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#1 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 928
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Greetings
Greetings,
I’m new to here. I am a recent owner of a 1972 K5 Blazer and see that this forum is a good resource. This is a project rig. It was my father-in-law’s truck, which he bought brand new. He has generally kept everything original and kept everything that came with the truck. I have the original owners manual (with protect-o-plate), rear spare tire holder, rear seat, original purchase agreement and service manual that he gave me with the truck. It’s a manual 4x4, (originally Medium Red now faded to) orange, black interior, 350 ci V8. The truck is awesome. I have always shared with him that if he ever decided to sell it, to talk to me first. I took delivery of the rig on June 29th and have been cleaning and polishing the surfaces to make it a bit more presentable since then. The truck was only washed (more sprayed down) once a year and never waxed. It served as a daily driver for a good portion of its life until it migrated to only being used for camping and hunting trips. A few years back it was covered with a tarp and put on the side of the house. It appears to be very mechanically sound, it starts first try every time and while the interior and exterior have had hard years, most everything seems to be in working order. I drove it a bit over 250 miles from his place to ours and the drive was fine. Two things I noticed during the drive: It has a lot of play in the steering and the driver side hub is stuck in the locked position. I’m going to dig into the hub to see if I can diagnose and correct the issue. This fall, I would like to convert it to Power Steering and at that time hopefully also fix the play in the steering. I checked out the steering this last weekend. I noticed that the steering wheel and steering shaft move (in sync with one another) about 2.5 inches from top/center of steering wheel to left and 2.5 inches from top/center of steering wheel to right (5 inches total) without anything else moving. My dad used to have a 1970 Ford 4x4 with manual steering, it did not have this much play. This bothers me and I want to eliminate or greatly reduce it. Because I was planning on converting it to power steering I figured that, when I replace the steering box that would address that component. The Tie rod ends look tight although I’m not sure how to determine if the gaskets are worn out (after 40 years, seems like a good idea to replace them). At the same time I am messing with the steering, I thought I would replace the steering column to a tilt type and change the steering wheel to a smaller diameter one. I’m guessing the smaller steering wheel will also make the play seem less noticeable. I have basic mechanic skills and consider myself handy and while I have long term plans to do more extensive work on the truck these are the two tasks at hand. I have done a bit of searching online and this forum but do you have suggestions or comments to help? I believe I'm going to purchase parts from LMC or Classic Industries. Will be making purchase of parts/materials during this month and will try to tackle power steering conversion in October. Thanks - PDXBlazer These photos are from when I took delivery of the rig - after a quick wash. I have since spent time on polishing and cleaning/degreasing and it looks much better - will post updates as I go. ![]() IMG_7577 by Luftwaffepdx, on Flickr ![]() IMG_7578 by Luftwaffepdx, on Flickr ![]() IMG_7576 by Luftwaffepdx, on Flickr ![]() IMG_7579 by Luftwaffepdx, on Flickr ![]() IMG_7585 by Luftwaffepdx, on Flickr ![]() IMG_7582 by Luftwaffepdx, on Flickr ![]() IMG_7580 by Luftwaffepdx, on Flickr ![]() IMG_7586 by Luftwaffepdx, on Flickr ![]() IMG_7588 by Luftwaffepdx, on Flickr ![]() IMG_7589 by Luftwaffepdx, on Flickr |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Leland, Il
Posts: 1,503
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Re: Greetings
Can't help you on the steering but that's an awesome rig....Welcome!!
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Hollidaysburg, PA
Posts: 785
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Re: Greetings
Thats a nice starter rig
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_________________________________ 62 Impala 70 C-10 LWB 71 K-10 SWB 85 C-10 LWB==SOLD 01 2500 HD Members Met......2003Silverado (Dave) |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Finger TN.
Posts: 32
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Re: Greetings
Very nice... Wish my 2wd project was close to as solid as yours.
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#5 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Gypsum Kansas 67448
Posts: 1,681
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Re: Greetings
sweet,, thats a heck of alot better dshape then what im starting with..i will be posting a 4x4 power steering box and pump assembly in a couple weeks that i am taking off mine
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21 2500hd duramax 58 apache HILLJOB GRAPHIX--for all your graphic needs My build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=542497 LS ENGINE SWAP INFORMATION THREAD http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=377348 4l60 to an NP205 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...43#post3697343 |
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#6 |
SKINNY TIRES RULE!
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Bothell, WA
Posts: 11,049
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Re: Greetings
Welcome to the board from Seattle. I'm from Coos Bay and went to school at OSU.
Very nice looking rig. Try buffing the paint, I think you'll be surprised how much shine you'll get out of it. For the steering, how does the rag joint look. They tend to wear and cause play. It might be worth fixing now if you're going to drive it - we do have at least a couple more weeks of nice weather left in the pacific NW and they make awesome snow rigs!
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bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Russellville, KY
Posts: 956
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Re: Greetings
Welcome from Eastern Oregon! Looks like a nice solid start compared to most!!!
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1979 Silverado C10 Shortbox - Photo Album 1977 Silverado K20 Camper Special - Photo Album 1972 C10 Custom Deluxe Highlander - sold 1971 Cheyenne Super Longhorn -sold 1972 Cheyenne Super SWB 4x4 -sold, bought back, sold again... I'm dumb. 1970 Chevy C10 SWB "Sprout" -sold 1972 Cheyenne K20 -sold 1969 GMC Shortbox Stepside 4x4 -sold 1972 GMC Jimmy 4x4 -sold |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Leland, Il
Posts: 1,503
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Re: Greetings
Are you gonna restore it or just go through it mechanically? It would almost be a shame to restore it since its so original.
