looking to pick your brain of hard learned knowledge

[greeleycoloscott]

i just recently bought 1978 blazer and want to start fixing it up with making it a rockcrawler of sorts not quite the budget to go as all out as some but would rather save and put things off tell it can be done right . was thinkingtof lift first??? or ?? what do the voices of experience sayand hard knocks say on this subjec of where to start??

 

[greeleycoloscott]

dont hold back

lets hear the works here!!

 

[tRustyK5]

Budget crawler...

3/4 ton diff's, pretty cheap to get (under $400 usually) and have decent gears almost guaranteed. Most have 4.10's. Chuck a Detroit in the rear (~$400) and leave the front open.

4" lift, but not a kit. TC EZ rides up front, shackle flip in rear. The flip can be free if you're handy with a grinder. The EZ rides will ride and flex good, but not be so crazy as to make crossover steering a must. Relocate the rear shocks, run the cheap Gabriel 12.5" travel shocks.

A set of 15x10 rockcrawler rims, ~4" backspace, and some 35x12.5" MT's.

Keep the Q-jet whatever you do.

Bumpers of your choice, just keep approach and departure angles in mind when designing/building/or buying them.

Box tube "weld on" rock sliders.

Part time kit for the 203.

Do a little front fender trimming and have fun with it.

Total might be $2200-$2500 and it'd be a pretty capable trail rig.

Rene

 

[greeleycoloscott]

thanks

the front differential would be geared differently then?? i was thinking of finding a 3/4 ton parts truck what do u think of that idea i thought it could save some money on the beefup. was thinking of the 4 in with or was wondering if 6 in would be better with shackle flip and 21/2 rear springs. why do u want to relocate shocks??

 

[3rdshiftdesign]

Both differentials would be geared the same. If you can find a 3/4 ton truck/burb try to find one with a 205 transfercase and TH400 trans and 4.10 gears.

4" is a good amount, most people just want to go really high but that just raises the center of gravity (more likely of a roll over), height issues on the trail (tree branches, etc), less flex and creates other problems with steering (crossover is almost a must), and driveshaft angles and length (6" will probably require mods, which increases your budget a decent amount.

stay away from blocks. the rear shackle flip can be made, or bought for very cheap. better flex/ride espcially if you retain the stock springs.

if you relocate the shock mounts, it gives you a bit more of ground clearance in the rear.

if you do find a 14B for the rear, that can also be shaved down about 1" to gain some clearance.

Also, just try searching the forums because your questions have been answered, several times a week.


Good luck.

 

[greeleycoloscott]

thank you for input

very insightful and has me thinking

 

[greeleycoloscott]

ok so far lots of collecting time now for action

ok i have aquired 2 parts vehecles one a c15 or heavy half pickup and a suburban with 1 ton axles yes the coveted dana 60 ok now what do i do? 400 invested so far parts rich sense poor as it were . what have i gotten myself in for .need to move parts and accessories onto the blazer now where and how and why i suppose should i start? i was thinking 6 inch lift 1 inch body 486 gears may already be in axle no bigger than 38 tires. help! i want to hopefully be as through as possoble in theory do it once and do it right!! i am thinking and nothing happened ! HELP!!! p.s. the dont do school of hard knocks yea high priority on that advice. paint will come from a spray7 can that should tell ya where my priorities arei hope.

 

[greeleycoloscott]

so how is this shock mount job thing gone about?