Making my plan for my upcoming project

[Quarry Trash]

Hey guys, I am going to be starting a k5 project soon and I was wondering what you all thought. I am going to build a 1973-91 k5 blazer.It will be a street/trail build. Not a everyday driver but will need to stay streetable. I do not want to alter the wheelbase. I prefer to stay leaf springs. My question is this, If this is going to be a trail rig/woods explorer what do yall suggest for a lift and tire combo? Also do you have any pictures of setups, Thanks guys.

 

[drkelly]

I'd buy an 87 or newer model to get the 350 motor with EFI and overdrive automatic transmission. Lift size will depend on the size tire you want to run. Either way I would not run more than a 6" lift.

 

[Infamous1]

i put together a 1983 k10, i used 6" springs, and it is running 38s, it is a little to big now, i wish i woulda went with 4" and run 35s or 36s, and also wish i woulda used soft ride springs otherwise i love my old pick-up

scared to death!!!!!

 

[paradisePWoffrd]

Depends on how much you want to cut. You can run 44s on 4" lift if you cut enough

 

[moldman05]

I like 4'' lift but limits tires to 35". I would consider moving front axle forward 2" which would allow larger tires,some trimming required.

 

[Mac5005]

I like 4'' lift but limits tires to 35". I would consider moving front axle forward 2" which would allow larger tires,some trimming required.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm almost positive he is running 4" lift with 39's. Has trimmed fenders and one tons but suspension has remained same since 04 with rough country all spring lift kit. I wouldn't run over 35's on stock axles and be careful spinning the rear tires, when the one spinning tire slows back down the gov- lock will destroy itself when reengaging on deceleration.

 

[Stuntman Autoworks]

I would stay low, cut alot and run big tires on tons.

 

[1-tonmudder]

I would stay low, cut alot and run big tires on tons.

Ive got about 5/6 inches of lift and 42's on tons with generous fender trimming.I would get a early 90's with the 241 case and the FI 350.The 241 is easily changed over to fixed yoke and has a good(2.72) lo range.My blazer was an old diesel CUCV M1009 and it would have been alot easier to have started w a F I rig that to piece together a system like I did.

 

[moldman05]

I stand corrected. I am running 38.5 tsl with 4'' of lift. The limiting factor is front tire rubbing on lower firewall. Every where else can be trimmed. I do like the 4" lift with tons and more lift or axle relocation would be required for larger tires.

 

[87GMCJimmy]

I'd get an 87 or newer (for TBI) and run 37" tires with some fender trimming on a 3" Tuff Country EZ ride front spring set and a rear shackle flip with stock springs. A set of ORD greasable shackles would be nice too. Then I'd swap in a 14BFF rear and either swap your outers up front to 8 lug or preferably get a Dana 60 front. If you can, I'd get a CUCV set of axles since that will get you 4.56 gears and a rear Detroit locker. You'll have to torch off the rear axle spring perches though since the K-30's are in a different spot. I'd get something like the Ruff Stuff Specialties perches since they have different holes so you can adjust your wheelbase back to stock. (a shackle flip that will net you 3" lift will shorten your wheelbase just slightly, the new perches will allow you to contemplate for that) I'd ditch your front sway bar and convert to crossover steering and add a weld on steering box brace and a bolt in one too. (they mount on opposite sides of the frame) This is pretty much the same setup as mine, it worked GREAT!!! On road and off, it was a great rig, wish I had never sold it!!!
Best pics I've got of it:

 

[Croatan_Kid]

How'd those Coopers do? I just bought some and actually have them on H2s as well!


My K30 has 4" front springs with a zero rate and I move the front axle forward 1.5". The rear is just a 3" solid block. It sits level since I have a big ol' 1200 lb motor hanging over the front axle and rides great. I used Tuff Country springs, but they're not nearly as cheap as they used to be! For a long time I ran 40x13.50-17s on H2 rims and only trimmed the front a little and they never rubbed and it flexed surprisingly well for a 1 ton truck. So with 4-5" of lift, you can run at least a 40, but I' rock some 37s in a heart beat. The Coopers I just bought were 1192 bucks, plus 105 for shipping. That's not a bad price for that size of a tire. Find some H2s and you're set. They're 17x8.5, light, and they look good. They're not too hard to find either. If you're picky, like myself, you can run externally threaded "conversion" lug nuts and put 2500HD center caps in the centers to button them up and give it a "finished" look.

