88 K5 Build - Colonel Mustard

[Taylormade]

Taylormade submitted a new Build:

88 K5 Build - The CAT (Cage Work Update)

I am finally working the blazer again, just finished up my 6 years of service. Time to start the build. The plan for now is to throw, 1 ton axles under there then see just see what happens from there, I just need something to work on and throw money at! And I need to quickly so i can get it out on the rocks!

This is how she sits right now, ready for paint!.....been ready for paint for 6 years....but I did get the paint!
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I bought the Hummer tires and have just had hell keeping them seated. this one just popped off the bead out of nowhere....
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I picked up a set of 1 ton axles, rebuilding them soon. I will keep the 4.10 gears, the front has neck downs but I think that if my 10B has survived the 60 will be fine.
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My solution to losing beads, I want to get dually hubs then run spacers in the back.
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Read more about this build here...

 

[munepit]

I am finally working the blazer again, just finished up my 6 years of service. Now I can really focus on getting this thing where it should be.

First of all, Thanks you for your service. Glad your home! Looks like you have a solid foundation to start with. What are your plans for it? Specs?

 

[Taylormade]

It was my pleasure to serve for the greatest country on this earth!
1988 K5
350 TBI/700R4/208
10B/14BSF Open/Gov-loc
Gears are not matched....long story short, the stock 10B exploded and a cheap 14BSF was there.
37" Hummer tires.
My plans are to replace the axles with the axles pictured "to have matching gears and tons!" I want to have this truck setup primarily for rock crawling.

 

[magik235]

Nice start. I will be following the build. Thank you for your service.

 

[Taylormade]

I tore down the D60, I found a few things that need adressed but nothing too bad. The axle shafts look ok just pretty dirty, is there supossed to be a rubber deal at the end of the housing? You can see where I pulled the shaft and it collected a good amount of dirt on the way out. U-joints are bad, Spindle bearings seem ok but the rubbers are shot so the kit supplied everything to replace rubber and bearing, I was happy to see that!
And I have a sneak peek at my color scheme, YUP! Caterpillar Yellow! I think it will turn out ok. Also have my dually hubs I traded for all cleaned up and painted. Wire wheel and a long night took care of them last night. The last picture is of my ugly but FREE lockout hubs.
And please someone fill me in on how to type by each individual picture.so I dont have to do ^that^ again. Thanks

 

[Taylormade]

I got my lock right in today, and the steering block! Tonight I am going to try my luck again with the wire wheel and see how far I get.

 

[Taylormade]

I got the u-joints out of the axles, smashed a finger and now looks like I have purple finger nail polish on there, axles cleaned up, brake calipers cleaned up all ready for paint tomorrow, then back to the parts store to get the right u-joints....well its 2 in the am and I have to be at work in 4 hours so I reckon thatll do for the day!

 

[K85 Octane]

hahaha
nice work
make sure you buy the best U joints they have

 

[Taylormade]

I have been working alot on the D60 at night after work, I have it 90% torn down (as far as I am going to tear it down) the kingpins and the pinion are still in, thats it. I had a little trouble removing the old U-joints but I got them out eventually, I replaced them woth precision gear joints. That was the best oreillys had so itll have to do. I installed the new joints and threw some paint on the visible part of the axles when installed. I think it will look pretty good. I am going to clean/paint the housing, and then clean my carrier and install the lockright. I will post pictures of that stuff when I get them done.

 

[sweetk30]

fyi those are first design neck down axle shafts for the 60.

better use as spares or plan on replacing dependant on how hard you are on the gas.

 

[Taylormade]

Thanks, I found out they were the neck downs when I pulled them. Have you ever snapped one? I am going to run these, I think I will break an outer befre the neck down inners.

 

[sweetk30]

all my 60's have the non neckdown. so i cant give you an opinion ether way.

 

[Taylormade]

I worked on the 60 all day yesterday and made some good progress. I had to take a break from it today. 106 out there...

Here is my axle tube cleaner. 2" wire wheel, threaded the end of it and coulped it to all thread, I got the idea from somewhere on here but it works great!


Wire wheeled housing ready for paint.


Painted housing, its like a new car, it looks perfect right now but give it few days and itll be all scratched up!


My little helper, he doesnt help much, but he does get in the way!

 

[Taylormade]

Ive been putting some long hours into this front axle and it finally starting to come together. I am very close to having it ready for the swap.

Here is the lock right installed. Pretty straight forward with the install.


This is where im at right now. All I really need to do is stab the axles and get my hubs back on and shes ready.

 

[Taylormade]

Dana 60 Installed!

I finally finished up my 60 and installed it tonight.
Plans for the front are,
Crossover steering.
52" Springs
Driveshaft/yoke upgrade

Here is a before picture with the ole 10B.


106 in the shade! Cant wait until fall...


New winch got here today! I dont have a place to install it but this gives me the motivation to figure something out!


The 60 in place.


The 60 stuck in place! I still have to connect the drive shaft, bleed brakes/clean the paint off my rotors, and install a lockout then she will be rollin!

 

[y5mgisi]

Bad ass! Your axle reminds me of this hip hop song,

[youtube]UePtoxDhJSw&ob[/youtube]

 

[Deuling]

Subscribed

 

[spicer]

Looking Good! Allot of work there in those pictures!

Factory engine oil cooler!

Subscribed!

 

[Taylormade]

Ya know, I've owned this blazer for 8 years and just 2 weeks ago I found that it had that engine cooler, I didnt know if it was factory or not! I was happy to discover it though! Pretty cool!

Here is a picture from tonight after a ride down the street, Im excited to have it driving again but I have to eliminate the death wobble! haha its like a roller coaster! I think a tire balance/shocks/steering stabilizer should do the trick!

 

[Taylormade]

The hard work is coming together!