Building a K5 Blazer!?? Follow these fundamentals!

I get a couple emails a day asking to take a look at a build sheet, or offer my opinions on an upgrade. I decided with a recent email to answer as much as I can on video so that more could benefit.
Hope this answers questions for those of you out there starting or wrapping up or in the middle of your builds!
If you found this helpful, take a look over at my Patreon page and consider a small donation to help me keep making these videos!
@sgarage
Gear, merch, and parts all over on www.merricksgarage.com
If there is some item or product you saw in this video, it is more than likely to be found in either my Amazon Store or if it is a Milwaukee Tool over on Acme Tools
www.amazon.com/shop/jwmerrick
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Daily updates on the Instagram:
bit.ly/MerricksGarageInstagram
Link to the seat bracket mounts for late model GM third row for your Blazer!
www.merricksgarage.com/new-pr...

[@JAMESLAFaette]

I’m working on a 78’ blazer, I’m glad to see another blazer build that is more grounded and not a ridiculously over the top build. Keep up the good work, I’m excited to see where it goes!

[@KalPetkoffJangoz]

James, thank you for all the work you do! It is appreciated.

[@bradruiz9461]

Great video sir... very knowledgeable helps me get a better view and direction on my build...

[@unclebob540i3]

Doing all that to your steering go remote reservoir and add a cooler. Slip Yoke eliminator is an absolute must even with the stock height! Great video, very to the point and informative.

[@MerricksGarage]

Good call!

[@jeremysmith3556]

If you only have 35s or 33s like me, you may even be better off just regearing the 10 bolt. I lucked out with the 1990 version with 30 spline axles and rebuilt it with 456 gears and a locker, as a mostly stock setup with a tbi 350 I couldn't be happier no need for a 14 bolt I've been driving it everyday for a few years now lightweight and efficient 👍👍

[@MerricksGarage]

This is an awesome point. I bang on about Dana 60s and tons because I run big tires on rock trails. You don’t NEED tons for everything.

[@jerryrodriguez7261]

Same here ,i bought a 86 Jimmy. Had 456 gears and Detroit lockers already installed. Works fine for 35s ,mainly a beach fishing rig

[@deegan727]

I have a an 89 K5 on 4” lift 325/60r18 (33.4 x 13 x 18). I will be keeping my gm10s till I blow the rear with my LS swap. I’ve put previous gm10s through hell and have seen many others do it as as well. Avoiding tremendous torque loads are key. Applying too much power while trying to get over an obstacle or having a lot of wheel speed coming to an abrupt stop on an obstacle. A well built gm10 can be good to a point. Huge tires,huge power and hard core use I’d say upsizing is needed. I did have 37s, lockers, 4.56s in a sm465 k10, never broke them.

[@elijahcbr6009]

Awsome, good work,This was one of the best and most informative videos you have.looking forward to more like this, and of coarse full size invasion coming up soon.

[@MerricksGarage]

Thanks homey! How is that Dana 60 coming along?

[@elijahcbr6009]

@@MerricksGarage got all my parts except calipers and rotors. Gonna start tearing it down in 2 weeks. I have every other part for the blazer, so it's just going to snow ball from there.!! Looking forward to getting out on the trail with you guys.👊

[@MerricksGarage]

Get after it. Been too long!!!

[@kylewest100]

On my suburban I’m looking to do the I guess the ultimate bolt on suspension. Gonna do ORD springs front and back with 3-4 inches of lift and the new curved shackles and heavy duty brackets front and back but I will be getting the MOAD front bumper so I can have my springs pushed forward 2inches so I can hopefully run 35’s or 37’s without cutting to much out of the backside of the fender. My first fab project is gonna be rock sliders and anti wrap bar.

[@kylewest100]

@Roach 4x4 I’m going to have to talk to ORD to make sure they are ordered correctly

[@MerricksGarage]

Yea that’s what I am doing on my burb. Speaking from experience their leaf springs are next level!

