Here is a "Not Your Typical" 4wd Blazer build

[sandking]

When I am done, I need to tear everything apart to clean and paint the frame. I also plan to fill in all the unused holes in the frame. The engine will get reassembled soon too. I have a cam and the supporting mods for it. The computer is out being programmed/flashed right now.

[Hart_Rod]

SandKing, your fabrication and attention to detail are incredible. Maybe I'm missing something , but I would like to make one suggestion about your brake lines. You have the two vertical lines from the master cylinder going straight down and then attached directly to frame. I would suggest putting a bend or coil in between to provide some room for twisting or expansion. Just a suggestion. Can't wait to see more of this build.

[sandking]

Thanks!!
Are you talking the two lines from the master to the prop or frome the prop down? Maybe I will put a small flex line in between.

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by sandking

Thanks!!
Are you talking the two lines from the master to the prop or frome the prop down? Maybe I will put a small flex line in between.

The ones from the prop to the frame. Without any flex or give, vibration or flexing could cause them to leak, found this out the hard way, . If you look at most production cars you will see a coil or bend.

[TonyJohnson]

Holy Snikies...

Too bad your buddy doesn't make a fiberglass Blazer tub.

[sandking]

Fiberglass would be nice!!

[Mordachai]

wow, the build is looking incredible. ^and I can help you with that^ hint hint

[justcuz]

Wow, I happened onto this thread by noticing your truck. I've seen so much of the truck over the years and wondered what happened after the Rialto location closed. I knew it was rolled badly once, did you own it then and do you still have it?

The Blazer is sweet. I understand your concern over the suspension but for what you are using it for, I think the radius arms will be fine. You are not looking for the kind of articulation that rock crawlers need. Some of the lift kits for the Dodges do almost the same thing. Eliminate the upper link and make one big Y radius arm out it. Are you considering any kind of trusses for the axle housings? 12 bolts are getting kinda scarce, have you thought about a semi float 14 bolt? With the cage tying everything together it should be pretty stout. Every Blazer I've seen used for off road has usually had too much spring and the frames are cracked and bent. Your suspension staying on the soft side will prevent a lot of that. It will be very unique when finished, that is for sure.

[sandking]

Originally Posted by justcuz

Wow, I happened onto this thread by noticing your truck. I've seen so much of the truck over the years and wondered what happened after the Rialto location closed. I knew it was rolled badly once, did you own it then and do you still have it?
The Blazer is sweet. I understand your concern over the suspension but for what you are using it for, I think the radius arms will be fine. You are not looking for the kind of articulation that rock crawlers need. Some of the lift kits for the Dodges do almost the same thing. Eliminate the upper link and make one big Y radius arm out it. Are you considering any kind of trusses for the axle housings? 12 bolts are getting kinda scarce, have you thought about a semi float 14 bolt? With the cage tying everything together it should be pretty stout. Every Blazer I've seen used for off road has usually had too much spring and the frames are cracked and bent. Your suspension staying on the soft side will prevent a lot of that. It will be very unique when finished, that is for sure.

You are thinking of a different Blazer built br Blitzkrieg (sp?). I will eventually have a 14 bolt rear and a 60 front, but for now, I just want it on the road. I can upgrade later.

[justcuz]

I was referring to your truck, not the Blazer. You still have it? As I recall that is where the truck was rolled, at Rialto right?

[sandking]

Originally Posted by justcuz

I was referring to your truck, not the Blazer. You still have it? As I recall that is where the truck was rolled, at Rialto right?

Still not sure what you are talking about. I never had anything at Rialto. If you are talking about my tube chassis offroad truck, I sold that a couple of years ago. It only saw Barstow, Johnson Valley and Glamis. ROR was over before this truck was built in 2005.

[justcuz]

My bad, I was looking on the fiberglass fender thread and saw the early Chevy prerunner and thought it was yours. It is a picture of Belden Alivio's truck that you used for reference on the fenders. He has had that truck at Rialto when it was still open and did roll it there if I am not mistaken.

[big dump]

Great work, any updates?

[sandking]

Thanks!!
I have not done anything since the front steering stuff and I rebuilt the top end of the 5.3. Other then that, life has been too much of a struggle lately. Hopefully 2010 will be a better year for me.

[Mordachai]

^ Amen. Hopefully 2010 will be better for all of us!

[little nick D]

i love this build man man!!! way sweet, keep up the good work!!

[chevymanseventwo]

Very long story in which I enjoyed every one of your post and pic. You are right, It isnt the typical build. You arent a typical guy. You are an artist! Great job! Great attention to detail, devoted, absolutly amazing! Good luck on the final result. Cant wait to see that beast in action! Thanks for sharing that with the world of chevy guys.

[sandking]

Thanks for the compliments!!

[desertrat]

Originally Posted by sandking

Qeustion for you suspension experts...
As you know, radius arms will bind in an articulating situation. Since I have these arms built, can I just "cut in" a small shock on the upper arm like my paint pic below? The shock could act like a sway control to some extent. Any thoughts?

Have you got an answer on this yet? The only thing I can see you would accomplish by installing a shock there is that you would weaken the radius arm and put to much pressure on the lower tube. Have you removed your springs and let the suspension go threw the travel to see what it does yet? I would think you have enough movement in your heims to let it articulate just fine.

I have been avoiding looking at your project because all mine are on hold and I don't need any more ideas...LOL

[hgs_notes]

Have you been working on this project this year? I'd love to see more. I think of this build everytime I watch that Baja 500 show on HDTV.

[sandking]

Originally Posted by hgs_notes

Have you been working on this project this year? I'd love to see more. I think of this build everytime I watch that Baja 500 show on HDTV.

I have not worked on it at all this year. I was working on a boat project for the summer and put all my time toward that. Now that the boating season id coming to a close, I am getting excited to get working on it again. Need to get the engine, trans and xfer case in place, then the plumbing. Thanks to all of you for the encouragement!! Stay tuned.

[hgs_notes]

Glad to hear you'll be back on it soon. Looking forward to it.

[sandking]

I have a question for you transmission guru's.....
I have the 5.3L goin into the Blazer. It should be around 400hp give or take. I have the th350 trans that has the stock converter in it now. I need to get a torque converter for my application, but I am unsure on what to get. I am guessing a 10" with 2200-2800 stall?? What else do I need to know? Anti ballooning plates? I want to keep the heat down as much as possible and keep the performance too. I do have a trans cooler going in as well. Thanks.

[hgs_notes]

If it was me, I'd call the torque convertor company you would like to use and ask them for the correct style, size, etc. They would use the info you provide to spec out the right one.

[86k20mudddigger]

if god were to do his buisness with a blazer.... this would be the out come

awsome truck man