Project Lazarus bringing a 72 SWB K10 back to life

[Rust_phoenix]

I began the teardown of the donor truck, the bed came off first, then it was on to the fenders, grill & hood.

[Rust_phoenix]

Spent today stripping the interior and removed the wiring harness from the donor cab, must have been a million shards of broken glass everywhere had to keep the shopvac handy, i will lift the cab off of the frame tommorow.

[gdavis]

Originally Posted by Rust_phoenix

Spent today stripping the interior and removed the wiring harness from the donor cab, must have been a million shards of broken glass everywhere had to keep the shopvac handy, i will lift the cab off of the frame tommorow.

Saw your build tday. The name LAZARUS came to light. I am reading a book series and in the book is a truck call LAZARUS anyway good build.

[Rust_phoenix]

Originally Posted by gdavis

Saw your build tday. The name LAZARUS came to light. I am reading a book series and in the book is a truck call LAZARUS anyway good build.

Thanks, the name just seems appropriate since this truck was once left for dead and now has a chance at resurrection and it will be better than it ever was

[Rust_phoenix]

Removed the cab from the donor today and gave the drive drain a good steam cleaning.

[Rust_phoenix]

Then i began removing the fenders, cab and box from lazarus

[Rust_phoenix]

And finally i put both frames back in the shop, i hope to get a little more time this week to continue the change over.

[Mustard72]

I know its a 2500, but its very noticeable how much beefier they make the frames nowadays.

Looks like fun.

[Rust_phoenix]

Originally Posted by Mustard72

I know its a 2500, but its very noticeable how much beefier they make the frames nowadays.

Looks like fun.

Hi Nick.
Yep that 03' frame is huge compared to my 72' it makes me think i should do some boxing in, before dropping in the 496 and Allison. your project Old Mustard is coming along nicely keep up the good work.

[Rust_phoenix]

Picked up a set of differentials for the truck, drivers drop high pinion dana 44 front and a dana 60 rear from a 79' f250 running 4:10 gears and 12.5 37" 16.5 Goodyear MT tires.

[Rust_phoenix]

Also removed the engine, trans, t-case, raidiator & exhaust from Lazarus, i will be rebuilding the 3/4 ton diffs before installing them onto the frame.

[Rust_phoenix]

It has been a while since i have had any time to work on my truck so i finally got a chance today, i finished removing the wiring harness from the donor, man what a spaghetti mess

[Rust_phoenix]

I then moved on to adapting the electric fuel pump into the poly blazer tank, after removing the pump, fuel lines and draining the tank i cut out the donors mounting ring using my air powered cut off wheel.

[Rust_phoenix]

The recess for the fuel pickup was close to 6" and that was the size of the electric pump mounting boss from the 03' tank after removing the excess material from the boss, i removed the sending unit/pickup from the 72' tank and enlarged the opening to 4" so the new pump could drop in, i then found an o-ring to fit between the pump and tank and pre drilled for some anodized deck screws that were just the right length, there is just enough clearance for the electric pump in the blazer tank as it is spring loaded and collapsable , i had to make certain to ensure that the sending unit float would not be obstructed, and it worked out best to point the outlet straight forward, i used the shop vac to remove any shavings and gave it a wipe down inside with a tack rag, i think it will work rather well, i guess i will find out when i fill it with fuel the first time

[Rust_phoenix]

more pics

[Rust_phoenix]

and more..

[Rust_phoenix]

Got back in the saddle today and did some measuring and mocked up the 8.1 and Trans inside the 72 frame. I cut the center out of my old motor mount cross member as it hit on the oil pan. things actually fit pretty well except I can't get the exhaust manifolds on and the power steering pulley is nearly hitting the left frame rail, so I ordered a DIY4X4 First generation engine cross member I will need to raise the engine a little and I hope it will do it. I also made a hybrid Trans mount using the stock cross member and the base off of the 03, works good except the front driveshaft will hit, I will clearance that area and weld back in a plate.

[Rust_phoenix]

In the meantime while i wait for the new engine mount i began the swap out of the 12 bolt for the 14 from the 03, man that thing makes the 72's rearend look like a tinker toy in comparison! i will be moving the spring perches in and replacing the shock mounts.

[Mustard72]

Welcome back! Looks like some good progress and planning. I thought you were going to be running the Dana 60 in the rear...

[Rust_phoenix]

Originally Posted by Mustard72

I thought you were going to be running the Dana 60 in the rear...

Thanks Nick, i weighed my options and decided to use the 14 bolt as it came with the G80 Positraction unit inside, i am going to rebuild the front dana 44 and change its gears to 3:73 to match. about half the problem here is i have too many options and keep changing my mind.

[Xeen]

Originally Posted by Rust_phoenix

Did a little more work on filling the trim holes and shot some epoxy primer over it to keep it sealed, one thing i haved learned is i suck at body work!

You will be a heck of a lot better at it by the time you are finished
I really dig your project, I put a 03' 5.3L Vortec in mine but in comparasin mine was a walk in the park, yours is going to take alot of creative engineering. I will be watching this build with interest, subscribed.

[Rust_phoenix]

Originally Posted by Xeen

You will be a heck of a lot better at it by the time you are finished
I really dig your project, I put a 03' 5.3L Vortec in mine but in comparasin mine was a walk in the park, yours is going to take alot of creative engineering. I will be watching this build with interest, subscribed.

Thanks Brian i checked out your build as well, very nice work my friend, keep on it you are going to have one sweet ride!

[whitels1]

Looking good, great build so far!

[Rust_phoenix]

Originally Posted by whitels1

Looking good, great build so far!

Thanks Dave, nice work on yours too, i like what you did with the wiring harness, gives me some ideas and courage to attempt my own, complete with a flux capacitor of course.

[whitels1]

Originally Posted by Rust_phoenix

Thanks Dave, nice work on yours too, i like what you did with the wiring harness, gives me some ideas and courage to attempt my own, complete with a flux capacitor of course.

Turns out it's worthless without a Mr. Fusion!