The attention to detail on this K5 Blazer build is insane!!

[@PBoss-bx4lv]

I am glad this video popped up. I saw this truck in another video and stopped saying, that what I've been after in my head. The K5 I am building is since a dear friend passed away. I inherited it from the family. I have been after this same look and purpose to wheel and camp. Mine is a white 91 with 12v cummins swap.

[@omarcovarrubias9486]

What a sweet K5! I’ve been watching that cool rig drive by my home since we moved in about 10 years ago. Carl so happy to see you featured on Merricks Garage! Can’t wait to join you guys.

[@carlsandvik2893]

Thanks Omar! We need to get one of your collection up there on the trail!!!

[@CavanalK5]

Heck yeah! Love following Carl’s K5 on his Instagram and the Facebook groups 🤘🏼

[@carlsandvik2893]

Thanks!!!! Good to see you on here!

[@martinzepeda8298]

Very nice K5. I owned a 1973 K5 in the early 80s and loved it, after 9 Jeeps I think it's time to go back to a K5.

[@carlsandvik2893]

Do it! Love the second gen K5s, the front clip is the best! Thanks for the kind words!

[@MerricksGarage]

Sweet 89 Blazer build from my good friend Carl. What are some of the build ideas you are gonna steal?!?

[@MrFlavorade]

Merricks Garage rock bar/switch panel/late model AAM🧐 love it!

[@Twicetwisted]

Is that a custom rear bumper or is that a company that sells them I have a cucv m1009 blazer I'm trying to find one for

[@carlsandvik2893]

@@Twicetwisted hey, that is a DIY4X “Gauntlet” rear with a personalized tire carrier. Unfortunately, the shop shut down this past year.

[@nickbible1134]

I just bought k5 about two months ago 33s 4 inch lift and this gives me so many ideas

[@DXFXmc]

Mind blowing!! Awesome blazer...BEAST!!💪🤐🤐😷

[@carlsandvik2893]

Thanks!!! It's been a journey!!!

[@trevin1691]

Great Blazer👍 love the content and video quality ! flipping awesome place for the back up lights!

[@carlsandvik2893]

Thanks!

[@carlsandvik2893]

Thanks for the walk around James! what an awesome time up in Big Bear wheeling with you and the group. As discussed, I've "borrowed shamelessly" from your channel for years and appreciate the inspiration I've gotten from watching what you have done with your K5. I'm way more confident in doing the work based on what I've seen on yours and other channels! Keep up the great work!

[@carlsandvik2893]

@deathcarry Thanks!!! I had to remove the vacuum module/vent on the passenger side, due to the A pillar, but I'm pretty sure I could have sorted that if I planned better. I replaced it with a manual vent out of a CUCV and it works better than the vacuum controlled vent... I've not put all the original vents in, but I think they will still work. I'm going to go aftermarket A/C in the future and most likely a custom dash, so I have not really planned that out. Sorry I can't help you more with a better answer.

[@wesleyfarina]

hey carl..your k5 is sweet nice work man I have a 81 jimmy. I have a couple questions Where did you get your braidedBrake lines from and And what kind of locker are you running up front.? Have a good day man Wes

[@carlsandvik2893]

@ hey Wes, thanks! ORD (Offroad Design) for the brake line kits, various lengths available. Eaton e-locker in the front, I love it.

[@wesleyfarina]

Right on, thanks, Carl. I was looking to buy a lunch box locker in the front. My truck's almost done.Can't wait to drive it.I would love for James to build me a roll cage.But I live on vancouver island bc canada

[@nickg7827]

U know this dude has an excel spreadsheet with his inventory on it at home lol ...awesome build!

[@carlsandvik2893]

How did you know, did I share with you... Haha! Like I said, I may be a little anal retentive... Thanks!!!

[@MerricksGarage]

Lol mine is a whiteboard!

[@LivingOnCash]

Man, this is a nice build. Love the H2 Hummer wheels too! It's inspiring me to get working on my '79 Blazer. I'm running a mild 350 and 4 speed manual trans on stock axles with 35's. Debating whether to upgrade axles or just re-gear and add lockers.

