"K5" Opinions and Knowledge

[J-Man]

Most of you have seen pictures of my K-5. Its stock and is in great shape. I have been thinking of turning it into a streetable trail rig. Something capable on most offroad trails around here but still fun to drive on the road. On one hand it is in great shape. On the other I dont have a whole lot of money tied up in it. So I'm not 100% go on it, but have been seriously thinking about it especially seeing chevrolet parts seem to be so common and dont seem to break the bank. :P ,

It has 10 bolt front and rear, np 208, 700r4 and 5.7 litre. I am thinking of at first doing a lift , running 33 to 35 inch tires depending on what these 10 bolts will hold up to, and possibly some sort of locker for the rear. Gearing also comes to mind but then I think of better off doing axle swaps.

Here is my thoughts. 4 inch lift, 2 inch block in rear + 2 inch springs, 35 in tires if they will clear fenders, locked rear, and run it.

Heres my question recomended options Lift and height?, blocks or shackle flip on rear?, brand? type of locker for rear? or should I just swap out to 3/4 axles front and rear. I hear they are just about bolt in. 33 or 35's, re gear? Thanks

[Gordon]

Sounds like you are looking at pretty much what Clint's got. He wheels it real well, and runs it back and forth to school a fair distance.

Clint is "pplblazerdude"

Here's some pics: http://community.webshots.com/user/pplblazerdude

[1-tonmudder]

Find a matching set of 3/4 axles with either 3:73's or 4:10's,put a set of lock-rites in em and ride.I am running a ORD shackle flip in the rear of mine and would recomend one.I would also recomend doing a SYE on the 208.

4:10's with 35's should still be pretty streetable.

I would'nt put any money in the 10 bolt's,you'll wind up changing them anyway.

[J-Man]

Thanks for the link Gordon. It looks like Clint was running 1/2 setup at one time and now 3/4? Thanks

1tonmudder Are there any good sites for blazer parts such as lifts, shackle fiips etc....?

Whats the extent of swapping to 3/4 tons? I've heard pretty much bolt in on the k5.

[1-tonmudder]

The axles are a bolt in.You will probably have to have your driveshaft's fixed though.

I see you have already found this one.
http://www.carolinak5.com/index.php

Here's another.
http://www.coloradok5.com/

Here's where you can get the shakle flip.
http://www.offroaddesign.com/

and here.
http://diy4x.com/main.htm

[Marty G]

all of the above
3/4tons are the way to go with a 700 r4 ide say
4.11 on 35s
3.73s on 33s

the blazers are so large that a 33 looks small though

on 35 in tires a 4in lift is fine if you run narrow or deep back space wheels
if you want wide wheels with thin backspacing mite need a 6in

i got a little lift out of the axel swap about 3/4in

i would think about using rear factory blazer springs up frunt
rides and flexes better and gives about 4 ins of lift

http://www.coloradok5.com/52inchspringswap.shtml

im parting out my k5 in the for sale thread if you need anything

[J-Man]

Thanks for the information. Any other suggestions on this?

[pplblazerdude]

Rear springs up front are nice but that opens a whole new can of worms. You will need crossover steering and you will not be able to run a swaybar anymore which isnt bad but some people get upset over this.

I started out on 1/2 tons that where geared 4.10 and went with a rough country 4 inch lift with blocks in the rear ran it like this for 3 years or so and did well with it. I just was sure not to get to wild on the gas so as to not break the axles. I then found a deal on a set of 3/4's and got them I converted the 14 bolt to disc brakes then put it in. Mine has the factory locker in it which works well for me. This past summer I went to a diy4x shackle flip and hands down this is one of the best things ive done. Wish I would have done it from the start. The ride is better no axle wrap or anything. I got the diy4z one because I do not like how ord's used the stock shackle over these are a weak point and I have seen many fail. I run a set of 315/70r16 cooper discover stt's on a set of hate to admit it ford 16 inch wheels. The tires rub but it is not a very often thing. I also have a set of swaybar disconnects on my truck. I used them alot at first but have used them less and less over time. Now I barely ever use them.

Now for the use of my truck. I have not been able to go to all the big name trails like I would like too always seems money is short when people go or its the wrong time of the year and I am at school. I have wheeled most of the local trails and people can vouch for me my truck goes pretty good. Also I go to school in Greenville, NC and I drive my truck there. Its about a 350 mile trip and my truck does just fine with it. It sucks the gas but gets me there just fine. I would not hesitate to get into it now and drive to the west coast.

If you need any help or are looking for some parts let me know. I have a ton of k5 stuff laying around and I am always looking to help a fellow k5 friend out. Also if you have any questions feel free to ask me and I can try my best to help you out.

[J-Man]

Clint, on your 3/4 ton setup did you go with a D44 8 lug front? Thanks

[pplblazerdude]

Clint, on your 3/4 ton setup did you go with a D44 8 lug front? Thanks No I just converted my 10 bolt over to 8 lug.

[R.E.C.O.N.45]

I do not know if I am much help but I have the ORD shackle flip in the rear giving it 4.5" lift in the rear. New ORD lift springs in the front giving a 4" lift then I have the ORD 1" body lift for me to fit my remote resivor shocks. I am running 5 to 5.5" of lift 35's fit easily and will be putting 37's soon. As far as the axle part. I was told not to go bigger than 35" tires on stock axles. The previous owner put 1 ton axles on mine so I can not give you any good info on the axle part. I will say most lifts over 4" need the crossover steering to work right. However you do lose the swaybar ablity like Clint said earlier. Alot of people are hooking up a ram assist to their power steering box to help with that problem. Hope it helps good luck.

[SamuraiGuyTN]

IMO I would stay away from blocks. I know alot of guys run them, but the added stress it puts on your suspension can ruin a set of springs. If you do make sure you run a Track bar of some sort.

:lol: this coming from me who ran missing links in the rear and busted how many U-joints :shock:

[R.E.C.O.N.45]

Blocks bad especially since lift springs do not cost all that much more.

[1-tonmudder]

I dont remember what year model your's is but the 88ish up Blazers had a 30 spline 10 bolt front,which would be equal in strenth to a Dana 44.If your front had a gear you could live with and you could find a matching rear you could just convert your front over to 8 lug.

[J-Man]

Whats involved in converting the front to 8 lug? Just changing everything out from the knuckles out? Mine is a 88 model. Thanks

[1-tonmudder]

Hub/rotor assembly and backing plate is all you change.Same calipers.pad's,spindles,stub shafts,lockout's and even the same wheel bearing's.If you can take it apart to have the rotor's turned you can do the changeover.