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89 Blazer w. CUCV cab and axles

Now that some of the taller challenges are taken care of, I am a little more excited about it again.
Excitement generates progress. I sometimes wish I could spread projects out over time but once I start I can't stop until they are done.
 
If I had mine to do over again and I still used the bedsides I would make the hinge system way stronger. Had always planned on re working it.

One thing though on a truck most of time I could get the cab to clear obstacles but the same was not always true of the bed.

When I caged the whole truck It got way more narrow right where the bedsides start, I went through my notes and it was closer to 10" total narrower right where the bedsides start, thats a ton.
 
Yea other then a couple little spots it's in really good shape for coming off a cucv. No problem, it's always cool to meet another member. Proves that you're not the only crazy person with a major project :haha:.

Mines hopefully going to get a jump start this summer.

It's a good cab for what I want it for. The first dent is definitely out of the way :thumb:. All else is useable.

Crazy ehh? Wait 'til you have kids. I work on this to keep my sanity.

PS - This is only one of the projects.

Excitement generates progress. I sometimes wish I could spread projects out over time but once I start I can't stop until they are done.

I feel a little guilty if I spend too much time on the projects. It is healthy to have some "man time" in the "man cave" though.

If I had mine to do over again and I still used the bedsides I would make the hinge system way stronger. Had always planned on re working it.

One thing though on a truck most of time I could get the cab to clear obstacles but the same was not always true of the bed.

When I caged the whole truck It got way more narrow right where the bedsides start, I went through my notes and it was closer to 10" total narrower right where the bedsides start, thats a ton.

With that in mind, maybe I will shoot for removeable bedsides. Thanks for the good ideas.
 
It is prefect for it, not pretty but solid. Yea I can imagine it gets a little crazy having three kids. One day I'll add that craziness to my life too :haha:.
 
The upper shock tower is in and painted. The lower mounts will have to wait until the pinion angle is set.

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Made some tedious progress swapping the K5 harness and pedal assembly into the CUCV. The CUCV cab needed a hole in the bulkhead for part of the harness. I was about to bore the hole and starting tracing out the wires instead. They went to the power window in the rear tailgate to the switch on the dash that controls it. No need for that anymore so it got separated and pulled. This just an example of the fun :rolleyes: that was involved. Most all is in and set. Just need to weld the brackets that hold the TBI computer up under the dash. Pretty boring stuff but something I am glad is nearing completion. It went pretty well.

On another note, I am thankful for heated garages :waytogo:. It was -5 degrees out today.
 
Update; Still making good progress on this. It is just some more of the tedious type of work. Had to change out the ignition on the steering column (thanks PO). Replaced the bottom 4" of the driver's side cab corner. Finished installing the front bracket on the ORD steering box brace. Welded up and painted the TBI brackets for the computer under the dash. Installed the factory gas tank skid. Started installing the HVAC boxes. It is coming along nicely. Have another day to work on it tomorrow. Once the steering column is back in, it could be started (w. some gas in the tank). Going to hold off on the start-up (and gas) until the off-road flat bed is ready though.
 
I've got a picture of what it would have looked like with the K5 body and CUCV axles!

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Dont see many that color. I was really surprised to see it when I opened the thread.

Good project. I'll be keeping an eye on this one.
 
It may still look similar to that if the bed turns out like I am thinking. Looks like you stretched the wheelbase on yours too. Thanks for the pic. The floors in mine were just too far gone to keep the original cab. The frame was in great shape though.
 
You are making nice progress on the tedious stuff that needs to be done.

I think it would be more fun if it was one thing at a time instead of lift, axles, body, frame, steering, shock mounts, driveshafts, SYE, rewiring, firewall mods, steering column fix, etc. all at once.

Started the off-road flatbed today. Got a plan going and the steel picked up. Working from the top down. It was satisfying to see the progress. Just mocked up here but it is coming together.

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I love the trazer look...

If you're going with removable bed sides, why not have removable fenders as well???:whistle: Just sayin'...:D
 
I love the trazer look...

If you're going with removable bed sides, why not have removable fenders as well???:whistle: Just sayin'...:D

The k5 looks more like a super short bed in person.

Removable fenders are a thought. I did think about narrowing it but I like the 89 grill/rad support just the way it is. It is a fork in the road I will have to think about in the future.
 
Made progress on the rear flat bed and removeable bed sides. It is about 80% done. Needs to be skinned with some diamond plate still. Will post pics later. Just wanted to find the thread since it has been awhile since the last post.:dunno:
 
Here's the pics. Reused the old K5 cab mounts that were removed for the truck cab crossmember and mounted them for the front of the truck bed onto the new crossmember.

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Turtle like progress. The progress we are making is good though. Spring perches and shock mounts on the rear axle are welded. The bed continues to evolve. Might be ready for Blazer Bash 2020 at the current pace. Here are some pics.

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Finished up the rear axle with a wire wheel. Shaved about .5 to .75" off and added a DIY4X Guardsman. Installed it back in the truck. It sure is nice to see it coming together after all the work. The bed is all welded. Thinking about bracing some more around the front mounting area. Daddy's little helper is also getting interested in the project. This is good because it will probably be ready about the same time he gets his license. :whistle:

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