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I need a little help. Bought the donor. Post 91

What do you say?

  • I am nuts.

    Votes: 1 3.3%

  • It is doable.

    Votes: 19 63.3%

  • I should start a fire in the pit and just have a beer.

    Votes: 5 16.7%

  • Boat naked.

    Votes: 5 16.7%
  • Total voters
    30
ktmoutfront

ktmoutfront

We live in the stupidest times.
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Those of you who know me from this board or personally, know that I do things a little different.

Was told I could not make this work 10 years ago. Now every cool kid is doing it.


Then I went from this......


To this......


Then to this......


So on to the next weird idea.

I need a rig to tow this when it is done.


Been kicking around the idea of a same vintage, 1968, tow rig. I love the wagons of that era. But I am not sure I want to take on a full build again. I work on other peoples junk, so the enjoyment is kind of lost.

Before you all go chastising me for this next statement, remember, I was a teenager in the late 70's and early 80's. I really would like and have always wanted a lowered Blazer.

Now for the ideas from you guys.

I still need the 4wd seeing as I live in Colorado and this is my daily driver. Needs to be durable enough to tow the boat to lakes as far away as 1000 miles and back.

I envision a single leaf each side in the back. Pan hard bar, anti-wrap bar and air bags. and maybe a 12 bolt. Existing is stock with 3.42:1 gear ratio. Tows like a slug. Front would be radius arms, air bags, pan hard bar.
2 inch air bumps would control the G outs going down the road.

It is an 87 Silverado trim truck. I would strip it of trim and moldings to clean it up. I want to put a round eye front end on it with the earliest grill I could. Basically make it look like a 73. After all, dad did tow the boat with a 73 c20 back in the day.

It would not be dumped on the ground. I am looking at a couple of inches at the most front and back.

Am I nuts? Or is something like this doable. It would be the only one out there.
 
I think it's do able. Why not keep it more simple and make it a bolt together project? Since your not looking for s big project. have some custom springs made for the front that will drop it a inch or 2 in front. Get some lowering shackles, and air bags for rear to keep it level while towing, along with a antiwrap bar. Then put a Ls motor in it and make it pretty as the boat. Just an idea. But your idea sure sounds smooth.:cool1:
 
Other than the custom suspension, I don't even see what's out of control about it? There are plenty of stock rigs that were bought just to toe boats and small trailers where the springs have settled so they're already "low-er-ed ".

I think it'd be a nice mild little project.
 
Boat and trailer together can't be more than 3k. When it is done I will weigh it to be sure.

My thoughts on air bags front and rear are for the roads through Arizona and California. So I can raise it and inch or two when I get into those areas. I have driven dirt roads that are smoother than those freeways.
 
Beautiful boat Wade. Nice project build, both the boat and tow rig. Totally doable. Good suggestions already. Lots of blazers fit the bill for that.
 
I'm the only one who voted boat naked. Women love boats and lots of them love to be naked on a boat, so I vote to boat naked lol.
 
Could be interesting to see driving down the road. Just as another suggestion to get the brain rattling....why not do a spring under on the axles? Just grind off existing perches and get some after-market ones (our build your own) and weld them to the bottom of the axle and you just dropped it a couple inches. Then mess around with mounting air-bags/shocks. That could be even more simple.
 
You have created a lot of unique and unusual combinations, why stop now. A bagged 4X4 pulling a boat would be far out. It all about what bring you joy, not what others think. Go for it.
 
I voted that you are nuts, but I have been a passenger in your vehicle, so thats self explanatory.

Sounds totally doable. My only concern was the 12b rear, but reasoning that the boat/trailer is only 3k is more reassuring. Not sure if I would spend money rebuilding/regearing/rebearing that unit personally, or step up to a 14sf 6 lug.

As always, pictures please!
 
This is a next year project. I won't start it until most of the parts are sitting in the shoop.

The idea of the radius arms, I have to admit, is more of the cool factor. Plus I know it works.

Another thought on the rear end, what about a later 6 lug 1/2 with factory disc brakes? I dont know much about them. I do want disc for the stopping power.
 
I would think those newer ones are sporting a better pinion bearing than the older 6 lug diffs, which was my concern.

The late model one would likely still need regeared, i doubt that the ratio you want came stock. But I think it would be a better platform to use.
 
Not sure on tire size choice. I would like to go with a 16" wheel and a MT type tire. Maybe in a 29 inch. So I am thinking a 3.73:1 ratio.
 
I'm thinking an early model suburban.
Ski's and fishing poles are long.


image.jpeg image.jpeg image.jpeg image.jpeg image.jpeg

...and yes you are crazy.
I like that, I'm gonna give you a promotion!
 
ktmoutfront said:
Not sure on tire size choice. I would like to go with a 16" wheel and a MT type tire. Maybe in a 29 inch. So I am thinking a 3.73:1 ratio.
Click to expand...
Any possibility of a totaled later model Yukon or Burban to donate the drivetrain, also likely to find a 3.73?
 
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