Blazer restoration- where to start?

[kayla1988K5]

With the self isolation we are finding it hard to get motivated. Working on our build '88 K5 conversion to '78 body style with 6.2 diesel. It needs a lot of TLC!

Thinking of getting started by removing the front rad support. Will have to drain all the fluid and disconnect lines. I can then do a mockup of the '76 rad support and see if I have to do any modification to work with the 6.2 diesel parts, etc.

Where did you all start on your projects? We have completed most of the teardown. Rear quarters need attention. Rockers need replacement. Would like to make the frame look nice, so assuming this means body has to come off..

I'm thinking once I have completed the mockup of the rad support with 6.2 accessories and determine all is well/done modification, then I can start to remove the body and get geared up to sandblast or grind and paint the frame.

What does the CK5 brotherhood have to say on this? Thanks all

 

[ktmoutfront]

Get all of the upgrades and welding(rockers and floors) done before stripping and painting the frame. If not, it is a pain to protect the frame.

Start somewhere and stay with it.

 

[beags86]

All depends on tools, shop space, and what you plan to do/farm out.

Perfect world I would strip the body from the chassis and get the body on a dolly or some form of rotisserie.

 

[centexk5]

Personally I do the drivetrain and running gear first so I can continue to drive it and enjoy it for a while. Once the body comes off you are in it for the long haul.

 

[kayla1988K5]

Personally I do the drivetrain and running gear first so I can continue to drive it and enjoy it for a while. Once the body comes off you are in it for the long haul.

my hubby would agree with this one! I just want it to be done right and not half-assed! lol

 

[kayla1988K5]

This is where I'm at:

I guess first order of business is to clean up!

 

[kayla1988K5]

 

[rampage]

This is where I'm at:

I guess first order of business is to clean up!

And the second order of business would be to become a premium member so you can host your pics on this site, among other things.
But no pressure.

 

[Jake_C_]

I have an 88 and I put a 79 front end on it. I’m not saying this is the right way but I put all the 70s front end stuff on first and drove it for a bit making sure everything fit and looked right. and then took it completely apart, gutted the interior, stripped all body parts one piece at a time. I’m not doing a motor swap but I am swapping the transmission. Currently I have the body off and I’m wire wheeling the frame and painting it as well as freshening up the suspension and putting in the new transmission. If you get to the point where you have the body off that’s the best time to do your engine swap. That way you can clean and paint the frame where the motor sits. When the body goes back on I’ll be doing metal work and it sounds like ours are similar is the rusted areas. When that’s done it’s body work and paint. Like I said I’m not saying that’s the best order/way to do it, but It’s a way and I think it’s a pretty good way. Hope that helps.

 

[kayla1988K5]

And the second order of business would be to become a premium member so you can host your pics on this site, among other things.
But no pressure.

Thanks Rampage! It'll come I'm sure

 

[kayla1988K5]

I have an 88 and I put a 79 front end on it. I’m not saying this is the right way but I put all the 70s front end stuff on first and drove it for a bit making sure everything fit and looked right. and then took it completely apart, gutted the interior, stripped all body parts one piece at a time. I’m not doing a motor swap but I am swapping the transmission. Currently I have the body off and I’m wire wheeling the frame and painting it as well as freshening up the suspension and putting in the new transmission. If you get to the point where you have the body off that’s the best time to do your engine swap. That way you can clean and paint the frame where the motor sits. When the body goes back on I’ll be doing metal work and it sounds like ours are similar is the rusted areas. When that’s done it’s body work and paint. Like I said I’m not saying that’s the best order/way to do it, but It’s a way and I think it’s a pretty good way. Hope that helps.

that sounds like a good idea to me I think i'll do that.

Question for you! How did your front clip conversion go? I know the wipers are different so that'll take some figuring.. any other things to be aware of?

 

[kayla1988K5]

So the big question is; Will the radiator from an '88 6.2 diesel bolt onto a 1976 radiator support? Only time will tell once I get it all dismantled. This is happening either way just means I may have to modify/ create new mounts...

