1972 Build thread.

[Spf79]

Originally Posted by SeventyOne

My two cents on these issues since you're getting help on the Tcase.

You can use something like this to move the axle back in the wheel well.
https://www.wfoconcepts.com/pr/Leaf-...n-Plates/20071

There's similar parts available just find the one you want. Another option is to remove your rear axle, cut off the stock perches and weld on these: https://www.wfoconcepts.com/pr/2-5-L...rch/16871/3373

I went with option two to center my axle up in the wheel well.
Attachment 2062730

For your headers I'd recommend Sanderson headers. I used these and they fit and look amazing. Happy to post a pic if you want.
https://www.sandersonheaders.com/san...ategory_id=551

Excellent, thank you for the links, I am looking at the zero rates from ORD, but I like the first link you sent, especially with the top plate that matches. I may have to get that top plate, if I can't alter mine easily enough. I powder coated my axles, so I want to avoid cutting and welding on them now. (Sad face)

I was actually looking at the old school Sanderson manifolds, I didn't look at the headers yet. Thank you for the link on those as well, it is good to know that they fit. I'm going to wait and see how this all meshes together once I adjust the transfer case so the body can be fully mounted. Maybe The header will fit after everything is in place... I doubt ut will, but here is for wishful thinking.

I love your Blazer's stance, what is your lift/tire set up? It looks amazing.

Thank you again for taking the time to respond.

[SeventyOne]

Originally Posted by Spf79

I love your Blazer's stance, what is your lift/tire set up? It looks amazing.

Thank you again for taking the time to respond.

Thanks - it's 6" lift Alcan springs up front, 2" lift Alcan springs in the rear plus an ORD shackle flip for the other 4" for 6" total.

Tires are 37x12.50r17 Goodyear Wrangler MTRs.

And you're welcome!

[simicrintz]

Very jealous; that looks AWESOME!!!

[Spf79]

Originally Posted by simicrintz

Very jealous; that looks AWESOME!!!

Thanks buddy, I am still opening the garage door periodically to check that it is still there.

[Spf79]

Ok...

Doing some reading... on this forum for the most part. A big thank you to everyone that pitches their experience and information into this community.

Here are my issues.

I switched from a Rockwell transfer case to a np205 transfer case, the 205 should have been original equipment for this model. Therefore it should fit, unfortunately mine does not. I am learning that there was a 3/4 ton crossmember, and a 1/2 ton crossmember, the 3/4 ton being a taller crossmember? The 3/4 ton frame being taller allowed for this extra height... I do not know how to confirm this to be true. Regardless, this appears to be my issue. Any feedback on this from anyone?

The fix? I get a 1/2" or 1" spacer kit...

Problems that the spacer kit will create?
I may create a front driveline/deep th350 pan issue...
I may create the tall valve cover/firewall issue... although, I think I already have the valve cover issue. Grrr.

Plan?...
Change the tranny pan out to something less awesome. Burning $$$...
Put a dent in my firewall with the double hammer method since my valve train will not low me to use standard valve covers. Pit in stomach...

Any other ideas on this one?

One other item, my mounting location on my frame on the passenger side forward mount appears to be bent down about 3/4 of an inch... on the outside , not the inside of the ear... eye twitching. Although I'm not super concerned about this since the doors fit and opened/closed really well before I took them apart... So I tell myself.

[DeadheadNM]

Can you post photos when possible of how the tcase is mounted at the frame rail and at the crossmember? The crossmember for the tcase should be same 3/4 or 1/2 t. Is it SBC bolted to th350 bolted to the NP205 with OE adapter to the tranny?

Brad had what may have been a similar issue albeit with a 69 cab. Is there a chance the case for NP205s was changed at some point with a later style less accommodating for these trucks? Just a thought as neither his nor yours were original to the vehicles. Maybe ask Brad to weigh in. Here’s his relevant post on the matter: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...&postcount=152

[Spf79]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

Can you post photos when possible of how the tcase is mounted at the frame rail and at the crossmember? The crossmember for the tcase should be same 3/4 or 1/2 t. Is it SBC bolted to th350 bolted to the NP205 with OE adapter to the tranny?

