K5 Blazer Rebuild

[Blazerbogger]

Well, after having the last disappointing run with this truck. I decided to rebuild it and convert it into a 1.9. I plan to use some Trail Doctor XL's on some Integy 8-hole wheels. Maybe some narrowed Bruiser axles in the future if I can figure it out. Still deciding on whether to do a late 70's or late 80's body style.

Before:
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/18988467/323834395.jpg

http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/18988467/323834485.jpg

[SMOKE-DOG]

That's a fun looking truck.

[Wyoming]

Serious bogger with them 2.2s, I love the flat looking tire must :Dvery soft

[Blazerbogger]

Got some more work done. The axles are reattached and other parts assembled. The front body posts were moved to the grill where they were to be hidden by a winch. Though, they will most likely move and/or be converted to a "hidden" body mount. I have a new body on the way and will make an expensive wheel and tire trip. I need the tires in order to progress any farther.


http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/18988467/339998054.jpg

http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/18988467/339998139.jpg

[teebeehex]

So... I'm trying my best not to be ignorant, but what is that gearbox? :confused:

I've been trying to think my way around using an existing Tamiya gearbox (say, from a 2wd kit) as a central transmission in a TLT or HiLift axled project. Any help would be appreciated. :help:

[Blazerbogger]

The gearbox is from a Traxxas Stampede/Rustler. It's great for crawlers because it has many high gearing options.

[Blazerbogger]

I got a new body and wheels. I narrowed the axles so now the wheels tuck under the fenders.:D I will probably get some Losi mini crawler axles someday.


http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/18988467/341403561.jpg

http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/18988467/341403616.jpg

http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/18988467/341403767.jpg

[Wyoming]

looking good, going to be very scale I can see.

[Blazerbogger]

Yea, but i'm punching myself in the head because I could have just bought some 0mm HPI rims and avoided the cost of the Integy wheels and time to narrow the axles. In turn, compromising the structural integrity of them. The only advantage is having depth in the wheels.

[bigoggy]

looking good, will be nice to see this finished

[Wyoming]

Yea, but i'm punching myself in the head because I could have just bought some 0mm HPI rims and avoided the cost of the Integy wheels and time to narrow the axles. In turn, compromising the structural integrity of them. The only advantage is having depth in the wheels.

lol, I've got dents in my cranium from these sorts of things too lol!

[Blazerbogger]

I can go pick up my tires tomorrow! Then I can keep building this.

[Blazerbogger]

I went and got my tires this morning. Mounted them on the rims and stuck the body on over them. I need to adjust the links now.


http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/18988467/342282076.jpg

http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/18988467/342282116.jpg

http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/18988467/342282196.jpg

[Blazerbogger]

I guess it's almost finished now. The hard part at least. I got it sitting just how I want it, we'll see how it performs now. I have my old crawler body on it for now.


http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/18988467/342334276.jpg

http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/18988467/342334355.jpg

Over 3 inches of ground clearance.
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/18988467/342334640.jpg

Achieved my goal. Wheels are completely tucked under the fenders.
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/18988467/342334756.jpg

http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/18988467/342334809.jpg

With the original 2.2's
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/18988467/342334462.jpg

[SMOKE-DOG]

Looks better with the 1.9's.

[Blazerbogger]

I took it out for a test drive today and it has never run so smoothly. I will get some pics up later.

[Blazerbogger]

I had it out yesterday and had a better run than I expected, but was not impressed. The tires definitely needed foams, so now they have them and seem to work better. I think the truck could use a raise, any suggestions or comments about that would be greatly appreciated.

http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/18988467/342430970.jpg

This thing handled like a boat!
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/18988467/342431192.jpg

http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/18988467/342431234.jpg

Original inspiration from an RCC member.
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/18988467/342432121.jpg

http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/18988467/342431043.jpg

[Wyoming]

That looks fantastic, great details and I like the shiny new wheels on the old beat up truck, I see that all the time...course I'm often the one driving them

[Blazerbogger]

I have a new body to put on it. It has to be painted, but will most likely end up blue and white like the one in the pic above.

