New from detroit and my 2nd marriage.

[71blazerdetroit]

I was asked to post some details so i figured a build thread to catch up would be in order.
Bought the truck april of 09'. (1st pic)

Immediately my wife committed us to go on a camping trip 2 months later. (so every waking hour was dedicated to making sure it would make the 4 hour journey.)

things for the trip : cage (with kids i couldn't leave with out it), 4" lift, new tires, misc electrical and inspection.

2nd pic was on the way out of the drive to silverlake in June of last year with 35's and lift completed.

After the 4 hour drive with a 465 and t-221 in it, OD trans was in order. So in with the 700r4 and clocked 241.

After that, is was some body work and 1 ton axles(corp 14/ dana 60 combo, 5.13 gears and grizzly locker) since I needed 8 lug rims and new tires I decided to go big or go home. H1 recentered beadlocks with rings and 38" sx swampers.

repainted the cage to match the rims, knowing I was going to raptor line the hardtop to match the gray color. Picked up a new hatch door from a member here from cali.

As you can see I'm starting the transition of blue body panels to raptor lining the whole body black. The tub restoration will be the last to be done, since were to busy enjoying it.

[71blazerdetroit]

In case some wanted to see more of the cage or other misc.

the last pic was at silver lake in 55 degree weather, the funniest part was the look on the wife and kids faces as I did this and they realized their was no roof.

[SeventyOne]

I LOVE that cage design - want to make one for me?

[OldCreek]

Can you tell us about that front bumper, also? Make and model it was made for...or was it a custom build?

Thanks

[71blazerdetroit]

Thanks for the compliment on the cage ,I added some floor ribs, to bolt the seats to the cage and 5 points. The rear seat is a 3rd row seat from a suburban. It's nice to fold it down or remove it at the flip of the handle.

The bumper was custom made by me, I didn't like anything aftermarket (I don't like the look of winches in front of the grill nor unprotected under the bumper. Plus concerns on fitment buying a 500.00 + bumper. I have probably 80 hours into it and 150.00 in material, from 3/16 for the shell and 3/8 center section for the 10k winch. I used Led lights to replace the turn signal lamps and had to replace the flasher (thermal to electronic)

Plan on adding LED tail lights anyway.

[jaros44sr]

welcome to the boards, very well done on all your fab work!! Really like the action shot, surprise, no roof

More pics?

[cleszkie]

71blazerdetroit - Is that the top hatch I sold you? If so, it looks great in its new home!!

[71blazerdetroit]

Yeah same one, Btw if all 40 yr old parts are in that nice of condition in cali, I'm buying my next classic from there.

I need to get day light pics, but never get home before dusk. Maybe this weekend. which will include the new rear bumper, just need to add the drop down spare tire carrier. Also final pics of 3rd row burban seat.

Random pics, added for cage progress, bumper mock up, and last one is original tear down.
My next upgrade is a new engine, I just need to decide what exactly to do with it.

[71blazerdetroit]

I found a better angle on the bumper for those interested

[dmwphoto]

so whats up with the second marriage? first trip not go so good?

[71blazerdetroit]

Originally Posted by dmwphoto

so whats up with the second marriage? first trip not go so good?

Lol no, was referring to the truck being as much work as my marriage. 15 years and you think it would get easier......

The nice thing is I have learned to save the labor intensive work on the truck for THOSE days.

[jaros44sr]

Originally Posted by 71blazerdetroit

I found a better angle on the bumper for those interested

nicely done, wished I had seen this pic before I went with the stock bumper/ winch setup

thanks for the pics

[1tonblaze]

nice blazer . what does the rear bumper look like ?

[BLUE THUNDER]

nice rig.

[vtblazer]

Welcome to the board, love a blazer built to be driven.


How's the drive train combo working out, same as I'm going to run aside from the axle ratio.

How are the 5:13's on the highway?

[71blazerdetroit]

I will get a pic shortly of the rear bumper shortly.

The 5.13 ratio, so far works well, not great to be honest, I only have a 100 miles on them. The motor atm is the bigger issue, I just can't get it to run right.. (head gasket leak, timing issue). I have no idea on the mileage. hence needing the upgrade/ replacement. Can't say for sure if I'm going to replace it with a 350/carbed or newer 6.0 and computer.

I have had it up to 70, 1st gear is good out of the hole, and at freeway it shifts between 60 and 65. I think it will only get better once I have the new motor.

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by 71blazerdetroit

I have had it up to 70, 1st gear is good out of the hole, and at freeway it shifts between 60 and 65. I think it will only get better once I have the new motor.

I'm more curious about the highway RPM's and the O/D shift.

My axles have 4:56's and with my 37's the gear chart says 1900rpm @ 65mph when in O/D, wondering how close it'll actually be to that number.

I had 5:13's in the last blazer but with the 42" rubber on it, running the highway wasn't gonna happen.

[71blazerdetroit]

I think it will be damn close, at 2k I should have 4th gear at 63 per the calculator. (using grimmjeeper calc)
I know on the gps it was between 62 and 65. Now in my case the motor didn't like the load put on it, but it did shift and hold. I have a tach sitting on the shelf, I just haven't installed it yet.

[swyfor5]

Excellant thread! Welcome aboard, and glad to see another nice K5 in Michigan! More pic's?

[71blazerdetroit]

all right guys last of the pics, not much going to be updated until after the winter. let me know if you have any questions.

rear bumper, like I said will have a drop down tire carrier added to the 2 swivel joints.

you can see the 3rd row suburban seat and the cage tie in's for it.
Also the 4 points for the kids.

if your wondering why its sagging in the rear, i have 300lbs of scrap in the back atm, besides we all know how they are. I will eventually 4 link and coil the rear.

[71blazerdetroit]

Installed crossover steering, New Military Oz's (the 38.5s were to just a hair big).

Started working on the spare tire carrier.

[rads42]

I really love the look of that cage. Do you have any drawings of it that you used for fabrication that you'd be willing to share?? I have no cage at all and like you a couple kids so I'd like to get something in there for the summer. I thought if I could take drawings to a roll cage shop of a design I like that's definitely going to fit under the hard top it would probably save me a few bucks and I know what the finished product would look like.

Eric

[71blazerdetroit]

No sorry i don't. I used 1 1/4" schedule 40 pipe, I read a article on dom vs "pipe" and the stats aren't significant enough to justify the price difference. It was 2.20 a foot and I think I used just over 100 feet for the cage.

Another 30 feet was for the seat mounts and 5 point harness mounts.
I also used the mounting plates fom diy4x4. (qty 8)

All the bends were done from a harbor freight bender.

I started with the top on it and made the 2 main ribs that run from the windshield to the tailgate, then supported up front at the "a" pillar.

If you have a welder and bender this wasn't that hard to do, and it was the reason I bought both, it was my first try at anything like this. The labor costs of a shop justified the purchase of the welder.

If you want specific pics let me know, I am leaving for the week, but i will post what you need when i get back.

[71blazerdetroit]

updated, tire carrier complete, continued lining the outside of the truck.

[71blazerdetroit]

new liner on quarter panel