Want to drop my '84 K5 Blazer

[joey gibson]

I have a kinda different approach to my 4X4, instead of an awsome off road machine, I want to turn my 84 K5 Blazer into an awsome street machine.

1st question:
Does anybody know how I can lower the vehicle, thats right, lower it, is it possible to move the axle housings to the top of the leaf springs, that would probably drop it 4 or 5 inches or so. I've got to get it lower to the ground.

Want to tub it out, drop a 502 in it and make it an awsome 4 wheel drive street machine.

Any Ideas?

Thx.

Joey Gibson

 

[pauly383]

Maybe , wrecked IFS truck could donate its running gear . Ya can weld , right

Of course anything is possible , you'd just be doing the opposite of a Spring over . The front would be the hardest considering its allready got hanging shackles on each side of the frame .

Some would ask why ?

I would look for a rarer Blazer 2wd , 82 was the last year

 

[jekbrown]

yeah, totally... find a 2wd V6 powered Blazer with a blown engine... oughta cost ya less than $500 for the whole rig. Definitely not in demand... snag one and build from there.

j

 

[sled_dog]

yeah, totally... find a 2wd V6 powered Blazer with a blown engine... oughta cost ya less than $500 for the whole rig. Definitely not in demand... snag one and build from there.

j

you aren't quite right. I know a guy who sold a 2wd 75 Blazer for about 3,000. Thing was a piece. They aren't that common and more than a few people want them. At least in my area I guess.

 

[beater_k20]

problems you're going to run into...

having to notch a frame that is already known to be weak for axle clearance...
oil pan clearance...
have to do something about that transfer case hanging down...
steering becomes a nightmare, as your dragling would end up far from straight...

do we really need to go on? buy a 2wd already.

 

[tRustyK5]

I'd look into grafting the IFS from a newer Chev onto the front, I just don't see getting it low enough with a SFA up front.

If you get past that hurdle I'd then look into also using one of the AWD T-cases without low range...

Rene

 

[theitalian404]

thats absurd joey gibson.....such a waste of a 4x4.

 

[tRustyK5]

Why? It's not like K5 4x4's are rare...

Vive la difference.

Rene

 

[4trolls]

I saw a jeep wagoneer that was dropped , with a blower ,It looked like AMCs version of a nomad. totally the coolest wagoneer I've seen. Go for it

 

[Corey 78K5]

I really dont see how it can be done in the front with out the differential hitting the frame/crossmember. Maybe a reversed portal axel. I vote for an IFS swap as well.

 

[jekbrown]

Maybe a reversed portal axel.

lol! man, you'd be one sick puppy to actually build such a thing...

j

 

[big94gmc]

Vive la difference.

Rene

Agreed. Although this isn't the place for a low rider question, so....

 

[dhcomp]

a lowered k5 could be fun, but these guys are right, lowering teh front of a 4wd is going to be more hassle than its worth. Maybe you could convert a 4wd to 2wd by building a custom ibeam front (think heavy duty pickups). Or swap in teh running gear from a 2wd truck.

 

[tRustyK5]

Agreed. Although this isn't the place for a low rider question, so....

It's the garage, not one of the year specific or tech specific forums. It's a mechanical question/discussion regarding a 73-91 K5...I certainly don't see a problem with it being here.

Rene

 

[dirtwarrior17]

Now that you mention it i'm suprised we don't see more lowriders on this site... it doesn't say no lowriders allowed. Probably because there are only about 100 people who would want to take all the crap from us.


First off why do you want a 502? If you want the thing to handle a 502 is a BAD choice. weight is your enemy. I say a 383 with a power adder ought to do the trick. don't see too many of those and it would pull like a mother focker. Also a straight axle truck will always handle like a straight axle truck no matter how low you drop it. Four wheel drive is nice to have on the street but you'll find it'll wear out parts real quick and you'll get some horrible gas mileage. I say get a IFS 2wd, lower it, drop a blown 383 in there and call it a day.

 

[stus84]

"502 is a bad choice" I agree.. Run the BIG 572 $14,000 and more HP than you will ever use. I saw one on Ebay yesterday check it out.... I will also have to vote swapping for a 2WD maybe a body swap??

 

[loafer]

What if you ditched the front axle and transfer case, got a length of heavy wall 3" DOM tube, and made your own "dummy" front axle...similar to the 2wd Jeep Cherokees.

You could retain all the steering gear off the 10-bolt and do a spring under conversion in the process. The absence of the front differential may allow you enough clearance for the oil pan.

You would also loose at least 300-lbs of extra weight by ditching the front axle and t-case.

 

[Z3PR]

My thinking is you would be better off starting with a 2wd vehicle. I love the full size Blazer, but for lowering, I think I'd do a 2wd 1/2 ton truck and if it must be a Blazer, then drop a Blazer's body on it. Just a thought.

 

[ratzila]

Did anyone forget about this monster garage episode ? http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/monstergarage/episode/season3/episode_45.html

 

[grimjaw]

Lowering a full size 4x4s make baby Jesus cry.