My K5 Blazer Story.

[Zoomad75]

Originally Posted by dieseldawg142

super glad you got your "bug out buddy" back, i'd be going nuts not knowing where my dawgs were...
sorry for your loss as well, my mom passed in 2018, it's never easy.
and i'll bet your a torque junky now, nice step up from the five three. that eight one looks like a piece of jewelry in your blaze-how is your gas consumption now?.....aw who cares about mpg's anyways.....

I tell you what, that pooch is a lot more faithful than my ex. Drove around for 2 solid days looking for her and probably would have lost my sanity had she not turned up. It was a pretty good sign if I stuck around something worse was going to happen so I hit the gas and split. Not my kind of way of doing things, but I did and it's behind me.

Losing my Mom was a gut punch but it was a much better option than to continue watch her degrade with ALS as she did. That was a big reason behind going to AZ so that I could clear my head, bond with the pooch, and take a lot of time looking out the best picture window as we plodded through the desert landscape. I'm pretty sure I got a clear sign from my Mom out there that it was ok to start over. The entire trip and the damage I put into the truck was totally worth those precious few minutes.


Torque junky is a good way to describe it. The first couple of weeks I drove it like a pissed off teenager and banged gears like Ronnie Sox on the strip. Fun for sure, not so keen on the old wallet. It's awful thirsty when leaned on hard. Like 8 mpg hard. Surprisingly if the truck is driven like an adult it doesn't get any worse mileage than the 5.3 I took out. Typical average running around town, back and forth to work was in the high 12's to mid 13's pretty consistently. I've seen as high as 16 going to Moab from Denver last year. That was driving straight into the Rockies climbing 3 solid passes in that stretch. That's no joke either. I've repeated that this year. Though once out on the Flats following Larry out of Grand Junction with an 80mph speed limit in Utah we might be doing 90 at times. Back to single digits again.

The big difference in power is really felt in the mountains obviously. The nv4500 helps in that I'm the one in charge of what gear to be. But having more torque off idle than the 5.3 made at peak makes the biggest improvement. Mountain passes before had to be tackled in shuttling the 700 between 2nd and 3rd gear to keep the engine wound up in the meat of the torque curve. Now, if traffic or the road allows I can climb passes in 5th in most cases. The steepest ones might require a short kick in 4th as the 4.10 gears in the axle keep the cruise rpm on the low side. But overall it's a kick in the pants the truck needed to make it fun to drive and much less like you have to beat on it like it owed me money. I will say this the pull from 2nd to 3rd is fun. 3rd to 4th is pretty fun too, though it's usually exceeding most local speed limits by the time you are pulling the shifter to 4th.

Its almost silly it moves as quickly as it does despite the weight and aerodynamics of a barn door.

[Zoomad75]

Getting back to the action, we left our moonscape campsite to explore more of the lunar surface near Factory Butte.



We came back to Hanksville for a splash of gas, restock of suds and maybe an ice cream bar. Then we went right back to dirt. Found a clear spot on high ground as recent afternoon rains had been causing serious flooding.



Al Pastor pork tacos on the menu that night. We don't go hungry on these trips.


The drone I picked up was pretty fun to screw around with..


Nights in the desert are pretty sweet too.


Looking back on the Henry Mountains we started out our trip in.


We decided to go back into Poison Spring Canyon like we did two years earlier.


It's always cool to find water out here. Provides a great place to stop while I wait for the rest to catch up. Pretty good relief walking around in it to cool off too.


The trail goes steeply down to the river in the bottom of the canyon to cross and begin climbing back up again.


This is about as close to a selfie you'll get. I used my knockoff go-pro to catch me out in the middle checking the depth. Might have been an excuse to get into the water again as it was HOT and there is no a/c in my truck. The water was much deeper than the last time. I was up to my knees this time due to the runoff from all the recent rains.


Not a bad campsite.


Our last day on the trail led us south to Mexican Hat where we refueled and headed over to Monument Valley. I swore I saw the Road Runner and Coyote run by us at one point.






The Blazer made it back without issue. The new transmission with deeper first gear proved to be killer in downhill runs and steep climbs. Just let out the clutch and let it creep along.

I made a quick weekend trip to the mountains with my sis and her hubby in the summer and got skunked fishing. Came back and prepped for Blazer Bash again. My plan was for my son and I to go out early and take on White Rim trail within Canyonlands with my buddy Bill.

However, the truck had other plans. We took off and started up the initial climb up I-70 west of Denver and the 8.1 was WAY down on power. Like needing 3rd gear to maintain 45mph and slowing down. I pulled off the highway to a parking lot and scanned for codes with my phone and sure enough it was setting lean fuel trim codes, misfires. Sure felt like it was not getting enough fuel. Hooked up my gauge and confirmed my thought. 45psi. Should be a solid 20psi more and I was honestly surprised it actually ran with that low of fuel pressure. Ordered a Delphi pump at the Napa near my house and headed that way to pick it up. Called my Dad to let him know what was up and picked up lunch.

So the start of our trip has us back in the driveway siphoning fuel out of a completely full tank.