[Blazerbogger]

After snapping an axle shaft(there wasn't a bolt through that one) I had to rebuild three of the four axle halves because the soldering split and the bolts loosened up. I now soldered the bolts and nuts on and it still seems to be holding up well, but I may replace them with a single axle shaft in both axles. I let Dan drive the truck today, he did quite well I suppose. It's a lot of fun driving it, it squeaks and moans like a 1:1!


http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/18988467/343141115.jpg

http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/18988467/343141068.jpg

http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/18988467/343140949.jpg

[Blazerbogger]

Whoops, sorry about the lost photos, I had to make room for more uploads, but I will try to get them back up there. I forgot to ask about body color. I am stuck on deciding a color scheme for my new Blazer body. I would love to hear ideas if you have them. I'm shooting for a late 1970's scheme, but anything from the 80's is fine. Here are some ideas I have so far.


http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/18988467/343157834.jpg

http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/18988467/343157832.jpg

http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/18988467/343157829.jpg

http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/18988467/343157826.jpg

http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/18988467/343157825.jpg

http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/18988467/343157891.jpg

[Moondoggie]

Personally I would pick the look in photo 5. The dark green with the roof rack is sweet. :)

[Blazerbogger]

Sorry Moondoggie, I ignored your opinion and went with another color combo I like a lot. The body will be painted from the outside with a rust color on the inside.

http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/18988467/344414953.jpg

Color combo from the thumbnail
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/18988467/344414865.jpg

[Blazerbogger]

I just finished installing solid axle shafts in the axles since the original shortened shafts were failing again. I used 3/16 brass rod and machined it for e-clips. I used the original pressure fit pins to drive the stub axles, and pinned the spool on, even though it probably didn't need it. I also fabricated a bull bar.


http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/18988467/345621425.jpg

http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/18988467/345621489.jpg

[Wyoming]

looking good, like that mean looking deer smasher on front:)

[Blazerbogger]

Thanks. Hopefully I can get to the hobby shop this weekend for some more supplies and paint!

[Blazerbogger]

I got the body painted yesterday and mounted today. I just need to trim the fenders a bit. I used a hinge on the front for a body mount. I also installed the leftover shocks from my Hilux kit. They work much better.


http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/8808075/350296011.jpg

http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/8808075/350296082.jpg

http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/8808075/350296105.jpg

[McFig]

Shiney :cool:

Looks good. We need som outside pictures.

[Wyoming]

I like the two tone blue, works well and I see them around quite a bit.

[Blazerbogger]

I haven't done anything to it yet. The navy blue didn't come out as dark as I had hoped it to.


http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/8808075/350413972.jpg

http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/8808075/350414007.jpg

http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/8808075/350414040.jpg

[Blazerbogger]

Just finished making and installing the battery tray. Perfect fir for stick packs and flat packs.


http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/8808075/350648846.jpg

http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/8808075/350648790.jpg

[Wyoming]

Looks much better outside in its natural habitat :cool: I don't know of any way to darken it except maybe undercoat with black but it looks like you've done that already

[Blazerbogger]

Undercoating with black won't do much other than protect the paint that's there. I've been working on an interior for the past few days. All I need to do now is make the front seats and electronics tray. Everything is bolted down with mounts just like the 1:1's. The battery is a tight fit, but at least it's hidden.

Added windshield wipers
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/8808075/350791146.jpg

Interior with 6 inch drop from the bed
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/8808075/350791180.jpg

Electronics tray will go between the fender wells
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/8808075/350791293.jpg

Dash will rotate in order to remove the battery
http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/8808075/350791334.jpg

http://pic18.picturetrail.com/VOL900/4206145/8808075/350791440.jpg

[Wyoming]

looking good, interiors do a lot for the scale appeal of a rig.

[Blazerbogger]

Here's a video of the first trail run with the new 1.9 setup. I'm quite impressed with its performance. I'm loving this SC-20 ESC.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-eVG-TzzhI&feature=channel_page

[Blazerbogger]

Here's some pics from a trail ride the other day. The truck is working very well now and I hope it continues to.


http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2207/12029932/21395362/351696638.jpg

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2207/12029932/21395362/351696643.jpg

I need a driver
http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2207/12029932/21395362/351696646.jpg

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2207/12029932/21395362/351696651.jpg

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2207/12029932/21395362/351696689.jpg

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2207/12029932/21395362/351696713.jpg

Driving at the last VARCOR Comp
http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2207/12029932/21395362/351697237.jpg

[Stormin2u]

Nice job Blazer she looks real right.

[Blazerbogger]

Thanks! It's too bad I just broke a front axle C. I have a plan to fix it, but it might be a while till I get around to it.

[Blazerbogger]

I modified a ceiling brace for a new axle C. It works fine. I took the Blazer out on a trail run today. Here's some pics.


http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2207/12029932/21389335/354949643.jpg

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2207/12029932/21389335/354949740.jpg

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2207/12029932/21389335/354950841.jpg

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2207/12029932/21389335/354949764.jpg

[Wyoming]

great still pics, looks like you guys are having fun :thumb:

[Blazerbogger]

Thanks! This is the most fun rig I own.

