New 1974 K5 Project

[jtrapani]

Well after owning an 85' and loving it I found out more about blazers. I really wanted a 73'-75' so i searched and found one. The following is what I have planned for the 74' that we have dubbed "Captain."

The rig is all stock, no modifications and no rust (nothing serious at least just slight surface). It has a stock 350 in it. I don't plan on doing any heavy wheeling in it, I have the 85 to beat up. I want this truck to be a nice daily driver and/or weekend cruiser. However, I still want it to be completely capable for any trails that I might want to tackle when I go camping and what not. My biggest issue is that I like to mod vehicles but I don't like to hack them up. Permanently temporary if that makes sense. I may want to go back to all factory original one day. (my dad raised me on factory restoration, numbers matching engines only, etc.) So I need input on the following (the list is what I want and will do, I just need direction on how and who to purchase through):

Where to start?
Power windows and door locks?
Engine swap?
Tranny swap(Current TH350, I don't have OD)?
New Transfer case?
Lockers?
Slight lift, spring only?
Rim and tire size?
Paint, exterior, interior, engine bay, color?
Power seats (without drilling new holes)?
Center Consel?
Roll Cage? (again, with as little modification as possible however I understand the nature of this add on)
Bumpers (built for trails, winch mount if possible)?

Nut and bolt kit? I'm tired of fishing through ace hardware to get the bolt I need.

That should be good for now. I want to get this underway.

Thanks. You guys have all the answers so I check here first.

 

[rdn2blazer]

Become a member and post up pics damnit!

 

[jtrapani]

hahaha ok ok I will

 

[jtrapani]

ok...I'm a member. Now I just gotta post some pics of the new ride.

 

[chevyuser74]

what color u thinking about painting it?

 

[chalet2506]

Careful, because this can become consuming. I've got the same thing going on. A 76 for beating on, and a 72 for turning into a streetable daily driver/weekend type rig. Here's what I'd suggest.

#1 - Remove the hardtop and drive it a while so you can get a feel for what you like and don't like about it in its current state. Its real easy to hop on here and read a bunch of threads and get ideas about what "needs" to be done and fix things that don't need to be fixed.

After that, start with what's broke, unless your planning on tearing the whole thing down and building from the ground up. Also, I'd pass on the power window/seat/lock upgrades unless that's something you really want. IMO, that stuff doesn't belong in a 70's era GM truck. If it's running and in good shape body wise. I'd start looking into a roll cage and upgrading the seats and seatbelts for safety reasons before I started raising the COG or adding horsepower.

Edit: Full convertible kicks ass. Its probably colder up there, but I've found I'm comfortable in mine with the heat on until it gets below about 30 degrees with a ballcap and heavy jacket.

 

[Dalejrfan]

I would start with the drivetrain. If the motor is good, I would have it rebuilt, bored out and probably do a 383 stroker motor. Then I would address the transmission, maybe look for one with overdrive out of a newer model truck. If you don't plan on doing any hardcore off roading with it, the transfer case should be fine, just check fluid levels and maybe clean it up a bit. Same thing with the axels, check fluid levels and the driveshaft for any wear and tear. Of course with the new motor, you have to paint it Chevy orange and put some chrome valve covers and air cleaner on it!