project: Gangreen

[Hoods69BadBowTie]

Wow that's crazy can't believe you had that problem and it turned into such a damn nightmare. Glad you got it figured out. Looks good so far keep up the good work and keep on plugging away bit by bit it will be done in no time

[Berg]

Looks like a fun build, Love the SAS project by the way. Your back window not wanting to go up but works in the down position sounds like the tailgate side latches. They make sure the window only goes up when the gate is fully closed. Either fix the switch or jump it out and enjoy the luxury of a power tailgate window. If you notice the window only goes up 3/4 the way and stops its because the tailgate is pushed in and the window motor is catching on the metal glass channel keeping it from passing. It will go down but will catch on that part and not go all the way up. Simple fix is to sit inside the truck with your feet on the top of the gate and pull the inner structure back out with your hands. I recommend wearing gloves for this.

[thirdstreettito]

Nice build! Love the fender work!

[Devillusion]

Originally Posted by thirdstreettito

Nice build! Love the fender work!

Thanks...was something that was just rattling around in my head and thought...."what the hell". Hoping the rear will turn out just as good. Hope to get back on it in the next month or so.

[hatzie]

The starter bolts usually break off on the 6.x because the PO left off the starter to block brace. The big heavy or little gear reduction Delco starters use size specific braces. GM still stocked the little starter brace last year. Junk yards are your only source for the older big starter braces.

[Devillusion]

ya, put the bracket back on when I upgraded the bolts. Hope it will last a while now.

[Devillusion]

Got a few parts in the other day finally. Steering box brace from ORD, zero rates, front hubs to convert back to SRW, front lift springs, one rear quarter panel, and a whack of other msc crap. Hope to get her back into the shop as soon as I can take a break from the CCSB project.

[grayharville]

Cool truck! I respect your fab skills, I like it. question- what brand bed liner did you use on that dash? it looks close to factory, and that is the look im after.

[Devillusion]

Thanks.

Believe it or not I just used the aerosol (dominion sure seal) kind. It leaves a nice even fine texture IMO.

[grayharville]

Thanks for the response, I like the look! I see a project coming up for me
Posted via Mobile Device

[Devillusion]

Hoping to get back to this thing in the next few days and piece some more of it together. Been sitting for some time now and need to switch up projects for a bit.

Anyone know how to tell for sure that if I need a harmonic balancer or not? Hear that you should change them out regardless but maybe this one has been done already. If the rubber is good I assume it should be fine? Or is there some other sort of obvious tell tale?

Also going to have to do some research on the upkeep and maintenance of the 6.2L....diesel is a whole new world to me, and want her to run best she can as I might start driving her daily back and forth to work.

[Devillusion]

Well, trying to get back on the trail rig project. Been off it for quite some time. Will be a few days before I can get back to it again, but did manage to make some progress in the last couple.



Installed the frame/steering box brace from ORD, nice little piece....hoping it saves the frame over time.




SRW hubs and 4" springs.....probably still going to opt for the 52"ers in the front, but the deal was right.






Mounted up one quarter panel (thanks Jay), raised it 1.5" same as the front, was going to stretch the rear quarters as well (like the front) but found that the inner wheel wells would have needed to be enlarged or use a set of trailer fenders.....would just be getting to in depth for the gain at this point in the project. So I decided to just raise them and that was it. Have to many other things on the "to do" list on this thing to start adding more.






Also got the one front inner fender partially mounted, will take some massaging from a BFH in the daytime when the wife isn't sleeping 12' above me..... ;kk

Want to get the front hubs swapped out, track down a 14 bolt ff with some 4.10's in it and just swap out the one I have as I am pretty sure they are 3.73s but not yet confirmed. Then start looking at finishing up the rock rails, front bumper, rear bumper, piece back the interior, bleed the brakes, replace the oil cooler lines, thermostat, coolant, etc etc etc. And of course pick up another rear quarter panel to finish off the large portion of the sheetmetal work.

[Devillusion]

SRW front hubs blasted, painted, and reassembled/installed today. Everything went good other than realizing that the DRW rotors are slightly different in such that the stud holes are a few sizes smaller. Not a huge deal, just had to drill them out to be able to put the studs back in again.

Also got one inner fender installed with some help from a good torch, BFH, and some swearing. Looks good though, was kind of worried how they were going to work out with the front fender mods.

Measured the truck compared to my stock crew cab 4x4...and the K5 is only sitting 5" above stock at the doors with the 35's on. Thus meaning that it is only sitting with a 3" lift (approx) right now. Front is going to have to come up another inch with the spring swap and zero rates at least..but glad it is still sitting fairly low. Hoping to stuff some 38's on it at a later date.

Will post up some more pics in a day or so when more progress is made.