I'd do a shackle flip on the rear with another zero rate to move the axle backwards and re-center it in the wheel well. That'd net you 5" of lift front and rear and provided it its level with that, 37s should be easy. Toss some tons under it with crossover steering and a locker or two and you'll have a nice, dependable, daily driver/trail rig. I've driving my K30 14hrs round trip to Easley, SC, driven it daily back and forth to work, hauled 15,000lb loads, and done sled pulls along with numerous off road recoveries. I really like to build stuff to do anything I could possibly need to do and still be able to drive it wherever and whenever I need.

Personally, for what you're wanting...or anything for that matter in an older GM, I'm far more partial to a carburetor. The TBI has its' perks, but for simplicity and ease of modification, I'd run a Holley. Toss on a decent intake, some headers, free flowing exhaust, and maybe a nice, torque cam and roll on. I prefer an overdrive transmission, but I'd run a TH350, TH400, or even a 4spd if that's what you found. It all depends on what gears you run and you're tire size. With no overdrive and something like a 37, I'd go for 4.10s. With overdrive, I'd likely go with 4.56 or 4.88.


Hopefully that helps you out a little.

 

[87GMCJimmy]

How'd those Coopers do? I just bought some and actually have them on H2s as well!


My K30 has 4" front springs with a zero rate and I move the front axle forward 1.5". The rear is just a 3" solid block. It sits level since I have a big ol' 1200 lb motor hanging over the front axle and rides great. I used Tuff Country springs, but they're not nearly as cheap as they used to be! For a long time I ran 40x13.50-17s on H2 rims and only trimmed the front a little and they never rubbed and it flexed surprisingly well for a 1 ton truck. So with 4-5" of lift, you can run at least a 40, but I' rock some 37s in a heart beat. The Coopers I just bought were 1192 bucks, plus 105 for shipping. That's not a bad price for that size of a tire. Find some H2s and you're set. They're 17x8.5, light, and they look good. They're not too hard to find either. If you're picky, like myself, you can run externally threaded "conversion" lug nuts and put 2500HD center caps in the centers to button them up and give it a "finished" look.

I'd do a shackle flip on the rear with another zero rate to move the axle backwards and re-center it in the wheel well. That'd net you 5" of lift front and rear and provided it its level with that, 37s should be easy. Toss some tons under it with crossover steering and a locker or two and you'll have a nice, dependable, daily driver/trail rig. I've driving my K30 14hrs round trip to Easley, SC, driven it daily back and forth to work, hauled 15,000lb loads, and done sled pulls along with numerous off road recoveries. I really like to build stuff to do anything I could possibly need to do and still be able to drive it wherever and whenever I need.

Personally, for what you're wanting...or anything for that matter in an older GM, I'm far more partial to a carburetor. The TBI has its' perks, but for simplicity and ease of modification, I'd run a Holley. Toss on a decent intake, some headers, free flowing exhaust, and maybe a nice, torque cam and roll on. I prefer an overdrive transmission, but I'd run a TH350, TH400, or even a 4spd if that's what you found. It all depends on what gears you run and you're tire size. With no overdrive and something like a 37, I'd go for 4.10s. With overdrive, I'd likely go with 4.56 or 4.88.


Hopefully that helps you out a little.

I really liked the Coopers!!! H2s are an excellent choice as well!!! That's funny that you've got the same wheel and tire combo! The HD center caps setup is a really nice way to go, I was contemplating that myself! You have got a VERY nice K-30 sir!!!! I see that both your trucks have one tons and stick shifts, that's awesome!!!!

 

[k5blazer82]

Hey guys, I am going to be starting a k5 project soon and I was wondering what you all thought. I am going to build a 1973-91 k5 blazer.It will be a street/trail build. Not a everyday driver but will need to stay streetable. I do not want to alter the wheelbase. I prefer to stay leaf springs. My question is this, If this is going to be a trail rig/woods explorer what do yall suggest for a lift and tire combo? Also do you have any pictures of setups, Thanks guys.

I run 4inchs of lift with 37's on mine. shackle flip in the rear and 52" spring up front with light trimming just cutting the fangs off. its cheap under 100 bucks works great. I also have a write up for 12inch travel shocks for very cheap. my truck works very very well. lockers and trimming will go along way with a stock k5