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

[Coontail]

I feel your pain, keep pushing!

Looking super nice, detailed work

That oil cooler adapter is really nice too much better layout than the ictbillet one

 

[ZombieK5]

I don't think there's much left I can do with the chassis until I get the body back on it. I would like to replace some sheet metal and prep/coat the underside before I do that, though. Then I can cart it off to a body shop. I may just take @ZombieK5's suggestion and pick up a rotisserie for the body so I don't kill myself crawling around under it. We shall see.

For the $1,400 cost of the rotisserie it seems worth it. If you never use it again, you can probably sell it locally for $1,000 or even $1,200. The net cost of $200 after selling it is totally worth the money up front.

 

[RoccoK5]

For the $1,400 cost of the rotisserie it seems worth it. If you never use it again, you can probably sell it locally for $1,000 or even $1,200. The net cost of $200 after selling it is totally worth the money up front.

Yep, totally. I think the main hesitation is that it would have to be setup in my driveway since I don't have a shop or any room in the garage. The neighbors may not like it lol

 

[ZombieK5]

Neighbors hate my K5 and it's worse off and much uglier than yours. They'll live

 

[RoccoK5]

Hahaha, I agree

 

[RoccoK5]

Well, I decided to cart the Blazer off to get blasted. It's sitting at the shop now.

At 8 feet wide, the giant cart the body has been sitting on wouldn't fit on any trailer I could find, so I spent the weekend modifying it. I ended up welding a narrower, shorter cart inside the existing one, supported it with jackstands, then cut off the outer legs from the old cart, and carefully lowered it down.

I removed the top and tailgate and winched it up onto a tilt-bed trailer I rented.

Here it sits with all glass removed, waiting to get blasted.

Once blasted I'll have a better idea of what rust repair needs to be done, but it looks to be pretty solid apart from a few small sections in the floor, rockers, kick-panels, and fenders.

Hoping to get this thing in primer soon! I'd be happy if I can get the body back on the chassis, painted, and started on reassembly by the end of the year. We shall see!

 

[1300obo]

looks really solid, even the rockers don't look bad. must be nice working on an arizona truck. if you don't mind my asking, what are they charging to media blast it and what media are they using?

 

[rlkrebel]

What transmission crossmember did you use for the 6l80?

 

[RoccoK5]

What transmission crossmember did you use for the 6l80?

I used a crossmember from an 88-91 K5.

 

[Smash’s K5]

What a build!! And a great read. I was curious if you had to do any tunnel work to get the 6L80 installed? Or, what you did you do if you were able to fit it without tunnel work? Thanks!

 

[RoccoK5]

What a build!! And a great read. I was curious if you had to do any tunnel work to get the 6L80 installed? Or, what you did you do if you were able to fit it without tunnel work? Thanks!

No tunnel work required, the body cleared everything just fine with no modifications.

Daaaaaamn it's been years since I've posted here. Was really hoping I'd been done by now, but at least things are moving along. Here's where it sits currently, I'll try post a more detailed update soon!

 

[Fastereddie]

No tunnel work required, the body cleared everything just fine with no modifications.

Daaaaaamn it's been years since I've posted here. Was really hoping I'd been done by now, but at least things are moving along. Here's where it sits currently, I'll try post a more detailed update soon!

Hot damn. So much better than yellow

 

[RoccoK5]

Hot damn. So much better than yellow

Haha, can't argue with you there. Although the yellow had grown on me