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'72 K5 - Where do I go from here?

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Baaahhhaaa.....the question I meant to AX is whether or not that pitting/rust is an issue. Is the tube dry, and just around the actual diff lubricated?
 
Dirsuper said:
I can't be the only guy who ponders this, so I gotta ask for some thoughts - How do you guys decide how far to go with a build?

About a month ago I was just going to fix a leak from the rear of the intake manifold. I can't afford to really do the build yet (recovering from getting a shop built, braces, horse for daughter, etc.) So the plan was to just keep it running until I could start spending money (about 9 months). I soak everything in Liquid Wrench over night. First bolt I try to take off snaps, even with the head.

So I sit on a stool and think for about 30 minutes........3 hours later the front clip was in pieces all over the shop. Since then I have pulled the engine, tranny, transfer case, removed all of the A/C components (going Vintage Air), and started cleaning up things. But at the end of the night, I always end up drinking a beer, looking it over, and thinking.....how far do I want to go (body off frame, powder coat, crate motor, etc), or just clean it really well, hit the frame and drive train with rattle cans, change out all of the suspension bushings and such, etc. It almost seems like you have to decide at some point......where do I want to end up?

I don't want one so nice I won't drive it. I have a '72 C20 4x4 which is almost to that point, I don't want another one. I want it clean, all working, decent ride, 4" lift, nice interior/gauges/etc., but not a 'show truck.' Of course friends don't help......We had our Friday Night Boy's Night at my house last week and I get the, "You are going to pull the body and get the frame powder coated right?" People love to spend your money. I learned that getting a shop built.

So, any thoughts/lessons learned/I wish I would, or would not, have.....I appreciate your thoughts on it, I'm driving myself insane. I'll get up some pictures when I figure out what is going on with my computer in the shop....it will not access this website. Any other site, no problem, for some reason, it will not access this site though (I am at work right now....)

Thanks fellas
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For me, I knew exactly what I wanted it to be before I bought the Blazer. I knew exactly what my goal was....I just really had no idea how much work and money it was really going to take to get it there...
 
Axle shaft is fine, unless you don't like the neck-down versions like that is. The pitting won't hurt anything.
 
The seal surface looks a little rough. If it doesn't leak, it's all good though. The inside of the axle tubes is not a lubed area. There are seals where the shaft enters the carrier so the gear lube stays in the carrier.
 
Yah man that shaft is fine. Like Rene said seal surface looks rough . I tend to clean up the corrosion and paint axleshafts
 
Great stuff, thanks guys. More parts came in today. A bit delayed with new job, and.......so they tell me I can get a company car (Ford Fusion) or choose a monthly allowance. Gee, I thought about it for......2 seconds. Bought a F-250 4x4 on the way home last night. Ditched stock tires and having dealer install BFG AT KO2s (305s). Ordered a leveling kit and all the other stuff today. Nice truck, be a good daily driver. Bit of a delay on my beloved Blazer, but hey, it's 'work stuff.'

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I debated that one for a few days, but could not justify the extra $8k upfront cost, and additional maintenance cost. Plus, until Ford gets their diesel issues squared away, I am a little scared of them. Had two buddies wipe their engines in the past year. I have to get a new one every four years (Runzheimer program), so hopefully the diesels are solid next time because I'll also have just turned 50 (just turned 46) - I can justify that way!

The 6.2 in the gas Super Duty is rock solid, so hopefully I have no issues. I love that damn truck. We're going to the range right down the street from the dealership all day tomorrow (tactical classes), so I'll pick it up on the way home.
 
Dirsuper said:
I debated that one for a few days, but could not justify the extra $8k upfront cost, and additional maintenance cost. Plus, until Ford gets their diesel issues squared away, I am a little scared of them. Had two buddies wipe their engines in the past year. I have to get a new one every four years (Runzheimer program), so hopefully the diesels are solid next time because I'll also have just turned 50 (just turned 46) - I can justify that way!

The 6.2 in the gas Super Duty is rock solid, so hopefully I have no issues. I love that damn truck. We're going to the range right down the street from the dealership all day tomorrow (tactical classes), so I'll pick it up on the way home.
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I love my 6.2 truck! :pimp:


But that's probably not relevant to this discussion. :rolleyes:

:haha:
 
Finally got the axle to parade rest. Got my ass kicked by quite a few things, but it's apart. I'll get the ball joints pressed out/in next Saturday.

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So I'm saying this and I'm not trying to be a douchebag and not saying its all the time.

But if you got your ass kicked so far......be prepared for those ball joints. They can be serious ass kickers.
 
It's a bit ugly, but a decent ball joint press makes it not too bad...

s-l500.jpg


http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-IN-1-BALL...UCK-BRAKE-PIN-REMOVER-INSTALLER-/391222676148
 
blazinzuk said:
So I'm saying this and I'm not trying to be a douchebag and not saying its all the time.

But if you got your ass kicked so far......be prepared for those ball joints. They can be serious ass kickers.
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Is there any kind of "index mark" on the balljoints to be aware of? I have a vague memory that there might be something special to align so that when it comes time to set camber, etc. you can adjust an eccentric bushing correctly. :dunno:

Just want to throw that out in case it's true. The only thing worse than pressing in balljoints once, is pressing them in twice to fix an improper installation....

-G
 
Appreciate all of the great info guys, but a local shop told me they will press out/in for $10 - can't pass that up. It's a small town shop where one of the young mechanics was recently able to buy the established shop (great family), so we try to support them. $10.....I'll probably give him $20 just cause. Any tips on getting those friggin axle shaft u-joints out will be greatly appreciated. That's all I have been doing since I sent that pic and I have ONE cap off......I watched YouTube videos, read all the manuals (worthless), and searched Google - I got the clips out and placed it in the vice with just two ears resting on it, and hammered right below the cap - first one, no problem. The other three are laughing at me......I just decided to call it a night/switch to Silver Bullet so the last thing I did was DOUSE all of them with PB Blaster (I have not got the other stuff yet)......hell, do shops have some kind of press for those? Would be worth it to just pay them to get those out also.

I am having a blast doing this.....even the ass-kickers are fun - I am learning a ton, and when I am done I will never hesistate to fix anything on that Blazer myself! One of my friend's sons came over with some of his friends to pick up a Quadrajet I gave him (the one off the Blazer) because he is trying to get an old Jeep running. They are all looking at the body on the lift, parts everywhere, frame, asking questions, giving me ideas......good stuff. I like seeing younger people into this stuff instead of playing video games......
 
Dirsuper said:
I am having a blast doing this.....even the ass-kickers are fun - I am learning a ton, and when I am done I will never hesistate to fix anything on that Blazer myself! One of my friend's sons came over with some of his friends to pick up a Quadrajet I gave him (the one off the Blazer) because he is trying to get an old Jeep running. They are all looking at the body on the lift, parts everywhere, frame, asking questions, giving me ideas......good stuff. I like seeing younger people into this stuff instead of playing video games......
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:bow: for the indomitable spirit, and :bow: for helping the youngsters out. :thumb:
 
do yourself a favor and buy the cheap harbor freight press.. the 20 ton is pretty decent, but even the 12 ton works in a pinch and will make short work of u-joints... I got by with that for yr's...
 
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