[@carlsandvik2893]

Thanks!!! You're at the point of no return, hahaha! If you're going to re-gear and add lockers, It may be time to upgrade. I never had problems with my 89 10-bolts, but they were 30 spline (comparable to D44) where the older ones are not as strong. You can get a late model 14 Bolt for a song, but the Dana 60 is a challenge anymore, but a 44 or 89-91 10-Bolt can be built if you don't do serious rock crawling and do some mello off-roading. Just saying. (Watch, I'm going to get blasted here...) Build it for what you do.

[@rite2beararms]

No blasting here. ☝️This is pretty much spot on. I used to do alot of wheeling and had more hp than my axles could handle. Probably broke 3 rear diffs to the 1 front stub axle I broke. That's why they still run D44's with 8 lugs on 3/4 tons. If you're staying with 35s, your front diff could be re geared and you'd be fine. The problem is the jump to 8 lug axles, and how expensive it gets. (New wheels, axles, tires, and everything else) Enter the heavy half diff! I've built two of these and never had one fail. These were offered in the gmt400's, I want to say 92'-98'?? Not too sure on how long they ran them. They're a 6 lug axle, 14 bolt center section, semi floater. 9.5" ring gear. VERY strong axle. Not a full floater, but the best compromise when wanting to stay 6 lug. You'll have to relocate shock mounts, and maybe spring perches too, but it's easy.

[@RichardCraniumn]

Sick build....laughed way to hard at his entrance to the video. Too good. Hahahaha

[@ChevyK5blazer]

Thanks for posting , gave me inspiration to get back on my 90. Time for a new motor . I guess I'm just gonna rebuild this block. Unless I find a good deal on a totalled LS somewhere

[@MerricksGarage]

YES! Get after it slacker!!

[@ChevyK5blazer]

I'm Still tring to find a money tree

[@YENKOGT]

That interior was so cool.. all those gadget's

[@tonyvickers8659]

Great Rig! It's nice to see doing an axle swap with disc brakes, the option of having a braking brake is still there. NOT having a parking brake puts much strain on the little detent in the transmission.

[@carlsandvik2893]

Totally agree! That's why I went with the 03 Silverado HD axle. BUT... I have to hook up my parking brake cables still. :( Oh, and rear bump stops... argh

[@MerricksGarage]

I was gonna ask you about the axle. I am leaning that direction for the suburban. Is there a Detroit in yours?

[@carlsandvik2893]

Merricks Garage I have the Yukon mechanical locker, so basically yes!

[@montesamapping]

Spectacular!!

[@wkeil1981]

dream k5

[@jameshall4385]

beautiful rig. i love it. someday my 89 will be that tricked out. all i need is time and money. i have very little of both.

[@carlsandvik2893]

Keep at it James. Time and money is precious! Thanks for the kind words. My axle swap project took me 3 years and still have a few tweaks to do until i finish. Thanks again and just do one or two things a day!

[@MerricksGarage]

Nailed it. Never stop working

[@justanotherjeep]

Go go gadget Blazer!!!

[@carlsandvik2893]

haha!!!! you know it.

[@J-dizzle2021]

😅😅😅

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Sick build @Merricks Garage

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Great video James @Merricks Garage

[@Carman-2012]

Sweet k5 😎

[@MerricksGarage]

It’s awesome in person.

[@elderkd]

Love to know where that center console setup came from, especially where all the switches were.

[@MerricksGarage]

I believe it is a Tuffy Console that Carl modified with the switch panel.

[@jerredwayne8401]

Goals. I'm currently just trying to find pre bent brake lines for my blazer. Had an uh oh removing the master cylinder earlier

[@MerricksGarage]

Don’t worry about prebent. You can bend them yourself using a soda can or soup can etc to form the bends. Just take your time and it won’t kink. You can make them more custom and still isolate vibration

[@jerredwayne8401]

@@MerricksGarage do you know off the top of your head the size of the smaller line to the master cylinder?

[@carlsandvik2893]

@@jerredwayne8401 I think it's 9/16-16 the larger one is 1/2-10 - pretty sure....

