MG #44 - 40"s on a K5 Blazer, the lift and tires episode!

[@RL.13]

It has been 5 years since you uploaded the video, yet still there are not that many similar videos to it! Much appreciated

[@MerricksGarage]

You're welcome!

[@Marz-px6vx]

That is one bad ass k5 it is beautifuly done and it's not over done it's a good affordable offroad build. Awesome k5 good video.

[@BM205]

That's an awesome K5! I loved your body trim, it's always been something I enjoy doing to my trucks to clear the meat. I have an 86 K5 that's jus waitin for some love. If it looks half as good as yours someday I'll be smiling

[@doughboy1966]

Truck looks like a Baja 500 truck. I like the idea of the wrecking yard leaf springs and that you are keeping the leaf springs in the Blazer. Also like the idea of keeping the center of gravity close to stock height over a two foot tall lift.

[@joshuadibble8492]

I just got an 86 k5 and I've learned a lot by watching your videos

[@georgebl6501]

i was just watching this episode and you mentioned the tires, i found the 4weel parts store in chula vista usless, if you dont have a newer truck or a Jeep they dont have any advice or ways to help out, i have the 88 model, and slowly improving it, my budget is limited and my garage non existing, but still little bit at a time is moving forward, and your chanel is one of my go to channels on you tube, love your truck, keep upi the good work... see ya on the trails.....

[@bubbasmith4154]

Just got a 83 K5 and looking forward to doing a ton of mods,, thanks for all videos !! awesome truck !!

[@MerricksGarage]

Right on man. Glad you are diggin it

[@NickMcd8893]

I'm a jeep guy myself but i can't deny a great build when i see one well done man thanks for sharing.👍

[@ForOdin]

Suspension setup also has a lot to do with the kind of terrain you run, whether it's rocks, desert, or mud. As a mud guy, I want my truck up high, allowing me to go through deeper bogs and clearing the gaint tires often associated with mud boggers. Once I move to a state with better lift laws (Virginia only allows 24 inches to the lowest part of the frame), I will be adding a ton more suspension to my 77 K5. #k5mob #k5life #chevymilitia

[@BrowerBandit]

my Rig A 1982 Chevy K10 with a 6.0, I added a 3link to the front and i did Axle over the Rear because i found a truck that had a 6inch lift that was wrecked in the junk yard, im still on the 37's but ill be putting 42" on it soon.

[@trailrunnah8886]

Great looking Blazer! Great setup, too. I haven't owned a square body (73 K10 shorty) since I was a kid in the late 90's, and man do I miss it! Maybe it's an early mid life crisis coming on, or I just want to relive my youth, but I REALLY want to get another one. This time around though, I want a K5. I kind of always wanted one of those when I was a kid, even though I loved my pickup having the enclosed cargo area/extra seats would have been useful. I was searching "K5" and found this video, I just sub'd and am looking forward to watching the rest of your videos! I'm sure I'll get some great info that will help when I start looking to buy. They're hard t find I New England, but they're around. A buddy of mine just picked up a super clean '91 Ramcharger from down south, maybe I'll go that route. Would you recommend a certain year? As much as I like the 70's front clip, I'm thinking '88-91. I want EFI, and I believe 88 was the first year of the TBI? Thanks!

[@Neveragain1111-r4y]

I hope you got one

[@xthexadvantagex]

Loved that underbody shot of the front axle

[@joshuaatkins5197]

I know this is 4 years ago but I completely agree. I couldn't take my eyes off the steering linkage... Dang.

[@greatsouthernoverland]

Excellent and most informative. I am wanting to build a trail rig down in Aus, and watching this I have just decided on a Blazer. Thanks mate

[@dang2157]

I got an 87 last year and been really enjoying your videos! Planning for my build one day :)

[@ajaxracing]

Cutting sheet metal on a truck is my favorite part, I also believe using the lowest lift and biggest tires, I recently acquired a 83 GMC K30 1 ton dually 454 205 tcase turbo 400 d60 front 14bolt rear I plan on doing the shackle flip in the rear and running 56" spring up front with the 6in shackle(keeping the rear 1ton springs for towing) and running 37-40s if I can find them in E rating, anyways sweet K5

[@davidsandberg7631]

I agree with you but did not come to this knowledge until after I put a lift on my truck. Live and learn.

[@davidfirth9342]

I had a 4 inch with 44s boggers was tight

[@redhester5286]

very true , you can do a lot with leaf springs. great video

[@frankquintana3023]

Just got an 89 K5.Thank you for the great info!