Brad had what may have been a similar issue albeit with a 69 cab. Is there a chance the case for NP205s was changed at some point with a later style less accommodating for these trucks? Just a thought as neither his nor yours were original to the vehicles. Maybe ask Brad to weigh in. Here’s his relevant post on the matter: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...&postcount=152

Thank you for replying, I really appreciate it!
I read that thread, same issue. I will follow up with him, I thought he had a low hump cab? Can't remember now, I will re-read that thread..

Yes sir, I have a sbc/th350 - but I am bolted to the transfer case with an advanced adapters piece as a replacement to the original adapter. It does not appear to be clocking the transfer case different than stock. Although it could be a taller piece due to it being made from aluminum they may need more material for the required strength.... hmmmm...

I read up on 205's after reading your post. They changed in 1985, last production year being 1991. Mine is out of a 78 something Cheverolet with a 4spd.

Here is a picture or two.
Let me know your thoughts, I hope I missed something that you are about to catch. Thank you again for taking the time to help. .

[Spf79]

Originally Posted by Spf79

Thank you for replying, I really appreciate it!
I read that thread, same issue. I will follow up with him, I thought he had a low hump cab? Can't remember now, I will re-read that thread..

Yes sir, I have a sbc/th350 - but I am bolted to the transfer case with an advanced adapters piece as a replacement to the original adapter. It does not appear to be clocking the transfer case different than stock. Although it could be a taller piece due to it being made from aluminum they may need more material for the required strength.... hmmmm...

I read up on 205's after reading your post. They changed in 1985, last production year being 1991. Mine is out of a 78 something Cheverolet with a 4spd.

Here is a picture or two.
Let me know your thoughts, I hope I missed something that you are about to catch. Thank you again for taking the time to help. .

I just sent advanced adapters a question about their dimensions matching OEM. I'll let you know what I hear.

[Spf79]

Originally Posted by Spf79

I just sent advanced adapters a question about their dimensions matching OEM. I'll let you know what I hear.

The advanced adapters piece is an exact copy of the original, not of the earlier model, but of the later model. I need to look into this, and if there are differences between early adapters and later adapters. Long sigh.

[jaros44sr]

I can take measurements if you like, as I have the same basic setup, my fingers just fit above my t/c

8quart oil pan and a deep trans pan

I was thinking tc mounts, but you have the same as me

[DeadheadNM]

Are the brackets present and in original factory location to affix the tcase to the frame rail? Not just xmember.

[Spf79]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

Are the brackets present and in original factory location to affix the tcase to the frame rail? Not just xmember.

Yes sir, everything lines up as it should. I'm waiting for my transfer case side support to be finished at the powder coater, I checked it before dropping it off and it lined up with the frame holes as well. I feel good about it being in the correct location. Head scratcher.

[DeadheadNM]

Do you have adequate t-case clearance now?

[Spf79]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

Do you have adequate t-case clearance now?

Negative, but thank you for checking in on me.

I am better than where I started. Once I did the hillbilly 2x4 method, I had also noticed that the sides of the body mount on the frame were bowed out. I used a dead blow hammer to get them tucked back in straight. I performed this high IQ process a couple of times and appeared to get the mount moved back up about a 1/2".

The body puck fits with less than a 1/4" gap, I can move it around easily, but not pull it out due to the lip catching on the frame mounting hole.

There are a couple of knowledgeable 67-72 guys here where I live that have run into this transfer case issue before. No one had a reason why.. One of them shimmed the body up with large washers, and one dropped the transfer case down a smidge. I'd rather shim the transfer case down a touch than lift the body any higher. There was also the suggestion of moving the whole moter, tranny and t-case forward to the c10 position. I'll pass on that one.

I have a fair amount of items to attack at the moment. I will get the wiring under the dash complete before I mount the doors... once the doors are mounted and I start putting the fenders on, I'll figure out what needs to be done with this body mount. I assume that it will mess with door alignment if I crank it down how it is.

[DeadheadNM]

Check. Any idea what occurred to bend the mount? Are the other mounts in good shape? I’m still puzzled by the lack of TC clearance and wonder if a settling tub because of sagging mounts could be the cause.

[Spf79]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

Check. Any idea what occurred to bend the mount? Are the other mounts in good shape? I’m still puzzled by the lack of TC clearance and wonder if a settling tub because of sagging mounts could be the cause.

