It was sitting in the back of a car lot... primer grey and surface rust... 4" lift and 33's... 3/4 ton axles... 4spd with a 205 t-case... and a 350 motor with no carb and no valve covers but it had a Weiand aluminum intake.

I asked how much, expecting them to want more than it was worth. But when they said $400, I had to come back and buy it. Originally I was going to part it out, or use it for parts, but after I towed it home in 2000 and put a carb and valve covers on it and it fired right over and purred... I had second thoughts. Then my mom's boyfriend suggested it would be a good candidate for a Camo paint job. So I did.

I played with it for about a year on the property, until 2001 we swapped the 350 into the '75 K5 (now Orange Blazer). Since then it has sat and had multiple axles and springs under it as I have changed my mind on how to build it.

 Updated plan as of 2009:

Ford rear springs, Chevy rear springs up front, Dana 60 with 5.38 gears and Detroit, 14-bolt rear with 5.38 gears welded, keep it as low as possible but clear the 42" iroks, 454, SM465 4spd manual with 32-spline version NP205, and dual flowmaster mufflers off a parts truck

As it sat early 2009:

 

Actually started working on it

 

Got a rear axle with Yukon 5.38 gears already welded for $375, just shaved it some.

Put Ford Bronco rear springs under it with a shackle flip

 

Re-inforced the frame at the steering box with another frame section

 

 

52" Chevy 1/2 ton rear springs to be used up front.

 

Made front spring hangers for it (Keep in mind I'm not a welder). Thank to Paul of Intermountain fabricators for the steel and cutting the pieces.

Dana 60 front with 5.38 gears and a Detroit- Detroit bought new at the Swap Met for $475- gears and install part of a trade deal; High steer arms $150 and part trade invested. Thanks to Greg of Rocky Mountain Off-Road

 

 

 

At the Moyie Mud Bog May 8-10 2008

It will also get a Warn 8274 winch on the winch bumper I got for it, plus a roll cage I traded some exhaust for.

 

Total Cash Investment so far: $2350

$375 for rear axle

$475 front Detroit Locker

$150 High steer arms

$1250 42" Iroks

$150 miscellaneous silicone, fluids, etc

$100 rear disc brake bracket setup

$0 in trade for front gears, motor, steel, bolt on shackle flip for rear

$0 in leftover parts from parts rigs or other parts around- drivelines, round pattern NP205, SM465, front 60 housing, rear springs, front springs, shocks, headers and exhaust, radiator, 15x10 wheels, front/rear shackles, bumper.

 

All of The Fleet: