junkyard dog k5 build

[junkyard dog]

once upon a time in 2006 I owned a pos 1990 FS bronco.....turned out the 5.0 in it had a blown head gasket the whole time I had it(mystery coolant loss I could never find) so the motor was toast....I had cashed in a 401k to buy another rig and it just happened that a friends brother was selling a blazer he had bought from the second owner a few months before......it had a low mile 350 crate engine, rebuilt trans,transfer case and axles..it was stock except for wheels and tires..I had seen it before so i went and looked at it again and gave his brother $200 to hold it till the check came.... he even did a tune up and oil change before i took posession of it....right after I got it home i went to a local 4x4 shop and got:
4" pro comp lift kit
33" bfg mud terrains
warn locking hubs
fabtech universal mini prerunner light bar
4.10 gears and install kits
truetrac front diff
100w kc daylighters
I had taken some pics before i did anything but about a month after getting the blazer my apartment burned up and I lost everything but the clothes on my back and my vehicles

I put on everything at work and paid one of the other techs to put in the gears for me.... I also pulled the optima redtop from the bronco and anything else I thought I could use......
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/027_27.jpg
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/025_25.jpg

[junkyard dog]

so during the next 3 years I do a few minor things to the blazer, added a B&M trans temp gauge..... the windshield was leaking so after i had that fixed I pulled the nasty carpet and trashed side panels and pulled off the chrome trim down the sides after it started coming off

[junkyard dog]

then on jan 9 2009 I was driving home and was cut off by a much slower moving car and had to slam on my brakes and was rearended by a lady that had no licence or insurance and was tailgating.... she hit me so hard she went under me and crashed me into the median..... she went so far under me my rear bumper was almost into her windshield
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/scan0009-1.jpg
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/scan0008-1.jpg
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/scan0004-1.jpg
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/scan0005-1.jpg

bent the leaf sping, spring hanger and axle shaft
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/scan0007-1.jpg
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/scan0006-1.jpg

she totally denied any resposability through the whole thing....

her car

http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/scan0001-2.jpg
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/scan0002-1.jpg
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/scan0003-1.jpg

[junkyard dog]

luckly i had uninsured motorist coverage so it paid my medical and my insurance company totaled the blazer and after bartering with them I ended up keeping the blazer and a good hunk of change
so i ended up getting the following to fix it
steering box
draglink-used
ball joints
tie rod end
ORD steering box brace-used
axle shaft
leaf springs-used
shackle flip-used
rear bumper and marker light-used
shackles, bushings and greaseable bolts-diy4x
and a car to drive
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/downsized_1026090858.jpg

[junkyard dog]

so after a few trips to the junkyard, some stuff through work, a visit to diy4x.com and getting a few things from a guy on another forum i post on.......I had my parts..... the body damage I was able to pound out..... and started putting things together
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/015.jpg
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/004.jpg


welded on 2 more tabs for lights and used lights left over from the bronco
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/009.jpg
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/downsized_1121090713a.jpg
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/downsized_1121090713b.jpg

[junkyard dog]

found some herculiner on sale at walmart.... who needs carpet?...... yes my blazer has the factory rollbar
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/downsized_0711000926.jpg
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/downsized_0811001908.jpg
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/downsized_0816001815.jpg
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/downsized_0816001816.jpg
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/downsized_08250010401.jpg
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/downsized_08250010411.jpg

used some stuff in spraycans for a few things
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/downsized_08300011001.jpg

[junkyard dog]

was doing an oil change one day, saw this ghetto fabulous overflow bottle
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/downsized_0902001030a.jpg

so i went to the junkyard and found one from a slightly newer suburban
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/0902001030.jpg

also found this.... a drivers side battery tray for a 2nd battery
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/downsized_0624110931.jpg

got bored one slow day at work and made these.......(the first one is the aux backup lights and my dimmer switch, which i moved to the dash after the connector melted on the floor mounted one)
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/0904001411.jpg
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/downsized_0904001412.jpg

[junkyard dog]

picked up the kc light covers for the 2 top lights when G.I.JOES went out of business
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/downsized_0904001426.jpg


did some work for a friend and got these 89-91 suburban buckets
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/0608111252.jpg

the same friend parted out a truck so I grabbed these charcoal grey kick panels
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/0624110929.jpg
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/downsized_0624110930.jpg

there is no emissions testing where i live so i ditched the smog pump and tubes when i replaced exhaust manifold gaskets
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/utf-8BSU1HMDAwMDMtMjAxMTA3MjUtMTA1MS5qcGc.jpg

[junkyard dog]

I had found some red door panels at the junkyard.... they were the only full power ones i could find at the time....... the factory color was buckskin which was roached out, stained and i didnt like the color and cold vinyl in the morning.... so I found someone who hated his blue interior and traded back seats
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/utf-8BSU1HMDAwNDEtMjAxMTExMDMtMTAwMy5qcGc.jpg

and he threw in a console and sunvisors.... we also traded seat belts
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/utf-8BSU1HMDAwNDQtMjAxMTExMDMtMTAwNS5qcGc.jpg
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/utf-8BSU1HMDAwNDItMjAxMTExMDMtMTAwMy5qcGc.jpg
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/utf-8BSU1HMDAwNDYtMjAxMTExMTItMTIyOS5qcGc.jpg
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/utf-8BSU1HMDAwNTgtMjAxMTExMTktMTUyMi5qcGc.jpg

