What did you do to your Blazer/Jimmy today?

[colgad]

Got my 5.3 running in the Jimmy yesterday and installed my Softtop today! It's been a good week.

[rckymtnhi]

Finally making some progress! All new brake system with upgraded booster/master cylinder combo (thank you Frank's Pick-M-Ups), new fluids, gaskets, wheels and tires. This thing has set for the better part of 3 years and needs to stretch. Lots of work left to do but at least we're road worthy!

[mcmlxix]

Griffin LS swap radiator delivered. Wiring started. Techflex F6 Woven Wrap ordered.

[colgad]

Dropped the Jimmy down from 6" to a 2" lift. Much easier for me to get in. The Easy Ride springs are a little softer too.

[Acorn]

Colgad, that is an awesome lookin Jimmy! I use a similar 'camo green" on a few 4wd. What brand/paint gods you use?
I think the stance looks perfect when you lowered it to 2".
Not sure if I missed it but, what size tires and rims are you running?

[Chulisohombre]

Looks like about a 17 inch rim and 33s. Looks good like that.

[colgad]

Originally Posted by Acorn

Colgad, that is an awesome lookin Jimmy! I use a similar 'camo green" on a few 4wd. What brand/paint gods you use?
I think the stance looks perfect when you lowered it to 2".
Not sure if I missed it but, what size tires and rims are you running?

Thanks for the kind words, I bought the Jimmy with a blown 350 so I did not do the paint. ( I would like to know what it is because if need to touch up a spot).
The truck is rust free but the quarters are a little wavy, the PO put in a Silverado gas door and got a lot of warpage. But it's a good driver and from 15 feet looks good. I put in a Junk yard 2001 5.3 to fix the engine issue.
The running gear is from a 89 Suburban 2500. I kept the existing 700R.

The rims are late model 2009 the tire size 285-70-17 (33.2) The large offset of the rims help tuck the tires back under the body. The Jimmy came with 22x10" rims.

Love your quote by the way, It is one of the reasons the US is in the state that it is in. "The bitterness of poor quality lingers long after the sweetness of a low price is forgotten." We have forgotten that we can build it here.

[colgad]

Originally Posted by Chulisohombre

Looks like about a 17 inch rim and 33s. Looks good like that.

You nailed it on the 17's and 33's!

What kit or company did you use for rear disks?

Thanks!

[Chulisohombre]

I used a company no longer in business. Ruffstuff.com or tsm are the main ones I know of now doing it.

[Chulisohombre]

Quick search shows about 50 different companies now. Including jc Whitney and summit racing.

[colgad]

Originally Posted by Chulisohombre

Quick search shows about 50 different companies now. Including jc Whitney and summit racing.

My running gear in the Jimmy is 89 2500 Suburban and I can't seem to locate any 8 lug kits.

[Chulisohombre]

Is it just a 14 bolt full floater rear? Here is s set of backing plates. http://m.ebay.com/itm/Disc-Brake-Con...660?nav=SEARCH
All you need then is to buy lines 3/4 Ton front calipers and rotors to replace the rear drum. And and a soft line from your hard line to the caliper so you can bleed them.

[Chulisohombre]

That is for drums that are pressed on. Not the newer slip off drums. If you know which ones you have?

[Chulisohombre]

Click here for tsm brakes conversion. They make it for the new and old axle. http://www.tsmmfg.net/general-motors-truck.html

[colgad]

Originally Posted by Chulisohombre

That is for drums that are pressed on. Not the newer slip off drums. If you know which ones you have?

Pressed on. Thanks for finding this I think I will run with the ebay option.
thanks again!!!!

[Chulisohombre]

No problem. If you are careful you can reuse the wheel studs and repress them into the 3/4 ton rotors through the hubs. I messed up a few so I bought a tap and die set to fix the threads. The correct one for fm studs was like 24 bucks. But at 4-5 dollars a stud it was worth it. Now if it happens again I have the tool.

[colgad]

Originally Posted by Chulisohombre

No problem. If you are careful you can reuse the wheel studs and repress them into the 3/4 ton rotors through the hubs. I messed up a few so I bought a tap and die set to fix the threads. The correct one for fm studs was like 24 bucks. But at 4-5 dollars a stud it was worth it. Now if it happens again I have the tool.

I agree buying tools and always better than having to rebuy something you already have.
I have to admit I am not looking forward to separating the hub from the drum. It looks the original weld rusted unit.

Thanks again!
Dave
colgad

[Chulisohombre]

I started out hitting them directly with a sledge. That's what messed the few up. Then I started hitting them with a 2x4 over the stud. Worked out pretty good and the threads weren't beat up too bad after that. I've heard that at Napa they sometimes with change it for you for s few bucks if you Buy the parts there. Harbor freight has a press that will probably work for under a hundred bucks. Next time I need to do a u joint or something needing a press I'm buying one. It was a pain to try and pound them out and even harder to get them fully seated in the rotor.

[Ole Beater]

I learned to put a nut on a stud before i hit it with a hammer. It helps save the threads. But still not the best way to do it. I like the idea of a harbor freight press.

[colgad]

I ended up taking them to NAPA and they pressed them out for $20! Not to bad. But I ended up having to buy longer studs $4.00 each so I could have beat them out and saved $20! And then I had them press them back in, yea another $20, still not bad.

Finished the brake upgrade today, seems like it works!

70 Jimmy now with 4 wheels disk!

Thanks for the assistance!

[colgad]

Took my 72 to the Dade City Car Show today topless!

[Chulisohombre]

Looks good. Always nice to Get the blazer out for others to see. There's not many around where I live so when I drive it people definitely turn heads and want to know what it is. Love that flame job.

[Chulisohombre]

Originally Posted by colgad

I ended up taking them to NAPA and they pressed them out for $20! Not to bad. But I ended up having to buy longer studs $4.00 each so I could have beat them out and saved $20! And then I had them press them back in, yea another $20, still not bad.

Finished the brake upgrade today, seems like it works!

70 Jimmy now with 4 wheels disk!

Thanks for the assistance!

You never know how hard it's going to be until you try and start beating on them. I used the same studs but mine must have been longer. My axle came out of a 81 k30. Hopefully you won't have to change the master cylinder. All I had to do was gut the rear part of the prop valve so the residual valve wasn't holding pressure to the rear brakes.

[colgad]

Originally Posted by Chulisohombre

Looks good. Always nice to Get the blazer out for others to see. There's not many around where I live so when I drive it people definitely turn heads and want to know what it is. Love that flame job.

Thanks for the complements!

Almost everyone that came by asked what it was.

A few said "Well look at that old Blazer, I never knew the top came off!"

Other's thought I had cut up a C10, and said you mean it came like this! How cool is that!

The best was when a woman walking by with her husband said. "Why don't you get rid of that thing you have and get something cool like this we can all ride in"

[Chulisohombre]

That's cool. I always get stopped at gas stations and only did a couple shows. Mine isn't even close to as nice as yours though. But still it's nice to get the compliments.