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Project Budget Blazer

H

Hazy

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CA
So a buddy of mine has a 1987 K5 Blazer that he picked up for $500 and he is turning it into a trail rig. He's doing it on as tight of a budget as he can though, so things like a homemade shackle flip and 52" fronts are the type of thing he is doing.

Here are the current specs:
700r4
208 tcase
Stripped interior
Removed A/C
Electric fans (he had them laying around)
Warn 8274 winch (freebie)
Warn manual locking hubs (came on it)
33" BFG all terrains (came on it)
Homemade rear shackle flip
RadioShack CB radio (freebie)

Yesterday we did the rear shackle flip and today we are going to get the 52" front leafs, homemade 7" front shackles, and relocated front hangers done.

The motor he has in it right now does not pass smog, theres something wrong with it. He has another 350 with TBI setup that needs to be rebuilt but then he could just drop it in. The other option is an LS1. He has this from a wrecked corvette he bought and dismanteled and sold off for parts. He's got the LS1, ECU, wiring harness, and gas pedal for the drive by wire. What else is needed to complete the LS1 swap?

He is also planning on welding the rear end and getting a locker for the front. Is there a better deal (bang-for-the-buck) than the Powertrax Lock-Right Locker from Summit? http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=PWT%2D1920%2DLR

So far he is down $500 plus some cut off wheels/sawzall blazes and planning on spending the ~$350 for a locker in the front. What else could be done for cheap to no cost and improve the capability of his K5 off-road?
 
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what axles are you gonna run? im gonna assume 10 bolts.

With 52s in the front you really should do crossover steer.
 
He's running the stock 10 bolts.
Is crossover steering necessary? What will happen if he doesn't do it? Are there cheap alternatives or different ways to fix the problems?
 
Do they make it for a 10 bolt from an 87? I only saw them for Dana44's up to 1980 on offroadlockers.com
 
Well you do need crossover but it can be done cheaply look on ebay.

If you don't have crossover you will have to make the draglink about 4" shorter I suppose this could be done but the flex 52s give you will pretty much make the non crossover rig very difficult to steer when flexing. Trust me do the crossover.
 
Care to help out a little more? You need to get the flat top knuckes (both sides) from a d44, right?

And for those who requested, here is a picture of his blazer with the rear shackle flip done before the front 52s got started.

Picture 002.jpg
 
Hazy said:
Care to help out a little more? You need to get the flat top knuckes (both sides) from a d44, right?

And for those who requested, here is a picture of his blazer with the rear shackle flip done before the front 52s got started.
Click to expand...
I don't think you need both sides, dfinitly the pass side though. And you will need to get it machined for the steering arm if you dont buy an aftermarket one that's already machined
 
Yah you just need the passenger side. crossover is just the draglink going to the knuckle. High steer is when you need both.
 
blazinzuk said:
Yah you just need the passenger side. crossover is just the draglink going to the knuckle. High steer is when you need both.
Click to expand...
You need both if your tie rod mounts to the bottom and it should with your 10 bolt
 
We finished the front 52's and flexed it out. Flex is great in the front, but the stock rear leafs with the home made shackle flip and stock shackles isn't cutting it. Any suggestions on what to do next for more rear flex? There are no shocks right now, so nothing should be limiting his blazer from flexing more.

Here are some pics.

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Picture00 031.jpg

Picture00 033.jpg

Picture00 041.jpg
 
How long of a rear shackle do you recommend?
What exactly is a better flip? How would he make his flip better?
 
if you did a cut through style flip you can bolt in a set of 56's with a 6.5" shackle and be sitting pretty good.
 
Hazy said:
How long of a rear shackle do you recommend? I would say about 6"
What exactly is a better flip? the budget junkyard way is to use a front hanger.
How would he make his flip better? move the hanger forward on the frame.
Click to expand...

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