Getting a 70 K5

[Jason915]

Well I am buying my Mom's 70 K5 it's been in the family starting in 1990 and it's been her daily driver until about 3 or four years ago so it's been sitting. I learned how to drive with this Blazer so it has some extra value to me. I feel bad about not posting picts but I will soon.

The good

Very original not much has been altered, very little rust real straight body and floors clean interior nice seats. 350 4brl and TH350 3.08 gears. Top and hatch are in great shape, never abused just basically used as a grocery getter

The bad, needs suspension work and driveline work ball joints front disc conversion, leaf springs are factory and sag a bit, paint is faded and peeling, engine is tired.

I will be keeping it fairly stock as far as the ride height and powertrain. I plan on making it my daily driver after I paint it and work on the problem areas.

I am happy and thought I'd share this exciting information to my fellow enthusiasts stay tuned for the “before” picts.

[LUV2XCLR8]

and sorry, but....

[vtblazer]

That's very cool!

The issue's you mentioned are cake compared to rust, take it a little at a time and it will get done sooner than you might imagine.

If your keeping it as a "semi" stock daily driver, I'd go a 2" all spring lift w/33's.
Add a set of zero rates to get rid of the sag and she'll be a thing of beauty.

J/K, do it your own way and enjoy the ride.

[tnblazerk5]

that your gettin the one you leard to drive in

and yup we want pics

[jamie72]

thats awsome!! have fun with it!

[Yukon Jack]

Very cool - will enjoy seeing pics of it. Can't beat getting one that doesn't need loads of body work.

[blazerparts]

another member of the blazer family

[Jason915]

Originally Posted by vtblazer

That's very cool!

The issue's you mentioned are cake compared to rust, take it a little at a time and it will get done sooner than you might imagine.

If your keeping it as a "semi" stock daily driver, I'd go a 2" all spring lift w/33's.
Add a set of zero rates to get rid of the sag and she'll be a thing of beauty.

J/K, do it your own way and enjoy the ride.

Who makes a 2" lift? and what exaclly is a zero rate? I really like my 4" soft ride on my GMC but I don't want the Blazer to sit as high. I am thinking I want to keep it close to stock height so I can run 31X10.5's any taller tire and it'll struggle to excellerate with the 3.08 gears in the diffs. Also MPG is a concern because this will be my daily driver.

[Southedisto]

Originally Posted by Jason915

Who makes a 2" lift? and what exaclly is a zero rate? I really like my 4" soft ride on my GMC but I don't want the Blazer to sit as high. I am thinking I want to keep it close to stock height so I can run 31X10.5's any taller tire and it'll struggle to excellerate with the 3.08 gears in the diffs. Also MPG is a concern because this will be my daily driver.

For a 2inch lift, I would go with AAL. The zero rates are actually "add a leaves" that dont do anything for spring rate. They look like blocks, but actually bolt to the spring pack like aal. If you are wanting to keep a stock ride and get rid of the sag. I would look at shackles for the front, and zero rate for the rear. Post some pics when you get em.

[70rs/ss]

Originally Posted by Jason915

Who makes a 2" lift? and what exaclly is a zero rate? I really like my 4" soft ride on my GMC but I don't want the Blazer to sit as high. I am thinking I want to keep it close to stock height so I can run 31X10.5's any taller tire and it'll struggle to excellerate with the 3.08 gears in the diffs. Also MPG is a concern because this will be my daily driver.

I would take the springs to a springs shop and have them rebuilt and they can put 2" in them easy. Arizona spring is a great company and they have a web site so check them out. I don't know that I'd ship yours there, but in the long run shipping and labor will be cheaper than new and you end up with a nice small lift and good ride qualities. I too recently purchased a 72 but have not posted to avoid the no picts responses. I have not picked it up yet so no picts. I too will post when I get some picts.

Good Luck!

[Jason915]

Thanks Guys, I am going to get some picts Sat and post them.

[krue]

Congrats on keeping one in the family. I'm just like everyone else, I wanna see some pics.

[Medicanman71]

I thought shackles added more then 1-2" ?

oh wait stupid ass me, that's the rear shackle flip..
"Turns the factory rear tension shackle into a compression shackle for 2 1/2 or 4 inches of lift without using blocks. "

hmmm, so if i got those and put them between my truck and 6" springs..., hmmmm



So how much lift do the front shackles give then, about 1-2" ? I think they say they're 1/2" longer then factory....?

