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TRADING MY "SKILLS" FOR A 6.5TD K5

GWeakland620

GWeakland620

THE CK5 Crayon Eater
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So my boss came to me yesterday with a proposition. He wants me to help him with a project Blazer, and in return he is going to give me his clean '84 6.5 turbo Blazer.

Here's his requests/stipulations:

  • Take his 4wd 1973 Blazer and convert it to 2wd (He has a loaded 2wd frame to go with it).
  • Lower the newly converted 2wd Blazer with the Belltech parts he has.
  • Drop in a 6.0/4L80E (also provided by him) into the Blazer and get it running and driving.
  • Any parts needed, he will provide. I just have to give up my time and knowledge, or lack of lol.
  • Ultimate end goal is a running driving K5 that doesn't look like a hack job. Body and interior are not on the list. I am simply finishing chassis and drivetrain.
The payment:
  • 1984 K5 Blazer that was originally a 6.2 truck.
  • Retrofitted with what I believe is a first gen 6.5 Turbo diesel.
  • Stock drivetrain with a Th350 trans.
  • Truck runs and drives great, I've driven it, but currently has a leaking return line.
  • The front clip has been repainted, and is slightly off color from the rear. (See pictures)
Pictures of the payment:

You can see the paint difference from front to rear here. Not horrible, but noticeable.
IMG_3454.JPG

IMG_3453.JPG

IMG_3452.JPG

IMG_3451 (2).JPG

So my question is, what is this "payment" worth? I want to make sure that what I am doing for him is worth it.

I am also aware that the '84 K5 is not perfect, and I don't want perfect. I am looking for a nice driver to keep cleaned up and away from him possibly hacking it and doing an LS swap.
 
That alot of work. What do you value your time at and how much extra time do you have to give?
The "not make it look like a hack job" is the expensive part. Just the swaps aren't bad but that blazer needs to be super nice and exactly what you would want for me to consider it.
 
obijuank5 said:
That alot of work. What do you value your time at and how much extra time do you have to give?
The "not make it look like a hack job" is the expensive part. Just the swaps aren't bad but that blazer needs to be super nice and exactly what you would want for me to consider it.
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There is no rush or time frame on the 2wd build, which I am aware that does not always mean take your time. People get anxious once the building starts, and then they get a time frame in their head.

Free time is what I make it. If I get a plan together, and manage my time well I think this is something I could finish in a decent time frame. The 4wd/2wd conversion is the part that would move quickest. Even getting the engine and trans in is fairly simple. The organization of wiring and plumbing everything is what will be the most time consuming. It would honestly have to be some of the best work I've ever done. And I am 100% ok with that. I want to see what I am really capable of, and the best part, it's not with my money.

My brother and my buddy Corey have already said they will help where ever I need it to make sure this goes down. I also have a buddy that does LS swaps and tunes that said he'll help with the wiring harness and tune.
 
i would lay it all out on paper for what is to be done and payment in end . and also give your self and him a time frame on there just to protect each other .

not to say he will screw you or you him but just a cover your butt thing .

if the 2wd frame is clean and was for a blazer then install all the stuff on it as a roller . then swap body over and bolt down and hook up goodys . yes as said its a bit of work but doable . i have done a few body swaps on my trucks . doners were all 2wd cabs so i had to rework the floor hump or get 4wd hump or 1-2" body lift for no rework . otherwise was a bolt on deal .

i do know from reading here the blazers have early and late frames for the floor hump behind the driver seat area . so make sure its the correct frame.
 
sweetk30 said:
i would lay it all out on paper for what is to be done and payment in end . and also give your self and him a time frame on there just to protect each other .

not to say he will screw you or you him but just a cover your butt thing .

if the 2wd frame is clean and was for a blazer then install all the stuff on it as a roller . then swap body over and bolt down and hook up goodys . yes as said its a bit of work but doable . i have done a few body swaps on my trucks . doners were all 2wd cabs so i had to rework the floor hump or get 4wd hump or 1-2" body lift for no rework . otherwise was a bolt on deal .

i do know from reading here the blazers have early and late frames for the floor hump behind the driver seat area . so make sure its the correct frame.
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I totally agree on the covering butt thing, for both him and myself. And having concrete paper work helps me keep focused.

As for the frame, no it is not a K5 frame. So I will be swapping suspension components.
454Sub said:
The real question is




Can you handle the boost?
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I am already handling the boost with one of my other builds...:deal:
 
Take what the '84 K5 is worth and compare it to what a shop would charge to do the work on the 2wd Blazer. I can't see the pics of the '84 but from the description sounds like a typical decent condition old K5 and probably not worth any huge amount if it sold, and probably nowhere near what an actual shop would charge to do all the work that is expected. I know it's not really comparing apples to apples in regards to what a professional shop would charge but at least puts it in perspective.

