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Got my first K5... now I've got some questions

73K5BlazerSS

73K5BlazerSS

1/2 ton status
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Ok so I just got a 73 Blazer ! Amazingly it has practically no rust (came outta the mojave). On the other hand it's in need of lots of repairs. Hopefully you can steer me in the right direction.

The tailgate is in good shape except for some small dents. It does need a window along with all of the tailgate parts, crank, window regulator, guides, seals, etc. For some reason the tailgate sits higher when closed on the left side. Is there anyway to adjust this? Could the frame be tweaked? Also what's my best chance of finding the torque rods?

The doors are wavy from years of dings, they may even be cheap replacements with thin gauge steel? Am I better off buying new doors instead of doing bodywork on the old ones? (I'm awful at bodywork so I'd probably have to pay someone). Are the replacement doors good quality?

Also the front hubs were converted to lockers but the front axle always spins regardless of what position it is in except for neutral. Can I leave them like that and run them in the free position until I need 4wd?

Thanks and sorry if I'm asking too much
 
Welcome to the world of dumping money into an old truck.

Go to the driveway build threads and start a thread with questions. That way you have all of your answers for the project stored online in one place.

Also, pay the $25 a year membership. Worth every penny for the pictures and added info.

And post pictures of yours there.
 
Welcome!

-You'll find that building a tailgate a la carte can get expensive real quick-assuming you can find them. Sometimes people convert to the lighter pickup gate and sell the old tailgate. Misalignment can be bent hinges or something with the body. Brothers, Classic Industries, Motor City K5, 73-87 Trucks, LMC, and others can be a good source of various parts. Check out the classifieds in this forum as well.

-You can get decent replacement door shells. If they're factory original and not too bad they might be worth fixing, but replacements are not terribly expensive. 73-76 doors will cost more because they're different than the 77-up, which are more common.

-It sounds like you have may have a 203 transfer case-the full-time 4wd unit. People often replace the hubs with manual lockers and convert the TC to part-time because the full-time case is a gas hog.
 
Here's some pictures of the new truck ! Thanks for the info I'll look into the rear hinges and body where the tailgate is attached for alignment problems. It's almost like the left side bed rail is bending or tipping out at the top? I gotta get under it this weekend and read some numbers on the transfer case and axles. The other pics show what I consider practically rust free. You can see on the front frame rail where someone tried to weld a crack I assume. You'd think they would have grinded it to hide that quality weld? I gotta start from the ground up... need new tires. I think these have been sitting for about 12 years.

Oh and i'm still trying to figure out starting a build thread. Thanks

truck.jpg

Tailgate 1.jpg

rocker box.jpg

Rear wheel well and floor .jpg

Front frame .jpg
 
Welcome
Nice looking rig congrats!
I have the same uneven tailgate as you but not as far off

Mine was fine with the original but not so much when i swapped to a different top. IIRC on mine there were locating pins on the bottom of the top. Not sure if they have them on full verts. I'd start with removing the top to see what you've got.

Good luck

0929210944.jpg
 
@73K5BlazerSS it looks like possibly the hinges aren't into the tailgate the same depth. Maybe loosen the left one on the tailgate and see if it will move in, (up into the tailgate). But maybe the picture is deceiving.
 
6872xtc said:
@73K5BlazerSS it looks like possibly the hinges aren't into the tailgate the same depth. Maybe loosen the left one on the tailgate and see if it will move in, (up into the tailgate). But maybe the picture
6872xtc said:
@73K5BlazerSS it looks like possibly the hinges aren't into the tailgate the same depth. Maybe loosen the left one on the tailgate and see if it will move in, (up into the tailgate). But maybe the picture is deceiving.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

6872xtc said:
@73K5BlazerSS it looks like possibly the hinges aren't into the tailgate the same depth. Maybe loosen the left one on the tailgate and see if it will move in, (up into the tailgate). But maybe the picture is deceiving.
Click to expand...
You were right. I was able to get it pretty close by sliding it back. Thanks
 
She looks good for 48 years old,,how many pintos ,bronco out there on the road,what your plans big,,big tires,lift,c i,,,,,I say drive it,,drive,,drive ,drive,,,that's m 02 worth
 
Thanks. My plans are to fix it up and run a 2" lift. just took it for my first ride with the new tires (I got it with 2 blown tires) geez this thing is way too bouncy. Does anyone know who makes the smoothest 2" lift for the k5s?
 
73K5BlazerSS said:
Thanks. My plans are to fix it up and run a 2" lift. just took it for my first ride with the new tires (I got it with 2 blown tires) geez this thing is way too bouncy. Does anyone know who makes the smoothest 2" lift for the k5s?
Click to expand...
This is exactly how lots of us have started our journeys down the rabbit hole.

:whistle:

:haha:


But I will tell you that my experience with springs, is that custom is best. I have only had a couple of sets of lift springs from big "kit" companies, however they were terrible when compared to the two sets that I have gotten from Offroad Design, (ORD).
They aren't cheap, but driving a truck that rides terrible kills a good amount of enjoyment from owning an old truck.
I like Bilstien shocks for mine. They have better rebound damping in my opinion.
 
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