1978 Russet Metallic 4x4

[phillipm]

Originally Posted by buffydores

I've grown frustrated with the twin stick. The shifting is easy, but the linkage likes to bump the transmission tunnel and I need my little spacer bar to keep the kids from accidentally shifting the levers. So I dug up the old shifter that looked more like a heavy turd and started chiseling away the baked shell of 40 years of mud. Then I worked it with some brake cleaner. Disassembled. More brake cleaner, then soaked it in Evaporust for a day. Reassembled with a bunch of lithium grease, and its ready to go back in the Blazer. Found new bushings for the levers here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/1970-79-All...e7d7%7Ciid%3A1

These little refurb projects are fun. I'm also moving away from the 4-speed auto idea. It just feels like I lose too much identity with that upgrade.

I was with you all the way till you said no to the overdrive upgrade. That’s the first upgrade I make!
Posted via Mobile Device

[buffydores]

Originally Posted by phillipm

I was with you all the way till you said no to the overdrive upgrade. That’s the first upgrade I make!
Posted via Mobile Device

I like the idea. I'd want a fully electronic setup. I just always get in a constant cycle of always changing factory stuff. Sometimes its better, but sometimes, its not worth the hassle. The truck is fast enough off the line already. I'd get better fuel economy at highway speed, but I'm not roadtripping this rig anywhere. It's not a daily driver. I'm sitting at 3000rpms at 75mph. It's high, I know, but it's not gonna hurt anything.

[OutlawDrifter]

Nice, clean, stock.

[phillipm]

Hell yeah, that looks awesome!!

[buffydores]

Originally Posted by phillipm

Hell yeah, that looks awesome!!

That little vinyl trim ring we made really dresses it up.

Took the wife out for dinner in the Blazer last night. Damn it feels good to be a gangsta.

[buffydores]

Installed some pimp valve covers. Starting to look pretty good under the hood.

[Grizz1963]

Hi from England Cameron,

I have never wanted a K5 in 4WD form before, but your thread has me wondering about that.

Just read through it all.

I have a 66 C10 in “kit form” in my garage thread here http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=585901


And on the 6th October, I bought a 79 Blazer in 2WD form here in England.

Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=774451

I come to the USA every year to do road trips, and almost made it to Longview this year, as I had thought of looking up Karl, Aggie on here as he lives there too, but ended up doing 8 states in 2.5 weeks. http://forum.retro-rides.org/thread/...2018-humdinger

Looking at your restoration, and constant evolution, my brain got stuck on one piece of kit you fitted.....

That rear wind deflector.

Where did you order that from, and are they ever around used, as my Blazer is as rough as a badgers butt.

I also saw Bill “Palf” fitted a 4x4 front lip/airdam to his 82 Square stepper, does one see them around to buy or new?

Thanks, and awesome build as everyone has said so far.

I love the fact that you use it, and the photoset of it working off-road etc was great.

[buffydores]

Grizz: Thanks so much for the kind words. The rear deflector shows up used periodically. It was a GM accessory. I saw a used one last week on here for $150. They are designed to keep the dust from gathering on the back glass.

[OutlawDrifter]

Definitely amazing what we learn to put up with, nice work!

[phillipm]

Nice handles. Did you find GM ones or are they Repops?

[buffydores]

Originally Posted by phillipm

Nice handles. Did you find GM ones or are they Repops?

Got them from LMC; reman., but they look like quality stuff. It feels tight.

[buffydores]

Thanks Rian Cheers.

[Futurespeed]

When I was growing up, we had a late 70's GMC Jimmy that had a factory lift and granny gears. Where is the best place to find one if I'm looking to purchase something similar at a reasonable price?

Here is a pic that I found of a similar looking rig. I remember many amazing hunting and 4-wheeling trips in that beast.

[buffydores]

Originally Posted by Futurespeed

When I was growing up, we had a late 70's GMC Jimmy that had a factory lift and granny gears. Where is the best place to find one if I'm looking to purchase something similar at a reasonable price?

I don't know if there's a best place. We bought ours new at the dealership.

Here's a few on Hemmings: https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds...min=&year_max=

[Futurespeed]

Originally Posted by buffydores

I don't know if there's a best place. We bought ours new at the dealership.

Here's a few on Hemmings: https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds...min=&year_max=

Thanks for the link. I book marked it and will check it periodically. There are a few in Houston which is somewhat close to me in Dallas.

Until I get the real-deal, I'll need to pick up one of these RC rides. It's the next closest thing.

https://traxxas.com/products/landing/blazer/

[buffydores]

Originally Posted by Futurespeed

Thanks for the link. I book marked it and will check it periodically. There are a few in Houston which is somewhat close to me in Dallas.

Until I get the real-deal, I'll need to pick up one of these RC rides. It's the next closest thing.

https://traxxas.com/products/landing/blazer/

I already pre-ordered mine last week.

[buffydores]

I've always been jealous of the LS guys having great products that could show them what's going on with their ECMs. Us RamJet guys were given a dipswitch plug that was just stupid. Well, I've finally got a better solution. I now have this cute little USB plug that can plug into my Toughbook and data stream to my hearts content.

[OutlawDrifter]

That's handy!

[buffydores]

Originally Posted by OutlawDrifter

That's handy!

Yep. $200 bucks for the cord and USB drive: http://mefiburn.com/mefiscan.asp

Plus this nifty dash plug: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07D4...b_b_asin_title

[RyanAK]

I just re-read this entire thread. I take a lot of inspiration from this build, buddy. Stock-plus and trying to stay true to the era except where performance trumps. And it’s a family truck! Good on ya. I hope my ‘78 Suburban can approach the excellence of your blazer.

[buffydores]

Originally Posted by RyanAK

I just re-read this entire thread. I take a lot of inspiration from this build, buddy. Stock-plus and trying to stay true to the era except where performance trumps. And it’s a family truck! Good on ya. I hope my ‘78 Suburban can approach the excellence of your blazer.

Thanks Ryan. Your words are kind.

[75C10]

Where did you get your seat belt material?

[buffydores]

Originally Posted by 75C10

Where did you get your seat belt material?

It's original. In all my searching, no one makes a match for the Mandarin interior. The other colors can be found. I like the folks at Ssnake Oyl Products in Tyler, Texas. Real knowledgeable.

[buffydores]

The original black plastic handle to the rear bench release lever has been gone forever. Never saw a NOS part for it. I finally got around to making one out of a scrap of garapa wood.

[aggie91]

Nice work on the wood handle. Looks clean.