[@kenstockman8494]

Well done. Video is really helpful. Ken

[@johnvon9268]

Good tips, even tho I DD/wheel a 92 yj .... It's a leaf suspension system.

[@The1GWP]

I did the TC 4'' soft ride on my '89 K5 to run 36' BFG AT's. It included all new springs, the originals were too far gone to use. But I splurged and got custom valved Bilstien 7100. I'm going to get to DIY4X4 shackle flip and hangers and am feeling those 40's! I put a ZZ4 in it that had some other stuff done so it's around 400ish hp and it smokes those 36's even with the 373 ratio.I think I'll be good for those 40's if not I want to put 1 ton axles under it anyways. But first I got to rebuild my transfer case.

[@Dean_Designs_RC]

Great video and love the detail on get just enough lift to clear the tires. On my 94 I have the least amount of lift for 37s and I cut the rest of the sheet metal out of the way

[@hectormiranda5036]

Another cool thing about these 14 bolt ff is that they come with a pinion pilot bearing.

[@rollinggreen5574]

Comes into my feed as we just had this discussion

[@ParkR84]

The K5 is getting better all the time! I still want to build an M1101 Trailer

[@867diesel]

Ryan Parker I've been wanting to build a camping trailer also and came across his and started getting ideas lol

[@867diesel]

Will do

[@867diesel]

Some people think stuff is made of gold lol

[@keithmedovich6889]

Nice Jeep recovery vehicle. 🤜💥🤛

[@jimmybrowning3822]

I'm also building a k5 myself and may use this setup

[@raymorales8755]

U are the k5 picasso bro. I will be looking in to this suspension for my blazer as well thanks for the info.

[@norrisleap6693]

You left out one of the most important and overlooked aspects of lifting a K5. Drive line angles. the K5's short wheelbase and corresponding short driveshafts make for a vibration prone ride when lifting. I'd be interested in your solutions to this problem.

[@miguelamartinez1411]

Your information has been very handy and practical to me. Thanks.

[@JohnnaMartywashere]

awesome video as always bud....thanks for the info, will be looking in my local junk yard for some springs for my 74 blazer!!!

[@jasoncordova7993]

How to fit 40's cut cut cut I made a s10 blazer fit 33s with no lift by trimming and welding up everything to look clean.

[@sandydennis8644]

I was wondering if or what you had to do about alignment? You may have discussed this in other videos. I'll take a look through them and see. I'm new to your channel and I love it so far. Great content and very informative!

[@duanewhite3184]

Look up off-road design they make a shackle flip kit That you can put on the rear end of your blazer 2 totally change The old Leave spring mount So that you can gain height And put on big tires And get rid of them dumb shackles Or at least Run smaller ones Check them out I got it all kinds of aftermarket parts

[@Sauhacksch]

Hi Merrick. ...you moved the front axle forward (1"!?) and run a high steer setup??? Do you run into clearance concerns between high steer drag link and pitman arm? How did you solve the problem? Thanks

[@MerricksGarage]

I had to change when I went to four link up front.

[@dannyhuston3779]

Hey man its me from the shell station, I'm subscribed, and you got a bad ass truck and Chanel man

[@ShermantankvideosBlogspot90078]

Where can I get that soft top its awesome

[@MerricksGarage]

softopper.com

[@Paul-d6t]

Entertaining, educational and fun videos. Thanks man. Keep up the great work.

[@endurotruckererniedesjardins]

Cool truck. I run a 88 bronco with f350 axles. bloody knuckle garage radius arms with skyjacker coils up front and Deaver long travel leafs out back 6inch lift . I cut the body in all the same places for clearance. I run 18x39.5x15 Boggers . 408windsor with a np435/np208 driveline. I made my own double wall driveshafts . also my bumper set up is nearly the same as what you run but tad different. I showed my wife the video .... she's like omg you have a evil chevy guy twin lmao. my bronco even runs a similar soft top. I cheaped out and use the yellow bilstien shocks.

[@CentralOregonSurvival]

Right on... Great principals behind your choices and really like the setup... Will have to see if I need straps, I have extended bump stops, but no straps. REALLY curious, did you use a CV drive line, or reweld your spring perches? I installed the drop brakes also, and my rear end is a about 110 degree's turned up, shims won't even get me back down. What did you do? Thanks

[@shawnmancebo1217]

Question, The 52 inch rears bolted in ok with the B52 brackets but did you need the 6 inch shakles? I have the ORD HD shakles new in a box when you added the 56 inch rears with the flip kit, did you have to do any mods or where you able to bolt it in with the curve of the spring? Also where you able to score those Ford shock bracket out of the wrecking yard ? been gather parts for a K5 build Thanks

[@MerricksGarage]

yes use 6" shackles up front and 6" shackles in the rear with the shackle flip. Offroad design now offers a tension shackle too that could be used. I have it on my Suburban build. Ford Shock towers are on Amazon

[@shawnmancebo1217]

Thanks yes I have the flip kit as well as the HD tension shakle from OFD , up front and rear im gathering parts and doing home work. Starting out with a bone stovk 87 k5. Thanks for the info !