[Blazerbogger]

Recently uncovered this cluster of rocks beside a local park trail. The area was overgrown with many thorn bushes and vines. It took 3 hours to clear off all the leaves and shrubs to reveal an awesome crawling spot just a short walk from my house!


http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2207/12029932/21389335/357842379.jpg

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2207/12029932/21389335/357842389.jpg

Some pics of my 1.9 Blazer on it.
http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2207/12029932/21389335/357842394.jpg

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2207/12029932/21389335/357842416.jpg

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2207/12029932/21389335/357842402.jpg

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2207/12029932/21389335/357842427.jpg

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2207/12029932/21389335/357842435.jpg

http://pic90.picturetrail.com/VOL2207/12029932/21389335/357842452.jpg

[Blazerbogger]

Started rebuild #3 a few weeks ago, but it's just been sitting since then. I figured I'd do a chassis mounted servo this time, so I installed a servo and ball-joint extender.


http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL2093/12362146/22293996/371778764.jpg

[Wyoming]

some nice rocks, they look like chassis scratchers :D Good looking mods too.

[Blazerbogger]

Thanks! There are only a couple of good lines for scale trucks on the rocks, but it's still an awesome place. I've been working on it quite a bit lately clearing vines and ground cover. I have a few plans, one of them being a loop for a scale trail.


The far side of the rocks.
http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL2093/12362146/22298544/371779071.jpg

Same side looking from the start of the scale trail.
http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL2093/12362146/22298544/371779063.jpg

Another small pile still shrouded in stickers.
http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL2093/12362146/22298544/371779067.jpg

Other end of loop. I haven't started on the middle section yet, but it's all a network of old deer trails, so it's not the hardest thing to clear.
http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL2093/12362146/22298544/371779084.jpg

Cleared entrance trail to the rocks.
http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL2093/12362146/22298544/371779079.jpg

This is a bridge I built back in June.
http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL2093/12362146/22298544/371779051.jpg

http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL2093/12362146/22298544/371779049.jpg

[jeffro]

I knew you had some places to crawl, that really rocks (no pun intended) :) Good to see you getting your Blazer up and running. I was wondering where she went.

[Blazerbogger]

Yea, but I almost never crawl there. I'm trying to make it a little more fun though. I've doubled its original size with plans to triple it. Once I find a new set of TLT axles(and have the money), I can finish the rebuild.

[Blazerbogger]

I will most likely spring the truck all around with the new leaf springs Jeffro sent me. I started working on some shackles, but I might try some alternative methods. I will try my best to get leaf springs on the rear axle, but it may have to be 4-linked.


http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1425/12596055/22406442/372063156.jpg

[Blazerbogger]

Now that I have the body off, it's easier to work on.


http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1425/12596055/22406442/372076965.jpg


I used some 4-link mounts for the front stationary shackle.

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1425/12596055/22406442/372076962.jpg

[Blazerbogger]

I just finished the other two shackles, but there's a problem.


http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1425/12596055/22406442/372078662.jpg

What I hoped would be full compression.
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1425/12596055/22406442/372078644.jpg

Springs mounted.
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1425/12596055/22406442/372078679.jpg

And the problem. I was so excited in getting these finished that I didn't even realize the the eyelet would hit the chassis. Time to redesign the shackle.:(
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1425/12596055/22406442/372078630.jpg

[jeffro]

I was so excited in getting these finished that I didn't even realize the the eyelet would hit the chassis

Been there, done that one. :) I got it all together, thinkin how clever I was , and same thing. Stuff happens :)

[Blazerbogger]

Turns out the first set of shackles I made work better.


http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1425/12596055/22406442/372136785.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1425/12596055/22406442/372136773.jpg

[Blazerbogger]

Well, the leaf springs aren't quite working out the way I hoped they would. The spring mounting holes sway too far back under full compression, but I might be able to resolve this by rotating the stationary shackle forwards a bit. It would be quite a hassle though.


Here's the setup with stock TLT axles.
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1425/12596055/22406442/372150080.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1425/12596055/22406442/372150083.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1425/12596055/22406442/372150089.jpg

[Blazerbogger]

I might have found the solution. I won't know until I have everything mounted and bolted down tight.


http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1425/12596055/22406442/372153514.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1425/12596055/22406442/372153548.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1425/12596055/22406442/372153507.jpg

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1425/12596055/22406442/372153559.jpg

[jeffro]

What chassis is that ? I know I could look back, just being lazy :)

[Blazerbogger]

1979 Tamiya Hilux chassis. Sadly, the previous owner turned it into swiss cheese.