1984 Jimmy 2wd conversion

[Superdave76]

After searching for a year I picked up a 1984 Jimmy. I was basically looking for a K5 that had a decient body with factory paint. The previos owner had just pulled the motor and trans so he was selling it as a roller. That was perfect for me because I have a 350 engine and 700r4 sitting in the shop. I'm not into 4x4 so I plan on doing the 2wd conversion.

[buffydores]

And...... Continue the story. Looking forward to your build.

[Superdave76]

I had picked up a couple 4x4 blazer frames last year through some parts trading. I was saving the frames for a project just like this. I took one of the frames and stripped it of all the 4x4 brackets, mounts, lines ect. There was about 50 rivets in the 4x4 frame that needed to be removed. I used a heavy duty air hammer to remove rivets and it took about an hour to remove them all. I sold the bracket set for 150$ to a guy who was doing a 4x4 conversion on his swb.

[BaggedRanger]

One thing people don't realize when they do the conversion is that the front rear spring hanger is different in a 2x versus the 4x.. The 4x drops down where the 2x is closer to the frame more.

[Superdave76]

I picked up a longbed frame for 50$. I took a bunch of measurements and made a diagram of the top and bottom of the 2wd frame hole locations. I stripped all the brackets, crossmeber, brakelines ect. I put the frames side by side to take quick measurements then I started on the blazer frame. I located the front crossmember first. Only one of the 4x4 holes lined up on the bottom of the crossmember. On the sides of the frame there was one hole that half way lined up with the 2wd crossmember.

[Superdave76]

I marked and drilled the new holes in the side and bottom of the frame. The pass side has the one hole that lines up with the 2wd crossmember. After all the holes were drilled I moved on to the idler arm bracket.

[Superdave76]

Next I worked on the core support mounts. The lower holes where kind of close. I drilled the upper holes first and bolted the bracket to the frame. Once it was bolted I drilled the lower holes. I welded 1 5/8 chromoly tubing across the frame to strenghten the frame horns and then removed the 4x4 front brace. After that I trimmed the upper frame for the motor mount brackets and drilled new holes.

[LEEVON]

following!

[Superdave76]

Moving on to the rear of the frame I stared with the rear hanger. It was the easiest of the brackets only a few holes needed to be drilled. Next I moved on to the front bracket. This bracket was a little harder to do but I had a factory 2wd Blazer to measure off of. I started measuring from the top of the frame to the center of the front hanger on the 2wd. When I placed the 1/2 ton truck front hanger on the 4x4 frame holes it was positioned too far down. The bracket need to be moved higher on the frame like the factory 2wd blazer.

[Superdave76]

I plan on going low with the Jimmy so I cut a notch in the frame crossmember for driveshaft clearance. I moved on to the front to fit the 2wd steering box / proportioning brace. The 4x4 frame horns were not as wide as the 2wd so we welded the brace instead of bolting it.

[OutlawDrifter]

Very cool!

[cruizin01]

Looks good. Ill be attempting this in the next couple months on my LWB.

Are you swapping the core support mounts because you are using a 2wd core support? If I already have everything bolted up from a 4x4, I should be able to leave it alone?

Also you think its necessary to swap that front cross member from the 4wd to the 2wd?

[Superdave76]

It will work if you leave them. I used the 2wd core support mount because the 4x4 has the front spring bracket attached to it. I also wanted it to look like a 2wd chassis so I swapped all the brackets and crossmembers. Plus I was able to sell the complete set for a 4x4 conversion.

[Superdave76]

I used some paint stripper, wire wheel to strip all the old paint and road grime off the chassis. After a good wipe down I painted the chassis with satin VHT Roll Bar & Chassis Paint. This was the first time to use this paint and I was very pleased with the results.

[Superdave76]

I want to go low with the Jimmy so I made my own c notch kit and front shock relocators. I bolted all the 2wd parts on the frame with new grade 8 hardware. I rebuilt the control arms with Prothane polyurethane bushings and Moog ball joints. I purchased a McGaughys 5/7 drop kit and painted the spindles with the VHT SP671 paint.

[Superdave76]

I had the rally wheels powder coated. I went with a 6.5x15 wheel with a 215/70/15 tire on the front. For the rear I went with a 8x15 wheel with a 275/60/15 tire. I polished the center caps with Green Magic Plus metal cleaner to bring back the shine.

[LEEVON]

I'm digging this build! Just one question, why didn't you want to keep the neon green paint?

[Superdave76]

The neon green was good for the 4x4 but I'm more into the factory look. I got a good deal on the frame because of the color 😜

[Superdave76]

I installed the control arms and drop spindles. I purchased new front brake components, bearings and seals. I didnt use the drop springs. Instead I ordered a pair of Moog 6454 front coil springs to cut down. On the rear we repainted the housing and leaf springs. I replaced the leaf spring bushings with a Prothane polyurethane set. We installed the rear flip kit, springs and housing. I didnt rebuild the rear brakes because I plan on going with a disc brake set. We started to cut and install the c notch kit on the frame.

[LEEVON]

Nice! Taking this one all the way I see. I'm getting ready to start on a '75 K5 factory 2wd. That's exactly how I do the front springs. I have never found a "drop spring" that satisfies...but every one I have used new heavy duty moog springs and cut has ridden like a dream.

[chevysmithz71]

Great start. I'm still learning the 2wd world but why get new moon springs? Any updates?

[Mello Mel]

how much do you cut the Moog springs ?

[68Timber]

Wow. Another one that'll be like new...

[dbstepside]

Very nice work. Sometimes I wish I would have went this route but I took what I thought was the quick way and I’m still moving along slowly on my conversion. You frame looks really good though.

[LT7A]

This is some really clean work.