[@americamike9214]

Awesome!

[@carlsandvik2893]

I wish my rig was as clean as yours... and I had your motor!

[@omnivacationrentals7572]

We’re Can I find a rear bumper like that?

[@gilbertlucero1427]

Nice 😇

[@carlsandvik2893]

Thanks!!!

[@g4offroad673]

What axles did you use or from what donor truck? I have a 90 Jimmy.

[@MerricksGarage]

The front is a Dana 60 GM kingpin and the rear is a Corp 14. Both can be found in all sorts of places.

[@carlsandvik2893]

D60 is a conversion from an 1982 K30 dually. The rear is a AAM 14b FF from a 2004 GM 2500 HD.

[@SunshineRoadYearRoundRVPark]

Info on those rock sliders? Home made or are they from a company? Thanks.

[@MerricksGarage]

Pretty sure they are from DIY4x

[@DanielTheBoone]

Any info on the switch and gauge panel around the 4wd shifter? I would love to recreate that.

[@carlsandvik2893]

@@DanielTheBoone hey there, sorry I didn’t see this. It’s just something I mocked up with cardstock and made out of sheet aluminum. It was the first aluminum spool gun welding project for me. I’ve since sold it as I upgraded to Switchpros.

[@DanielTheBoone]

@carlsandvik2893 I appreciate the functionality of it with our a bunch of extra garbage. I thought it was homemade but I thought I would ask. Thanks!

[@cartherapywithharperpeters7013]

How did he find a hydroboost brake system for $300? I’m definitely wanting to go that way.

[@carlsandvik2893]

Hydroboost pedal on ebay, 25 bucks. Ordered new MC and Hydro booster from Rock Auto for an 89 K5 Diesel along with the lines. used brass fittings from Home Depot for low pressure return lines. Was just under 300 bucks. Got a donor Hydroboost for the piston rod at a junk yard and sold the booster for more than I paid. All good!!!

[@MerricksGarage]

Yes. That’s the secret right there. Half the stuff on my truck was either traded for, pulled from a junkyard or bought off craigslist! Ha ha

[@Righteousresponse]

4” lift with 35” tires?

[@carlsandvik2893]

@righteous response it's about a 6" lift at this point (give or take) and yes, 35s. Should have gone 37s!

[@Strizzle81]

@@carlsandvik2893 great build. 37s would look good...you have the room. What diff gearing are you running?

[@carlsandvik2893]

@@Strizzle81 Hey Mat, thanks for the comment! I just upgraded to Dirty Life beadlocks and 37s about two weeks ago. I have to do some front trimming, but there was negligible difference noticed with my 4:56s. Long term, we will see what I do with gearing after I swap a 6.0 LQ4 in... :)

[@swissarmychainsawadams9541]

What front shock mount is Carl running on his K5?

[@MerricksGarage]

I am not sure but I would guess he is running the Ford Shock Towers

[@jamessawyer8744]

This boy said "how the hell do you manage three daughters" with that wow 😅

[@michaelrasmussen426]

I mean real shit...🤕

[@nickcabral7622]

Hey Merrick, what size lift and tires is he running on that blazer?

[@LScout800]

He said 4 inch and 35s I think.

[@Luke-jw6zn]

I bet hes a machinist, makes sense.

[@carlsandvik2893]

Haha! wanna be fabricator... I'm an IT guy, thus all the tech James makes fun of me for!

[@LScout800]

How big of a tire? They only look like a 35?

[@carlsandvik2893]

Yup, 35s. Should have gone 37s - could use the diff clearance, even with the 14b Shave, and some more sidewall on the 17" wheels...

[@LScout800]

@@carlsandvik2893 how are those Patagonias working out for you? I have been looking at them as they are really cheap, and I have heard some good things about them.

[@carlsandvik2893]

@@LScout800 Sorry for the delay. I really like the tire. the grip is awesome, quiet on the road and fairly good manners. I run them about 3-5lbs higher than i've ran other tires for highway speed, especially when I have gear loaded.

[@johnclark6751]

Awesome!

[@carlsandvik2893]

Thanks John!!!