[junkyard dog]

the clock no longer worked and the pulse wiper system was having issues and I couldnt find the switch for a decent price so I removed the clock and put in a standard wiper switch and replaced the bulbs in the cluster
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/utf-8BSU1HMDAwNjUtMjAxMTEyMDItMTUxNC5qcGc.jpg
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/utf-8BSU1HMDAwNjctMjAxMTEyMDQtMTEwMi5qcGc.jpg
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/utf-8BSU1HMDAwNjgtMjAxMTEyMDQtMTEyNS5qcGc.jpg
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/utf-8BSU1HMDAwNjktMjAxMTEyMDQtMTEyNy5qcGc.jpg
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/utf-8BSU1HMDAwNjYtMjAxMTEyMDQtMTEwMS5qcGc.jpg

[junkyard dog]

got tired of the white on the dash so I painted it
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/utf-8BSU1HMDAwNzktMjAxMTEyMTAtMTYyNC5qcGc.jpg
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/utf-8BSU1HMDAwNzgtMjAxMTEyMTAtMTYyMy5qcGc.jpg
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/utf-8BSU1HMDAwODItMjAxMTEyMTEtMTI1Mi5qcGc.jpg
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/utf-8BSU1HMDAwODEtMjAxMTEyMTEtMTI1MS5qcGc.jpg
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/utf-8BSU1HMDAwODQtMjAxMTEyMTEtMTU0Mi5qcGc.jpg
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/utf-8BSU1HMDAwODMtMjAxMTEyMTEtMTU0Mi5qcGc.jpg

[junkyard dog]

and I added some sinister to it too
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/utf-8BSU1HMDAwODUtMjAxMTEyMTEtMTcxNC5qcGc.jpghttp://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/utf-8BSU1HMDAwODgtMjAxMTEyMTMtMTUzMi5qcGc.jpg
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/utf-8BSU1HMDAwNDgtMjAxMTExMTItMTIzMC5qcGc.jpghttp://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/utf-8BSU1HMDAwNDctMjAxMTExMTItMTIzMC5qcGc.jpg
also have one of those to put on the column shifter

[junkyard dog]

the current project is rebuilding the q jet as i dont have the cash for a new carburetor
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/utf-8BSU1HMDAxMDUtMjAxMTEyMzEtMTIwMy5qcGc.jpg

I have also removed the non working a/c..... so many little projects to do on this..... wouldnt trade it for anything

[junkyard dog]

upcoming projects:
install hitch
dual batteries
xj steering shaft mod
build bumpers and rock sliders
cut fenders and rear 1/4 panels to clear 35" tires
and a bunch of little stuff

[1993-Sierra-Z71]

Awesome! i love the K5's !!!!!

[survivorcamaro]

i really miss my old k5 after reading this. awesome rig man. and keep up the excellent thread.

[junkyard dog]

got more done on the interior
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/utf-8BSU1HMDAxMjYtMjAxMjAxMTktMTUzMC5qcGc.jpg
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/utf-8BSU1HMDAxMjUtMjAxMjAxMTktMTUzMC5qcGc.jpg
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/utf-8BSU1HMDAxMjQtMjAxMjAxMTktMTUyOS5qcGc.jpg

got the 1/4 panels done and the bumper cut, ran out of cutoff wheels before I got to the fenders.... will finish this weekend
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/utf-8BSU1HMDAxMjctMjAxMjAxMjMtMTAwNy5qcGc.jpg
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/utf-8BSU1HMDAxMjgtMjAxMjAxMjMtMTAwNy5qcGc.jpg
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/utf-8BSU1HMDAxMzItMjAxMjAxMjMtMTEwNS5qcGc.jpg
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/utf-8BSU1HMDAxMzMtMjAxMjAxMjMtMTEwNS5qcGc.jpg
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/utf-8BSU1HMDAxMjktMjAxMjAxMjMtMTAwOC5qcGc.jpg

everything I cut was damaged in some way....... it has a salvage title and is a wheeler......

[Koots]

Hey, Welcome to this site! :cheer:

I'm all over the Chevy/GMC Full size truck forums :aniteef:

[casey.eyman]

sub'd. good salvage...

[junkyard dog]

http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/utf-8BSU1HMDAxMzQtMjAxMjAxMjYtMTEwMC5qcGc.jpg
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/utf-8BSU1HMDAxMzUtMjAxMjAxMjYtMTEwMC5qcGc.jpg

was a nice day today.... worked on trimming fenders

[junkyard dog]

http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/utf-8BSU1HMDAxNDEtMjAxMjAxMjgtMTM1Ny5qcGc.jpg
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/utf-8BSU1HMDAxNDAtMjAxMjAxMjgtMTM1Ny5qcGc.jpg

put on some under $20 walmart specials for aux back up lights
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/utf-8BSU1HMDAxNDMtMjAxMjAxMzEtMTA0OS5qcGc.jpg

got the quadrajet rebuilt and its runs ok except it still had full manifold vacuum at the timed(ported) vacuum port....... I think I an just gonna get an edelbrock thunder series avs off road carb.. soon as taxes come back..... buttoned up for now
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/utf-8BSU1HMDAxNDQtMjAxMjAyMDItMTYwMi5qcGc.jpg
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq220/blazerman71/utf-8BSU1HMDAxNDUtMjAxMjAyMDItMTYwMi5qcGc.jpg