The DSPRO budget Blazer build

[rbgerrish]

Hello! I wanted to start an official long-term build thread to track my Blazer adventures. The goal is to build a decently capable and enjoyably streetable 6.2 diesel K5 on a tight budget. I run a small business called "DSPRO," and eventually I'd like to put my logo on the side of this truck.

Step one: free up money for this adventure. I sold some toys I was hording for ages, and will use only that money for this project. Hopefully...

Starting budget: $3200. How far can I stretch it?

After much searching, I found a built K5 in Sacramento for $2000 that runs nicely.

Dana60, 14 bolt w/ discs, NP205, TH350, 454 with mods, 8" lift, 38.5" boggers, decent interior.

 

[rbgerrish]

This truck has nice parts, but lots of rust, no wiring done, and some other sketchy bits that make it a good donor truck, but not the truck from which I want to build.

The plan is to sell some parts off this orange rig and buy a stock diesel truck, then begin modifying that truck myself, which is half the fun. I will keep the D60, 14 bolt, and some small needed parts, and sell the rest.

Step 2: Buy a lot of 37" Goodyears w/ H1 Double Beadlocks from Ft. Lewis military auction, keep 5, and sell the rest to recoup the cost.

Budget: $1200 - $850 for 16 wheels/tires. Sold 11 for $950. Current budget: $1300 + 5 free wheels + tires. Strip and powder coat 4 of the outers flat black= $100. (This was a luxury, but they look great)

Current budget: $1200 + 5 free powder coated wheels and tires.

 

[sweetk30]

heck your 3/4 the way there with that drive line at that price .

ditch the push/pull steering and do a crossover for better handling and less problems .

I would twin stick the 205 if mine . and you can do it cheep if you grab a second shifter handle and make your own kit .

I my self might find the parts to swap in efi / tbi fuel system for better offroad driving over carb .

otherwise looks good for a decent start.

 

[rbgerrish]

Next step: Sell the Boggers, and use the money to get into an acceptable diesel stock truck.

Dont worry, I'm not getting under the truck with it on concrete. That's just to swap tires out for now.

The 37" Goodyears will go on the orange truck for now so it can move around. It looks a bit beat up because the U-bolts came loose while I was driving slowly off-road, and the fender got chewed.

I bought (4) PVC inserts for the H1's, plus new O-rings.

Current budget: $1300-$240 for PVC, O-rings/shipping.
$1060 remaining.

 

[rbgerrish]

heck your 3/4 the way there with that drive line at that price .

ditch the push/pull steering and do a crossover for better handling and less problems .

I would twin stick the 205 if mine . and you can do it cheep if you grab a second shifter handle and make your own kit .

I my self might find the parts to swap in efi / tbi fuel system for better offroad driving over carb .

otherwise looks good for a decent start.

Thanks!

Crossover is planned, as is a 4" lift for the 37's. The steering on the Orange truck is terrible.

I might keep the 205 in case I want to build a doubler one day for the diesel truck, but I'll probably run the 208 that'll come with the diesel for now..

I know I'll go over budget, but I guess my realistic goal is to not use any 'living/bill' money on this. Any extra funds must be from junk I sell that wasnt being used.

 

[muddysub]

good to see you over here on CK5 Ryan! i'm Dieselfuel from RCC. i like the idea of keeping a running tab on the budget.

 

[munepit]

Wow, you're off to a great start!!!!!!

 

[shady]

wish I could find a truck with those parts at that price Nice score. I'll follow this

 

[rbgerrish]

good to see you over here on CK5 Ryan! i'm Dieselfuel from RCC. i like the idea of keeping a running tab on the budget.

Howdy! I've always loved Chevys, and feel it's time to build a blazer.

Wow, you're off to a great start!!!!!!

Thanks!

wish I could find a truck with those parts at that price Nice score. I'll follow this

Thanks! I got lucky and found a CL ad where the kid didnt know what he had, and didnt list any parts in the ad, aside from the 454.

 

[rbgerrish]

Ok, I've found 2 Diesel trucks to choose from and I could use advice.

Truck #1) Completely stock, no major rust issues, decent interior, good 700r4 + T-case. BAD MAIN BEARING, needs engine pulled, replaced. $950ish, but it's local. (I looked at it in person) Sitting for 2 years.

Truck #2) Nice custom paint, no rust issues, decent interior, good 700r4 + t case, 4-6" lift, 35's. Engine wont start, they think it's something easy like air in the fuel lines. They dont know. Sitting for 3 years. $1400ish, but it's 3.5 hours away, so I cant look at it.

I can find a running 6.2 for $300-$400.

I like that the 2nd truck might not need the engine pulled, but then again it might if it's not as easy fix. I also dont care about the lift and 35's since I'll be doing my own, but they'd be worth more to resell.

Any thoughts? Or should I hold out for one that I can hear run? But that one probably wont be in my price range...

 

[rebelgregory]

Kinda depends on your mechanical ability vs. budget. Between the two listed, I would put zero confidence in the reported issues. #1 could be a bad main AND.... and #2, well, if it was that easy to fix, they probably would have done it already. That's not to say they're not worth picking up, but they should be bought almost as if there's no motor in it at all.

In my experience, it's almost always cheaper to start with one that runs unless you were already lined up for an overhaul or engine swap.

 

[82355]

I'd go for the first between those two options.

Martin

 

[rbgerrish]

Thanks both for the advice!

On a separate note, I bought 10,000 airsoft BB's to balance my tires as I begin to re-assemble the H1 Beadlocks. I'm going to run 10oz per tire, as my research suggested that would be a good amount.

This truck is the closest example I have found to what I'd like mine to end up looking like. (As far as stance goes)

 

[sweetk30]

fyi I use to run 37" hummer tires and zero balance on them and had them up to 70 for trips up the highway with no problems.

 

[rebelgregory]

Off topic, but curious...What's up with the fenderwell exhaust on that blue truck? Seems like a weird method to have it dump in a stockish location.

 

[rbgerrish]

fyi I use to run 37" hummer tires and zero balance on them and had them up to 70 for trips up the highway with no problems.

I've heard success stories, and the opposite, so to be safe I"m going to toss some in there and hope for results more like yours!

Off topic, but curious...What's up with the fenderwell exhaust on that blue truck? Seems like a weird method to have it dump in a stockish location.

I know nothing of this truck Jon Snow, other than it I wants it, precious.

 

[rbgerrish]

I have an offer pending on the one that 'might' run that is within my budget.

On another note, here's a CUCV that sits nicely.

 

[Stein]

On a separate note, I bought 10,000 airsoft BB's to balance my tires as I begin to re-assemble the H1 Beadlocks. I'm going to run 10oz per tire, as my research suggested that would be a good amount.

That's what I have, 2,500 per wheel, worked good for me.

 

[rbgerrish]

Offer accepted on a 1982 Diesel K5 w/ decent 35's, 4-6" lift, newer custom paint, decent interior. More info coming.

Let's keep our fingers crossed that it will run with minor work! I plan to do a fuel system clean and flush as outlined on dieselplace.com, and a compression test as well as oil/fuel filter/oil filter.

 

[rbgerrish]

Crap, the guy who had the blazer just sold it out from under me. Some people! Anyhow, back to searching for a decent example...