[@shawnmancebo1217]

Hi James I'd like to build this stock k5 once and with understanding it will always evolve with never ending upgrades and new stuff, but im trying to draw a line in the sand to reach that first point, keeping in mind 3 things Fun Safe & Dependable With that some things on the list 1) 37 to max 40 inch Not worried about cutting trimming or bending Then all the other stuff Axles Gears Lockers Upgraded brakes Crossover steering Dual t-cases On and on and on I've gather some things but still buying, Watching your K30 get your upgrades and cool stuff , Its my time to start the build very close to getting my hands dirty! Thanks

[@noahskrzypczak5288]

Would this be a similar ride height with a 6in lift rather than a 4 in with flipped shackles? Or is it similar to a 4 in lift with the shackles flipped?

[@gorrheaddiesel]

Cool I have the same truck yours is better thx if I need help " advice " I'll ask gust found you KZbin yesterday still watching

[@zackarnold5993]

Sweet k5 working on mine as well keep it up

[@marcosierra1822]

Are those the hills off the toll road in Orange County? Trabuco Canyon?

[@v8felon]

Im subscribed this video so simple but hit every point awesome bro.

[@MerricksGarage]

Thanks for the sub!

[@wlliammartinez1538]

Great info for a first time 4x4 owner

[@kevineagles1919]

Why didn't you talk about the bracing this steering gear box or putting axles underneath that truck or bracing the frame itself

[@thedobermangang3503]

do you have to change your steering arm when you just do a 3" body lift i have a 1990 k5 blazer with 35x12 15" tires on it

[@stevenjaythelonerider899]

I have 37" on my 87 K5. I'm running 4:56 gears. Do you know if the MPH would be the same on the speedometer by changing to 40"? Thanks.

[@zososldier]

No. It won't. You will be off by like 5-7 mph around 70.

[@leevahal900]

Would you reccomend 40s on a 17 in wheel after rolling your K5 ?

[@MerricksGarage]

Yea. 💯

[@danielmclendon1879]

Hey James. I have just upgraded my axles and have been looking at new 8lug wheels. I really like the ones you used in the build and thought I might could find out from this video. What brand are those?

[@headlesnorseman701]

how did this ride going down the road with these spring/shock/wheel combo? im doing pretty much an identical build

[@MerricksGarage]

It was an awesome ride. I would remove the overload spring in the back though if I was to do it again

[@headlesnorseman701]

@@MerricksGarage thats good news. this is going to get driven to and from trails with passengers so i was curious about that. my jeep is barely driveable anymore so thats going to become a trailer queen very soon

[@MerricksGarage]

Well it’s not gonna handle like a race car, but I daily drove it

[@cumminskobi27]

If you get the DIY4x b52 kit, can you keep your stock steering? Or do you have to go to a high steer setup?

[@strakaestrada4868]

You got any video on your rear suspension set up.

[@mickeykreg]

what did you use to balance those 40's? glass beads? how do they behave at freeway speed?

[@edyanik]

how much back spacing should i have on my wheels with one ton axles and 40 inch tires?

[@MerricksGarage]

About 4”

[@robertmaxwell8086]

What mods did you do to the Speedo?

[@MerricksGarage]

It’s a gps Speedo.

[@rickavila3659]

Hi you have the best K-5 I have a Question so you still have the stock Brakes lines at the front ??

[@stevesixo2]

James I know this is a pretty old video but I was wondering what this set up gave for lift. I have a 4” spring lift now And don’t really want to go much higher. I do want to do this conversion but I’m curious about how tall the truck will be after. Great video.

[@White-Head]

Not a fan of cutting out fenders ,love the bottom of the truck at the top of the tire. My preference.

[@Mr420DEEZ]

Did you leave the overload in on your leaf springs

[@MerricksGarage]

I did. It did make them rather harsh. If I hadn't converted to links, I would have started the leaf tuning by pulling that overload off.

[@Mr420DEEZ]

@@MerricksGarage one last question, the rear 56" you have in this video are they the 8 pack 56"? thanks for all the info and the k5 content!

