspension. The gears were bad so swapped in leafs and a 10 bolt with 3.08 gears.

The suspension had lowered Bell-Tech gas shocks and western 2” spindles. The rear end had a shackle-flip and the frame was “C” notched. It had 10” Crager Streetstar rims in the rear and 275-60-15 BFGs. The front had 7” Cragars and 235-60-15 Uniroyal tires (I love the rallys it has now).

I installed an original set of Blazer seats and center console. The seats assemblies were nice shape but need to be recovered. The floor and bed has a coat of Herculiner on it. The gauge set was out of a newer truck. I modified the wiring harness to work with the newer cluster.

It's SO MUCH better now than when I had it. Have fun!!

[Hertzdaddy]

Great info and pics. Thanks.

Its funny. My plans include a 4-link and, surprise, 3.73 gearing. I would have been really jazzed if it was already installed. That would have saved me lots of time and money.

[tvblazer78]

Cool story!

[flamingbig10]

nice jimmy

[Manbearpig]

Omg I want my K5 to sit like that

[silvereagle07]

Wow, great story. The blazer looks great slammed with rallyes. It makes me want to buy one.

[Damien]

This truck is tits! I'm glad someone put the right front end back on. It looks like a solid foundation.

[Hertzdaddy]

Its been a while but I have been busy. Here is a vid of the engine installed and running. There is some lifter clatter on the pass side that I'm gonna have to address.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnnplwhvjOg

The install uses the factory stands from the Jimmy and Cadillac 425 mounts from a 78 era deville. The radiator is an 2 x 17 x 34 aluminum unit from a post 88 truck. I used 2" square aluminum tube on top and bottom of the radiator and it fits nearly perfectly. Could cut down one tube to 1 3/4 or so to make it perfect but I didn't. As is the fins are exposed perfectly in the opening and the fan doesn't hit so I'm happy. No issues at idle at least.

[Driveway Dreams]

Wow! I missed this before! Cool story here, and cooler ride. Really like the very 1st picture. That seems to reall catch the overall truck.

[tvblazer78]

Sound smooth and good! get us some pics when you get it out on the road.

[Gemp]

Nice truck, I like out of the box engine combos......

[VA72C10]

Got to see this cool jimmy in person today. Looks good and sounds great nice meeting you Eric and thanks for the help!!!
Posted via Mobile Device

[Hertzdaddy]

You're welcome Jonathon, it was great meeting you and seeing your "collection." (Folks, you have no idea. All I can say is he has one very understanding wife).

I've been really slack about keeping this thread up to date. I'll try and post up a condensed version with pics this week.

[Hertzdaddy]

Dropped in a 3.73 posi in place of the open 3.07. Woke her up good!

Tuned the posi per Tom's Diffs instructions and it works like a charm. No springs plus tight shims equals quiet operation and instant lockup. Very happy!

Now I need some slightly taller tires and maybe an overdrive automatic.