The kid was a major help to rip the tank out and back in again. And to head off the obvious, no I'm not cutting a hole in the floor to make that job easier. There's too much crap from the camper in the way.


Sucess! 65 PSI! Let's hit the road! Bill had already left Pueblo for us to meet outside of Canyonlands. Dad thought we were nuts, but the truck ran like a top. Back to climbing passes in 5th again.


We crossed the state line at 11:59 so my goal to get into Utah that day was met. The next morning we checked in at the National park visitors center for our permits and to secure a campsite on White Rim. That trail is a right at a 100 mile loop from end to end covering the top of a huge mesa that has the Colorado River on it's east and the Green River on it's west. There are no facilities short of the few campsites. No fuel, water or anything unless you bring it with you. Our kind of fun. The Schaffer switchbacks drop you into the area from the visitors center.




We had lunch on the Colorado river by taking a side trail down to it.


Our campsite was up on Murphy's Hogback. Amazing spot.


The night sky was very bright with a near full moon. But still it was fun to get some night shots.


Continued....

[Zoomad75]

After sweating our asses off in the camper that night we decided to get moving early to try and beat the heat of the day. We failed in that. The heat was oppressive and had my son and me on edge. This was not a good time either as we had the toughest section of the trail up ahead.

Don't let the scenery fool you though..


It's steep and narrow.


Photos were limited from that point. We got ourselves into a situation on one of the uphill sections. Following Bill's Waggy into a tight section the trail had a hard left turn at the top of a climb. The turn was so tight, you needed to actually go right, and turn around in a wide flat spot and then head back the other way. We had stopped to let Bill turn around and then we would continue up. Though when watching Bill make that last climb we saw the right rear wheel of the waggy on the edge of what would be best described as a drainage ditch off the main trail. We noted to each other to watch it as we got up to it. I made my way up to that spot I had came to a stop just before my front tires getting to the level ground. As soon as we stopped we felt the truck list over quickly to the passenger side as the ground gave way under the right rear tire. I looked at my Lev-o-gauge on the dash and saw the little ball peg at the end showing 45 degrees. I'm pretty sure at that point the left rear tire was off the ground and then the truck settled back to the left bringing the gauge back to 35 degrees.

It was tense for a few minutes. I knew if I got out, the loss of my weight might allow the truck to continue to go over. My son didn't want to get out but he might weigh 140 pounds at the most, but the Dad side of me wanted him as far from inside of the truck as possible. Bill got our attention over the radio and told us not to move. Yeah, already doing that! He said he'd position the waggy and start unspooling the winch rope. I had a soft shackle under the kid's seat and had him pull it out. I tossed it out the window to Bill as he was rolling over to the front of my truck. Keep in mind Bill is in a wheelchair getting this recovery going. Hooked up he got back to the Waggy and started the pull. Though the heft of the K5 did more to pull the his truck to mine than mine to his.

Bill called back on the radio for the kid to hop out and come hold the brake on the Waggy. It was the ticket. We only needed a few feet worth of tugging and with the K5 slowly turning tires in low/low it walked out without any damage other than brown stains on both the seat covers.

After we got pulled up:


The rest of the way out was done mostly in silence as we were both spooked and paying extra close attention to any narrow section. Getting back to pavement, we decided to drive back to Moab and get a shake from a little local joint and figure out our next move.

We had planned to head back out on another trail and camp out one more night before meeting up with the Blazer Bash folks. But with the heat still high we needed a break. I called our campground and was able to snag a cabin with a/c for the night. We had our own shower too. Bingo, sold. Bill took his time heading back to Colorado and we checked into the campground. Meeting up with the crew after cleaning up was a good time catching up and bench racing. I was leading a trail on Saturday again and felt like we should pre-run it because there was some mention of damage from recent flooding.

So we set off the next morning for Chicken Corners with a friend from Texas in his killer Suburban with his Dad.

The trail takes us up and over Hurrah Pass. We are now on the east side of the Colorado river and looking due west back into Canyonlands where we were at a couple of days before.





We stopped for lunch in a cool shady spot and took in our surroundings while having a great conversation.




David's Burb is a mechanical work of art. Tucks 40's, moves faster over rough track than you would think the laws of physics would allow. I've seen it rock crawl like it's nothing and dance over dirt roads like a pre-runner. Amazing.


We came back to camp and I used the residual heat from our fun to help de-thaw a couple of t-bones for us to eat for dinner.



Blazer Bash is next...

[Zoomad75]

Friday morning at Blazer Bash. A small sample of the trucks that showed up.







We chose to go on the Steelbender trail. That proved to be dumb on my part. But we did pretty good until we didn't.



The Fall was pretty crazy to go down.



This might give you an idea how the rest of the trail went.


The cliff notes version is I hurt the beast. Bad. Started out with what sounded like another broken front axle shaft. Upon further inspection both looked ok. Got tugged out of a light spot and got to a spot to take the hub apart on the side that made the noise. Found lots of debris, chunks and gritty grease. The outer locknut on the spindle backed off and chewed up the backside of the hub. The spindle was damaged too on the threads. I patched it together which, was to throw another lockout hub on it and worry about it back at camp. The problem was, we had more break on the way out. Taking it easy we were rolling along when we heard a loud snap come from under the truck an seconds later a report of a massive amount of fluid leaking.

