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Introduction & K5 Blazer Build Ideas....

fltplan

fltplan

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May 31, 2010
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San Diego, CA
Allow this to serve as my introduction.

My wife and I have been looking for the perfect vehicle to get us down to the Colorado River and back from San Diego. We have a place down there and our toys stay there. I tow a 21' boat a few times a year, but not everytime we go. I've had newer SUV's (Toureug and 4Runner), but am looking for something different. We have two small dogs and just my wife and I. I used to have a couple 70's 3/4 ton Chevy Trucks, but just can't use a truck like that for the trip, since it doesn't have a big enough cab.

I decided the blazer will be the right fit. It's plenty big inside for us, the dogs and any coolers, clothes, etc that we take down there. I've always like the body style and would like to build one with the best of everything or buy one that is already in mint condition. I will be using it for the desert off roading occasionally, but it's main use will be out I-8 and back.

As much as I'd like to find one already done with nice interior, motor, tranny, etc, I have a feeling this is going to be a project in between this and next river season.

If you could build a blazer any way for this particular mission, how would you do it? Newer motor (crate LS)? What tranny? Remember it's CA and has to be smogged. What kind've gears did these usually come with? I'm thinking something 33" tires, excellent mechanical shape, excellent paint and interior. I'm just looking for ideas or links to other nice blazers. Haven't been able to access much on this site yet.

Thanks, Steve
 
Judging by your handle, you've got the $$$$ to pretty much do what ever you want as far as build. What do you have in mind as far as streetability vs offroadability?
Do you want bone stock, or Modded all to hell, or something in between?
Because it is very easy to build some pretty cool stuff with just a little money and a bunch of time.
I say hit up Craigslist, or Eghey, find the truck that looks the best to you, buy it, then decide if you want to start a few mods, leave it like it is, or start attending your 12 week GM truck modification addiction class, like many of us have done.

Oh, and welcome!
 
The $25.00 membership fee will make your stay here so much more fun. If your bored go hit the lounge.
 
It's definitely going to lean towards streetability. I definitely don't want detroits in it. If I did lockers eventually, it would be the air lockers.

Yes, one of the things that has attracted me to the K5 is acquisition costs and the ability to make it what I want for less than a new toyota truck.

I would like to spend not more than 25k on a build, because I know how they can get out of hand or buy one that is an excellent looking and running driver that I could start using immediately. Obviously, buying one wouldn't get close to 25k. If I did the build, I would want crate LS, with the allison tranny, etc. Decked out interior, with all the accesories.

Bottom line, I'm looking for something unique, reliable and very capable, but more towards the street. I have had numerous serious off road trucks and that's not my goal with this. Thanks for your input. What's up with the $25????
 
So from reading your plans there is two ways you could go, first would be to find a 91 in nice condition. 700 241 and 10 bolts. It sounds like you want this to be a very reliable rig. I would say swap in 3/4 tons. Reasoning is just the total reliability of that beasty 14 bolt. It would get you 4.10s gears too which will help with the towing aspect of things. 4" lift to fit 35s, why 35s? They really aren't too big and the streetability between the two is a moot point they will act pretty much the same. 35s also look cooler:D

Next option since you are in California look for an early 2nd gen, no smog. Then you can have fun with the motor do whatever you want pretty much. I believe this limits you to a 73 or 74 right?

There is also the option of a mid 70s with a 400.

Its pretty much going to boil down to finding something that is pretty much done and just changing stuff to your taste. The swapability of these trucks is awesome, so even if you find a 73 or 74 putting a 700 in it is not very hard.

I know you said you want to find one pretty much done but how much swapping around are you wiling to do?

No matter what year you end up with I still say 3/4 ton axles 4" lift (2.5" springs longer shackles and a zero rate in front, a flip in back) and 35s that will be a very nice looking truck. With that small of a lift and only 35s you will never notice it is lifted when towing, mabey go to a 17" rim to reduce the sidewall a bit though
 
Sounds nice, I guess I have to be a member to see pics. Definitely going to be a late 80's or 90-91. I do want 33s or 35s. They look better with 35s for sure. I don't know if the wife will want to get up and down with 35s. 33s seem a little small though. I do want to have good power on the highway though. I can't imagine 4:10s would be enough. Maybe 4:56s?