[@BenLeBlanc1]

Different question. Regardless of body style, what era would you suggest really building? Advance design all the way through OBS or even cat eye chevys? I had a squarebody and the solid axles were nice, but I hated the OEM/ LMC truck replacement plastics

[@ktmkeith13]

Love It

[@rjohnson5972]

Fram support i hope they are doing the steering gear box , also with the sway bar disconnect from ord a person can do both .but overall good video 🙂👍

[@jeremiahdenner5203]

Merrick great video and a huge amount of info here. What is your thoughts on ORD springs vs. running 52’s up front and street ability?

[@adrianlaverick8040]

The longer the spring the smoother rid you can get out of it. That's why the OEMs went to 64ish length leaf packs. My recommendation is get ORD to build you custom springs in the 52in length for the front and 56in length for the rear.

[@truspirit1925]

I've had great luck with gm corporate...I've ran 44" monster murders for over 10 years ...14 bolt 456 Detroit locker....when your in 4x4 u just have to drive like u got your marbles....and not alot of HP....I've only broke 2 axle joints in about 12 years of offroading...

[@scottthejeepguy7499]

Thanks for the helpful tips

[@k2mslskier]

Tried to do the XJ shaft conversion in my 76 K20 but the output shaft on my steering box was too big. Maybe only works on newer style boxes.

[@MerricksGarage]

Hmm. Good feedback

[@johnnycannon1707]

I need da purchase one of yer spar tire carrier

[@dustintownsend7810]

How long will a 454 hold up with the stock rear if your not trying to kill it I have a 88 jimmy I did the Yukon upgraded axles and gears jus 373s I haven't had a problem with it since I did that but that was with the 350 jasper engine I was wondering if it brakes ill fix it but was jus a question

[@artemusgordon3832]

I like the year of k5 blazer you have is it a 92? I have a 85 k5 I would like to convert the grill to later style like yours. currently going to install 75 4 bolt main 350,also installed a turbo 400

[@oscardimasrodriguez7184]

Do you have a recommended roof rack that fits a 1979 jimmy for mounting an awning and roof tent?

[@dustintownsend7810]

It's on 35s with a 5 inch tuff country lift

[@adamweiss7381]

How are you getting around the smog requirements on these builds? I would love a 6BT conversion on my campmobile some day. Keep the sweet content coming...love your channel

[@BillyBoB_508]

In my case you take a diesel vinned truck and run a gasser engine. Smog exempt here in cali.

[@tonyvickers8659]

The rag joint takes out the vibration from the road in the wheel so your hands and arms don't feel fatigued. if yours is worn out, just replace it. RockAuto has a well-made replacement. www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=3025791&cc=1408317&jsn=1392 Took me a long time to find a good replacement. So I've bought a few to have around. Another thing people don't often think about when building their trucks to be stronger, is engineering something in the driveline to break. In most cases, it's cheaper to replace the u-joints than an axle, or driveshaft, or a transfer case. Food for thought.

[@MerricksGarage]

Yes. This. I run 1350 in my drive lines as I want that to be the “fusible link” in my power train.

[@jeromeburrasca6710]

Great videos! What’s your thoughts on using ORIs instead of King Coilovers?

[@MerricksGarage]

Depends on what you are wheeling. If you are in rocks and low speed they are great. If you do higher speed stuff and more desert than the coils handle the heat better.

[@jeromeburrasca6710]

Merricks Garage That’s what I thought. I haven’t seen any videos on ORIs in regards to their temperature performance for Prerunning. I like their simplicity for crawling though. Thanks Broseph!! :)

[@chrisleon774]

Any ideas on which traction bar I should use for my ‘88 k5 on 35’s? Still running a 10 bolt in the rear.

[@MerricksGarage]

Go check out the Wraptor from DIY4X

[@cinelli07]

Ive got a 73 k20 running 37s. What can i do to make the 44 stronger? I only drive on dirt roads, not hard off roading.

[@KuusFaddah_44]

I have a truck an a whole lot of Dana 60s an Dana 44s ready to play come to hawaii bro I got a truck you can start up with ..🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽

[@jeromeburrasca6710]

What’s your thoughts on a F350 4x4 regular cab 6.2 gasoline engine pickup as a starting platform for a full-size Rock crawler???? It’s got 1 ton axles, 730lbs lighter engine than the diesel and the shortest wheelbase for a one ton truck.

[@MerricksGarage]

Sounds like a killer foundation!

[@jeromeburrasca6710]

Merricks Garage I’m surprised more people don’t start with one. Don’t you think it would be a lot easier and cost effective than starting from scratch? What am I missing?

[@MerricksGarage]

Nostalgia and sentimentality.

[@jeromeburrasca6710]

Merricks Garage True, I love a built Suburban or Blazer, but I’d like to get a lot more seat time rock crawling then wrenching. Strong, reliable and relatively light weight in comparison for the components it has.

[@captainflatbed.7927]

Just acquired an ‘80 jimmy w/454 an it’s a rolling project BARELY. It’s gonna be a complete frame up build when all said an done gotta figure out what direction I want to go. But big HP big tires kinda pulling my attention lol

[@MerricksGarage]

I don’t think there is any other way you really can go….lol

[@30aught6]

I'm having a hell of a time trying to find headers for my 1990 gmc suburban 4x4 2500 with a swapped 454, thus my problem. I find that the 90's didn't come with 454's so there's no cross reference. Can I just order 1987 4x4 2500 454 headers? A lot of company's want to know also....

[@mesanders1113]

They should fit in my honest opinion they didn't change much as far as the accessories drive and the steering box shaft.

[@rjohnson5972]

And I agree Dana 60 is not always the best choice. Especially if a lot of the trails you do have a lot of sand or mud I like to keep my front ends as light as personally I like Dana 44 with chrome alloy inner drive axles

[@cinelli07]

What company makes chromoly for the 44?

[@bradruiz9461]

Would a RCV axle upgrade be a good investment to replace stock u joint axles on a Dana44

[@MerricksGarage]

depends on what your objectives are. Would kill two birds with one stone, but isn't a cheap upgrade.

[@bradruiz9461]

Dont do any extreme 4 wheeling its more a hunting truck but I do want the dependability when I need it.... just want to know your opinion sir....

[@christophercordasco1739]

Are you on the CK5 forums?

[@MerricksGarage]

I am but very rarely

[@mt_shoots8918]

Loving the channel so far but i feel like im hearing the hint of an accent. if so what is it and whats the history there?

[@MerricksGarage]

English. Moved to states as child.

[@mt_shoots8918]

@@MerricksGarage Oh thats awesome, i was totally off thinking German. Great stuff keep up the content. I just started getting into this as i came into a 77 k5 for dirt cheap

[@truedeadman]

the Cherokee is an XJ

[@MerricksGarage]

I was right!!

[@truedeadman]

@@MerricksGarage yup

[@jacob51024]

What is a psc box

[@MerricksGarage]

PSC steering box. PSC is the company

[@bradywilliams2666]

40's on a D44? Great for the mall. That's about it.

[@MerricksGarage]

And cars and coffee!!!

[@BillyBoB_508]

Merrick i love your videos,but after a while of listening to you I just hear "you are a poor bastard,turn off youtube."

[@MerricksGarage]

? Is that bad or good? Not sure what you mean

[@BillyBoB_508]

@@MerricksGarage means after a while of watching you and your beasts,i end up annoyed with myself that I'm not able to do more with mine. Keeps me grinding harder and harder everyday. Much love from cen cal

[@juanfo7307]

Hear you Bob hustle and the grind

[@MapleBar777]

A little constructive criticism if you're open to it. Treat the camera like a face. Distance yourself like you would if you were actually talking to someone right where the camera is. When you're that close, it can cause anxiety and in some cases dizziness for viewers. It triggers some weird natural instincts we have built into our body language. If you don't believe me, try the 3 minute nonverbal eye contact test. It's a total mind F.

[@juanfo7307]

First step is to buy the most overpriced clapped out rusted furthest away pos you can possibly find. After replacing every single last nut and bolt 200 years and zillions of moneys later you can drive it around town grinding your teeth in horror of whatever washer you overlooked catastrophically blows out in the next instant.

[@MerricksGarage]

ha ha. Sounds like you have some experience!

[@johngonsoulin7413]

spot on