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'90 K5 - The Nevada Blazer [Post 1437: School me on alternators)

I think TREs would be better BUT running a Heim joint is popular, so every crossover manufacturer I've looked up has an option for 3/4" Hiem ends. IIRC

The pitman will need to be drilled straight, just like the steering arm.
 
From what I know about them Colby I would swap them out for TRE's. Heim joints wear much quicker than a TRE and for a DD thats a bad thing. I have heard they make noise, but no experience there. IIRC they are also supposed to be mounted double shear.

You can get the TRE's from a part store for $20 each side.
 
Ok, well I'm about to load up the 14 bolt and head over to California. I'm stopping at WFO Concepts and RuffStuff along the way to pick up parts. Got some crossover parts at WFO (more info to come on that) and some U-bolts, etc., at Ruffstuff. Also stopping to see "imiceman" and give him some parts he had at "owenst7's" house. Should be a cool CK5 trip. :D Seeing a bunch of folks and stopping at the 4x4 parts houses should be a good time.

I think this officially means that the build is on next week, as I've bought all the parts! :bow: YES! Thankful the truck fund came through... :D
 
Ok, so here's what's up.

I went with the WFO Concepts Dana 60 arm. I decided to go this route because they have an arm that removes the king pin spring. Also, they were on my way to the SF Bay area and were having a little sale, and the arm length matches the length of the pitman arm that I got from "owenst7." :D I decided to go with drag link ends, so I picked up a couple weld in bungs for them that will fit the DOM that I also got from "owenst7." He also hooked me up with a sector shaft, so it made it all super easy. :woot: Anyway, WFO has a super professional shop, customer service was really killer. I'd HIGHLY recommend these guys!! Very pleased to have done business with them, and I'll probably do it again in the future.

I also stopped today at RuffStuff Specialties because they were running a sale, so I ordered my u-bolts and spring plates through them.

So nice to be able to stop at both places and avoid paying shipping on that heavy steel!! :bow:

I also had the opportunity to meet up with "imiceman." Actually, I brought over a 2wd front suspension and a couple tires he had sitting over at "owenst7"'s hous. We sat and had a cup of coffee for a bit before we got back on the road. Really enjoyed that.

So now I have all my parts. Tomorrow we start installing gears in the 14BFF and the Dana 60 (which I almost forgot in Reno, but thankfully didn't.) Very stoked. Next week I can start the swap! :woot:
 
So inquiring minds want to know:


How vast was the collection of vehicles at imiceman's house?
 
:haha: I actually didn't go to his house. But, it's likely that in the next few months he'll have one more.... :wink1: Might have the opportunity to see him at his place on Friday evening, so I'll report back. :haha:
 
Quick update. "onetonebb74" got the gears installed in both axles yesterday. :bow: Damn nice work too, as he got them set up with perfect backlash: 6 thousandths on the 14BFF and 5 thousandths on the Dana60. I also got the springless crossover arm and cap installed yesterday, trying to figure out what color to paint them. I'm thinking black, gray, or tan. Damn, those are nice equipment. We got everything loaded into my truck at about 10:30 P.M. and I drove back to where my wife is staying the bay area.

Having about 1100 pounds of K30 in the back of the truck feels GOOD, but also makes my Blazer handle like crap. :D

Anyway, I'll post pics of everything later today. Stoked!
 
Good stuff man! When do you think all your goodies are going to make its way under the Blazer?
 
I'll probably start early next week, Monday maybe. :D I need to do something about the rotors, brake pads, and lugnuts on the D60.
 
I just found that I can get a set of 12 lug nuts through summit for $8.85 and a set of 4 locking lug nuts for $14.99! Way cheaper than I'd expected. :D Too bad the lugs on my Chevy Dana 44 are larger than my Dodge Dana 60. :doah:
 
I already had a Detroit in my 14 bolt. I didn't put a locker in the front. I would like very much to have a selectable front locker, but those are pricey. I enjoy snow wheelin the most, and that's typically not a time you want a front locker.

