AJ's '72 Cruiser Crawler build

[AJs72K5]

After window shopping for 2 years, I finally found a 1972 K5 in great condition back in September 07. I wanted something with a really solid body, so I could focus on the motor and the drivetrain.

Part one of the build is to makeover the suspension, tires, wheels, and axles. I'm not building an extreme rig by any means...no rock crawler here. That'll be the next toy I talk the wife into...eventually .

Started with this:



Tear it down to here:


Accumulate all of this:


Front end gear:


Rear end gear:


Sweet DIY4X Shackle Flip detail:


If all goes as planned, either the 1st or 2nd weekend in February will be an all weekend wrench-a-thon to see how much can get done. The goal is to get the rig back on the road by the end of the February. And so it begins....

[BobK]

Cool.
What axles are you putting in?60 and a 14?

Getting rid of that tire+rim combo?

Nice Blazer.

That IS a cool touch from DIY4X

[AJs72K5]

Doing a 3/4 ton conversion on the current D44 front and a 14FF in the rear. Plan to do a D60 front eventually, but didn't have it in budget yet.

39.5 IROKs and 20" rims already sold.

[Yukon Jack]

Looks like a great project. I put in a 3/4 ton Dana 44 and 14 bolt ff in my 70 K5 recently.

[makovai]

so what are you replacing those 20's and 39.5 with?
wheels and tires..... got pics?

[AJs72K5]

I don't have a pic of just the rims and tires They're 315/75r16 Procomp Extreme ATs mounted on 16x10 Procomp rims (they look just like Igor's)

[RGV72BLAZER]

looks good get that 10 bolt yet...we pulled it out a couple of weeks ago.


EDIT: just recognized the axle in the pic

[AJs72K5]

We finally got a few hours to work on the truck today. So, we attempted to tackle the rear suspension. Should be easy right? Unfortunately we ran into some fitment issues with the shackle flip and had to do some mods. But, we got it all together. Next week we'll tackle the front suspension and start building the axles.

Me griding off the factory shackle hanger. We ended up using a grinder, a torch, and an air hammer to get these boogers off. You gotta love power tools.


Test fitting the DIY4X Shackle flip. Here's where we ran into issues. The bracket was about an inch off due to the rear gas tank strap. It affected both sides.


Made a quick call to Kert at the office...never expected him to answer on a Saturday. That's great service. He wasn't aware of the issue, but mentioned that the 1st gen flips were designed on a K10, not a Blazer. Here's the solution: we cut about an inch off of the horizontal surface (goes under the frame). Kert said this shouldn't affect the integrity of the flip as we had plenty of material between the cuts and the mounting holes.


Modified passenger side bracket installed.


Modified driver side bracket installed.


Alcan Springs, DIY4X shackle flip, DIY4X shackles, and poly bushings installed


AJ's logo from the back of the truck


More to come next week!

[Greg72]

Lookin' good!

You've got to remember to wipe off the greasy fingerprints from the parts you photograph though..... that way it looks like an "easy swap" just like everything on those TV shows. The guys install their parts in khakis and never have a speck of dirt on their hands....and they never sweat. Oh, and every time they go to put a part into position, it fits perfectly on the first try and bolts right up!

On a serious note, don't forget to take some photos from a distance.... it helps to provide perspective to the entire process. If all the shots are up-close it can make it hard to appreciate the whole "scene".....you know, the tools scattered everywhere...the old rusty take-offs in a pile somewhere, etc. Having photos of actual humans in the shots are great too, it makes the pics more personal.

If I were you, I'd skip the SuperBowl parties and keep working!

[cybrfire]

For some reason I can't see the photos so I'll have to check this when I get home. Internet kinda sucks at the shop. Not here for surfin' anyway.

I'll check back in a bit.