It has been 5 years since you uploaded the video, yet still there are not that many similar videos to it! Much appreciated
@MerricksGarage
2 жыл бұрын
You're welcome!
@Marz-px6vx
5 жыл бұрын
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
4 жыл бұрын
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
@joshuadibble8492
6 жыл бұрын
I just got an 86 k5 and I've learned a lot by watching your videos
@doughboy1966
7 жыл бұрын
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.
@NickMcd8893
5 жыл бұрын
I'm a jeep guy myself but i can't deny a great build when i see one well done man thanks for sharing.👍
@bubbasmith4154
6 жыл бұрын
Just got a 83 K5 and looking forward to doing a ton of mods,, thanks for all videos !! awesome truck !!
@MerricksGarage
6 жыл бұрын
Right on man. Glad you are diggin it
@trailrunnah8886
7 жыл бұрын
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!
@joshpeterson7216
9 ай бұрын
I hope you got one
@georgebl6501
5 жыл бұрын
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.....
@xthexadvantagex
7 жыл бұрын
Loved that underbody shot of the front axle
@joshuaatkins5197
3 жыл бұрын
I know this is 4 years ago but I completely agree. I couldn't take my eyes off the steering linkage... Dang.
@kenstockman8494
2 жыл бұрын
Well done. Video is really helpful. Ken
@ForOdin
6 жыл бұрын
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
@ajaxracing
7 жыл бұрын
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
7 жыл бұрын
I agree with you but did not come to this knowledge until after I put a lift on my truck. Live and learn.
@davidfirth9342
4 жыл бұрын
I had a 4 inch with 44s boggers was tight
@frankquintana3023
3 жыл бұрын
Just got an 89 K5.Thank you for the great info!
@greatsouthernoverland
7 жыл бұрын
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
3 жыл бұрын
I got an 87 last year and been really enjoying your videos! Planning for my build one day :)
@rollinggreen5574
4 жыл бұрын
Comes into my feed as we just had this discussion
@redhester5286
7 жыл бұрын
very true , you can do a lot with leaf springs. great video
@Dean_Designs_RC
7 жыл бұрын
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
@BrowerBandit
7 жыл бұрын
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.
@keithmedovich6889
4 жыл бұрын
Nice Jeep recovery vehicle. 🤜💥🤛
@miguelamartinez1411
6 жыл бұрын
Your information has been very handy and practical to me. Thanks.
@raymorales8755
5 жыл бұрын
U are the k5 picasso bro. I will be looking in to this suspension for my blazer as well thanks for the info.
@The1GWP
7 жыл бұрын
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.
@JohnnaMartywashere
7 жыл бұрын
awesome video as always bud....thanks for the info, will be looking in my local junk yard for some springs for my 74 blazer!!!
@hectormiranda5036
7 жыл бұрын
Another cool thing about these 14 bolt ff is that they come with a pinion pilot bearing.
@rparker75
7 жыл бұрын
The K5 is getting better all the time! I still want to build an M1101 Trailer
@867diesel
7 жыл бұрын
Ryan Parker I've been wanting to build a camping trailer also and came across his and started getting ideas lol
@867diesel
7 жыл бұрын
Will do
@867diesel
7 жыл бұрын
Some people think stuff is made of gold lol
@johnvon9268
4 жыл бұрын
Good tips, even tho I DD/wheel a 92 yj .... It's a leaf suspension system.
@endurotruckererniedesjardins
7 жыл бұрын
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.
@gorrheaddiesel
5 жыл бұрын
Cool I have the same truck yours is better thx if I need help " advice " I'll ask gust found you KZitem yesterday still watching
@Paul-d6t
7 жыл бұрын
Entertaining, educational and fun videos. Thanks man. Keep up the great work.
@jimmybrowning3822
6 жыл бұрын
I'm also building a k5 myself and may use this setup
@dannyhuston3779
7 жыл бұрын
Hey man its me from the shell station, I'm subscribed, and you got a bad ass truck and Chanel man
@v8felon
Жыл бұрын
Im subscribed this video so simple but hit every point awesome bro.
@MerricksGarage
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the sub!
@sandydennis8644
7 жыл бұрын
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!
