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1990 K5 Blazer Project "Side-Chick"

Aptly named because this project is taking all the time and money that should be spent with my family, LOL! The plan for this truck is going to be an adequate trail rig thats still nice enough, and comfortable enough for my family to enjoy with me.
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Chevy350Ben

Chevy350Ben

Part time mall crawler
Joined
Oct 28, 2019
Posts
464
Reaction score
875
Location
Conroe, Texas
Chevy350Ben submitted a new Build:

Project "Side-Chick"

Well hey there my crazy cats and kittens -

I figured it was time to actually post up a build thread so everyone can point and laugh at the NOOB.

I picked up my donor truck about a year ago. She was not a cherry survivor, nor was she a pile of rust. It ran, I could dive it, and there really wasn't much rust or damage to deal with. All in all, a pretty solid truck:

Blazer Project Pics

Blazer Project Pics


I knew what I wanted for this truck. I had a vision ever since I had an '86 back in high school. I'm planning this build in 3 phases:

  • Steering and suspension
  • Drive train
  • creature comforts and body work
right now I'm about 80 % complete with phase 1.

I knew I wanted one ton axles under the truck, so it sat for a while as I saved money to pick up the venerable Dana 60 front axle, and Corporate 14 Bolt full float rear.

Blazer Project Pics

Blazer Project Pics


I drove it now and then, dreaming of what it would one day become. when I bought the blazer, the previous owner had purchased a vinyl floor kit from LMC, and he gave it to me. So my son and I spent a day and got it installed.

Blazer Project Pics

Blazer Project Pics

Blazer Project Pics

Blazer Project Pics


After a few months, I had a little scratch saved up, so I bought my Axles for $400. Hell yeah!! but when they came, I found out they were not one tons. Dana 44 and a 12 bolt. Shit. Did I mention I was new to this?

Blazer Project Pics

Blazer Project Pics


Expensive lesson learned. Don't trust Bubba from Craigslist. Do your research so you know what you're looking for.

SO... after a little more research, I figured out how to properly Identify the axles I was looking for, and found another set. But this time I payed $1300.

Blazer Project Pics

Blazer Project Pics


Around the same time, I found a guy selling 40" tires, and 17" beadlock wheels for $1200. I had to jump on it. I know they're Chinese knock off tires. But they will do the job for a while until they fail, and I have to spend money on a real set of wheels and tires.

Blazer Project Pics

Blazer Project Pics

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Read more about this build here...
 
Truckman4life said:
Nice build so far. What's the details on those tires?
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They are "Lakesea" brand. I've never heard of them before. An internet search revealed that they were a chinese company, but I haven't been able to find any vendors for them over here.

They look like pretty decent tire, but I'll really only be able to tell for sure after I get the truck rolling.

They're the "big rock" model. 40 x 13.5 x 17
 
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Do you mean you searched and figured out how to stuff 40's on your rig and upgrade the axles and steering by searching here and figuring it out on your own? There's a noob or two that could learn from you...

Right on dude. Great Build and keep up the great work. Looking forward to seeing it on the rocks.
 
ZooMad75 said:
Do you mean you searched and figured out how to stuff 40's on your rig and upgrade the axles and steering by searching here and figuring it out on your own? There's a noob or two that could learn from you...

Right on dude. Great Build and keep up the great work. Looking forward to seeing it on the rocks.
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Yeah. Pretty much. I mean I've been wrenching since I was 15. But this is my first full build.

Thanks man. I cant wait to get it back on the road, and on the trails.
 
Chevy350Ben said:
Yeah. Pretty much. I mean I've been wrenching since I was 15. But this is my first full build.

Thanks man. I cant wait to get it back on the road, and on the trails.
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That first part of my post was dripping with sarcasm more as a poke on a dude in the garage asking the same question of how to put 40's on over and over and not quite getting it. So seeing your build where you did the homework to figure it out was refreshing to say the least.

Stay at it!
 
ZooMad75 said:
That first part of my post was dripping with sarcasm more as a poke on a dude in the garage asking the same question of how to put 40's on over and over and not quite getting it. So seeing your build where you did the homework to figure it out was refreshing to say the least.

Stay at it!
Click to expand...

Dude, I'm a part of several offroad pages on FB. For my wifes jeep, my tundra, and the blazer. If I had a dime for everytime I heard:

"What size wheels and tires?"
"What size lift?"
"What wheel offset?"
"Will 35s fit, no lift?"

Or any combination of those, I'd be a rich man. I try not to get my panties in a wad about it. Cuz they're learning. Just like I did. But it does get old.
 
So I found a pretty good deal on a new set of gears from rockauto. but the description sys that the ring and pinion are for a Dana 60 "rear" axle. is there any reason I cant use it for the front? are the gears cut differently or something? everything I have found on the google machine says the parts are interchangeable, but it doesnt specifically mention the ring and pinion.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=8319768&cc=1087062&jsn=269
 
Got the ARB compressor mounted and wired in today! Not huge progress, but every little bit counts right?

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20200605_190937.jpg

20200605_191133.jpg
 
Almost finished with my compressor install. Got the switch pod mounted, and the harness almost done. Still need to tie in the ignition wire, and dash light wire. Then it'll be done!

20200606_220609.jpg
 
Hot damn! that's not too far. I'm in Conroe. As soon an I get this old pig rolling, we should head out to hidden falls.

I drive through Beaumont every time I go to work. I catch a chopper in Houma, LA every month.
 
Nice build! I agree on the far from noob comments. Switching up a 44 and 12 bolt for one tons.. noob ish... Installing arbs and axle swaps smoothly = far from noob! Haha.
Stoked to see where this build goes
 
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