We stopped again to inspect. It's atf pouring at a high rate. Since the nv4500 doesn't take ATF the only source is the 241. It's got a gaping wound on the rear case half near the skid plate. So much for the skid plate protecting the case. We had got hung up on the belly earlier and it shoved the factory skid plate up into the case. It bound it up the noise we heard was the case letting go.

Group consensus was to pull the rear shaft and get tugged out. After making it another half mile and popping a front tire off the bead from getting tugged I lost my cool and vented some, regrouped and shoved the shaft back in and went back to driving it in 2wd to keep the load off the front output. We still had a way to go and a handfull of crazy climbs to get out. We got tugged in the hard spots but drove it out. One of the other guys got a trailer over to the trail to get us back to camp.

We were late enough the BBQ was going on already with the rest of the Blazer Bash attendees. I was handed the hard luck award for our troubles.






The next day we spent figuring out how to get the K5 back to Denver. Though many offered, I ended up calling Bill and out he came with the rescue Waggy and a trailer.


Since getting back my son and I repaired the axle with a fresh good used spindle and bearings. All the grease was flushed out to rid it of the metal slurry and chunks.

We then removed the t-case and got to inspect it further. First thing I noticed was the skid plate still being under tension until we loosened up the bolts to it. With it apart the rear half we knew was cracked, but we found a small crack in the front too. I had a spare case so I wasn't too concerned. But the rear output bearing housing was cracked at a mounting ear too. Being a 2 year only passenger side drop 241 with the VSS sensor, that housing is a unicorn to find.






Coming apart..


Junk in the case stuck to the magnet. Turns out it was a block from the synchronizer and one of the retaining springs.


Broke bearing housing.


Though my search had me spread a net far and wide. I ended up calling Off Road Design in hopes they had a junk 241 core I could rob parts from. They didn't but they did enlighten me that a Driver side drop 241 rear bearing housing fits. The VSS sensor clocks differently but it's still in line with the tone ring. Found one on ebay and ordered it.



Waiting on a couple of small pieces I ordered to go back together. I did already get a full rebuild kit and a SYE kit too.

[Willowrun]

Being in Michigan I greatly enjoy seeing your adventures out west. One of my favorite threads for sure!

[Zoomad75]

Originally Posted by Willowrun

Being in Michigan I greatly enjoy seeing your adventures out west. One of my favorite threads for sure!

Thanks. We have fun out on our adventures, but putting them up also gives me an ability to come back and relive some of the moments too.

[Zoomad75]

Been too cold and too busy to do anything on the t-case. But I did manage to get a correct rear bearing housing from another member over on CK5. All the housings need cleanup, but I've got all the parts to get moving on that.

Though a couple of months back I did something to change the truck in the front end again. My original Warn Premium winch bumper took on more damage on Steel Bender in Moab (quite the appropriate name I think) and added with the damage it took from a snow wheeling trip where it actually was torn, it was time to retire it from abuse. The free to me Warn XD9000i winch was still capable but was going to need some love in the motor department. I had an intermittent condition where the motor wouldn't respond to the switch input without tapping on the motor itself to get it to work.

I've been following a new company that caters to old squarebody trucks and started out making sweet shackle brackets to replace tow hooks for safer recoveries and slick winch mounts that hide behind stock bumpers. Look them up over at Engineered Vintage on Instagram or online. They posted a coming soon item as a replacement for the long discontinued "bumper in a box" type bumpers sold by Warn and other winch manufacturers back in the day. Anybody that has shopped for one on craigslist, FB marketplace or even at a swap meet have found that the owners think they were cast out of gold or something. If you happen to lay eyes on them they have decades worth of abuse, the mounts require work or all new parts and usually full on restoration. On top of that they are not that "beefy" in the mount department to start with. The last one I found online wanted $1500 for a very crusty one.

So the Engineered Vintage solution is to get the look right with much much stronger structure and mounting. It's the spitting image of a vintage Warn bumper but 10 times stronger. So the day he opened up the ordering I put my order in over my morning toast. I clicked another box on the order for the winch I planned to run. As they have been come to be known as the "one winch to rule them all" otherwise known as the old school but fast and strong Warn 8274 upright winch. I got mine by horse trading a set of squarebody hydraulic clutch/brake pedals to a buddy that needed them and he was willing to let go of the winch.

It fits my plan to have the vintage look and feel, but with a modern twist. In this case I've got a list of part numbers to update the 1977 built winch to today's 8274-70 specs with the 6.5 hp motor and modern albright contactor relay over the old solenoids. The mechanical bits have very little changes, but the motor and relay bump the winch weight rating up from 8,000 pounds to a full 10,000 pounds. Combined with 125 feet of synthetic rope it will be a combination that will be hard to beat.

Two of these boxes showed up a couple days before the holiday. Merry Christmas to me!

Looking good so far..


Thick lazer cut goodness.


The winch is crusty, but all there. Plus the freespool handle isn't frozen like many this age normally are.