Dual builds- Camo K5 and Big Crew Cab

[mountainexplorer]

I think I've been talking about getting my Camo Blazer running for about 7 years. And the Big Crew Cab going again for about 5 years.
Two Builds at the same time- two different types of builds but both GM products. Both trying to be done as cheap as possible with as many used parts as possible utilizing what I have laying around. The Goal: To have both done by April 25th, or at least the Big Crew Cab done by May 1st.
The Camo K5- for trails mainly, some rocks and hill climbs. Keep it lower to the ground, more stable, and be something to crawl around in with not too much power needed.

The Big Crew Cab- for Mud Bogs only. Make it insanely tall with huge tires and really loud with lots of HP.

This weekend is the start of me working on the Big Crew Cab, but also the Re-Assembly of my Camo K5... a 1976 K5 Blazer I bought in 2001 for $400 as a parts rig. But then was added to the Fleet once I towed it home and it started and drove.
My proposed deadline is before April 24th, so it can be taken on the Cabin Fever Run. If it's not done, I will have to take my Stepside again. I'm hoping the Blazer will be done though.
Start of the new parts:
Ugly looking but as far as I got with the last 1/3 of grinder disc. Trying to shave most of the huge lip off the boat anchor known as a GM 14-bolt Full Floater. Not sure if I want to make it a 13 Bolt yet or not. Tomorrow will tell after I get another grinder disc or two.

It will look better when grinding is completed.

This is an axle I bought 2 weeks ago with new 5.38 Yukon gears and bearings, welded spiders, already set up for $375. Figured it saved a little from buying the gears and install kit new, installing it all and welding spiders (cause I can't weld). Even the shock mounts were already relocated in about the same spot I wanted them anyways.

 

[mountainexplorer]

I just keep going back and taking a little more off.

The rear springs under the Camo Blazer. I might have some changes to make as of yet. But I am using Ford Bronco rear springs that are longer and have more flex than the Chevy ones.

Working around the 8 year old dried mud.

Cracked frame at steering box:

To be welded and braced soon.

Front springs are 52" long rear springs off a Chevy.

Rear springs definitely are soft and flexible.

Rear axle went under it and it's on tires on the back now, but didn't snap a pic.

For the Big Crew Cab... a chunk of steel that will be part of the excessive lift:

All spring hangers have to be cut off and re-welded, barke booster has to come off and steering box, old exhaust has to come off.

We're hoping that this next weekend it might be sitting on 54's.

Difficult to get much done since I'm trying to work on both at the same time, while clean the shop and move stuff around that's in the way. Plus work on tearing apart other trucks and swapping parts on other rigs like this one I was swapping axles and springs on this weekend too.

Also have to pull the motor out of it soon.
Plus have to roll these tires out of the way for workspace every day.

Almost looks like a little 33 next to a 39.5. When in reality it's a little 39.5 next to a 54.

 

[dfl701]

You have your hands full!! Haha

 

[toomany]

All that shop room, vehicles and tools...and not a single jackstand.

Look forward to seeing the CC build.

 

[86-1ton]

AWESOME...!!!

who's blue 80/82 is that with the HD rims...? if it's yours, how do you like them...? i love the way they look, but i don't know about the backspacing and stuff to fit my '86 K30... if i got a set they'd be on 35's...

 

[86-1ton]

All that shop room, vehicles and tools...and not a single jackstand.

Look forward to seeing the CC build.

nope, there's 2 under the 14B when it's got the discs on... LOL

 

[dfl701]

What size tires will you put on the blazer? That CC is gonna be huge

 

[supersize75k5]

dude a cut off wheel and you would have had that lip cut in a couple minutes!

 

[mountainexplorer]

Ive never had good luck with the skinny cut off wheels. They always bind up and break or fly apart on me. Maybe it's operator error.

The Blazer is getting 42" Iroks. They are currently on my Stepside right now.

I'd like to keep it as low as my Stepside for stability (4" lift only no body lift on the Stepside) but I want it to flex alot more and the 42's don't rub cause it doesn't flex much. The Stepside will eventually get the 39.5" Iroks shown in the pic of the tire in front of the 54" Bogger.

The '81 Chevy technically belongs to my friend Doug. We picked it up on the other side of the state off craigslist when we were over there for a 4x4 swap meet. I'm borrowing it for now cause my trucks that can tow are having brake issues. They fit but do seem inset a little more than I prefer. I think they are decent looking rims but to me don't look right on the older square bodystyle trucks.

Me and jackstands and tools. I am lacking tools. If I had tools maybe I could do something in a timely manner. The torch setup seen in a picture isnt even mine, it's borrowed. But at least I have a welder now. Shop space is an issue. I have a forklift but barely enough room to drive it back and forth.

I'm not sure if I'll reach my April 25th deadline. I have two weekends left to do both, and maybe a week I can take off work. This next weekend on Sunday a friend is coming over to help weld and hopefully the 2.5 Ton Rockwells and 54's will be sitting under it.

Now I'll need the money to finish building the 489 big block for the crew cab. Was going to be a 505 but we scored some .030 over 12.5:1 domed forged pistons used for $100 instead of $600-$800 for new ones, so with the stroker crank and being .030 over it will only be a 489 I guess.

The Blazer is getting a .020 over 454 shortblock out of an '83 Dually that has flattop pistons in good shape, and Im putting on some semi-closed chamber heads, with stock size valves, and a used Comp Xtreme 4x4 .505/.515 lift I have. Just need to throw the cam and heads on it.

 

[86-1ton]

compared to stock 16x6.5 inch wheels that are on my truck now, think there would be rubbing issues...?

honestly in that pic it looks like they're the same distance out as my stock rims...

plus i can get the set for less than $100...

 

[mountainexplorer]

Hmmm, well I didn't put them on. But to my knowledge there are no issues with them clearing. But it is just a GM 10-bolt 3/4 ton front end and a 14-bolt full floater rear and the rear does have larger drums. I guess the way they sit isn't too much more inset than stock steel rims.

 

[mountainexplorer]

More stuff.

I shouldnt weld.

Frame crackes welded and ground down on the Blazer.

Crew Cab rear springs and hangers removed.

Blazer frame re-inforced with another section of frame off another Chevy.

 

[dfl701]

i know how it feels with the welding situation. i cant weld either definitely going to work on that though

 

[86-1ton]

dude... when can i come out and live at your shop...!? i can weld...! i'm even certified to...!

 

[mountainexplorer]

This weekend's video: Getting not alot done in a hurry

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fu4oX3LAuRY

 

[yellowK20]

Dang Allan, goo to see some progress on the Crewcab! I'm assuming your gonna use those rockwells you bough awhile back??

 

[mountainexplorer]

Yep that's the front 2-1/2 ton Rockwell going under it at the end of the video.

Technically I have 1-2 more weekends left to work on it before it needs to be done and I need at minimum $3750 to build the 489 motor, set up brakes and hydraulic steering, and drivelines, clutch... all that stuff. I don't know if I have a larger shortage on money or time.

 

[yellowK20]

I hear you on that I have money now but no time plus I dont have a shop of my own up here in AK what you gonna run for a t-case??

 

[mountainexplorer]

I have a divorced Dodge 205 that will be mounted in the center of the frame, hoping to make both drivelines the same length. Just need to change the puny yokes on it. But the whole t-case just looks puny laying there on its own in comparison to the truck and the axles.

 

[y5mgisi]

Awesome!