Rocco's 77 K5 Blazer - Frame Off 6.2/6L80 Build

[RoccoK5]

Got the frame reinforcements plates welded up this afternoon. My frame actually looked pretty good, but upon closer inspection I found a hairline crack:

I ended up drilling a couple of holes, one at each end of the crack, grinding a valley, and then welding it up before burning the plates on.

I had to use some heat and a BFH to get the plate to sit flush, but I think it came out OK.

I am also planning on an ORD steering box brace, so I should never have to worry about problems in the future, right?

And like usual, not the prettiest of welds, but this project is forcing me to get better!

 

[ktmoutfront]

I broke the ears off of a box. I plated the frame and did the brace. Hit a rock at speed.

 

[RoccoK5]

I broke the ears off of a box. I plated the frame and did the brace. Hit a rock at speed.

Ouch! Frame held up though?

 

[ktmoutfront]

Ouch! Frame held up though?

Yes. 13 years of super easy wheeling.

 

[78K30]

Outstanding progress, this will be fun to watch!

 

[GWeakland620]

Really enjoying your build so far!

 

[RoccoK5]

Outstanding progress, this will be fun to watch!

Thanks!

Really enjoying your build so far!

Thank you!

Lots of freshly powdercoated ORD parts ready to install.

I also ordered custom front and rear springs. Still hoping to drop off the frame for powder this week, and then will start on rebuilding/regearing my axles. Ideally will have the axles ready by the time the frame is done, but I'll probably still be waiting on the springs anyway. No worries, still plenty to do!

I really should start thinking about cleaning up the body. Considering spraying the underside with Lizard Skin -- anyone have any experience using it as an undercoating? Either way, prep is going to SUCK under here...

 

[ktmoutfront]

Find one of the dustless blasting guys. Worth every penny.

 

[RoccoK5]

I thought about that, wonder if they would be cool with having to crawl under the body to blast, rather than having it on a rotisserie? Guess I'll call and find out!

 

[beags86]

I thought about that, wonder if they would be cool with having to crawl under the body to blast, rather than having it on a rotisserie? Guess I'll call and find out!

Find the right blast guy and he will take care of it without bitchin to much

 

[ktmoutfront]

My friend in Colorado will. Having it on a hard surface, not dirt is a big plus.

 

[RoccoK5]

I found a dustless blasting guy near me -- I actually was talking to him about blasting the frame before I decided to powdercoat. In fact, his estimate (~$400) was one of the reasons I decided to coat it since I could have it all done (blasting, coating) for only another $100. Anyway, I'll see if he'd be willing to crawl around in my driveway to blast the underside of the tub. Sure would make things easier for me...I really don't want to spend the hours scraping and scrubbing by hand.

Progress! Just dropped off the frame and some other misc parts at the powdercoaters!

Should be about 10 days before it's ready. Now it's time to move on to rebuilding and re-gearing both axles!

 

[ogur]

Thanks!



Thank you!

Lots of freshly powdercoated ORD parts ready to install.

I also ordered custom front and rear springs. Still hoping to drop off the frame for powder this week, and then will start on rebuilding/regearing my axles. Ideally will have the axles ready by the time the frame is done, but I'll probably still be waiting on the springs anyway. No worries, still plenty to do!

I really should start thinking about cleaning up the body. Considering spraying the underside with Lizard Skin -- anyone have any experience using it as an undercoating? Either way, prep is going to SUCK under here...

We put mine up on 5' scaffold frames it worked pretty good. I used a wire wheel and did the rest of the prep for POR 15. I think I will leave it at that. I put a bunch of sound deadening inside.

 

[RoccoK5]

Tore down the front axle today. One of the carrier bearings chewed on something:



Does the wear on the spiders look normal? Do they look galled?



Going to be regearing and replacing all bearings and seals, now I'm wondering if I should stick a locker in here while I have it apart?

 

[GWeakland620]

Those spiders do look different.

 

[6872xtc]

I have seen spider gears like that and also smooth as glass. It always seemed to me that the smooth ones were in high mileage, very worn ones, but I could be wrong. But they shouldn't get much wear in my opinion, if the tires are matched and it hasn't spun one tire a lot.
I did get to see the results of some our "talents " as teenagers...

 

[76zimmer]

Are you running the 10bolts still? Those gears look gouged to me, any pitting? They should be shiny with wear, but not gouged, or galled.
I think new gear sets are cheap enough to replace them.

 

[RoccoK5]

Are you running the 10bolts still? Those gears look gouged to me, any pitting? They should be shiny with wear, but not gouged, or galled.
I think new gear sets are cheap enough to replace them.

Running the 10 bolt up front. No pitting that I can see, but you're right, they do look gouged. Although the gouges are uniform across all four gears, so I was thinking it was machined that way.

I'll price out a new set to be safe.

 

[Justin V]

I'd replace them also.

 

[ogur]

When in doubt take the old one out.