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#9 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: May 2006
Location: Philadelphia, Pa. 19454
Posts: 9,504
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Re: Greetings
Very nice starting point, pull up the rubber mat, carefully, and see what is under there. Since it has lost the passenger side door seal, you might have rust in the floor area.
Since you are in the portland are, i would contact wes at classic heartbeats, he uses the resto parts he sells and will give you good info. on the quality of the parts he sells. Plus, it will save you money on shipping. Plus, plus, use our clssified board to buy oem parts, fit is always perfect, and you might save some bucks Cheapest place to start on the steering slop is the rag joint, as said above, but i think there is an adjustment nut in the steering box. Check the frame, where the box is mounted, they have been known to crack there, should have a frame doubler in that area also Good luck on your build, and keep us posted on your progress with lots of pics, we luv pics PS, check all the safety items first, before driving too much, wouldnt want you to get hurt
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Semper Fi...Uncle Sam, you da man All parts offered to help are free, unless otherwise noted Dont try this stuff in my build thread, unless you have 55 years of mechanical OTJ training SAFETY FIRST AS usual, off topic They say your mind goes second, can't remember the first Jim |
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#10 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: South Texas
Posts: 567
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Re: Greetings
I'd love to see what it's looking like two years later. Hope you kept the steelies.
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: ct
Posts: 34
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Re: Greetings
wow thats a nice clean k5 enjoy!
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#12 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 928
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Re: Greetings
So, I have had some inquiries for some updates. First, one of the forum members wanted to have some photos of the exhaust, since it's believed to be original.
![]() image by Luftwaffepdx, on Flickr ![]() image by Luftwaffepdx, on Flickr ![]() ![]() image by Luftwaffepdx, on Flickr ![]() image by Luftwaffepdx, on Flickr ![]() ![]() image by Luftwaffepdx, on Flickr image by Luftwaffepdx, on Flickr ![]() image by Luftwaffepdx, on Flickr |
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#13 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: South Texas
Posts: 567
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Re: Greetings
Nice! I'm doing exhaust very soon and wanted to go back to the original. The PO had a total mess done to the exhaust system.
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#14 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 928
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Re: Greetings
The first thing I had to do was replace the mirrors. They were all fogged and you couldn't see out of them.
Next, I replaced the torn original floor mats. Here is what I found underneath. Very clean (after I actually cleaned out the dirt). There was some surface rust in the floor of the front seats and a small portion of rust through at both kick panels, where the kick panels meet the floor. I will need to repair this but have not yet. I think this is pretty solid and in good condition from what I understand many of these rigs have. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() I should have taken pictures of the bed after I cleaned it. NO RUST and the original color is amazing with no fading since it has been covered its whole life. ![]() ![]() |
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#15 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 928
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Re: Greetings
I tackled the driver side hub. It was stuck in the locked position. I took it apart, saw that the gaskets had failed and the gears, spring and retainer were very rusted. I removed everything, dropped them in an acid etch rust remover and they cleaned up nicely. Greased everything, put in new O-rings and put it back together - everything works great now.
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Scrubbed the exterior of the hubs, painted them and got the rims painted and new rubber too... ![]() |
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Md
Posts: 2,471
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Re: Greetings
Great photo's, Nice to see an original survivor. Thanks for sharing the hub break down.
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#17 |
I'm trying....
![]() Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Athens, GA
Posts: 2,550
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Re: Greetings
Thanks for the photos. I really appreciate it. Awesome Blazer.
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#18 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: South Texas
Posts: 567
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Re: Greetings
Are those 31x10.50 tires? Nice pics and update. Keep em coming.
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#19 |
Post Whore
![]() Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA
Posts: 12,684
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Re: Greetings
That is a really nice Blazer. Glad you're enjoying it! Don't see them that rust free very often.
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1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14 |
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#20 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 928
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Re: Greetings
So, hopefully I will not offend anyone moving forward with the next things. I want the rig to look original but be comfortable and a bit more fun to drive with advances that have occurred since 1972. I'm thinking of it as a resto rod.
I converted the rig to power steering (separate post). This makes the rig easy to drive and eliminated the excessive play! While doing this, I replaced the steering column to put in a tilt column and a SS Chevelle style steering wheel. I had troubles with getting the canceling cam to work correct and turn off the signals as well as getting the horn to work correctly but after much frustration, it's done and everything works. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...power+steering ![]() Steering wheel by Luftwaffepdx, on Flickr |
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#21 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Santa Ana, CA
Posts: 2,191
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Re: Greetings
Very nice Blazer. I'm glad to see it stay in your family and end up in the hands of an apparently mechanically inclined person who will take proper care of it. Keep posting pics of the progress!
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#22 |
Carpe manana
![]() ![]() Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Eau Claire, WI
Posts: 12,375
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Re: Greetings
Very nice K5! Thanks for posting. I'll bet that OEM paint would really shine after a buff and wax. Check out this before/after pic of an OEM paint truck I recently had detailed: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...56&postcount=4
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#23 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 928
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Re: Greetings
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#24 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Big Bear Lake, CA.
Posts: 291
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Re: Greetings
Your Blazer is in amazing condition, lots of guys here are in envy, including me, of such a rust free survivor. When you get the chance would you post a pic of the options SPID on the inside of your glove box? Thanks, I'll be following along with your subtle and tasteful modifications, Jack.
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#25 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: livingston co.mi
Posts: 2,453
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Re: Greetings
yes very nice blazer I like what you are doing with it!
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1972, blazer, build, restomod, restoration |
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