New to me 1972 K5
 

Ok. I'm officially back in the game. Had a rusted out 70 K5 back on the east coast. Sold that.... wanted another and finally got a nice rust free Blzer today... Needs some love but a good solid foundation. First thing is a new steering box as this thing wanders and needs constant correction... then a set of body bushings as the rubber is toast.... I think I'm gonna throw on a ORD 1" body lift too... I only have one pic so far... more to come...
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i9...T/eadd24df.jpg

Has a 4" lift with rancho shocks. A bolt in roll cage.(cant open the glove box) Double wall top (with a wavy roof). 350\TH350\NP205 combo. 33" BFGs on 80's rally wheels. Has a second fuel tank over the wheel well. Front seats have a plaid cloth cover. Might be from a newer truck. Rear bench has the scrolling and the door panesl are the deluxe ones.

Re: New to me 1972 K5
 

Looks good. I like the tire/rim combo. How are you gonna do it? Back to stock or updated? I'm looking forward to seeing more pics. :chevy:

Re: New to me 1972 K5
 

looks good I see it has tow hooks.

Re: New to me 1972 K5
 

OK.. its a CST ... here it the SPID and a few more cell phone pics ...

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i9...g?t=1285729395

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i9...T/9358c341.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i9...T/eadd24df.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i9...T/4c1d5d30.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i9...T/98244b90.jpg

Re: New to me 1972 K5
 

Very nice

Re: New to me 1972 K5
 

So here are the plans so far: (after the general maintenace to make sure its road worthy)

I want to build a frame work that replaces the factory console and run a floor shifter. B&M 81040.
I will try and figure out a cable operated NP205 stick to match.
The original bucket seats are gone so I will probably find some late model seats that fit.
There is a cage in there now but I dont like the design so that will be redone.
Replace to stock bumpers with .... something. (no winch)
8 lug upgrade Front and Rear (keep stock housings)
Rear disc brakes @ 8 lug upgrade time
H2 Hummer 17" wheels

The BIG wish list item will be an aluminum 6.0L with 4L60e/NP205 drivetrain....

Similar console idea (but in a square body)
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x.../mockup005.jpg

B&M
http://www.jegs.com/images/photos/13081040.jpg

H2 wheels painted
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...41/H2wheel.jpg

D44 8 lug upgrade:
http://coloradok5.com/8lugconversion.shtml

Re: New to me 1972 K5
 

Some other pics.....

out with the old....
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i9...T/ff31e366.jpg

In with the new(er)...
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i9...T/0e456f9d.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i9...T/8ff3116a.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i9...T/a7878a68.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i9...T/7193d2cb.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i9...T/1bb65109.jpg

Re: New to me 1972 K5
 

got the new Red Head steering box installed... its variable ratio with 3 1/2 turns lock to lock. Replaced the PS pump and both lines at the same time.... I also rebuilt the rag joint...

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i9...ket_12717_.jpg

Now I'm fighting with the body bolts welded to the floor pan...

Re: New to me 1972 K5
 

please let me know how you like the box. I am also wandering down the road :)

Re: New to me 1972 K5
 

Where did you buy the parts, and $, thanks, mine needs that

Re: New to me 1972 K5
 

The box came directly from Red Head. The power steering pump and hoses came from the local parts store. The poly body mounts came from Off Road Design as well as the 1" aluminum body pucks... I havent driven the truck with the new steering box, I just got the body mounts in place tonight. I may need some shimms and hope to drive it tomorrow....

I ended up drilling all the heads off the body bolts. The bolts from ORD were and inch longer to make up for the added puck. They were grade 5 but have a standard hex head. I went to go get new carriage bolts but they were only grade 2 to I used the ones they sent. I'll keep looking for some stronger carriage bolts or maybe some button head allen bolts....

All the bolts came out fairly clean except the two in the passenger and driver foot wells. They are recessed and you cant get a cut off wheel in there. I didnt have a die grinder so I drilled them out and ended up ripping the sheet metal where they were wleded. In its place I used to GM late model subframe washers.... and since everyone love pics.....

Old Vs. New

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i9...ket_13568_.jpg

In place

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i9...ket_13392_.jpg

Old bolt with weld still attatched along with some of my floor pan....
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i9...ket_13391_.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i9...ket_13553_.jpg

The washer I was talking about... fits in the recess perfectly

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i9...ket_13387_.jpg

Re: New to me 1972 K5
 

Your new Blazer looks good! Congrats. I have the same 6 point rollbar in mine - I like the back section but don't like the front.

