The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > 47 - Current classic GM Trucks > The 1969 - 1972 Blazers and Jimmys Message Board

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 10-14-2018, 09:00 AM   #1
wingnut62
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: PINEVILLE, MO
Posts: 39
72 with 3/4 axles

Ok so I am restoring a blazer for a guy and he's requested an LS swap, no biggie, new gauges, steering column etc....basically fix whats broken and update lots of 'stuff'. At any rate my question for anyone here is this, he has the 14 bolt 3/4 ton axles under it. He has only had this blazer for about a year and doesn't have much info on what the PO did to it. It is a four speed vehicle, lifted to the sky of course and rides like a tank.

Don't crucify me when I ask this BUT did they make a 3/4 ton production Blazer? If so what was the designation, K20? I have searched the internet a bit and all I can come up with are burbs and trucks that are K20's. I suspect that the PO probably did an axle swap.

He wants the ride smoother and as I am not current on the four wheel hard core aspect of things, what shocks would you all recommend? Currently has a st of unmarked brushed aluminum cased shocks with external gas cylinders connected via a braided steel line. It appears that the charge cylinders have a charging valve at the bottom of each one. Perhaps I can release some pressure and this 'could' provide the softer ride he is after but can any of you shed some light for me?

Also he wants rear discs vs drums. Have found a couple options but not too many of course. Any advice welcomed.
wingnut62 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2018, 09:02 AM   #2
grillzy
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: belleville ontario
Posts: 354
Re: 72 with 3/4 axles

No 3/4 tons ever made. Axles have been swapped.
grillzy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2018, 09:16 AM   #3
wingnut62
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: PINEVILLE, MO
Posts: 39
Re: 72 with 3/4 axles

Quote:
Originally Posted by grillzy View Post
No 3/4 tons ever made. Axles have been swapped.
Yep that's what I figured but wanted to verify
wingnut62 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2018, 10:34 AM   #4
pound41
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 1,268
Re: 72 with 3/4 axles

Search the subject. There were a couple of guys on here a few years back that were doing awesome builds and showing what they did with 3/4 and 1 ton axle swaps. Can remember their names haven't seen them on the site in a while
pound41 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2018, 05:49 PM   #5
wingnut62
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: PINEVILLE, MO
Posts: 39
Re: 72 with 3/4 axles

Thanks pound, i will see what i can find.
wingnut62 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-14-2018, 06:24 PM   #6
Blazerowner
Senior Member
 
Blazerowner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Yuba City, Ca
Posts: 1,956
Re: 72 with 3/4 axles

Shocks might make a difference and new springs can help as well. There’s not a lot that can be done about the ride. The blazers just ride rough. It will never ride like a newer truck unless you drastically change the suspension.
__________________
Kirk
72 Blazer CST 4wd highlander
Blazerowner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-15-2018, 08:02 AM   #7
wingnut62
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: PINEVILLE, MO
Posts: 39
Re: 72 with 3/4 axles

You're right Blazer....I owned a 72 and it rode pretty rough as well but I can only imagine what his rides like with the 6 inch lift, 37" tires, off road gas shocks, etc..... plan on addressing the shocks first then possibly the springs. Maybe that will calm it down some what.
wingnut62 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-15-2018, 01:06 PM   #8
Mike C
Registered User
 
Mike C's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Austin, TX, USA
Posts: 7,727
Re: 72 with 3/4 axles

The easiest fix for how it rides is tire pressure. Too many people are guilty of just airing up to max inflation level. 37" tires on a Blazer only need 22-24 psi air pressure. Adjust the inflation and see if it doesn't ride better.

Google about setting inflation with chalk method on oversize tires.
__________________
44 Willys MB
52 M38A1
64 Corvette Coupe
68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700
69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110
69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop
72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's
02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax
Mike C is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-15-2018, 02:31 PM   #9
wingnut62
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: PINEVILLE, MO
Posts: 39
Re: 72 with 3/4 axles

Mike C,

thanks for the feedback. I will take all these suggestions into consideration when fine tuning his ride.

Ken
wingnut62 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-15-2018, 03:26 PM   #10
SeventyOne
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Oakland, Ca
Posts: 1,382
Re: 72 with 3/4 axles

14 bolt started production in '73 so that's for sure a swap.

A shackle flip for the rear will help the ride quality - less spring arch. Also you could update the leafs to something softer from Alcan spring.

Check the body mounts and make sure they're good rubber, check the tire pressure as noted.
SeventyOne is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-16-2018, 09:51 AM   #11
fun in dirt
Registered User
 
fun in dirt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 2,122
Re: 72 with 3/4 axles

Quote:
Originally Posted by wingnut62 View Post
He wants the ride smoother and as I am not current on the four wheel hard core aspect of things, what shocks would you all recommend? Currently has a st of unmarked brushed aluminum cased shocks with external gas cylinders connected via a braided steel line....
Also he wants rear discs vs drums. Have found a couple options but not too many of course. Any advice welcomed.

Post up a couple pics of his spring set up now. Too much arch or alot of leaves will not help with a softer ride; height can be accomplished somewhat with hangers/shackle lengths. Unless they are super high dollar shocks, those fancy looking one usually are just that & are super stiff. I'd suggest some simple shocks that are correct length compressed & extended to match travel allowed by springs.
And like Mike said play with the tire pressure. Had a set of 36" TSL that I ran 14lbs in & now run 37" military with 22 lbs. Correct tire pressure has alot to do with the vehicles weight & footprint of tire tread.
For the disc conversion, this looks like a good kit. Have not bought it before (we used parts had laying around already), but have other parts from them w good results.
https://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com...yABEgIjtfD_BwE
__________________
'72 C to K20 "Cannibalizer" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...32#post8653432
'85 K30 "Big Nassy"
[B]'85 C10 [B] "Corpse"
'01 2500 Suburban ...party wagon & tow truck
'06 Silverado SS...DD
'06 C1500 WT...DD
'07 Classic C1500 WT...DD
Built & sold cause can't keep 'em all:
'72 Blazer "The Bucket" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=433190
'55 Chevy straight axle gasser https://www.trifive.com/forums/showthread.php?t=173938
'69 Pro Street Chevelle http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=332541
'86 M1031 CUCV http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=553619
fun in dirt is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
3/4 ton, k5 blazer, shocks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:46 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com