1979 Chevy K5

Frame on driver project

The grille is in the back, and yes that is my AMC Matador.

My most recent project.  1979 K5 Blazer.  Just bought it from my uncle whose owned it more than 20 years for 1000 bucks. 

Specs

1979 Chevy Blazer K5 4x4 - 106.5" Wheelbase - 4370 lbs

350 V8 with Weiand intake, Headers, Corvette cam, Holley aluminum valve covers, flex fan

Factory no A/C

SM465 4 spd. (6.55:1 First Gear)

NP205 transfer case (1.96:1 Low Range)

Front Axle GM Corporate 10-bolt (8.5-in. 1.28 Axle Dia. 28 Spline)

Rear Axle GM Corporate 12-bolt (8.7/8-in. 1.31 Axle Dia. 30 Spline) 

31-10.50 15 tires

3 sets of factory rallies

1987 interior

The Plan

A good driver restoration.  First off, get it mechanically sound.  Its been off the road for 2 years now so some work will need to be done to get it reliable again.  Up next will be the body work part.  The body is very solid with only light surface rust on the roof.  The only part that worrys me is the doors jambs as they seem to be thin around some of the seems.  Nothing major though. The roof was primed several years ago with a urethane primer which does not hold up the the weather.  Always use an epoxy primer for weather resistance and over any bare metal.  I'm going to remove the top, sand blast the roof and door jambs and seal everything using DP epoxy.

Eventually, looking into 4" spring lift, 35" Toyos or Nittos since thats who pays the bills, factory red and white paint.  Just keepin it simple.

Progress Updates..Or lack there of...

6-30-09

Went to my uncles to work on the bass boat.  got on the subject of the Blazer.  struck a deal for $1000

7-1-09

Stole the battery out of my S-10 to fire it up today.  Things went well until the key stuck in the switch.  Turns out it was the key to his last blazer.  Still hunting for the correct key.

7-3-09

No luck on the key so picked up an ignition switch at Advance for $12.99.  Not feeling the screwdriver and hammer removal, so time to dig out the steering wheel remover and dig in.  Did manage to get the grill back in and some of the accumulated junk out.  Be nice to fire it up.  Rounded up an original GM bumper from a friend.  Still got to pull it and whatever else looks amusing.

7-6-09

Finally got the ignition switch in today.  Not too hard of a project if you get the right tools ahead of time.  in addition to the usual tools,  you'll need a steering wheel puller, a lockplate remover, a pair of snap ring pliers wouldnt hurt in addition to a T20 torx.  the worst part was reinstalling the lock plate.  a little lithium grease on the steering shaft made this go alot easier. 

Also got it running today.  Its been sitting for a couple years now, but once the switch was in, we had it idling in less than five minutes.  Up next is and oil change and tune up, then puttin on the second set of wheels and tires and bleeding the brakes out since he never did after putting new wheels cylinders in.

7-8-09

Changed wheels and tires to the others set of rallies and 31s today.  Also changed the oil and drove it around the yard.  Still need to do a good tune up and belts/hoses.  Also going to do front brakes since they're almost to the rotor.  Not Running bad considering all the old gas in it.  I put 5 gallons of Super in it along with a bottle of Seafoam.  Exhaust fumes smell terrible and its popping at idle.  a good tune up and blowin the soot out of it should help it out.