83 ground up blazer build

[crawdaddy]

Well I have been kicking around here a little bit and really enjoy it. I have previously been running a dedicated trail truck that has served me well and provided lots of enjoyment. But alas it is time for change...

I picked up a 83 k5 with minimal rust that was pretty straight but gutted. I brought it home and began stripping. Sorry no pics of the truck before I started.

Planns for the build seem standard here. BBC 400th 203/205 14ff lockers dana 60 lockers full cage crossover with a lot to be added as I go Im sure.

Have been getting ideas and guidance from guys on here from time to time which is going to be very helpful.

Here is where I am curretnly. Just got the frame back from the sandblaster and put on a coat of por 15.
http://coloradok5.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=96047&stc=1&d=1264559556

Just got a shipment from ORD today. They said the springs shipped today.

http://coloradok5.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=96048&stc=1&d=1264559556

 

[crawdaddy]

The ord frame bracing kit installed. Welded per diagram, then used seam sealer in areas not welded.

 

[COCHEV]

wow, you don't mess around. nice and clean. i would love to do a total frame off some day...

nice start, subscribed

 

[rjpastor]

Looks good. Can't wait to see more.

 

[K5Nate]

Complete frame off, nice and sometimes expensive way to start. I know once I had my frame off, clean and readily accessible, that everything from there on had to get attention too. I like the assortment of goodies.

 

[Metrodps]

Complete frame off, nice and sometimes expensive way to start. I know once I had my frame off, clean and readily accessible, that everything from there on had to get attention too. I like the assortment of goodies.

Try having a NOS Frame sitting in a storage shed and no where to build a new Blazer!

Taken when I picked it up! Paid $600.00

 

[crawdaddy]

Thanks guys. I have always wanted to do a frame off. This project started off a lot smaller, but well you know how that goes...

Got a few more pics but not a lot done yet still waiting on springs to get here and trying to decide on a tubing bender. Leaning towards the pro-tools 105hd or the JD2 model 32.

 

[crawdaddy]

Got a late delivery from the ups man. My suspension setup starts off with stock length front custom springs and 64" rear custom springs without a shackle flip. Should have these mounted soon and will post pics.

 

[offroadblazer764x4]

What kind of paint did you paint the frame with ???

 

[crawdaddy]

I used POR 15 for my frame. But if I had it to do over again I wouldn't have used it. Don't get me wrong I do think it is a good product just not for what I needed. I am planning on doing extensive welding on the frame for the cage, bumpers and sliders ect... So now I have a bunch of crap to grind off and repair everywhere I need to weld. It would have been better to use a three step paint process (zinc wash, epoxy primer, paint) in my case. There is a good thread in here on frame paint that I read after I had already painted mine

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=259911&highlight=frame+paint

 

[Ten_Bucks]

Subscribed. What brand of springs are you using and why no shackle flip out back?

Scott

 

[crawdaddy]

Well the springs were designed by Stephen Watson of ORD. But they have them made somewhere else.

We spent a lot of time on the phone going over my project, how and where I am going to run it. The drivetrain going in and ect.

The no shackle flip was his idea, If I remember correctly it was for ride quality and with the longer custom springs this setup would achieve more articulation than stock 64" springs and a shackle flip.

 

[Ten_Bucks]

Well the springs were designed by Stephen Watson of ORD. But they have them made somewhere else.

We spent a lot of time on the phone going over my project, how and where I am going to run it. The drivetrain going in and ect.

The no shackle flip was his idea, If I remember correctly it was for ride quality and with the longer custom springs this setup would achieve more articulation than stock 64" springs and a shackle flip.

OK, fair enough. Thank you for the clarification.

Scott

 

[crawdaddy]

OK, fair enough. Thank you for the clarification.

Scott

No Problem man. I am not much of a suspension expert or anything so we will see how it works.

I am stoked. I found this of craigslist today. Now I can get started on the doubler. It already has been rebuilt, has the 32 spline input, and fixed output.
Paid $250

 

[90BCk5]

Very nice! Should turn out to be a very nice multipurpose truck!

 

[1bgsub]

Nice start. How much lift are you going to get out of those springs?

later
Trey

 

[Stomis]

I'll never understand ORD. When you call for build advise it seems like they flip and coin on whether they're gonna recommend you a shackle flip or not

Either way build is coming along good man keep it up.

 

[crawdaddy]

Hey thanks guys. I appreciate that.

Should get about 6" out of the springs. Going to raise the body off the frame about 1" more than stock. And will still have trimming to do.

Got the front springs on tonight, and started on the back. I had to do some cutting/grinding on the back stock hangers to allow the shackle to "droop" according with the spring design.

 

[Teck]

looks real good s far.

 

[crawdaddy]

Brown Santa came today.