@wlliammartinez1538
7 жыл бұрын
Great info for a first time 4x4 owner
@duanewhite3184
2 жыл бұрын
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
@CentralOregonSurvival
7 жыл бұрын
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
@zackarnold5993
6 жыл бұрын
Sweet k5 working on mine as well keep it up
@norrisleap6693
4 жыл бұрын
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.
@guillermohuereca328
7 жыл бұрын
BAD ASS!!! I need to do that to my k5, Thanks MG
@Sauhacksch
3 жыл бұрын
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
3 жыл бұрын
I had to change when I went to four link up front.
@rheath1995
5 жыл бұрын
I gotcha by 4 inches on the tires but yours is ALOT cleaner XD very nice build man
@MerricksGarage
5 жыл бұрын
four inches is a lot! Thats what she said
@rheath1995
5 жыл бұрын
@@MerricksGarage hahaha thought you might like that XD
@twotonefox
5 жыл бұрын
Merricks Garage sadly she didn’t say that
@Carman-2012
5 жыл бұрын
Clean k5 👍
@mikefowler1313
7 жыл бұрын
running same tire....great value
@White-Head
Жыл бұрын
Not a fan of cutting out fenders ,love the bottom of the truck at the top of the tire. My preference.
@danielmclendon1879
6 жыл бұрын
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?
@jguti329
7 жыл бұрын
Thanks for another great vid. Your mods are sensible and functional. Very helpful.
@xenonbrawler007
5 жыл бұрын
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
5 жыл бұрын
Will Wilson i hava the same question Where did you pick up that soft top!?
@shawnmancebo1217
2 жыл бұрын
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
2 жыл бұрын
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
2 жыл бұрын
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
2 жыл бұрын
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
@gregleblond6039
7 жыл бұрын
good video and like the truck, not a big fan of trimming though.
@elss5336
7 жыл бұрын
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
7 жыл бұрын
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
7 жыл бұрын
Perfect!! Thanks for that. It's an 86 K5. That's why your post have been so helpful. Lol
@hotrodpawns
7 жыл бұрын
I am running 38's on mine, and didn't require any lift at all, of course mine is ex military vehicle.
@robbyphillips316
7 жыл бұрын
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?
@kevineagles1919
7 жыл бұрын
Why didn't you talk about the bracing this steering gear box or putting axles underneath that truck or bracing the frame itself
@DeaconMofoJones
7 жыл бұрын
Thanks! This is super helpful.
@stevesixo2
3 жыл бұрын
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.
@danhall6267
3 жыл бұрын
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
3 жыл бұрын
Always worth saving.
@ruthlessgsx
7 жыл бұрын
Dude awesome channel , I can't believe I'm just now discovering it smh
@marcosierra1822
7 жыл бұрын
Are those the hills off the toll road in Orange County? Trabuco Canyon?
@northernlits425
2 жыл бұрын
Merrick, i can tell your from Cali without you ever saying a word about it. lol! as a square body addict myself, i feel like your whole " young hip surfer brah" image, with the flat billed hats and posing for selfies with a cocked neck.....??? your embarrassing us!!!! busting ballz obviously. the rigs are top notch
@MerricksGarage
2 жыл бұрын
thanks? I think?
@ShermantankvideosBlogspot90078
4 жыл бұрын
Where can I get that soft top its awesome
@MerricksGarage
4 жыл бұрын
softopper.com
@jasoncordova7993
4 жыл бұрын
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.
@MarkJones-sk6vk
7 жыл бұрын
Great vid
@SgtStickyTits
5 жыл бұрын
Keep hitting this channel hard. Production quality is 10/10
@leevahal900
3 жыл бұрын
Would you reccomend 40s on a 17 in wheel after rolling your K5 ?
@MerricksGarage
3 жыл бұрын
Yea. 💯
@wtdyjimjam
7 жыл бұрын
damn yo i need to finish my build asap
@noahskrzypczak5288
3 жыл бұрын
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?
@joshuatrujillo686
7 жыл бұрын
when are you gonna finish the engine swap series?
@rickavila3659
5 жыл бұрын
Hi you have the best K-5 I have a Question so you still have the stock Brakes lines at the front ??
