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Thinking about building something new...

496truck

496truck

1/2 ton status
Joined
Jul 22, 2009
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Carver MA
My last road trip in the K5 reminded me that I'm getting old. 9 hrs one way in a clunky old truck with zero ammenities. Hot sitting in traffic with the sun blazing down and no airflow. Loud because no interior and flowmaster. I'll keep the complaints to a minimum at this point, it's not a bad truck. I'll keep rockin it till I have some money to do something different or till the body rots off (which is happening really fast :eek1:). Then I'll scavenge the big parts from it and I'm thinking about building one of these...

102_11321.jpg


They are becoming fairly affordable and can be found pretty clean and complete/running with no issues. And, IMO, much like a ZJ/WJ there is just something about taking a soccer mom SUV and lifting it and adding bigger tires and such. They just look.... different, or kinda out of place.

I dunno. Feedback? What do you think?
 
Go for it! As long as you loose those mudflaps:eek1:

The more I look at it that Trailblazer looks a lot like a Durango thats here in my town. I think they body swapped it onto a mid 70's 1/2 ton dodge or chevy frame not sure, but it looks cool as hell and seems somewhat capable.
 
Go for it. Although some sound deadening you know like carpet :D would help.

It's true compared to modern cars or trucks our trucks are pretty clunky but I have ridden around in a couple restored K5 s and they were done up nice and the comfort improvement was vast
 
Looks cool.

Two options really. Put a trailblazer body on a K5 chassis or bust build up the trailblazer.
 
Whats the motivation to building up something newer, smaller, and weaker.

You could build up something newer, and start with something with at least a 1/2 or 3/4 ton rating.

Thinking a newer tahoe or 3/4 burb.

Just don't get the smaller platform base, if its going to go 3/4 or 1 ton at the end of the day.
 
I like the smaller truck idea. I don't tow or haul with mine. I like being able to run lighter axles to keep the unsprung weight down. But I don't build rock crawlers. I really like r3ddog's S10 build.
 
That thing deserves its props. Im willing to bet its quite capable, probably has decent power, certainly has good power to weight, and its cool in its own way. I would drive it.
 
I say go for it! I start thinking about getting something newer and doing something similar to the one in the OP all the time. I just have too much time invested into my blazer, and there isn't anything wrong with it.
But once I get some spare cash I'll probably build a 14 bolt front axle and put it under my 05 crew cab Z71...

Here's an example for you! Probably too extreme though.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/chevy/1879354-gmc-envoy-5-3-axle-tech-4000s-family-rig.html

1528185d1415892372-gmc-envoy-5-3-axle-tech-4000s-family-rig-ride-height-1.jpg-2.jpg
 
not sure how this thread turned into a "smaller" platform thing.. :dunno:

there was no mention of it in the original post, only how the squares aren't quite and don't have the bells and whistles of a newer vehicle...
 
I can address the "size" question. I wear a size 14 shoe. 'Nuff said.

:D

In all seriousness, a short TB is still a 4 door which makes it easier for my daughter/friends/ridealongs to get in/out of. The cargo area is smaller, unless you have a 35" spare in the cargo area of your K5 (mine is), then it's negligible. Cargo area is not a huge concern, between the existing cargo area and a roof rack mounted basket, I can carry everything I need for a road/camping trip. This is based on the spare being bumper mounted, not inside.

Now let's address the other questions....

Carpet the K5. I don't see a point in putting a carpet/insulation in a truck that I routinely remove the top and leave it off for months. And it's not just carpeting/insulation. Wind noise, rattles, water leaks, exhaust fumes rolling in the back window and NO A/C. I could spend untold amounts of money to fix those issues, literally thousands. Or, start with a body that has a complete interior as well as todays sound deadening qualities and build quality PLUS a working A/C unit right from the get-go.

A weaker build? I really don't think so. TB has a body on boxed frame construction. I'm no engineer but, I'm willing to bet that construction is stronger than a K5's C channel frame and flimsy body tub, maybe even stronger than a 3/4 Burb/truck of the same vintage. Roll cages and frame boxing can fix all that. But again, more money out of pocket to update a rusty dented body tub. Not to mention, time. Lots and lots of time.

Power/economy. I haven't searched but I bet the numbers from the TB I6 are similar to or better than a stock TBI (which I have). I won't debate the tired/old part of the equation here as most TBs I see around the $3k mark have 125-175k miles. Both could benefit from a refresh or LS swap, but that's not the topic here. As far as economy goes, the I6 has a much better, more efficient, more reliable fuel inj system. On top of that it's much more common and easier to find parts for (there are literally zero square bodies in junkyards around here, even the 90s TBI trucks are getting hard to find). The old TBI system is outdated and finicky and the parts are getting older. Will the TB I6 provide any better mileage than a TBI 350? Probably not, but at least it has a fighting chance.

I've thought about building an IFS 2 door Blazer/Tahoe. But you can't touch a clean one of those around here for under $5k. Then I'm still left with a 2 door (not the end of the world) and an old TBI. A 4 door Tahoe or any Burb (square or newer) is not an option, New England trails is all I really need to say there. Which brings up another plus to the TB and it's slightly narrower body size.
 
I really wonder what the cost difference would be. Making a K5 way nice could run several thousand dollars depending on where you start.

If I was doing a new trailblazer like that I would link the front. It goes to ride quality and comfort.

I think they are a great starting point for a 4 door comfy vehicle. And in no way shape or form a weaker starting point. I would argue they are a much stronger starting point. Like the OP said.

It would be interesting to do a cost comparison though
 
blazinzuk said:
If I was doing a new trailblazer like that I would link the front. It goes to ride quality and comfort.
Click to expand...
That would be the plan. No point in doing a SAS on a new suv like that just to have it ride like what I have now. The TB already kinda has an upper coilover mount built in, whether or not it's in the right location remains to be seen especially if the front axle centerline is being moved forward. But right now it's just a bench build, throwing ideas around in my head.

I've done the SAS thing once already with an S10 using leafs. It wasn't difficult and actually rode decent with good flex too.
OFR1008090.jpg


So, I'm not opposed to using leafs in the front. Specifically an alcan or deaver set. I bet they would ride just fine with good shocks. I just need to invest in a bigger/better welder and possibly a bender if I really want to go the link route.

I'm thinking leafs in the rear, unsure on size and I guess that depends a lot on how much frame is left behind the rear axle.
 
82355 said:
I always cringe when people start gutting their Blazer.....

Martin
Click to expand...

Yeah, I got mine with a moldy nasty wet interior. It had been sitting for months with the tailgate window open a few inches. The carpet was wet from front to back. The seats were not only worn out but had mold on the fabric. The seat belts were moldy. The cab headliner was hanging down and moldy. The bedside panels were limp and had mold.

I pulled the carpet and bedsides and rocked it for a few months with the moldy seats and belts. Then I put in the Silverado seats with integrated belts. After that I found a clean rear seat. Somewhere in there I pulled the headliner. I DD'd it for a year like that. Wheeling, camping, road trips, etc. never bothered me. This last road trip to PA and back really got to me.
 
Seems like conflicting goals...a truck for wheeling and a nice vehicle to drive around. Why not keep the blazer for wheeling and get some kind of econo-box for the creature comforts?
 
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