[MrBeast]

Man you have sure brought that thing a long way in a short amount of time. It is looking damn good. To be honest that is a rig I'd have passed right over because of the rust, it looks like you will make a good one out of her yet.

[Devillusion]

At the start of yesterday.....



And today......










Then got cleaning out the truck, and organizing what I had left for parts etc etc etc. Found a bunch of crap that I had even forgotten I had bought/had. It was like Christmas in August... :fny







Also got some body work crap done, drivers mirror repaired/mounted, passenger inner fender finished up (some welding), and started replacing the bushings in the front lift springs. Going to remove 2 of the 5 leaves and hopfully end up with a 4" lift set. Pretty sure these look like 6" lift. Wish I knew for sure. Only want another inch in the front to level her out and that is it. The zero rates will take care of that right now but the spring pack I have in the truck currently is kind of a hacked together set that was in the 1 ton I removed the D60 from and not going to keep them in there. They sit a bit less than level which if I remember right springs sitting straight on these trucks is pretty close to a 4" lift. So thinking mine in the truck are around 3"?

[Devillusion]

Well, after everyone left last night once the meeting was done. I decided to stay up and work on the rig a bit more.

Drilled out the centre pin on all the leaves, then added the zero rate to move the differential 1" forward to assure good tire clearance and get a bit longer wheelbase. Got the spring packs in and found that the lift springs I attained from one of my msc barter/trade/deals were out of something that were 1/2" shorter overall and moved the centre pin 1/2" forward as well. This moved the axle 1.5" forward and was to much lift.... was just too much IMO. That and my shackles were leaning forward at the bottom... completely opposite what they should be.

Plan B
Tore them back out again, blew them apart and kept the second and third leaf......then added those two to the original main leaf to make a complete pack. And of course put the zero rate back in to still move 1" forward. This ended up giving me the added 1" from where it was sitting (which is what I wanted), and brought my shackles back to a less than savy vertical position....but way better than they were. Took a bit of blood and sweat this afternoon to get the new packs together but they are in and looks great. Truck looks as though it has alot more lift that it really does with the sheet metal modifications etc. There is only 4" suspension lift total....which is where it will stay regardless of end tire size result over the years. The 35's will be staying for now till the budget allows a larger 36-38" swamper. Also trimmed 1" off the drag link to compensate for the shorter throw to keep the wheel in check. Managed to keep the spring pack to a 3 leaf setup....hoping they will ride/flex nicely. Took her for a rip through the ditches...which was interesting considering I still have absolutely no brakes...hahaha, or rear shocks for that matter.

Thanks to Moose....the shocks I picked up from him fit perfect even though I had to bastardise the original shocks for the steel bushing inserts....all worked out in the end.

Hope to start finishing up some of the sheet metal and body work on the drivers side tonight yet......

Anyways, on with the pics....











front measurement


rear measurement

[Devillusion]

Rear brakes and hubs all rebuilt, rear gears confirmed to be the 4.10s I was praying for, gear oil changed in both ends, rear brake lines replaced and moved upwards to accomodate for the flex, oil change complete, and drivers rear quarter panel body work near done.

Making progress......will have pics up by the end of the week I hope.

[Devillusion]

Got some work done a while back on the K5, just haven't had a chance to post up any pictures.

Managed to tear into the rear brakes, and what a mess they were. All rusted to hell but have enuf of these parts around that I made up a good set of rear brakes, hardware, and drums. Blasted everything and painted it up while I had it apart as well.

Rear quarter on drivers side is mostely ready at this point, more will be done when getting ready for actual paint, which will be a bit yet with all the projects going on.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

So with it lifted.... Why do you need jack stands?
Posted via Mobile Device

[68Timber]

Love this truck. Have you picked a color for it yet?

[Devillusion]

Originally Posted by INSIDIOUS '86

So with it lifted.... Why do you need jack stands?
Posted via Mobile Device

Makes it easier to do the brakes with the wheels off......

[Devillusion]

Originally Posted by BRUISER

Love this truck. Have you picked a color for it yet?

Thanks, have been considering selling her for a bit but can't bring myself to do it as I have always loved these blazers. But if my 98 doesn't sell it will become my trail rig and this one will go eventually.


To be honest a few ideas are going throug my head about paint, but being that it is going to be mostley a trail rig, it will get a spray on bed liner or high end rocker guard sprayed with a gun, then hit with either flat black, olive drab green, or either one of those with some sort of cool graphix taped off before paint. Time will tell I guess, a ways from that yet.


Rear quarters are moved back 1.5" as well to allow a bit more movement under spring compression with the 56" springs. They move quite well when there is only 4 leaves left in the pack.

[Hankster]

Anymore on this awesome thing? I like it!