[@wacey2002]

Why would you get the driveshafts done before you finish your suspension?

[@slimindahoodsunshine8818]

with a tire size like that are you getting 2.5 ton axles? esp if you are off road?

[@guillermohuereca328]

BAD ASS!!! I need to do that to my k5, Thanks MG

[@danhall6267]

Hey Marty I know you had a video on your suspension on the K5 but I was wondering mine just caught fire here a couple weeks ago and I was wondering if it would be worth rebuilding or not give me your honest opinion what you think . Had to send a couple photos but this phone will not let me for some reason so you text me back I will send you some pictures of it

[@MerricksGarage]

Always worth saving.

[@joshuatrujillo686]

when are you gonna finish the engine swap series?

[@phillipcoxjr4213]

I like this setup same thing I am doing with my stepside. How does it ride on road like going through bends and stuff?

[@phillipcoxjr4213]

I am not afraid of a little bit of sway and what have you. Thanks for answering me.

[@phillipcoxjr4213]

Oh thay's cool. I have the stepside and a Cherokee I am getting ready to sell. Had race cars they always broke got tired of only driving them in nice weather.

[@hotrodpawns]

I am running 38's on mine, and didn't require any lift at all, of course mine is ex military vehicle.

[@xenonbrawler007]

Awesome video! I am close to having an 85 K5 and this video has gave me a ton of ideas. Where did you pick up that soft top?

[@eldelgarage5853]

Will Wilson i hava the same question Where did you pick up that soft top!?

[@blazeyk]

What is the back spacing on your rim?

[@Kf0-friend]

you have an some k5 but the only question I can think of is. was your front and rear driveshafts still stock length?

[@Kf0-friend]

will do

[@migueldeleon8086]

Good morning i have a question, lets see if you can help me with. I recently bought a lift kit but i got the 56" leaf springs on the back and im having problems aligning it and vibration. My question is did you move the front hanger and the back ass well and if so how much? I appreciate it if you can help me with this thanks.

[@MerricksGarage]

I didn't move the hangar on the back, but I did stretch out the front. are you using stock tension shackle in the back with blocks or?

[@migueldeleon8086]

@@MerricksGarage no block the new leaf springs are bent for 4" but i did move the back shackle about 4 inches and now i have alot of vibration only when i give it gas. And i don't know what happened

[@gregleblond6039]

good video and like the truck, not a big fan of trimming though.

[@rfeldtz]

Do you have any pics of how the diy 4x side steps are installed?

[@rfeldtz]

thx!

[@chrismiller6987]

What gears do you have in your axels to turn the 40's? I have factory 342 with 35's , but i have 488 to go in mine..

[@MerricksGarage]

4:56 but with an LS

[@chrismiller6987]

Ok, thanks for responding....I've just got a 305 TBI in my 87 Jimmy....factory 10 bolts with Spartan lockers, 6 inch lift, with cut out flares....you think I'll be ok, everyone says not to go bigger than 35's on 10 bolts? I just do mud and trails, no rock crawling or anything to extreme...

[@MerricksGarage]

You will blow up the 10 bolts if you Like to party.

[@halvorsta528]

Hey Merrick. What did you do with the ac/heater box? Did you remove the ac or was it only heater in your truck when you got it?

[@halvorsta528]

Ok, thanks

[@elss5336]

Awesome rig! I was hoping to ask a few quick questions(I apologize if you already answered these)1. Where the springs you used just factory ride height?2. You mentioned multiple option but how many shackles are the ones you have?3. When using the ford shock mounts up front did you have to get a longer travel shock for that?4. Do you have 4" total lift or 4" + the inches gained from the DIY4X gear?Thanks for all your videos. I'm using many of your ideas on my own build. Keep up the good work.

[@elss5336]

Wow! Thanks for the fast response! I wasn't expecting that. On your shocks, what travel length(size lift the recommend for the shock) did you find best? Was it different front to rear?

[@elss5336]

Perfect!! Thanks for that. It's an 86 K5. That's why your post have been so helpful. Lol

[@towtruckdriver1000]

Can you do the same spring swap on the pickups as well?

[@zososldier]

Yes. The frames are all the same. They are just longer to fit the wheel base

[@johndoe-bc3tc]

curious on the light bar behind the grille. I wanted to do the same bt u have to cut or remove what looks like a radiator support that's right in the center. I was scared of weakening the front cap. how did u do it and have u noticed any weakening of the front???