[Southedisto]

Originally Posted by Medicanman71

I thought shackles added more then 1-2" ?

oh wait stupid ass me, that's the rear shackle flip..
"Turns the factory rear tension shackle into a compression shackle for 2 1/2 or 4 inches of lift without using blocks. "

hmmm, so if i got those and put them between my truck and 6" springs..., hmmmm



So how much lift do the front shackles give then, about 1-2" ? I think they say they're 1/2" longer then factory....?

The rear shackle flip will give you 2-4+ inches of lift, depends if you get longer shackles, the front varies also. I would not go any more than 1" shackle lift on the front because of drivline angles and add a 1" zero rate.

[LUV2XCLR8]

Originally Posted by Jason915

Thanks Guys, I am going to get some picts Sat and post them.

Is it Saturday yet

[bouncytruck]

I'm a huge fan of the stock-ish look. After having two first gens with 35's, I prefer the look of my '72.

I've got 4" lift and the stock 235/85R16 tires (approx 31.73" tall). It rides quite nice and looks "pseudo" stock. new front springs and helper springs/blocks in back (lift was installed when I bought the truck so I'm not exactly sure what it is.) Everything else is stock - 350/TH350/3.07 gears

Eventually, I'd like to get the stock rims widened and run some slightly wider tires. I'm not sure if I will go much taller, maybe up to 33's, but I don't really want to change the gears.

[Kurt L]

guess it's not saturday yet luv lololol

[Jason915]

[QUOTE=bouncytruck]I'm a huge fan of the stock-ish look. After having two first gens with 35's, I prefer the look of my '72.

I've got 4" lift and the stock 235/85R16 tires (approx 31.73" tall). It rides quite nice and looks "pseudo" stock. new front springs and helper springs/blocks in back (lift was installed when I bought the truck so I'm not exactly sure what it is.) Everything else is stock - 350/TH350/3.07 gears

Eventually, I'd like to get the stock rims widened and run some slightly wider tires. I'm not sure if I will go much taller, maybe up to 33's, but I don't really want to change the gears.



I really like the look of yours. I do have some 16" rims just like those. Right now my Blazer has 16" chrome saw blade type wheels and I don't really like them. I will be changing the wheels but haven't decided to what just yet.

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by Jason915

Who makes a 2" lift? I am thinking I want to keep it close to stock height so I can run 31X10.5's any taller tire and it'll struggle to excellerate with the 3.08 gears in the diffs.

ORD sells a 2" all spring kit, that's where I got the last ones from...
Wait a minute, I'm not going to use those springs anymore. (sold the blazer)
Any interest in them? Got the shocks to go with it too.

I ran a set of 33's with 3:08 for years, not great on bottom end but darn good for just cruisin' around.

[Medicanman71]

I would not go any more than 1" shackle lift on the front because of drivline angles and add a 1" zero rate.

I saw on ORd they had a link for that in the front susp. section, but it brings you to the same link/ones that the rear susp. section does cool.... I know you never want blocks in the front, and i also understand they're not blocks, kinda , i didnt think you could use them in the front...but it looks as though you can..

Good call on the drive line angles :duh:


BDS lift springs 4" front 6" rear..33". i'm very happy with it, but wouldnt mind the front a couple inches taller. I dont know what gears i have, i used to be able to blow ricers doors off at stop lights when it was stock..., i dont feel its a dog since its been lifted, but ofcorse its not as quick as it was.... so, you tell me what gears i have heh , i think i have a 10 bolt :/



Cant wait for pics of your new/moms old 70 K5 !!!

[Jason915]

[/IMG]ttp://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y45/jason915/000_0728.jpg[/IMG]

[Jason915]

just had to snap a pict of my pride and joy, lol

[Jason915]

Just one more

[Jason915]

Sorry the Blazer is so dirty, but I wanted a good "before" pic. Overall it will make a good vehicle, it has potential. Tires are fairly new as the transmission and radiator. I am also taking the 73 Blazer parked infront of my 70 for parts mainly the disc brake conversion.

Let me know what you guys think.

[71jimmy]

That looks like it has alot of potential. From just looking at the pics, it doesn't look like it has visible rust, ie rockers, wheel wells. That's always a good thing.

You mention that your getting the '73 for the disc brakes. Doesn't your MOMs already have discs? I believe they all came with Discs starting in '70 (could be wrong though, that's why I'm asking). Also, the shift pattern sticker on the glove box, I always thought that was only used on the '69s (again just asking, could be wrong).

Your truck looks really sweet! Wish I could have one of each.