1990 K5 to 1972 K5 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

hgs_notes · 05-28-2007, 08:48 AM

I have a junkyard 72 Jimmy that I'm attempting to make road worthy again. It's missing all of the drive line accept the axles. I came across a 1990 K5 that was being sold for parts (fire damage, back end) and was wondering if that would swap out without too much trouble. Are these still solid axle fronts? What kind of transfer case did they have? It has the 700r4 tranny and a 350 engine. I figure the drive shafts would not work, but I could maybe swap out the axles too if they have posi, etc. What is the wheel base on the 90 K5?

Would I be better off swapping the old body to the newer frame?

Any info is appreciated.
HG

Jonboy · 05-28-2007, 10:03 AM

The drivetrain will work fine. The axles are about the same width, and will bolt right up. I think the wheelbase is pretty close, too. I would bet just about everything will work pretty easily, with some slight fabrication. It would be much easier to swap the drivetrain out than to swap bodies.

badpeanut · 05-28-2007, 02:06 PM

The '69-'72 Blazer has a wheelbase of 104.0", and the '73-'91 has a wheelbase of 106.5"; most of the difference is in the cowl area.

The front axle will interchange. The rear axle will not due to staggered vs. non-staggered shocks, spring perch locations, and spring perch width.

hgs_notes · 05-28-2007, 04:24 PM

What kind of transfer case do these newer blazers have? Did any of them come from the factory with a limited slip front axle? Any features like anti-lock brakes, etc that these came with? Any years that I should stay away from because of weak tranny or transfer cases? Any years more desireable because of quality of components used?

Thanks again.

Jonboy · 05-28-2007, 05:03 PM

If it is a 90, it will have either a 208 or 241 transfer case. (in 91, all of the trucks had the 241 case, the electric VSS is the easiest clue to see). Either case is an aluminum case, chain drive unit, and should work just fine. Some had a limited slip axle from the factory. If your donor truck has the SPID label still attached, loook for the G80 code. If you are not going to use any of the electronics on the truck, the ABS will not affect your swap at all. IIRC, it is rear wheel only anyhow, and controlled by a box to the left of the master cylinder. You might want to post this in the 4x4 category also, there is probably a lot more travel in that forum.

05-28-2007, 08:48 AM	#1
hgs_notes GEARHEAD Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: MN Posts: 6,126	1990 K5 to 1972 K5 I have a junkyard 72 Jimmy that I'm attempting to make road worthy again. It's missing all of the drive line accept the axles. I came across a 1990 K5 that was being sold for parts (fire damage, back end) and was wondering if that would swap out without too much trouble. Are these still solid axle fronts? What kind of transfer case did they have? It has the 700r4 tranny and a 350 engine. I figure the drive shafts would not work, but I could maybe swap out the axles too if they have posi, etc. What is the wheel base on the 90 K5? Would I be better off swapping the old body to the newer frame? Any info is appreciated. HG __________________ If no one knows what you're doing, they can't tell you you're doing it wrong HG's Dream Car Build - Shelby Cobra Kit Build your own adjustable track bar 71 Long Fleet C/10 72 Jimmy 4x4 (Junkyard Jimmy) HG's Plow Truck '78 K35 Dually Bigass Farm Truck HG's thread of miscellaneous stuff Last edited by hgs_notes; 05-28-2007 at 09:26 AM.

05-28-2007, 10:03 AM	#2
Jonboy Slots go on anything! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 5,957	Re: 1990 K5 to 1972 K5 The drivetrain will work fine. The axles are about the same width, and will bolt right up. I think the wheelbase is pretty close, too. I would bet just about everything will work pretty easily, with some slight fabrication. It would be much easier to swap the drivetrain out than to swap bodies.

05-28-2007, 02:06 PM	#3
badpeanut Not a bad nut after all.. Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: ND Posts: 1,759	Re: 1990 K5 to 1972 K5 The '69-'72 Blazer has a wheelbase of 104.0", and the '73-'91 has a wheelbase of 106.5"; most of the difference is in the cowl area. The front axle will interchange. The rear axle will not due to staggered vs. non-staggered shocks, spring perch locations, and spring perch width.

05-28-2007, 04:24 PM	#4
hgs_notes GEARHEAD Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: MN Posts: 6,126	Re: 1990 K5 to 1972 K5 What kind of transfer case do these newer blazers have? Did any of them come from the factory with a limited slip front axle? Any features like anti-lock brakes, etc that these came with? Any years that I should stay away from because of weak tranny or transfer cases? Any years more desireable because of quality of components used? Thanks again. __________________ If no one knows what you're doing, they can't tell you you're doing it wrong HG's Dream Car Build - Shelby Cobra Kit Build your own adjustable track bar 71 Long Fleet C/10 72 Jimmy 4x4 (Junkyard Jimmy) HG's Plow Truck '78 K35 Dually Bigass Farm Truck HG's thread of miscellaneous stuff

05-28-2007, 05:03 PM	#5
Jonboy Slots go on anything! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 5,957	Re: 1990 K5 to 1972 K5 If it is a 90, it will have either a 208 or 241 transfer case. (in 91, all of the trucks had the 241 case, the electric VSS is the easiest clue to see). Either case is an aluminum case, chain drive unit, and should work just fine. Some had a limited slip axle from the factory. If your donor truck has the SPID label still attached, loook for the G80 code. If you are not going to use any of the electronics on the truck, the ABS will not affect your swap at all. IIRC, it is rear wheel only anyhow, and controlled by a box to the left of the master cylinder. You might want to post this in the 4x4 category also, there is probably a lot more travel in that forum.



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