nimak5 Build Thread

nimak5 · Feb 23, 2013

Finally starting my K5 Project. After 2 years of searching craigslist for the right find, picked up a 1974 K5 Blazer Cheyenne. Most everything is stock with the exception of the 6 inch lift and the 39.5 Mickey Thompsons. Already made some purchases, so I decided to make a build thread to track the build.

(Since I am a new member, I guess I can't post any pics until 4 more posts, so I've posted pictures on my profile photo album for now.)

Working on the chassis first, so here are the pieces I just picked up and will have on the truck in the next few weeks:

Dana70HD DRW rear axle from a 1974 Chevrolet C30
5.13 gears, yukon ring and pinion, new bearings and seals
GM 14 Bolt SRW axle (for the SRW Hub to put on the Dana70HD)
4 - H1 Double Beadlock 8 Bolt Wheels with PVC inserts from Trailworthy Fab

Picking up and/or ordering next week:

Dana60 DRW front axle from a 1984 Chevrolet K30
4 - 42x15x16.5 TSL Super Swamper Tires

More to come soon...

nimak5 · Feb 23, 2013

mrk5 · Feb 23, 2013

That K5 looks to be in really great condition. :waytogo:

Sounds like you're diving right in.

I guess I've not seen those tires before; gotta be about the widest I've seen.

shady · Feb 23, 2013

I've always loved the look of a square body with FAT meats under 'em :waytogo:

raymos · Feb 23, 2013

Nice looking rig. Sounds like you are doing pretty much the same thing I am doing to mine. Keep us updated, ill be watching. :waytogo:

77k5blz · Feb 23, 2013

Dude SWEET looking k5 you got there and for real how wide are those tires.

nimak5 · Feb 24, 2013

A little too wide for my liking. These will be up for grabs as soon as I get the new set of wheels and tires on.

Hopefully picking up the Dana60 DRW front axle this afternoon and will post some pics.

76k5grrl · Feb 24, 2013

:thumbup: purty

Deuling · Feb 24, 2013

Man that's a great lookin rig!

What are you gonna use it for mostly?

Hopefully it stays pretty and the sawzall stays away from it :whistle:

nimak5 · Feb 24, 2013

Thanks everyone. This is going to be mostly a weekend vehicle for the next year while I build it, so it will sit fairly pretty until I'm finished with the build. When it's ready, it will get it's fair share of bumps and bruises.

Picked up the Dana 60 DRW front just now. These suckers are hard to find lately. Same with the Dana 70HDs, but finally have all the hard to find pieces.

Upside down, but here's the 60F stamp

nimak5 · Mar 1, 2013

Quick question for everybody: Could I use the disc brake calipers and rotors from my front dana 44 to put onto my dana 70HD DRW rear as the disc swap? I bought brackets from DIY4X for the Dana70HD and will be using the hubs from the SRW 14 bolt. Trying not to spend on new brakes if I don't have to.

nvrenuf · Mar 1, 2013

Calipers = yes
Rotors = maybe, most kits use d44 rotors but Kert will have to answer for sure.

Nice truck btw, looking forward to the progress.

nimak5 · Mar 1, 2013

Sorry I just meant rotors, but you answered my question. Thanks a bunch

nimak5 · Mar 8, 2013

Well I finally got the truck off the ground and the ORD 1" body lift is now on. I made quite the mistake with this one... I decided it may be more beneficial to have my mechanic deal with the headache of 40 year old broken bolts and put this on for a few hundred bucks rather than do it myself. Sure enough, no broken bolts and was a walk in the park for him.

With that being said, I've been spending most of the last week ordering parts (new steering block to accomodate for the 6 inch lift, new ubolts and plates for the Dana 60 and 70HD, brake parts, etc.). My 42" tires have arrived and are waiting for me to pick them up at the shop and the H1 Wheels will be here on Tuesday. I am hoping to have the axles, brakes, wheels and tires on the truck by Friday of next week (as long as I haven't missed anything else that I need to order). In the meantime, here are some pictures of the progress.

herkdriver007 · Mar 8, 2013

Sweet build man, keep it up!

rebelgregory · Mar 8, 2013

Sonofab!@#$!

Does everyone have a lift in their garage? Seems like I've seen one in every post I've looked at recently. So jealous.

In the meantime, I'll keep trying to figure out exactly how far down I can let the air out of my tires so I can get my truck out of the garage once it gets done. That's it, I'm getting a shop at my next house. No more giving in to my wife.

Sorry. Just venting. Truck looks good. I will be following the build. I'm also doing 1 tons (CUCV) with rear discs, crossover steering. 1" body lift, then paint and body. Doing axles currently. Good luck.

nimak5 · Mar 12, 2013

My wheels arrived today with a fresh coat of flat black powder. Can't wait to put these bad boys on. I am hoping to get the time to run by the shop and pick up the tires on Friday.

PVC Insert

nimak5 · Mar 15, 2013

More pictures of the progress. Rear end is on. Tires are in. Wheels are on temporarily until I muster up the energy to squeeze those pvc inserts in. Not worried about it now because I won't be going off roading until I am finished with the chasis.