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74 Chevy K5 Blazer - From the beginning - 04/2012

DenverBrad

DenverBrad

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Build thread for my 1974 K5 Blazer. Started 04/2012 just 1 month after I purchased the truck.

Prior to my purchase the truck sat for 16 years.

All I have done before I started this thread is wire the choke open so the truck will run, fix the turn signal switch, install a window washer reservoir, and install a drivers side seat belt. There is no passenger side seatbelt, so if you come for a visit and want to go for a ride...bring some rope to tie yourself in!

I bought this year model truck since it will take Collector Vehicle tags which I have already purchased. No emissions testing! Wooo Hooo!!!
 
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Beginning photos---

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The old truck seems to have good bones and should be a fun project.

I will be doing some cosmetic work first on the interior and exterior just to make the truck more comfortable to use as a daily driver and also as less of an eyesore to my nice neighbors in my townhome complex. :dunno:

First on the list is to fill some holes that have been drilled in the top and paint the top tan. Then I intend to do some minor bodywork, install the 1 fender flare on the front passenger side, and paint the body camo.

I won't be doing any drive train work until I get a place with a garage. The truck runs. I'll do a tune up on it and leave that part of the truck AS IS for now.

I'll post some "before" pics of the truck from a few angles inside and out before I start any work.
 
This board will help you not make the mistakes that most people who act like they know what their talking about online make.

Welcome, love me some full vert action, 74s a good year I had a 73 and it had all sorts of odd bits on it that no one had ever heard of mostly wiring stuff. Seems the 74 doesn't have that
 
One of the first things I want to do is get this hood installed properly. As you can see, it doesn't go all the way down up close to the cab when it is closed. I see this a lot on these old trucks. Is this normally due to the hood not being aligned correctly? Or is this possibly due to the hood springs being worn out?

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Be sure to drain ALL of that brake fluid and replace it. Depending on where it came from, everything rubber could have rotted.

I picked up a 75 Vette that say in a garage for 20 years and body mounts, rubber brake lines, tires, plastic bumpers..most everything external that was rubber or plastic needed replaced
 
Will do. I plan to get all the fluids changed out asap. It will give me a chance to look inside the drive axles, transfer case, transmission, brake system and cooling system. (or at least the opportunity to see how the fluids look coming out of them). Until then I am driving it no further than the corner store just a few blocks away. Mainly to keep the battery charged...

Yes, I have quite a long list of rubber to replace. First being the fuel fill hose which is definitely leaking. Fortunately the tires came off of another truck so they aren't too bad.
 
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Let me try posting this pic link one more time... I didnt copy and paste the right code in there before.

Hood springs sprung or alignment problem? What do you think?

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Mine's like that too. I've been told the hinges need replaced.

Sub'd. Nice truck man, should be a cool project:waytogo:
 
Photo of the front axle. Is this a "shackle flip" ? I'm trying to figure out whats been done on this truck before I purchased it...

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Cool. Thanks. There is a 4 inch lift on the rear. The truck sits level. They must have replaced the front springs to get it where it sits like it does. The springs on the front have definitely been replaced.
 
This is a photo of the rear axle and gas tank skid plate. Did all these 74 Blazers come with the skid plates for the gas tank? How do I find out what gears are in the rear end?

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The easiest way to check the gears is to pull the cover off and count the teeth on the ring gear and on the pinion gear. With a truck that old, you never know if the gears have been changed so its hard to go by the RPO code. Count the ring gear teeth and divide by the pinion gear teeth. For example, 41 teeth on the ring gear and 10 teeth on the pinion gear would equal 4.10's, 41 and 11 3.73's etc
 
Skid plate = good
You can jack up the rear end, put truck in neutral, and turn the tires one complete revolution. Count how many times the driveshaft turns. That will give you a rough idea. 4 turns of the driveshaft will be roughly 4.10s
 
The truck sat for over 15 years. When I pull the cover off, I want to replace the fluid and gasket. Will places like Autozone carry the gaskets normally in stock? How much fluid will it take to refill and and is there a certain weight fluid recommended or is there only 1 type for axles?
 
Don't bother with gaskets on the axles. RTV seals way better and is cheaper.

Also why paint it camo? I never understood why people think camo paint jobs look good, but to each his own.
 
DenverBrad said:
The truck sat for over 15 years. When I pull the cover off, I want to replace the fluid and gasket. Will places like Autozone carry the gaskets normally in stock? How much fluid will it take to refill and and is there a certain weight fluid recommended or is there only 1 type for axles?
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I'll start with the hood:
The pins in the hinges have worn out or the holes for them oblonged.
Either get a clean set that is tight, or repin them bigger, that is what I had to do when I was in the middle east where those parts are not available.
The front springs are aftermarket lift springs that look like 4" lift.
On the rear axles, definitely replace the fluid, and to know what kind you will need to see what kind of rear setup you have:
if it's regular or gov loc plain old gear oil will work fine front and back.
if it's a limited slip with clutches, it will need a special fluid or additive with regular gear oil.
And the gaskets should be available, if one of your local shops doesn;t have it the other should, or you can order them online.
I miss my 74, my brother and I spent 3 years rebuilding one from the frame up, and now it's gone.:doah:
 
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