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90 k5 Blazer "Jenny Lee" build (NEW GEARS!!)

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nbrown2500

nbrown2500

3/4 ton
Joined
May 1, 2015
Posts
241
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Location
Coos Bay, OR
nbrown2500 submitted a new Build:

90 k5 Blazer "Jenny Lee" build

Well this started almost a year ago. After a couple of years of looking for a 4x4 in the Coos Bay, Oregon area I gave up. Trying to find something that hasn't been beat to the ground and rusted out is hard to find around here. Any way I finally found one, the wife said yes and it followed me home.

View attachment 198317

Its a 1990 full size blazer. It has a 6in lift and sits on 35's. The inside has been gutted and rhino lined. A bench seat was installed. It is 99% rust free and doesn't look to bad. It has a 350 TBI/ 700r4/ np241. The rear was replaced with a 14bolt SF, gears are 3.73's.

View attachment 198318
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My plans with it is to keep it simple. I bought it because I wanted something to go camping and hunting in that has 4wd. My DD is 2wd and sucks out in the woods.
The things I have done:
tune up
new radiator and hoses.
new transfer case, The PO ran it without fluid and toasted the old one.
cleaned up the engine bay
took all the PO's hacked up electrical out.
bought two new bfg a/t ko's
replaced the tie-rods and shocks
and other small things.

I went to the local junk yard and got all the parts to convert my front six lug 10 bolt to 8 lug. I just need to clean and paint the parts. I'm also waiting on my new wheels. I'm going with 15X8's with a 3.5in backspacing to clear the front tie-rod ends. I also bought everything to replace the wheel bearings the front axle u-joints, and the ball joints. I figured since everything was going to be off anyway, why not. I have been collecting parts for this project for a couple of months.

The project I am working on now is a new sye kit for the 241 and a CV driveshaft. The PO didn't set any of the angles right so the driveshaft is shot and needs to be replaced. I'm going to try to do it right the first time so I don't have have any repeats. Buy once cry once, right guys. I wanted to get some springs for the back but my wife said no. So that will come later. The rear is setting on blocks now so that will have to do in the mean time. I have a guy that is going to install the sye kit into the 241 and also cut and weld the perches to get the axle to line up. Another local guy is going to build the new driveshaft. This should happen sometime in the next few weeks. I am really existed to get it back on the road.
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Read more about this build here...
 
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Think about a shackle flip for the rear. That changes angles though so best to do it at the same time as driveshaft and perches.

Look in the classifieds on here. I think there is one for sale
 
Just looked at the old checking account and my Oregon income tax refund hit my account. I just ordered the JBconversions 241 sye kit. Also my wife had a change of heart about the springs and said that I could go ahead and order them. I guess since she just bought a new Toyota Corolla this Saturday her tune has changed. I'm going to order the 6in rear lift springs from Tuff Country, you guys seem to like them and I really don't have anything else to go on but for what I read online. Not only is this my first 4x4 but I've never had a truck with a lift so I'm learning and up for any advice.

blazinzuk, I have thought long and hard about the shackle flip, I just don't want to have to deal with the rivets and removing the old brackets. I think the springs should be an improvement over the blocks, they might be stiffer, but its a jacked up blazer. They should also be better for towing as I plan to tow my firewood trailer and maybe a small camp trailer with it.

This brings me to another project I want to do at some point and that is get some 4.56 gears to replace the 3.73's. That should put the power band up back to around stock right? Here is a photo of my wife and her new car.

IMG_0717.JPG
 
Oh springs are a huge improvement over blocks. Be sure to get good shocks. Bilsteins for a good shock that won't break the bank is where its at.

4.56s would be fine. I like to gear a little deeper than most. So I would say 4.88s or 5.13s. I think about the off road ability in a Blazer alot more than the on road driving though. I think most here would agree with your 4.56 choice.
 
blazinzuk said:
Oh springs are a huge improvement over blocks. Be sure to get good shocks. Bilsteins for a good shock that won't break the bank is where its at.

4.56s would be fine. I like to gear a little deeper than most. So I would say 4.88s or 5.13s. I think about the off road ability in a Blazer alot more than the on road driving though. I think most here would agree with your 4.56 choice.
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Thanks for the info. The most off roading it will see is old cat roads in the woods while hunting. I have never truly been trail riding so I haven't got the itch to scratch yet I guess. You are correct that most of the driving will be on pavement. I plan to have it as my backup DD rig. I'm thinking about putting a locker in the back when I change out the gears what would you recommend for a on road and lite wheeling rig?
 
The locker question is really how much you wanna spend. There is a factory e locker for the 14 b SF. That would be my first choice. Any selectable locker is the best. A Detroit or Grizzly is best for an automatic locker. Final on the list is a lock right or spartan. They are the worst behaved.

There are also limited slips out there that will increase traction and are barely perceptable on road.

A locker is the best off road and increases your rigs potential by a substantial amount
 
blazer looks good.

I grew up in coos bay until 1991, I would move back if there were jobs and I could talk the wife into it. she likes to visit but doesn't want to live there.
 
warrpath4x4 said:
blazer looks good.

I grew up in coos bay until 1991, I would move back if there were jobs and I could talk the wife into it. she likes to visit but doesn't want to live there.
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My wife grew up here and all the family is here. I met my wife in Texas almost 10 years ago. After I finished up school we moved back about 7 years ago. I love it here but you are correct about the job situation. I'm lucky that I found a great job when we first got back. My wife still remembers when Coos Bay and North Bend used to be something.
 
Yesterday was a surprise at about 5:30 p.m. The UPS truck brought my springs and u-bolts. I felt like a little kid on Christmas morning. I hope their the right ones because the number TCI-2216 doesn't match anything I know of. Now I'm just waiting on the SYE Kit from JB.

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that is one thing I miss doing, we spent a lot of time gathering firewood when I was a kid.
 
Went home for lunch today and this is what was on the porch. Now its time to get down to business. Hopefully the next time I post my blazer will be up and running.

SYE_KIT.JPG
 
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