1972 K5 "Boise" Blazer Build (advice appreciated) mostly DIY.

[Bernard IV]

I am doing a father son build with my dad and I thought I'd post up about it to track the build and solicit some advice. We picked up a 1972 K5 Blazer locally here near Boise, Idaho so I will call it the "Boise Blazer." The truck is in rough shape but has all of the important things we will need including the fiberglass top. I was skeptical when my dad brought it over as the floors were rusted out but when I found out we could get an all new body for it I was in. We waited a while for the new body but just got it into the garage.

The Plan:

We want the truck to be mostly original style with some nice upgrades. The truck will be used as just a very nice street driver, no real off-roading planned.

All new body from Premier Street Rod (now in possession) painted red and white two tone with all of the wood trim.
New 383 SBC and we are thinking of doing one of the TBI fuel injection fuel systems (not yet purchased)
Monster Transmission (in possession)
Skyjacker suspension with a small lift (in possession)
Rebuild the transfer case and axles with kits
Original style AC
New wheels with BFG tires
New interior

This is what we are going for.

 

[nvrenuf]

Welcome aboard! I’m looking forward to your build, my very first vehicle was a ‘70 Blazer that same green. Man I loved that truck, too bad I sucked at driving and rolled it.

 

[Fastereddie]

Sounds like a great project. Looking forward to lots of pics!

 

[warrpath4x4]

Sounds like a good plan, I bought my kid a 72 K5 years ago, but we don't have the same budget lol

 

[ktmoutfront]

Welcome.

Sounds like a nice build.

New 383 SBC and we are thinking of doing one of the TBI fuel injection fuel systems (not yet purchased)

My 2 cents would be, go multi port FI. The TBI are finicky. If you are not a tuner and do not have a dyno available, they can be frustrating.

 

[Bernard IV]

We got it into the workspace finally started taking the Blazer apart. Our top is sealed to the windshield section so trying to figure out how to get it off. Here are some pics of the body.

 

[70jimmy]

If you have taken all the bolts and brackets off, the top likely has weather stripping glued to both the top and windshield frame. If it has never been taken off the factory used really sticky stuff on both sides of the factory weatherstripping. This was the case with mine.

I got all the bolts out and put a 2x4 under the back of the top and a 1x under the front behind the doors and worked with putty knives until the weatherstripping ripped and it came loose.

 

[70jimmy]

The rubber triangles at yhe corners also were like melted and adhered to the top.

 

[CJ8]

Congrats! looks like a decent find, and a CST! very cool. Anxious to see the progress.

 

[Bernard IV]

We think it sort of lived in the mountains as the body is completely rusted out but the odometer only shows around 75,000 miles. The gas and brake pedals don't look very worn but it does have a replacement motor in it that we aren't using. We think the axles and all of that stuff might be in pretty good condition. I'll try to get the top off pretty soon and really tear this thing down.

 

[Bernard IV]

Made some progress on the teardown. I hope to have the body off next week or so.

 

[Bernard IV]

We are almost ready to take the body off. Wound up cutting the A pillars as we can't get the front of the top to come off. It was glued with some 3M window weld or something. I was thinking about using some front seats from an early 2000's era Chevy. They have the cross over belt integrated into the seat as the Blazer has no B pillar. The stock seat and belt setup seems really unsafe to me lol.

 

[flatland]

Oh my!

This looks like the start of an awesome project. There are people here who'd love to start with a body in that shape, don't trash everything yet.
The new body looks nice, I would think it was assembled to a little tighter specs than original? Take better care of it when you drive it than those trailer fenders,LOL! (my trailer fenders are similar.)

Looking forward to updates .

 

[Bernard IV]

We have it ripped apart and will start on the driveline and frame soon. We seem to have some type of massive extended range fuel tank. We kind of like the tank and may use it.

 

[warrpath4x4]

that thing looks huge, what are the measurements on it?

 

[NDM]

Would you mind getting more pics and some measurements of that tank? I am in the middle of welding up a 31 gallon two tier tank made with 304 Stainless steel. I would love to check out some stuff on your tank.

Mine will be 29.5"wide x 21" long and 8.25 deep. The top section between the rails will be 26.5 x21x4. From the looks of your tank, I could go up to 6 inches deep on the top which would take me up to 36 gallon.

 

[Bernard IV]

OK I will get you some info on the tank.

Question: Once we get the frame stripped what is the preferred paint or sealant to use? Also what should we paint the axles and drive shafts with?

 

[NDM]

What is your budget?
best-Powder coat
Good- Epoxy primer and paint https://www.southernpolyurethanes.com/epoxy-primer
Easy and less money- Chassis Saver (In my opinion better than POR-15) https://www.amazon.com/Magnet-Paint...TkJNEJWrNN4w7gxWvUm9iKPh5oSQbSsxoCdPQQAvD_BwE

There is also Steel-it paint but it is costly. I love how this stuff looks. https://www.amazon.com/Polyurethane...8&psc=1&mcid=e0b073b8aba538d3bbade535617f5068
You could also Epoxy prime and raptor line the frame too.
https://www.amazon.com/RAPTOR-Black...tPDFm2GEpzlErj5Iqgru_f_dAkRoClwEQAvD_BwE&th=1

 

[Bernard IV]

I took the engine out and am going through the transfer case. I have the rebuild kit but my yokes are badly grooved and need replacing. I'll get the measurements for the fuel tank tomorrow.

 

[Bernard IV]

The transfer case is mostly finished, just need a few seals to finish the coupling section. I have the frame ready to be cleaned up and painted soon.