Z's 1972 K5 CST Blazer Rebuild

[OLD K5]

Coming along nicely, I like It!

[Bull72]

Nice work thus far El Zombo. Truck is going to be pretty sweet once everything comes back together. With your knowledge base (similar to mine) I'm envious of your bravery to get in there. Keep it coming, i'm going to be watching your build.

[RCbowtie69]

nice project & keep progress going,pictures R nice to.Keep on Truckin''

[BLUE THUNDER]

Very nice. Mine is in need of work too, but I'm gonna drive it for a while befor I tear it down. How soon befor you start driving it again?

[elzombo]

The tear down began in Oct 2010. I'm shooting to have it done by the end of 2011, but realistically I guess I'd be happy with NLT Spring/Summer 2012. Of course, the more help I get from people who actually know things about engines, welding, etc...the faster I'll be done...haha.

[elzombo]

So as I continue to work little by little as I have time (seems like something ALWAYS comes up weekend to weekend), I have to think of ways to do things by myself and with the limited tools and very limited knowledge that I have. I figure the disassembly will be the easy part and the re-assembly will be the challenge.

It's been a little bit since my last update and since the last post, I've removed the exhaust, the fuel tank and most importantly, the NP205 transfer case and cross members. I hope to take off the engine and transmission next weekend and then get started on the frame and axles.

[elzombo]

..

[PD1292]

Wow, its looking good!!!

[PD1292]

Looking good.. Keep it up. I am thinking of taking my body off the frame as well. How did you do it with just you and your wife?

[elzombo]

@PD: I used this method for my inspiration. The only difference was I used the engine hoist to life and then I wheeled it back SLOWLY away from the frame. Then I set it down on the jack stands. The biggest challenge was lifting up the rear end of the tub (since I kept the top on for "support" against bending/etc.). The most important thing is setting that critical and important fulcrum as close to the center as possible so you can lift it up balanced and level. PM me if you want to discuss further. Good luck to you!

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=3615909

[VA72C10]

Thread moved at your request!

Keep on trucking!!!

[elzombo]

Finally started painting a few smaller parts.

The first one is my "test subject" using the Eastwood's RE and then Ext Chassis Black paint.

The rest only have the RE applied. And you can tell that I didn't spend too much time prepping the surface on the last two. I scrubbed them with some de-greaser and that was about it. The first piece I sanded and prepped it pretty well...

A guy said he might have a line on some free sandblasting. Supposedly it's a friend of a friend of a friend...who cares...as long as it's free sandblasting.

I'm not sure if I'm correct or not, but I figure it's a frame and axles and only other "strong, metal parts" (no body work nor panels) so how can they mess them up? Am I wrong???

[elzombo]

Finally have the rolling chassis by itself. Considering I mostly just hosed it down and only very lightly wire wheeled some of it...it's doesn't look too bad.

[VA72C10]

Just shows how much difference prep work makes on the final product...


On the sandblasting, you CAN blast sheetmetal but if done wrong, it can warp the panels. I'd feel comfortable with the frame and all suspension components being done...I'd also consider blasting the undercarriage if you could get it to them and also the tailgate...

And any other small brackets/pieces that are heavier gauge if it's free because it'll save a LOT of time prepping parts for paint!

[my90k5]

Nice progress, lookin good.
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[47thriftmaster]

Nice work, are you going to keep the stock color? Keep going and don't take any short cuts, you'll be happier in the end.

[elzombo]

Thanks for the encouragement guys. Every time I tell someone about the frame off they're like, "You are braver than me..." Sometimes it makes me doubt myself, but I know when it's all said and done, I'll enjoy my beauty all the more.

@47: The PO said this yellow was "original paint" but I know it's not. I am sure I don't want to keep the yellow, but I'm not 100% certain on what color I want to switch to. Right now I'm leaning towards a blue, gunmetal or black. But then I see some of the hugger orange rides and I'm like, "SWEEEEET!" so I have no idea.

[my90k5]

Is there any original paint still on it somewhere?

I LIKE THE BLUE!! lol

[elzombo]

I think there's still the original under the dash and some of the harder to reach places. But I know it's not original b/c there are some spots where you can tell the paint ran/overspray. It looks like it was a "backyard" paint job (but a good one overall). I'm just not really down with the yellow. I like blue too...but I'm still left with WHICH SHADE OF BLUE???? Lol.

[elzombo]

Okay so I'm starting to shop around for a new suspension/lift kit. I'm not 100% certain what size my lift kit is now. I THINK it currently has either a 2" or 4" lift. The tires are 33 x 12.5s. I don't want to lift the blazer up any more nor do I want it any lower. I want it to be exactly the same height. Some blazers seem to sit with the ass-end a little low and I don't want mine to be that way. I've read of some folks lifting the back a few inches higher so it sits level. If you look at the 3rd pic from my post on 4/4, you can tell the back leaf springs seem to be sitting on a small block between the axle/leaf spring. Does anyone know how I can figure out what size lift my blazer has now so I can be sure to replace it with a kit the same size? I've read that it's recommended that 33s go on a 4" lift. Normally if let's say I had a 2" lift now and I "accidentally" went up to a 4" lift I wouldn't care, but I don't want it to get too tall to where the blazer won't fit in the garage. There's NO WAY after I'm done with her I want her sitting in the driveway and not garaged.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Wow looks like the garage is full of blazer keep up the good work.. May wanna look into ord's zero rate springs I believe that's what guys have been using to make the rear level??

[el3m3nt3l]

like the build

[PD1292]

Its looking good. Keep it up. I want to lift the back of my jimmy as well but I think I will just use some blocks, I cant afford springs. Mabe some one will chime in on the lift issue you have.

[1972_K5]

What I did for my lift is took off my springs and took them to a good local spring shop. I told them the amount of lift I wanted and they re-arched the fronts to the correct height and then took apart the rear spring pack and replaced the really thick lower leaf with two thinner leafs. This was to soften up the ride a bit. They then re-arched the rears to be slightly taller than the fronts to get rid of the rear end sag. All of this was done for < $300.00 Slap in some poly bushings and you will have a set up that will ride better than new for not a lot of money.

[elzombo]

Okay, so after quite a LONG time without posting, I have some updates to post...lol. Basically, my wife gave birth to our first born (almost 2 years ago) and I've had little to no time to work on the blazer. Well I can say that I did SOME of the work. I cleaned up the frame and covered it with Eastwood's rust encapsulator. I also built the cart you see the blazer on...lol.