However, one thing I've been enjoying about having an automatic transmission is that if I start getting wheel spin, I can apply a little pressure on the brakes and it acts kind of like a pseudo-locker. I figure this will get me by for years with the front open. :wink1:
 
imiceman44 said:
:whistle:
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yeah we heard about that last night. :whistle: :whistle: :whistle: :popcorn: :popcorn:

colbystephens said:
Quick update. "onetonebb74" got the gears installed in both axles yesterday. :bow: Damn nice work too, as he got them set up with perfect backlash: 6 thousandths on the 14BFF and 5 thousandths on the Dana60. I also got the springless crossover arm and cap installed yesterday, trying to figure out what color to paint them. I'm thinking black, gray, or tan. Damn, those are nice equipment. We got everything loaded into my truck at about 10:30 P.M. and I drove back to where my wife is staying the bay area.

Having about 1100 pounds of K30 in the back of the truck feels GOOD, but also makes my Blazer handle like crap. :D

Anyway, I'll post pics of everything later today. Stoked!
Click to expand...
glad to see everything worked out for ya boss!
have fun at the museum and dont park in a damn garage :haha:
 
After looking into it more, it appears the swap will begin on Tuesday or Wednesday next week. This is due to waiting for some brake parts to arrive. This should minimize down time.

Last time I went into Summit Racing they gave me a ticket for $20 off my next purchase of $100 or more, so that helps a bit with the cost of the brake parts.

Because I need to replace the rotors and the brake pads, I decided I'd go ahead and install new wheel studs since the ones that are on there are rusty and beat up. Someone has replaced a few in the past, but they're shorter than the stock ones which kinda bugs me. However, they're all rusty so I think it's very likely that they'll get totally fubared when I go to remove the rotor from the hub.

I ordered some open ended nuts and lock nuts for the lugs. Figure this will help me keep track of the front vs. the rear lug nuts. I also think those open ones look more utilitarian/cool.

At this point, I believe I have everything, or it's all ordered, with the exception of paint for the new parts that need painting.

Timeline, mostly typing this out for myself, but any critique of it is welcome:

Monday/Tuesday I can get the loose ends wrapped up on welding the drag link together, bolting together the lift springs, painting the steering components, etc.

Day1: Remove 10 Bolt rear and stock springs. Install lift springs w/ EZ Inch and 14 BFF. Put tires on. There was day and there was night. The first day.

Day2: Remove 10 Bolt front and stock springs. Install lift springs w/ EZ Inch and Dana 60. Put tires on. There was day and there was night. The second day.

Day3: Deal with drivelines, brakes, steering and trim fenders. Install shocks. There was day and there was night. The third day.

Day4: Install 10 bolt rear into '73. There was day and there was night. The fourth day.

Day5: Install 10 bolt front into '73. There was day and there was night. The fifth day.

Day 6: Finish up the '73. There was day and there was night. The sixth day.

On the seventh day Colby rested and surveyed what had been done. And it was good.
 
colbystephens said:
After looking into it more, it appears the swap will begin on Tuesday or Wednesday next week. This is due to waiting for some brake parts to arrive. This should minimize down time.

Last time I went into Summit Racing they gave me a ticket for $20 off my next purchase of $100 or more, so that helps a bit with the cost of the brake parts.

Because I need to replace the rotors and the brake pads, I decided I'd go ahead and install new wheel studs since the ones that are on there are rusty and beat up. Someone has replaced a few in the past, but they're shorter than the stock ones which kinda bugs me. However, they're all rusty so I think it's very likely that they'll get totally fubared when I go to remove the rotor from the hub.

I ordered some open ended nuts and lock nuts for the lugs. Figure this will help me keep track of the front vs. the rear lug nuts. I also think those open ones look more utilitarian/cool.

At this point, I believe I have everything, or it's all ordered, with the exception of paint for the new parts that need painting.

Timeline, mostly typing this out for myself, but any critique of it is welcome:

Monday/Tuesday I can get the loose ends wrapped up on welding the drag link together, bolting together the lift springs, painting the steering components, etc.

Day1: Remove 10 Bolt rear and stock springs. Install lift springs w/ EZ Inch and 14 BFF. Put tires on. There was day and there was night. The first day.

Day2: Remove 10 Bolt front and stock springs. Install lift springs w/ EZ Inch and Dana 60. Put tires on. There was day and there was night. The second day.

Day3: Deal with drivelines, brakes, steering and trim fenders. Install shocks. There was day and there was night. The third day.

Day4: Install 10 bolt rear into '73. There was day and there was night. The fourth day.

Day5: Install 10 bolt front into '73. There was day and there was night. The fifth day.

Day 6: Finish up the '73. There was day and there was night. The sixth day.

On the seventh day Colby rested and surveyed what had been done. And it was good.
Click to expand...


Nice :thumb:
 
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