Air bumps are fun
CK5
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1986 K5 The over-achieving grocery getter
- Thread starter CriticalAction
- Start date
1986 K5 Chevy Blazer
Which ones did you get?
These are 2" x 2.5" Fox bumps and 2.5" by about 12" travel shocks. They are an off the shelf Fox "factory race series" shock for a Dodge Ram so the valving might be a bit off. But that doesn't matter until I link the front anyway.
Rear axle, suspension, skid, and fuel tank out. Need to remove a couple factory brackets and then start prepping for Deuling frame plates. Hoping to be ready to go when springs from ORD show up in a couple weeks.
Slight hiatus due to paypal bulls*** but the work hasn't stopped.
Frame plates welded on, tension hangers installed, welded on some tube gussets, disassembled springs, truss welded on, axle put in loose, etc.
Brought it to full bump and cut some landing plates for the bumps on the ORD u bolt plates. PVC with some duct tape around it for a pseudo bump. Burned in with DOM cross tube since leaf springs party harder I guess.
Frame plates welded on, tension hangers installed, welded on some tube gussets, disassembled springs, truss welded on, axle put in loose, etc.
Brought it to full bump and cut some landing plates for the bumps on the ORD u bolt plates. PVC with some duct tape around it for a pseudo bump. Burned in with DOM cross tube since leaf springs party harder I guess.
I did throw a tire on for quick check but forgot to take a pic. With the axle moved back 1" and at full bump the tire hits the rear of the fender pretty good. Which i figured was going to happen. So have to do some trimming right away. Clears nicely at the top it appears though.
Working on shock mounting currently and just trying to make sure the 2.5s will clear everything. Gunna have to get creative with them outside the frame.
Working on shock mounting currently and just trying to make sure the 2.5s will clear everything. Gunna have to get creative with them outside the frame.
Sold the radius traction bar and switching to 2 link from ORD. Shocks are going inboard just like @Babaganoosh and @AgDieseler . Also ordered the ORD coilover sway bar. Going to need to pocket the frame but we'll build it back stronger. Plan is to scrap the included .095 tube and switch to .120 wall for sway bar/shock mounting combo.
Cycled it completely to get travel idea and then set pinion angle at ride height. Measured 13.5" of vertical wheel travel from bump to mechanical stop of the shackles on the tension hanger.
Cycled it completely to get travel idea and then set pinion angle at ride height. Measured 13.5" of vertical wheel travel from bump to mechanical stop of the shackles on the tension hanger.
I think you will like it, the combo works really well.
Progress today. Plasma cutter made quick work of the frame. Need to keep the 34" mounting width for the sway bar and the blazer frames neck out going forward so it wouldn't work without pocketing.
Used my old gas tank skid to make the 3 sided box since it had the bends in it already.
1.75" carbide bit in the Vevor mag drill worked pretty good. Need to cut a 34" chunk of .120 wall out of my spare stick and weld the boxing plates in next. Shock mounts are going to work out slick i think.
Used my old gas tank skid to make the 3 sided box since it had the bends in it already.
1.75" carbide bit in the Vevor mag drill worked pretty good. Need to cut a 34" chunk of .120 wall out of my spare stick and weld the boxing plates in next. Shock mounts are going to work out slick i think.
Cross tube and frame boxing finish welded. Brought the axle to bump and used a compressed shock simulator at 19.5" to mock up the tabs. Ordered short and medium length from Offroad Anonymous. Precut spacers ordered by my dad to make sure of clearance for articulation by the eye.
Was able to just barely scoot them far enough out to be outside the casting. They hang down only slightly so im over all happy with how things are turning out so far.
Next steps is clearancing the frame by the shock body a bit and then starting on the traction bars.
Was able to just barely scoot them far enough out to be outside the casting. They hang down only slightly so im over all happy with how things are turning out so far.
Next steps is clearancing the frame by the shock body a bit and then starting on the traction bars.
Going to be really strong, might as well add some ribs into that pocket. 
Unfortunately that would defeat the purpose of the pocket which was to be narrow enough for the required 34" mount spacing and provide clearance for the sway bar pinch bolt through out its swing. Or are you referring to inside the frame?Going to be really strong, might as well add some ribs into that pocket.
Inside the frame.
Ahh. Well we're a little late to add those now. Was hoping the boxing and then tube connecting the inner/outer would be sufficient. Time will tell i guess...
I’m sure it will be fine, I have mine just welded to the inside of the frame.
I think so. But if necessary I can always add more.
Finally got some more done on the K5. Traction bar mounts welded in place, sway bar tabs located/tacked, and limit strap mounts tacked.
The upper strap clevis ended up a bit off on angle so I am going to remake them. Then weld them in place with some additional bracing.
Need to box in the frame above the traction bar mounts and then think about a rear crossmember to tie them together. Something that I also can attach the rear of a skid plate to from the transmission crossmember.
Shock just hanging loosely so I can see how much more to clearance at the frame c channel.
The upper strap clevis ended up a bit off on angle so I am going to remake them. Then weld them in place with some additional bracing.
Need to box in the frame above the traction bar mounts and then think about a rear crossmember to tie them together. Something that I also can attach the rear of a skid plate to from the transmission crossmember.
Shock just hanging loosely so I can see how much more to clearance at the frame c channel.
Seymour High solids in flat black lays down very nicely. Axle is all finished welded just need to get all the spatter off, pressure wash, and paint.
Springs, bumps, and axle are in. Threw the tires on quick so I could set it down to see how we ended up. Rear sits maybe 1-2" high which i think will work good.
By the time I put the rear bumper, fuel tank, fuel tank skid, and spare tire back on/inside it should bring it down to level or slightly above.
Need to finish welded the traction bars but through it in there to get a look at it. Put the ORD brake hoses on the back. Starting to come together!
By the time I put the rear bumper, fuel tank, fuel tank skid, and spare tire back on/inside it should bring it down to level or slightly above.
Need to finish welded the traction bars but through it in there to get a look at it. Put the ORD brake hoses on the back. Starting to come together!
Man, that looks fantastic. The close up pics of all the work are awesome obviously, but seeing it a little zoomed out with the whole truck... Great job! 