I also have to ask the question if the OP has the skill, and most importantly time, to pull this of and complete a project that meets the others guys expectations in quality and time to completion. Not saying that in a negative way by any means as I don't know the OP but something that really needs considered. Just seen a lot of buddy-buddy projects such as having a friend who is a professional bodyman paint a car for you and it winds up taking a year to get it done.
 
Frames should be mostly the same. That is a ton of work to do for a few thousand dollar blazer. Doable but a LOT. I love to work on stuff so I would be all in myself. Side projects always take me forever with kids and fam stuff. Keep track of your hrs working on it if you do take it in. Do you have a shop and tools to do this also?
 
I know the frames are similar but do the 2wd parts just bolt up? What about brake lines? I know this is simple stuff but it all adds up and you know this if you've built a truck from the ground up.

If I could have the truck in my shop, with my timeline I might do it. But if money flow slowed down parts or anything else I needed to complete the job I get the K5 and the other K5 will be dropped off as is.
 
Yeah dollar for dollar the payment blazer better be rust free mint interior perfect engine compartment and then you still will lose money on labor. But if you want to do it for learning and fun on someone else's dime then go for it. But like everyone else said work out the details first and get a really good parts list and have him buy everything you can think of up front.
 
Treat this like a second job. Your wife seems pretty understanding. But this must be considered a second job.

You need a constant list of parts going to him. Stuff you need right away, stuff you know you need in the future. Stuff your gonna need soon. This needs to include consumables. Shouldn't be much welding.

I can't stress enough that this needs to be a second job mindset. Best to set hours initially. Obviously sick kids or sick wife takes precedence, but hanging out in the park does not.
 
My quick maths says 4hrs a week for 6 months yield 104 hours. If the Blazer is worth $4500, which around here is cheap for one in this condition, then that would total to 90hrs at $50p/h.

The thing is, my boss wants me to buy this Blazer from him since he is aware of my love for both the 6.X diesel and K5's. He is also aware that a purchase like this for me just isn't something that I need right now, but he wants to get rid of it to build his 2wd LS Blazer. He's not set on perfect, and is even wiling to help with the build. He just has more time then money. He also lacks in the department of vehicular motivation.

His words today, "I really want you to take this Blazer off my hands before I do something stupid to it". I initially laid down a 6mo time frame, and he said that was half of what he was thinking. He said he was planning on a year.

I really think this is something that I am going to dive in on. Worse case scenario, I end up buying it outright, and I walk away from the project learning a bunch and still keeping a friend.
 
blazinzuk said:
Treat this like a second job. Your wife seems pretty understanding. But this must be considered a second job.

You need a constant list of parts going to him. Stuff you need right away, stuff you know you need in the future. Stuff your gonna need soon. This needs to include consumables. Shouldn't be much welding.

I can't stress enough that this needs to be a second job mindset. Best to set hours initially. Obviously sick kids or sick wife takes precedence, but hanging out in the park does not.
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Perfectly said. This was my same mind set.

I was thinking 6-10 hours a week on it.
 
few minor things on frame will be diffrent on the front end . but can be worked around . and few holes to drill / weld up / make line up . lots of 7/16 bolts for rivet replacment .

front spring hangers for rear springs will be shorter for 2wd spec . on the trucks atleast it is this . 3" lower hang down for the 4wd frame use . and bolt/rivet hole pattern is diffrent .

so it will be a bit of work but can be done.

hack if you were a good welder and he was not oposed to it i would almost front half the frame and be done might be less work .
 
Truckman4life said:
Get er done....lol
Edit...and save all 4x4 parts for me if they will fit my 1 ton 2x4 dually:D
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That was part of the deal too. I told him he has to give me his 4x4 stuff. But I may need it for my 4 door Tahoe SAS that'llneverhappencauseIhavetomanyprojects build....

sweetk30 said:
few minor things on frame will be diffrent on the front end . but can be worked around . and few holes to drill / weld up / make line up . lots of 7/16 bolts for rivet replacment .

front spring hangers for rear springs will be shorter for 2wd spec . on the trucks atleast it is this . 3" lower hang down for the 4wd frame use . and bolt/rivet hole pattern is diffrent .

so it will be a bit of work but can be done.

hack if you were a good welder and he was not oposed to it i would almost front half the frame and be done might be less work .
Click to expand...
My brother has done a fair share of front half and back half on some trucks, so I may just do that.
 
Don't know if it's been mentioned already, but the front crossmember is different on 2WD vs 4WD. No big deal, just swap the correct one over or get one from ORD. Also, the transfer case crossmember may need to be relocated.
 
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