I'm Back From Iraq!!

[81Stepside]

I havent posted here for a while. I have been deployed to Balad AB (LSA Anaconda) for the past 6 months. Well to celebrate a safe return (again) I found this nice little rig. I have my 81 Short step and I decided to give it to my dad for his birthday. This is his replacement. Its an 81 K5 2wd Blazer. It has a 350/ TH350 combo and a Silverado package. It is pretty rough and abused so I saved it from the previous owners horrible maintenance practices. It has a 3 inch body lift (gone soon) and a bunch of other things to fix before I start driving it regularly. I did drive it home though which is rare for any of my projects. Enough talk here's the pics of it the day I bought it(Saturday). I saw a bunch of M1008 and 1009's running strong over there in Iraq. So it inspired me to name this one "Balad".

J

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s60/noir79mc/The81s.jpg
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s60/noir79mc/The81s2.jpg
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s60/noir79mc/The81s3.jpg
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s60/noir79mc/The81s4.jpg
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s60/noir79mc/The81s5.jpg
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s60/noir79mc/The81s6.jpg
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s60/noir79mc/The81s7.jpg
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s60/noir79mc/The81s8.jpg
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s60/noir79mc/The81s9.jpg
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s60/noir79mc/The81s10.jpg
http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s60/noir79mc/The81s11.jpg

[hick]

First and foremost allow me to be one of the first to thank you for your service :patriot:


Nice looking projects, never been a fan of the side side my self.. from any era, but to each is there own

what be your plans for the blazer?

[99chevyluv]

Welcome back I can honestly say that I'm jealous and happy that you were posted in anaconda. I was stuck in ramadi from 05 to 06.
Everyone wanted to get on convoys to anaconda. It was paradise to us.

[Sinister C3]

Which side of the base were you on? I've probably seen you a few times and had no idea. Nice looking Blazer too...Looks pretty clean.

[GreaseDog]

First and foremost allow me to be one of the first to thank you for your service :patriot:
:word:

slam that Blazer!

[82Blaze]

First things first!! Thank you and all the other men and women that are standing up for our freedom, for your service, for your dedication! You are the best of the best.
Congratulations on your return. I hope you enjoy the Blazer, I sure do enjoy mine!

[Stevens07]

Thank you for your service! AND great looking project truck. Keep us posted on the progress.

Steven

[81Stepside]

Thanks for the support fellas, I have the same front clip swap that my Stepside got coming. I will drop it a little after the body lift removal. I like the current color paint job, it is a little rough but good enough for cruising it right now. I will probably be starting with a little custom audio and interior clean up. I am taking my inaugural trip to pick n pull today to see their current inventory. I am sure things have changed a bit in the last six months.

When I was a Anaconda I worked on the east side of base. It is all one big base now I was working on the vehicles that did security outside the wire and on base also. I wish I took a few picks of all of the M1008' and M1009's running around there. The trucks were 84 Models and they ran better than alot of the 06 an 07 trucks we had there.

I have a small block swap in my dads stepside and a power update (steering, brakes, etc..) then it is headed out to Florida. After that I am focused on having my blazer cruise ready for the spring and mainly TEXAS HEATWAVE!! I missed it last year due to my deployment. I can't wait!!!

J

[hillbillybowtie]

Thank you for your service. Without yall, we might not have this hobby. Good luck with the blazer man, slam it and mini-tub it!!!!!

[bigolblackie]

:word:

slam that Blazer!

Not the Blazer,but the stepside. Welcome back God Bless.

[MADS99]

Welcome Home,And Thank you for your Service,in keeping us safe at Home!!!

[jpacha84]

welcome home! you and the men and women who served this country are heroes to all of us. keep us posted on the progress with the blazer!

[kdyjonbama]

Hey man congratulations on makin it home. I am on Fob Justice in baghdad till oct 09 unless we get extended. Those are both great lookin trucks. I bought a 78 4x4 GMC that is its bout 3 months fore I left. I am also thinkin bout passin it on to my dad, cause I got it with 130,000 from the original owner and its just killin not lift it cut it up lol. The front looks great I did on my 84 K5 I had when I was in high school. you should definitly drop the it a little it looks great but I can't wait to see how it comes out.

[Cracker1]

Let me add my "Thank you" for your sacrifice and your service for our country. I'm glad that you are back safely.

The Blazer looks like a great start to a rockin' cruise vehicle for those hot Texas days and nights. I miss the Big T so much!!!

Keep us updated and thanks again for your service!!