@allenzanellato4341
7 жыл бұрын
I'm going to do the same lift and tire size
@samualwhittemore228
7 жыл бұрын
Great Video! Very educational...Thanks, :))
@thedobermangang3503
4 жыл бұрын
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
@workhard3994
7 жыл бұрын
I had 8 inch superlift springs up front 47 inch long it rode like a tank and each leaf pack had 6 I removed 2 that left me with 4 and the 4 I cut the ends pointy best thing I ever did rode 5 times better
@cumminskobi27
7 жыл бұрын
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
7 жыл бұрын
You got any video on your rear suspension set up.
@jacobellis8135
7 жыл бұрын
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
7 жыл бұрын
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
7 жыл бұрын
Ernie Desjardins thank you.
@mickeykreg
7 жыл бұрын
what did you use to balance those 40's? glass beads? how do they behave at freeway speed?
@slimindahoodsunshine8818
7 жыл бұрын
with a tire size like that are you getting 2.5 ton axles? esp if you are off road?
@phillipcoxjr4213
7 жыл бұрын
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
7 жыл бұрын
I am not afraid of a little bit of sway and what have you. Thanks for answering me.
@phillipcoxjr4213
7 жыл бұрын
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.
@headlesnorseman701
4 жыл бұрын
how did this ride going down the road with these spring/shock/wheel combo? im doing pretty much an identical build
@MerricksGarage
4 жыл бұрын
It was an awesome ride. I would remove the overload spring in the back though if I was to do it again
@headlesnorseman701
4 жыл бұрын
@@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
4 жыл бұрын
Well it’s not gonna handle like a race car, but I daily drove it
@migueldeleon8086
2 жыл бұрын
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
2 жыл бұрын
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
2 жыл бұрын
@@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
@wacey2002
7 жыл бұрын
Why would you get the driveshafts done before you finish your suspension?
@LightsOutPredatorRemoval
7 жыл бұрын
What do you do for a living?
@Mr420DEEZ
5 жыл бұрын
Did you leave the overload in on your leaf springs
@MerricksGarage
5 жыл бұрын
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
5 жыл бұрын
@@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!
@jimmybrowning3822
6 жыл бұрын
I like the setup what year is your blazer?
@MerricksGarage
6 жыл бұрын
87.... originally. Not really anymore. Lol
@Kf0-friend
7 жыл бұрын
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
7 жыл бұрын
will do
@78squarebodyjimmy10
7 жыл бұрын
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
@robertmaxwell8086
4 жыл бұрын
What mods did you do to the Speedo?
@MerricksGarage
4 жыл бұрын
It’s a gps Speedo.
@stevenjaythelonerider899
7 жыл бұрын
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
6 жыл бұрын
No. It won't. You will be off by like 5-7 mph around 70.
@chrismiller6987
3 жыл бұрын
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
3 жыл бұрын
4:56 but with an LS
@chrismiller6987
3 жыл бұрын
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
3 жыл бұрын
You will blow up the 10 bolts if you Like to party.
@saskingz1809
5 жыл бұрын
👍🏼
@blazeyk
4 жыл бұрын
What is the back spacing on your rim?
@elijahcbr6009
7 жыл бұрын
are you running weights or balancing beads on your wheels? im welding my beadlocks on my steel procomps and was wondering about balancing
@elijahcbr6009
7 жыл бұрын
Right on thanks. Just finished my beadlocks. And went with ez beads.
@towtruckdriver1000
6 жыл бұрын
Can you do the same spring swap on the pickups as well?
@zososldier
5 жыл бұрын
Yes. The frames are all the same. They are just longer to fit the wheel base
@johndoe-bc3tc
6 жыл бұрын
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
6 жыл бұрын
Yea cut a ton out. Yea it is more flexy but I built some supports to reinforce it.
@johndoe-bc3tc
6 жыл бұрын
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
6 жыл бұрын
Added a pick to my profile bt not sure if it's showing up. I call her Big Bertha! Lol
@edyanik
3 жыл бұрын
how much back spacing should i have on my wheels with one ton axles and 40 inch tires?
@MerricksGarage
3 жыл бұрын
About 4”
@jeremywalker2460
2 жыл бұрын
What year is your k5?
@MerricksGarage
2 жыл бұрын
all of them!
@halvorsta528
7 жыл бұрын
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
7 жыл бұрын
Ok, thanks
@rfeldtz
7 жыл бұрын
Do you have any pics of how the diy 4x side steps are installed?
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