Skip to content

K5 (expensive) upgrade

  1. buckallred Member Joined: October 2016
    #122 Jul 2022, 11:00 AM
    PXL_20220722_183722574.jpgPXL_20220722_183738580.MP_.jpgPXL_20220722_183747352.jpgPXL_20220722_183814885.jpgPXL_20220722_183819742.jpgFiled under "bette

    Filed under "better late than never:"

    -14 bolt full floater rear axle with Detroit locker

    -Dana 60 front axle w/ARB air locker

    -5.38 gearing

    Longer front drive shaft, new steering gearbox, new shocks & springs, shackle flip kit in the rear, new hubs and everything else to build and install the axles, five new rims since everything is 8 lug now, an unbelievable amount of expensive hardware, on and on and on. But it's done!

    I got some pretty strict rules about breaking in the gears / differential. Take it very easy for 500 mi. Drive it a little bit and let it cool all the way down. Then change out the fluid.

    Amazing how different the vehicle feels and drives. I expected it to be tighter, but it's way tighter and just very different. I sort of white knuckled it from the shop in Auburn (Rock Hound off-road) home to Folsom/EDH.

    So I need to drive it a little more, but the steering did scare me a little bit. It almost felt like there was a lag between turning the steering wheel and the wheels actually turning. It may be some factor of the gearbox and everything being brand new. But I might take it by Les Schwab or similar to have them confirm that everything with the steering is in good order.

    Then, I'll be ready to humiliate all you Jeep owners on the trail. Just kidding, I'll probably still be my usual mall crawling wuss self.

    • PXL_20220722_183722574.jpg
    • PXL_20220722_183738580.MP_.jpg
    • PXL_20220722_183747352.jpg
    • PXL_20220722_183814885.jpg
    • PXL_20220722_183819742.jpg
    Buck & Katie
  2. Dale Clement Member Joined: June 2015
    #222 Jul 2022, 12:03 PM

    Hey Buck,I’m super stoked to hear about your blazer getting all the upgrades. You are going to love the lockers and the 5.38 gears! After I put them in my truck it made a huge difference.I was unstoppable until I rolled it lol. I was just trying to show those Jeep guys how it’s done.😀

    Dale Clement
  3. Jeff_R Member Joined: October 2016
    #322 Jul 2022, 12:19 PM

    Nice upgrades Buck! If you want to upgrade the body talk to Dale.

    Jeff and Kathy Root
  4. Lynda and Guy Member Joined: June 2021
    #422 Jul 2022, 1:51 PM

    Nice!!!
    Did you have the work done at a shop on E Bidwell? I thought I saw ur big ole rig parked at a shop there?!!!

    L

    👧
    "No beans!"
  5. buckallred started this Member Joined: October 2016
    #522 Jul 2022, 11:23 PM
    Lynda and Guy said Nice!!!

    Did you have the work done at a shop on E Bidwell? I thought I saw ur big ole rig parked at a shop there?!!!

    L

    👧

    Oh that's the suburban. A sore subject... Complete electrical shutdown. Hopefully I'll get that sorted out at some point...

    Buck & Katie
  6. Dale Clement Member Joined: June 2015
    #623 Jul 2022, 3:21 AM
    DA924B2E-FA55-4346-83B5-388B3349A7A3.jpegJeff_R said Nice upgrades Buck! If you want to upgrade the body talk to Dale.

    If he likes the multicolored truck he can come see me

    • DA924B2E-FA55-4346-83B5-388B3349A7A3.jpeg
    Dale Clement
  7. Nubby Webmaster K6NUB Joined: February 2018
    #723 Jul 2022, 4:53 AM

    Sounds like a prairie city run!

    Jamie & Damaris
  8. Gilbert & Betty Member Joined: September 2014
    #823 Jul 2022, 7:24 AM

    IT'S ALIVE, IT'S ALIVE... IT LIVES AGAIN 😂

  9. buckallred started this Member Joined: October 2016
    #925 Jul 2022, 6:48 AM

    Alive, but still projects remain: the speedo says I am going 100 MPH when I am going like 35, so I get to figure out replacing the speedometer "drive gear" in the transfer case and the "driven gear" on the speedo cable (the correct number of teeth, etc etc). While I'm at it, I am going to install an aftermarket vehicle speed sensor, which hopefully will get the check engine light to stop randomly popping on.

    Not rocket science, but it does not take much to exceed my pathetic abilities (and extreme lack of time and patience!).

    Buck & Katie
  10. Sloguy Member Joined: June 2019
    #1025 Jul 2022, 6:57 AM

    Seems the Blazer is identifying with a Corvette.

Sign in to post here.