1973 4wd to 2wd K5 Blazer Build

[pbeguy]

For this build I found a 1973 K5 4wd to start. It is in pretty good shape considering it was sitting in a field outside of Houston. I made a deal ($1200) and dragged it home. It has a 350/350 and is lifted 6 inches. First I had to figure out how to convert it to 2wd. I have seen others swap components and fight a good fight, but my option was to to find a 2wd donor and swap parts till I get it how I need it.

[pbeguy]

Next, I had to find a donor with what I needed. I searched and found a 75 locally and dragged it home.

The good: It had a top, and decent interior, a lot of parts I needed and it was 2 wheel drive.

The bad: The body was mostly junk.

[pbeguy]

First things first, teardown.

[pbeguy]

Over a weekend, I got the body lifted up and dragged the frame out and off the trailer. I have limited room so that is the only way I could do it.
It was a real pain in the but I got it done. It is not the easiest or safest way but I took my time and worked as safe as I could.

[pbeguy]

The next day I went online and ordered everything to fix the front.
2.5 Spindles and 2" drop springs
Upper and lower ball joints
Upper and Lower Urethane Control Arm Bushings
Rotors, Calipers, Bearings, Seals, Brake lines, Inner and Outer Tie Rods

I cut the humps off the LCA's, pressed the new bushings in and put it all back on.

I found a set of 7" and 8" rally's for 75 bucks locally, cleaned them up, painted them and put some tires on them.

[pbeguy]

I sorted all the 2wd parts and labeled them for reference. I set the top on the 4wd and dragged the 2wd frame home.

On the 2wd body, I saved the rear floor in one piece. It is in fantastic shape and I plan to swap it also.
The factory low back buckets and rear bench can be recovered, and will be nice.
I saved the low rise tranny hump, the roll bar ( might use ), steering column, wiring and all the A/C stuff.
All that is left is the rough doors and the windshield frame which I am going to trade or sell for stuff I need.

I also found a 81 glass top about an hour north of me with nice sliding side glasses for 50 bucks. I removed the glass and
traded the shell to a guy for a 2wd transmission cross member for the frame

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Today is back brakes day. New everything except parking brake cables. Been awhile since the brakes had been serviced last.

I also put the new idler arm on. That can in front of the frame is a molasses soak for rusty parts. It works great at 1 part Molasses to 5 parts water.

I am putting big tires (30x9.5x15 and 31x10.50x15) on since they are the ones I used on my 59 and I could swap them with the 22's that were on it sometimes.