No idea, all of the other mounts are in great shape... and the body is sitting flat on all of them. I know the front driver side does not have all of the weight from the body on the puck.

Just thinking, and I should have mentioned this earlier... the frame is a 1971, the body is 72. I wish I would have taken more pictures during the teardown. It came apart without any trouble, I didn't think to check for things like this. The previous running gear should have had the same issue when looking back at the Rockwell transfer case that was in there. Maybe the frame mount got bent when at the powder coater? They were pretty cavalier when running the frame around with a forklift.

[Spf79]

If I forget about the body mount stuff, I'd say im pretty pleased at the moment. I picked up my remaining body parts from the painter, very happy. I will have to take the Blazer back once I get it together for them to fix a few spots that are no worky.
I figured having it on a rotisserie for them would have made it easier.
Current, I have my home office as a makeshift storage unit.

Other items... I got the wire harness bolted to the firewall, and I picked up my last big powder coat batch. Inner fenders, core support and a bunch of brackets. I'm currently waiting on a small order of random under dash stuff to show up. I broke my original brake pedal shaft bushings when trying to reinstall. Dumb.

I need to do some more refurbishment stuff tomorrow. Windshield wiper assembly is on the docket.

Oh! And I sourced an original set of deep style front window stainless trim. Pick it up next week. Yay!

[DeadheadNM]

Good progress.

Curious how a Rockwell t-case ended up in place. Only Dana 20s and NP205s were used in K5s. The Dana was used for 3OTT applications in 71.

[Spf79]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

Good progress.

Curious how a Rockwell t-case ended up in place. Only Dana 20s and NP205s were used in K5s. The Dana was used for 3OTT applications in 71.

Eastern Washington loggers...

The Blazer was in an accident in the late 90's from what I can tell from the paperwork I got with it. Unfortunately they bent the frame. So... they bought a 71 frame and welded the rear frame horns from the 72 frame onto it.

I assume they wanted a manual transmission when this was happening. This is also when the truck went from orange to green, and a 67/68 front clip was added.
I worked for a commercial tire place when I was 18, I spent a fair amount of time around loggers at this time. The don't mess around. Ha!

I'll have to look again, but I don't think that manual transmission and transfer case were from the same vehicle either.

[Spf79]

Transmission/transfer case have been dropped almost an inch.
I now have a index finger space between the top of the t-case and bottom of the tub.

Drivelines are good, valve covers and headers are no worky. I ordered some headers tonight, I'll post pics once they arrive and I make sure they fit. Not sure what the plan is for the valve covers. I'm maybe a 1/4 off at the top of the valve cover. Either I dent the firewall, or I try those Cheverolet script valve covers that have the more rounded edges. Eye twitching just a smidge. I like my current valve covers, and I don't want to dent my firewall.

I'm going to assume that HEI will not fit, and save myself the headache of buying, and then trying to fit.

[Spf79]

Update...

Not much done over the last 10 months.
More wiring, piddly items.

I had my header altered by an exhaust shop, and then re-coated black.
I reassembled the heater box and bolted it all in to make sure it fit well. It does.

Roll bar, I found the one I wanted, and then powder coated it in a polished stainless look. I'm pretty happy with it.

Valve covers fit with the body bolted down. Very happy.

I ended up going with an MSD ignition system in place of doing an Hei ignition.
I bought my brake booster assembly as well, 11" booster for added stopping power... hopefully.

[Spf79]

Apparently I am having trouble posting more pics, due to a.missing security token. Sorry. I'll update more once this is resolved.

[jaros44sr]

Nice work, great attention to detail. Good idea on the battery shut offs.
She is looking real pretty

[Spf79]

Originally Posted by jaros44sr

Nice work, great attention to detail. Good idea on the battery shut offs.
She is looking real pretty

Thank you!!

[1rippen6]

Security token is your pictures are to large, either resize them or do fewer pictures. You can resize in paint fairly easy if you have that. I'm late to the party but your transfer case clearance, did you use the dana 20 or rockwell crossmember. Why I ask, I've parted a few blazers with the dana 20 and the crossmember seems to be a hair shorter. I would say by about 1/2 an inch. I've checked 2 different ones in the past, look the same but shorter. It could just be supplier differences, I've never tired looking the part numbers up.