I'd prefer to buy one that is nice and change things out as I have time.
 
Just tell her measured size!!! Most 35s don't measure out to a 35:D

with a 700 small block and 35s I would do 4.88s, or even 5.13s

Depends on how fast you like to cruise at.

You may be spending a fair chunk on engine mods to get the power you want the TBI 350s are not known for huge power numbers, but they certainly can be coaxed into putting a smile on your face
 
Okay, I'm going up next week to pick up the new blazer. It's a 1990, all original (except for the lift). 166k. 2nd owner, been garaged since new. Have original window sticker. Looks nice from all the pics I've seen. I'll be flying up to Reno in a week and plan on driving it back.

It's getting a once over, with compression/leak down check, all fluids changed, etc before the drive back to San Diego. Little over 500 miles, so I'm sure I'll get to know it pretty well by the time I get back.

Here's a pic.

I think it'll make it to the river a couple times this season, then the ls motor, new interior, etc will happen between October and April.

Any ideas on how the 700 tranny (I know it was renamed something else, can't remember what) will hold up to a 6.0L LS. I believe output is 400 hp. Maybe a bit much? I will be doing quite a bit of research between now and October to make sure everything is a good match.

2010_0619Blazer0017.jpg
 
fltplan said:
Any ideas on how the 700 tranny (I know it was renamed something else, can't remember what) will hold up to a 6.0L LS. I believe output is 400 hp. Maybe a bit much? I will be doing quite a bit of research between now and October to make sure everything is a good match.
Click to expand...

Obviously be careful about engine swaps if you need to be smog legal.
 
Looks real nice and clean.

700r4 should hold up. Mine is at the the tranny shop get gone through because it has sat for almost 15 yrs. He told me everything looks like new inside still, he built it for me in the early 90's. I have a 383 ci motor with 5.13 gears and tires that measure about 37.5'' tall. With this set up it run 2000rpms @ 70 mph.

You can look at my build if you need to see what it took to get the interior back like factroy, if you need to fix anthing inside.
 
ur build looks great. Interior looks completely factory. I'm probably going to go with Tahoe front seats with something custom in the back. I'm looking for comfort for 3-4 hours at a time.

Glad to hear that the tranny should hold up after a once through.

As far as the smog goes, I'm going to register this to our house in Yuma, AZ. Shouldn't be a problem.

The lift on mine is a 4" Tuff Country. I know it has blocks in the back. No apparent death shake. The transfer case has an adapater to keep the angles of the drivelines to a minimum. Tire size is 305/75/16 (pretty close to a 33" as far as I know), with 3.73 gears.

Can't wait to go pick this thing up.
 
Nice looking truck there. I miss the SW rust free trucks.

Keep in mind a built 700R4 (renamed the 4L60 and then 4L60E when it was converted to electric) ought to stand up to a LS engine...not the stocker. You actually have one of the good 700R4's there but it was never really intended by GM to stand up to more than 210hp and 300ft/lbs of torque when new.

How much and what are you planning on towing with a K5? These aren't exactly tow rigs and the towing specs reflect that.
 
I'm only planning on towing my boat to the river a couple times per year. It's only 3500# with the trailer and all. It wouldn't be my choice for a regular tow vehicle, just ocassionally. I should also be able to tow this behind my rv, as it's not as heavy as a crew cab 4wd truck. Did quite a bit of reasearch and this is the only vehicle that can do exactly what we need.

1. Wife and I w/ 2 small dogs 3-4 hours twice a month to the river (back seat out). Enough storage to take bags, water, etc to our place.
2. Tow my boat back when it unexpectedly needs to come home after a mechanical.
3. Smaller than a 4 door truck or tahoe that my wife really doesn't want to drive.
4. Small enough to be towed behind our rv on vacation a couple times per year, with my KTM on a hitch mounted rack.

I couldn't think of any other vehicle and I really like the ck series from the 80s & 90s.
 
It should tow a 3500# boat just fine, and be good for the rest too.
 
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