Project Family Truckster: 2wd Conversion Turbo LSx Blazer Build

[Wasted Income]

Yes, I'm planning to box a few sections of the frame, as well as some additional stiffening. I'm also planning for a cage, to protect my family, as well as stiffen up an inherently flexy truck.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by Wasted Income

Yes, I'm planning to box a few sections of the frame, as well as some additional stiffening. I'm also planning for a cage, to protect my family, as well as stiffen up an inherently flexy truck.

A cage with some frame Tie-ins would be the hot ticket for reducing chassis flex for sure. With the HP you are putting in it,it probably couldnt hurt to have some extra safety either.

Too bad you are on the other side of the country from me. Building a bling cage wouldnt be too tough since the roof comes off.

[Wasted Income]

Originally Posted by floyd

With the HP you are putting in it,it probably couldnt hurt to have some extra safety either.

LOL, you have no idea...I'm not one of those guys that builds a screamer then never uses it. I drive my toys like a rental

Originally Posted by floyd

Too bad you are on the other side of the country from me. Building a bling cage wouldnt be too tough since the roof comes off.

I think a tube bender is next up on my list of tools. I had the local chassis guy quote me a cage....while not at all unreasonable, I am fully capable of doing it myself....and I'll still have the tools left over. Plus, it's not like I'm planning to build a 25.5 cage or anything

[floyd]

Originally Posted by Wasted Income

LOL, you have no idea...I'm not one of those guys that builds a screamer then never uses it. I drive my toys like a rental



I think a tube bender is next up on my list of tools. I had the local chassis guy quote me a cage....while not at all unreasonable, I am fully capable of doing it myself....and I'll still have the tools left over. Plus, it's not like I'm planning to build a 25.5 cage or anything

Im pretty sure if you build it to run....you are supposed to use it!

Tube bender is a great investment. I have built several cages and full tube chassis crawlers over the years its alot of fun. You may consider getting some tube bending software if you really get into it....

[Wasted Income]

Did some work the past couple nights. Got the front clip pulled off the blue truck, and the engine/trans pulled out. It's kinda bittersweet, seeing as I've been driving this truck for 16 years...



But then sad turns to pumped when I stabbed the drivetrain between the framerails for mock-up.







Ordered up some steel last night to get a transmission crossmember made. Planning to get the front suspension put together this weekend...and maybe the rear axle underneath it if I'm feeling motivated.

[Wasted Income]

So things are working out how I hoped they would. The Porterbuilt trailing arm crossmember will act as both the transmission mount, as well as the front driveshaft loop.

I was worried that if the mount plates for the trailing arms took a beating from the driveshaft, that they would tweak and bend.


Therefore, it seemed like a good idea to box them in. The additional material should make the side plates bulletproof in the event of a ujoint failure.


On to the trans crossmember.
Ended up using tube clamps that are typically used for offroad cages. Gotta love easy transmission removal....especially with my history of shelling transmissions.









Going to add some more tube bracing between the original hoop and the trans crossmember to tie it all together.

[smbrouss70]

Where did you get those tube clamps?

[Wasted Income]

Originally Posted by smbrouss70

Where did you get those tube clamps?

http://www.ballisticfabrication.com/...mp_p_1467.html

[smbrouss70]

Thanks, I've been looking for those to use on my trans x-member.

Looks good!

[FTP]

Nice on that trans crossmember...hey Wasted...is that turbocharger setup on your 5.3 a kit, or did you fab that together.

[Wasted Income]

I fabbed it from scratch.

In fact...I'm thinking about selling this setup as a kit to fit a 69-72 C/10. (Not to produce, just this specific setup).

I kinda want to build something different to package it a little differently to allow for A/C.

[Wasted Income]

All the parts for the Megasquirt MS3x.
Capabilities include realtime tuning with wideband feedback, electronic boost control, 3-step rev limiter, launch control, traction control capability, progressive water/meth control, bluetooth logging and tuning, 2 stage variable nitrous control, E85 flex fuel sensor control, dual fuel table switching, 2.5 bar MAP sensor.

[fxdxharley]

So are you building your own harnesses for the lsx or do you you use the factory one and modifiy them?

[Wasted Income]

I typically take a factory harness and modify it to be a stand alone. However with the megasquirt, I'm hacking up a factory harness for the sensor pigtails, and building a completely new harness.

[Wasted Income]

Made some big progress tonight. It rolls again.

Assembled the front suspension




Got the rear axle back under it


Then set it on the ground and rolled it back and forth a few times


And some glamor shots. Seeing it sitting on wheels got the motivation stoked up again.

[jjzepplin]

WOW that looks MEAN!

[etindoll]

That thing is going to be killer!

[duallyjams]

really like the last pic , that's sweet

[fxdxharley]

that looks sweet. I like the stance. is that at your aprox ride height? What front coil over are you using?

[Wasted Income]

Thanks guys.

Originally Posted by fxdxharley

that looks sweet. I like the stance. is that at your aprox ride height? What front coil over are you using?

I think the front ride height will be close to that in the end. The coilovers are at the lowest setting now, and I will crank them up a bit to maintain that height when the tub/front clip/cooling system/turbo plumbing is installed.

I was trying to get away without notching the rear rails, but I'm not a huge fan of the rake, so I want it to sit more level (lower) in the rear. I also want room so it won't bottom out with 3 buddys and a full cooler in the back seat.

[jaros44sr]

Great build, and exceptional talent! Enjoying your work, almost as much as you...

Thanks for taking the time to post up, keeps me entertained

[PHAT TONY]

I reckon you'll want at least a small frame notch; I'm gonna do one pretty quick here.

[lt155ruck]

Great progress so far. I think a c- notch will have to happen.... especially if your beer cooler has to support your three buddies. LOL. My 72 doesnt have one yet and the rear pings off the frame from time to time.

[Wasted Income]

Originally Posted by jaros44sr

Great build, and exceptional talent! Enjoying your work, almost as much as you...

Thanks for taking the time to post up, keeps me entertained

Thank you, I appreciate that. Posting about it keeps me entertained at work, also

Originally Posted by PHAT TONY

I reckon you'll want at least a small frame notch; I'm gonna do one pretty quick here.

Originally Posted by lt155ruck

Great progress so far. I think a c- notch will have to happen.... especially if your beer cooler has to support your three buddies. LOL. My 72 doesnt have one yet and the rear pings off the frame from time to time.

Yeah, after looking at it a little closer this weekend, I agree with you guys. However, the next issue is that the top of the diff will contact the bed floor at full compression if I go too much lower with it. I had that problem with the blue truck. I guess I could maybe fabricate a "bump" for the bed floor to clear the rear axle center section. I'm gonna think on that one a bit yet.

Not a ton of progress on the blazer over the weekend. I did get the tubes cut and notched to tie the trans crossmember to the trailing arm crossmember.
Also did a lot of measuring...standing around...measuring...scratching my head....measuring....trying to figure out where exactly I want to mount the coilovers in the rear.

[Wasted Income]

Ordered up some RideTech single adjustable coilovers a few days ago, and they showed up last night. Very nice units. I mounted them to the "stock" location on the Porterbuilt lower arms, and the upper shock crossmember. The packaging is nice, but I don't like how close together they are. I have the room to move them outboard on the frame, and behind the axle, which should increase the lateral stability quite a bit. That should also allow for mounting the coilovers in double shear. Time to fire up the welder and plasma again this weekend and cut up some more perfectly good parts.