Re: New to me 1972 K5
 

I found that the draglink ends on mine were responsible for a dead spot in the middle of my steering when I first bought my truck.

Cheap to replace and you'll want fresh ones anyway, whether you replace the steering box or not.


-G
:chevy:

Re: New to me 1972 K5
 

Thats funny because I think the fronts ok but dont like the back.... but I cant opent the glove box door....

Re: New to me 1972 K5
 

Well I have driven the truck a couple times and some of that was on winding roads... It feels great but still doesnt want to come back to center... it wants to stay in the direction you last pointed it at... I think drak link ends are next...

I love the 3.25 turns lock to lock....

I also found some inexpensive 17" wheels I like....
http://www.discounttiredirect.com/pr...t8.msm.ang.jpg http://imagehost.vendio.com/a/350689...rike_8_MBL.jpg

They come in silver, black with silver lip and all black.... I want to run 35's. Anyone know the best offset/backspace? I dont want the wheels to look too tucked in....
Option A. 17x9 @ 0 offset @ 5" BS
Option B. 17x9 @ -12mm offset @ 4.5" BS

Re: New to me 1972 K5
 

OK... so i picked up some rear seats last month... then picked up front seats the other day....

Back seat sitting in the truck ...
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i9...ket_19133_.jpg

Front seats waiting in the garage....
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i9...ket_23800_.jpg

Re: New to me 1972 K5
 

Very nice. I want to get the same set from a Tahoe put in mine.

Re: New to me 1972 K5
 

Did I read this right, you are going to convert your existing rear 12 bolt to 8 lug?

Re: New to me 1972 K5
 

one thing i didn't see mentioned on your steering issue, make sure the steering box is centered. these trucks are prone to wandering if the box is off center at all. it'll be easy to center when you install the new draglink ends.

Re: New to me 1972 K5
 

That was an original thought but not worth the effort if its even possible...

Re: New to me 1972 K5
 

Well its been a while since I updated....

I sold my 06 Tacoma and have been driving the Blazer daily to work. It sucks on gas but oh well, it's fun. All I did was change the fluids.... the engine leaks from the front, back and valve covers... the trans takes forever to get in gear... the original posi and carrier are junk. (no maintenance and lots of abuse)

I have since sold the heated leather seats because they were from an 2003 or newer truck and the wiring was going to be a hassle. I picked up some grey cloth seats and I'll probably put in some aftermarket seat heaters next fall....

I only ever got half the black paint off... the acetone was killing my hands...

The crap mirrors that were on the truck vibrate so bad I can barely see whats behind me. I won't turn in front of anyone but talk about double vision. I test fit a mirror from a Hummer H3. I'll ned to come up with somethign to fill the gap between the door and the bas of the mirror.... here are some pics...

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i9...ket_36785_.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i9...ket_36787_.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i9...ket_36786_.jpg

Re: New to me 1972 K5
 

I have been collecting parts to get rid of the 4" lift blocks in the rear. I was originally going with the ORD shackle flip but ended up with DIY4x because it uses shackles like the ones found on the front springs... I also got a set of perches, shot mounts and U bolts from Ruff Stuff....

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i9...ket_36271_.jpg

Today before work I went and picked up another rear axle. This one is from a 2004 Duramax SRW truck. It a AAM 14bolt full floater that has an 11.5" ring gear, 1410 yoke and disk brakes with the integral parking brake. This thing is friggin' HUGE!

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i9...ket_37086_.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i9...ket_37085_.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i9...ket_36811_.jpg

Re: New to me 1972 K5
 

I also installed all my Moog parts... Tie rod ends and drag links... I had to recenter the pitman arm as well. the truck was still wandering. I also had to re torque the steering box bolts as the were loose and causing deflection and bump steer... It's 10x better. Now I just need to recent the steering wheel, but I think I will get an alighment first.

Re: New to me 1972 K5
 

picked up a set of chrome H2 wheels the other night for $200 ... woo hoo

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i9...ket_38363_.jpg

Re: New to me 1972 K5
 

nice score on the wheels and nice blazer! Looks much better ochre ;)