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Need input on my build up...

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darinsdad

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Oct 23, 2006
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Location
puyallup washington
Hey, I just got a 77 blazer. (family wheeler so i need to keep the back seat) And I was planning a dovetail/nose and was wondering where to start and if it is REALLY worth doing. I was also thinking about doing boat sides. Please any input will be apprecated.:confused::confused::bow:
 
Thanks, should I do the nose first? or the sides? I am new to those things, and would like any info on how to do's as anyone would like to give :)
 
I think you might want to slow your pace. Those are very big deal mods. You might want to start out with the basics. These basics still can make a rig very functional and fun.Try:
winch, axle upgrades, cage, shocks, bumpers, lockers, tires, tcase and that's not all

Just my .2
 
Spend a little time digging around on here. There are a few threads floating around on those mods.

What else do you have done to the truck? I would say some upgraded suspension and some good M/T's and a locker in the rear are a good start. Dovetail/nose and boatsides are usually a little farther down the road in the build stage:wink1:

If you are already built then I would say for NW WA wheeling I would have to say the nose would be priority to narrow as most of the trails are narrow tight turns with lots of trees. Dovetail would be second, but for a family rig in WA a soft top will be necessary. Boatsides are cool, but prolly not real important up here as a priority. To make them really worthwhile a flat belly with a good skid should be done as well.
 
yes i plan on towing to the trails, and currently the truck sits on a brand new 10 inch superlift, stock 350, stock turbo 350 with a 203 was thinking about lowering it down a bit? currrently has stock half ton axles but i have 14 bolt with 456's and a detroit, and a 10 bolt front with 456's and a detroit, wheeled a yota truggy for past few years but had to sell my baby to build a family friendly trail rig, so i decided on a k5, i am no stranger to the fullsize world, i currently have a 91 burb on 15 inchh lift on 44's and a 89 burb on a 10 inch with 42's, but i am new to building a capable fullsize trail rig.
 
Ok cool. Yeah I think lowering it down a bit is a good idea for trails up here. Those 10" springs aren't gonna flex real well. Sell them to a mud runner, and go for some 4 or 6 inchers and trim the fenders accordingly. Good call on the axle upgrades. With the 10b front I would stick with 35's to 37's to minimize breakage depending on your driving style :wink1: If you want to go larger than that or wheel pretty hard then definetly be on the lookout for a Dana 60 front. The 4.56 gears with the 203 case will be ok with a 37" tire, but not optimum.

Another option to the 4 or 6 inch springs are the popular 52/56 inch spring upgrades. Here are a few thread on those.

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=148725

Boatsides

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86240&highlight=boatside

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=228099&highlight=boatside

http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthrea...light=boatside

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=239063&highlight=boatside

Narrowing

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=658323&highlight=bob+narrow

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=197739&highlight=dovetail

Hope those help ya some.

Oh ya I am not sure if the "search" function works for non members, but just throwing it out there that the $25 membership fee is worth its weight in gold for building a K5, and/or buying selling K5 parts!
 
thank you for your input so far its much appreciated! im not familiar with the 52 and 56 inch springs your talking about, what changes will i have to make to accomodate these springs?
 
darinsdad said:
thank you for your input so far its much appreciated! im not familiar with the 52 and 56 inch springs your talking about, what changes will i have to make to accomodate these springs?
Click to expand...

you'll need to move the front spring hangers forward by using diy4x's b52 kit or make your own crossmember or something of that sort and you will have to get a shackle flip for the rear and move it back from stock shackle hanger position about 4 inches
 
darinsdad said:
is it worth it? pics of this upgrade?
Click to expand...

Check that first link I gave you. Its a link to a whole bunch of threads about the 52" front swap, and some 56's too.

52's and 56's are Chevy rear springs used up front. Normal fronts are 48" long. Longer springs are softer and flex better. They are cheap and fairly easy to find. The swaps are detailed in many of those threads as well as several of our builds. Check the link in my sig. Now with that being said these "cheap and easy" mods require crossover steering, long shocks and brake lines, long slip front shafts so they $$ will add up with other things, but well worht it in my opinion especially for a trailered rig as driving on the street can be a little spooky with lots of travel and no sway bars :wink1:

Pics

I have 52's up front and 56's in the rear with a shackle flip 7" DIY shackles. I can use up almost all of a 15" shock front and rear. I am actually going to limit strap the front to save my driveshaft yoke until I upgrade to 1410 joints.

IMG_4207.jpg


IMG_4208.jpg


IMG_4209.jpg
 
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