72 with 3/4 axles

[wingnut62]

Ok so I am restoring a blazer for a guy and he's requested an LS swap, no biggie, new gauges, steering column etc....basically fix whats broken and update lots of 'stuff'. At any rate my question for anyone here is this, he has the 14 bolt 3/4 ton axles under it. He has only had this blazer for about a year and doesn't have much info on what the PO did to it. It is a four speed vehicle, lifted to the sky of course and rides like a tank.

Don't crucify me when I ask this BUT did they make a 3/4 ton production Blazer? If so what was the designation, K20? I have searched the internet a bit and all I can come up with are burbs and trucks that are K20's. I suspect that the PO probably did an axle swap.

He wants the ride smoother and as I am not current on the four wheel hard core aspect of things, what shocks would you all recommend? Currently has a st of unmarked brushed aluminum cased shocks with external gas cylinders connected via a braided steel line. It appears that the charge cylinders have a charging valve at the bottom of each one. Perhaps I can release some pressure and this 'could' provide the softer ride he is after but can any of you shed some light for me?

Also he wants rear discs vs drums. Have found a couple options but not too many of course. Any advice welcomed.

[grillzy]

No 3/4 tons ever made. Axles have been swapped.

[wingnut62]

Originally Posted by grillzy

No 3/4 tons ever made. Axles have been swapped.

Yep that's what I figured but wanted to verify

[pound41]

Search the subject. There were a couple of guys on here a few years back that were doing awesome builds and showing what they did with 3/4 and 1 ton axle swaps. Can remember their names haven't seen them on the site in a while

[wingnut62]

Thanks pound, i will see what i can find.

[Blazerowner]

Shocks might make a difference and new springs can help as well. There’s not a lot that can be done about the ride. The blazers just ride rough. It will never ride like a newer truck unless you drastically change the suspension.

[wingnut62]

You're right Blazer....I owned a 72 and it rode pretty rough as well but I can only imagine what his rides like with the 6 inch lift, 37" tires, off road gas shocks, etc..... plan on addressing the shocks first then possibly the springs. Maybe that will calm it down some what.

[Mike C]

The easiest fix for how it rides is tire pressure. Too many people are guilty of just airing up to max inflation level. 37" tires on a Blazer only need 22-24 psi air pressure. Adjust the inflation and see if it doesn't ride better.

Google about setting inflation with chalk method on oversize tires.

[wingnut62]

Mike C,

thanks for the feedback. I will take all these suggestions into consideration when fine tuning his ride.

Ken

[SeventyOne]

14 bolt started production in '73 so that's for sure a swap.

A shackle flip for the rear will help the ride quality - less spring arch. Also you could update the leafs to something softer from Alcan spring.

Check the body mounts and make sure they're good rubber, check the tire pressure as noted.

[wingnut62]

seventyone thanks so much for the lead on the springs. I will give them a hard look.

[fun in dirt]

Originally Posted by wingnut62

He wants the ride smoother and as I am not current on the four wheel hard core aspect of things, what shocks would you all recommend? Currently has a st of unmarked brushed aluminum cased shocks with external gas cylinders connected via a braided steel line....
Also he wants rear discs vs drums. Have found a couple options but not too many of course. Any advice welcomed.

Post up a couple pics of his spring set up now. Too much arch or alot of leaves will not help with a softer ride; height can be accomplished somewhat with hangers/shackle lengths. Unless they are super high dollar shocks, those fancy looking one usually are just that & are super stiff. I'd suggest some simple shocks that are correct length compressed & extended to match travel allowed by springs.
And like Mike said play with the tire pressure. Had a set of 36" TSL that I ran 14lbs in & now run 37" military with 22 lbs. Correct tire pressure has alot to do with the vehicles weight & footprint of tire tread.
For the disc conversion, this looks like a good kit. Have not bought it before (we used parts had laying around already), but have other parts from them w good results.
https://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com...yABEgIjtfD_BwE