[@MerricksGarage]

Yea cut a ton out. Yea it is more flexy but I built some supports to reinforce it.

[@johndoe-bc3tc]

Merricks Garage thanks for the reply and feed back. I have a 88 v10 burb with the billet grill 4inch lift with shackles in the front and a block in the back. Nothing fancy bt I'm tucking 38x15.50s with a lil trim still rubs a lil bt it's just a toy.

[@johndoe-bc3tc]

Added a pick to my profile bt not sure if it's showing up. I call her Big Bertha! Lol

[@robbyphillips316]

Hey man! Met you at a chevron a few weeks back off the 395. Sweet channel btw...So I've been looking into new springs. I've done the bilsteins a while ago, great investment. But I'm still trying to soften the ride a bit. Don't want to haul ass through the desert, although it would be nice it's not in the budget. Are you familiar Deaver springs and do you think it's worth the money? Plus if I do it this way I'll have a true 6 inch lifted spring as opposed to blocks underneath stock springs. Pros/cons?

[@jeremywalker2460]

What year is your k5?

[@MerricksGarage]

all of them!

[@LightsOutPredatorRemoval]

What do you do for a living?

[@78squarebodyjimmy10]

Bitch'in truck. I want to get the same shackle flips for my truck. Which ones are they? so I can order the correct ones from diy4x. My truck is currently lifted 4" , 78 gmc jimmy 4x4

[@elijahcbr6009]

are you running weights or balancing beads on your wheels? im welding my beadlocks on my steel procomps and was wondering about balancing

[@elijahcbr6009]

Right on thanks. Just finished my beadlocks. And went with ez beads.

[@Carman-2012]

Clean k5 👍

[@allenzanellato4341]

I'm going to do the same lift and tire size

[@doubleeeee1531]

Hey bro who made ur rear bumper and spare tire set up?? Thanks erik

[@MerricksGarage]

Made by a company called www.diy4x.com

[@Hostility1812]

Looks like a decent company I just checked them out.

[@MerricksGarage]

More than decent. They are awesome. Couldn’t have built my truck without DIY4X

[@quicfix3595]

Do they make long travel suspension for 80s k5 blazers

[@MerricksGarage]

yup. Search the rest of the my channel

[@zososldier]

Yeah. If you want links up front, check out offroad designs. There are also a few places that will do triangulated 4 links for the back.

[@jguti329]

Thanks for another great vid. Your mods are sensible and functional. Very helpful.

[@rheath1995]

I gotcha by 4 inches on the tires but yours is ALOT cleaner XD very nice build man

[@MerricksGarage]

four inches is a lot! Thats what she said

[@rheath1995]

@@MerricksGarage hahaha thought you might like that XD

[@DoctorLandRover]

Merricks Garage sadly she didn’t say that

[@jacobellis8135]

great video! I really like the idea of using your rears up front and getting new rears from a junk yard setup. I'm currently running the stock 2 leaf design but would like around a 4 inch lift. I'm thinking about trying what you've done but was curious about ride quality. I'm not a major rock crawler but "off-roading" to me is more than just a dirt road. how much wheel travel and articulation do you think you got out of this setup? any help you can give would be greatly appreciated.

[@endurotruckererniedesjardins]

Jacob Ellis I have a buddy who runs rear leafs up front. totally ride better then the stock leafs. this trick also works on older leaf sprung Toyota straight Axle trucks and 4 runners. again Axle moves forward 1.5 inches and softer ride with more flex.

[@jacobellis8135]

Ernie Desjardins thank you.

[@fidotru7091]

Can u put 56" springs in the front

[@fidotru7091]

Merricks Garage thank u

[@paullemke5915]

What axles are you running?

[@anchaanbecerra4769]

Alguna posibilidad de subtitular en español soy de chile saludos

[@powerstrokeoverland9914]

what size tire(width/rim diameter)? where did you get them?

[@powerstrokeoverland9914]

Merricks Garage thanks, I'm looking to get 40x13.5x18 yours look good but I have 11inch lift what was price of tires?

[@jimmybrowning3822]

I like the setup what year is your blazer?

[@MerricksGarage]

87.... originally. Not really anymore. Lol

[@mikefowler1313]

running same tire....great value

[@Sathalina]

Are those load range E tires?

[@adrianlaverick8040]

Sathalina they are D load range but if I remember correctly each tire can hold 3800+lbs at max psi, which is more than enough for most towing applications

[@TheLukeduke90]

so 6" lift total 4 shackle flip 1" from shackle and 1" ez inch

[@DeaconMofoJones]

Thanks! This is super helpful.