2WD K5 BLAZER / C10 QA1 Front Suspension Install

This project has been in the works for a while. My 1985 K5 Blazer 2WD conversion with LS swap engine is getting more upgrades. This project started as a patina budget build as a shop truck, but morphed into cherry paint with all the upgrades including vintage air, custom seat covers, Dakota digital gauges and much more. Our goal is to have this truck ready for Daytona Turkey Run 2023 in just a few short weeks. In this video, our upgrade is with QA1 adjustable coilovers installed to dial in the ride height and better ride quality.

[@Tealmoney8571]

I like the roof rack. I think you should keep it! Cool rig!!

[@BestDamnShopAround]

Thank you!

[@jacobmoore921]

My dream vehicle, well one of them

[@BestDamnShopAround]

I have multiple dream vehicles too! and the list is growing daily! Haha

[@koukidrftr]

Looking good! No roof rack!

[@BestDamnShopAround]

Agreed!

[@HannesNysten]

Great channel, keep up the good work!

[@BestDamnShopAround]

Thank you! Will do!

[@christianlutes5593]

2 different roof looks and both are valid. If this was my project, I’d probably use the rack. It looks great with the plaid interior.

[@BestDamnShopAround]

Thank you!

[@woodyfmod]

Looks good with the roof rack but need so see it with out it too.

[@BestDamnShopAround]

I should have taken it off to show what it looks like! Dang it!

[@williamguillIII]

If you take the roof rack off it, it looks like every other C10 out there coming down the road. I like it myself. Depends on what kind of look you're going for....or I guess how clean or sterile.

[@BestDamnShopAround]

True!

[@jasonsutton1074]

vote yes for the roof rack

[@BestDamnShopAround]

👍

[@shaneharris9511]

Keep the roof rack!!

[@BestDamnShopAround]

👍

[@blackbuttecruizr]

Roof rack yes

[@BestDamnShopAround]

👍

[@randy6350]

No roof rack ( Please ) And now the stupid question. Are you going to carry two different spare tires & wheels? One 6 and one 5 lug?

[@BestDamnShopAround]

It's 6 lug all the way around!

[@JohnDoe-so9oy]

Needs to rake the back a little, especially when the glass rear panels is installed or not, putting the hood and bumper won’t compensate.

[@BestDamnShopAround]

Maybe so! We'll see when its all together! Agreed proper rake is key!

[@stinkyriderx]

I’m voting no on the rack! Keep slick, slick…

[@BestDamnShopAround]

That's what I'm thinking too

[@bonethang374]

How you liking the front end? Put them same coilover conversion kit on my 75 c10 2 years ago and still not sure I made the right choice. Sweet kit and all but the lower coilover mounting brackets are only about 2” off the floor if you like it low. I’m only on 27” tall tires though. Gotta read the road real good to say the least lol

[@BestDamnShopAround]

So far so good. You're right, they do hang lower and I was expecting. And the kit itself doesn't go nearly as low as I thought it would. I called them to see if this was correct and they said yes, if I wanted to go lower I had to buy a $4,000 subframe... I should have done more research first.

[@bonethang374]

Yeah my sentiments exactly lol. I think they made the crossmember to remedy this exact issue. But then your forced into a rack and pinion setup as well. I hated being on the bottom 3 threads of the coilover to get the look I wanted when they claimed I could drop the front 6 inches if I had it combined with 3 in drop spindles. I remember I was about to cut out their upper coilover mount and weld in a taller one to lift the whole assembly up higher off the ground and let the shock not be always below half travel. Got unmotivated though and now I’m just careful driving on the freeway lol. Best of luck to you man, that blazer is slick

[@BestDamnShopAround]

@@bonethang374 I agree with all that! Definitely don't agree that it's 6 in of drop. If it would go 1-in lower I would be happy. I dug through their website and found that they offer a shock that's one inch shorter and a spring with the same rate that's 2 in shorter. I called the tech line to see if that would be acceptable run and they said no. When I ask them why the only thing he could say was it would hit the bump stop, when I asked about shortening the bump stop he had no reply other than just buy the new subframe. Either way thanks for the support!

[@bonethang374]

I found the same shock, ds303 I believe. And yeah they offer a 7” spring with 650lb spring rate for the smaller shock. I called and asked the same thing and was told no it would alter geometry and you’d bottom out, just buy the new crossmember blah blah. We have the same coilovers, with the ride height I’m at, it’s at 11.25” eyelet to eyelet. I can’t understand how getting a smaller shock and spring and maintaining that 11.25” distance would alter geometry one bit. It’s the same exact ride height. Just a smaller shock that is set more in the middle of its travel range, as it should be. I think I’m just gonna do it, lol. New coilovers and springs is still a quarter the cost of their crossmember.

[@BestDamnShopAround]

@@bonethang374 I agree 100%! I plan on doing the same thing sooner than later, whoever does it first needs to report back how it works haha

[@simpleman1963]

What did you use to 2WD swap that front end? And FOR SURE use the rack. Just gives it more down home style to go with interior styling.

[@BestDamnShopAround]

I had a '85 C10 donor truck that I used all the parts from. If You look back at my playlist I have a few videos on the conversion!

[@simpleman1963]

Will definitely take a look! @@BestDamnShopAround

[@BestDamnShopAround]

@@simpleman1963 👍

[@johntoenjes8697]

What did you do to the rear suspension on the K5 blazer?

[@BestDamnShopAround]

We have a video on that, go back and check out the K5 playlist!

[@bajafishtaco]

What size tires are on those transport wheels?

[@BestDamnShopAround]

265 35 22 on the front and 285 35 22 on the rear

[@louisschaferjr.9623]

No rack

[@BestDamnShopAround]

That's what I'm thinking

[@douglaseconomy7238]

No roof rack doesnt look right on a blazer

[@BestDamnShopAround]

I think they look good on a 4wd but on a lowered 2wd it's kinda staring me in the face and I don't like it as much.

[@lonnymay3997]

Lose the roof rack, much cleaner look without it.

[@BestDamnShopAround]

That's what I'm thinking!