What do ya'll recommend for cleaning products? This truck has been leaking a bit of oil and its a mess in there

 

[DK5]

And the second order of business would be to become a premium member so you can host your pics on this site, among other things.
But no pressure.

Does it count that she's my wife? And I am a member?

Things are getting started! About ready to remove the rad. Looking forward to getting some of these projects done!

 

[6872xtc]

Does it count that she's my wife? And I am a member?

Things are getting started! About ready to remove the rad. Looking forward to getting some of these projects done!

But you overlooked the "premium " , and even yours is apparently expired. But I remember seeing you post up years ago.
(The pic in your avatar helps me!)
Awesome to see a husband and wife working on stuff together!!

 

[DK5]

But you overlooked the "premium " , and even yours is apparently expired. But I remember seeing you post up years ago.
(The pic in your avatar helps me!)
Awesome to see a husband and wife working on stuff together!!

I'm overdue to get caught up on here and renew my membership... I managed to get her hooked! Next thing is to get her to be onboard for Blazer Bash once the rigs are ready!

 

[Jake_C_]

that sounds like a good idea to me I think i'll do that.

Question for you! How did your front clip conversion go? I know the wipers are different so that'll take some figuring.. any other things to be aware of?

It’s the stud part of the wiper mechanism where the wiper arm attaches that’s different as well as the wiper arms themselves. The 73-80 ones are shorter than the 81-91. You’ll need those, fenders, inner fenders, core support, hood, all grille and headlight components, battery tray and the wiring harness for the headlights. There are other small things like the windshield washer tank wont fit your new fenders right but it’s easy to rig it so it works. My conversion went smoothly since my front end was already apart from the previous owner hitting a deer. Also I was able to pull all my parts off of a junk truck so I knew I had everything I needed. I recommend finding a donor vehicle if at all possible. A junk yard would be a good resource. As far as making a 6.2 radiator fit the core support I wouldn’t worry about that too much. I think it will fit the space fine. If not you can make it work with some tweaking I’m sure, or just get a 73-80 radiator. If you have any more questions about it let me know I’m happy to help.

 

[diesel4me]

I think a 6.2 radiator will fit an older square body,you'll need the top radiator hold down support from the diesel donor truck probably,and have to move the rubber cushions on the bottom..
A 4 core radiator for a 454 pickup will fit too,but again you will probably need the upper hold down part to go with it,or fab something up..

 

[kayla1988K5]

It’s the stud part of the wiper mechanism where the wiper arm attaches that’s different as well as the wiper arms themselves. The 73-80 ones are shorter than the 81-91. You’ll need those, fenders, inner fenders, core support, hood, all grille and headlight components, battery tray and the wiring harness for the headlights. There are other small things like the windshield washer tank wont fit your new fenders right but it’s easy to rig it so it works. My conversion went smoothly since my front end was already apart from the previous owner hitting a deer. Also I was able to pull all my parts off of a junk truck so I knew I had everything I needed. I recommend finding a donor vehicle if at all possible. A junk yard would be a good resource. As far as making a 6.2 radiator fit the core support I wouldn’t worry about that too much. I think it will fit the space fine. If not you can make it work with some tweaking I’m sure, or just get a 73-80 radiator. If you have any more questions about it let me know I’m happy to help.

Thank you for the support!! I guess this means that we need 73-80 inner fenders!! We only have '81-'91 inner fenders.... As far as the rest of those parts goes, I think we are good pending the rad fits the 73 style rad support!

 

[yblow]

I installed a 6.5l turbo in square body and yes the radiator fits. I used the small top brackets from an 86 and the bottom just used a couple extra poly bushings under it not the cushion ones.

 

[DK5]

Got the '88 rad support out, now the next step to bolt on all the 70's stuff and see how it fits.. Got some figuring to do where the wipers will work.