[Project] ls1 blazer

[t_ank]

well im starting to slowly gather parts for blazer i purchased in july. So i decide ill start a project log so i have it as time goes on and share my time spent on it with others. I found this blazer for sale 3 years ago at the time the money wasnt there but i wish i could have owned it. Well one day in july i got the bug to get back in the car scene and i wanted a good platfrom that was a little different so i went on craigslist. I found the blazer again on 12 miles away and the money was there so i went to look at it the next day and left with it !

so far its been nothing but good to me and plans for the winter shall be fun but i wanted to start working on it now a little bit. So my buddy paints so i pulled my corners and marker lights and smoked them and doing the tails next weekend. i want to get into performance more then looks so i started looking for axles because the 10 bolt 7.5 open diff w 3.08s isnt the best to have behind a ls1. so i did some reading and went with a 8.8 lsd w 3.73 and disc brakes out of a explorer.

plans are for the moment

8.8 installed
cam
springs
stall
vette wheels

i keep going back n forth if i want to turbo it which i really do or just motor i guess we will see where money is this winter.

ill keep it updated and pics as i go.

i have the 8.8 now and the axles out, the old studs removed, the new holes marked for the chevy bolt pattern, new studs,conversion u joint, u bolts ordered should be here tomorrow. then i just have to get the brake lines and rotors and pads and put it all together and stall it. work been slow so should happen fairly quick.


heres a pic of the blazer




ill get pics up of the axle work tonight

[Darren]

nice, I have seen that car in person and on CL many times.

[Formul8d]

Good looking blazer!! Looking forward to see where you go with this.

[Superman09]

Very nice! A local guy in town used to own that car. Then my father said he saw it again (assuming with you) when he came out to look at something for sale.

VERY cool truck!

[t_ank]

yea the guy that did the same had it for a while then sold it to someone he thought would keep it etc and didnt pasted it on to someone else then someone else now i have it safe and sound and in good hands. so its been around but the guy i got it from did alot of tune up stuff etc with lots of receipts so i was happy with that and he took good care of it.

the big plans are up in the air just not sure if i want to slap a turbo on it yet or not.

i have a friend with a ms4 i think i want to pick up sp we will see.

meed to find my camera

[t_ank]

Picked up the conversion u joint wheel studs and drill bit tonight now just have to drill the holes and get n do the brake Shit

[t_ank]

as promised...

pic #1 8.8 rear axle disc brakes 3.73 lsd getting it cleaned up for paint
pic #2 the insides =)
pic #3 new wheels studs drill bit u joint and driveshaft flange
pic #4 axle shafts with ford studs removed and chevy lug pattern marked
pic #5 little something im going to start making the bracket for soonish ls1 calipers


hoping to get the axles drillled this week waiting on my buddy to go to his garage and use the drill press then get the new studs and axles back in

[DETROITMUSCLE]

you may want to bring a few smaller drill bits so you can step up to that size

[t_ank]

im sure my buddy has some in garage just wanted to get the correct one i need for the final drill

you may want to bring a few smaller drill bits so you can step up to that size

[DETROITMUSCLE]

Not sure how good the holes have to be for press in studs but if they need to be real close you may need to ream them to size.

[t_ank]

from what i have read and asked just have to use the 31/64 drill bit and then put the studs in

[t_ank]

well got a gallon of paint and started prepping the axle for paint this week.

got the stock ford sway bar mounts cut off and welds ground down started grinding/sanding the surface rust down to a good surface but of course ran out of disk so to the store tomorrow and get it finished up also might get the axle tubes welded so its done then PAINT

anyone close thats good at welding want to weld them up for me? lol


then i scuffed my wheels on my work truck going to take them off tomorrow and get them wrapped and tapped up tomorrow and those are getting repainted the old paint whoever did a bad job and its peeling and looks like crap so gonna spice it up a little.

[t_ank]

also my buddy bailed on letting me use the drill press anyone have anything that will drill those i need ten holes drilled to get the new studs in

[hoogiesngrinderz]

You're a hike from me, and I have a drill press, but I'd feel a bit leery putting an axle on my standard drill press to make new stud holes.

What is the width of the 8.8 axle?

As for welding, is the center section cast iron on the 8.8? I think it is, and if so, there is a rather lengthy process to do the job right - if my memory serves me right - the rod isn't cheap and you can make it weaker if not done correctly.

[t_ank]

well i have the axle shalf out the axle theres a pic of it. yea your 2 hours and ten minutes away =/

me and a guy were talking about it tonight yes i believe its cast iron and he said the stick was like 8 bucks but i dont know for sure im going to look into it more tomorrow and yes you can weaken it if not done right just have to do a little by little. ill know more tomorrow but if idont or cant get it done ill hold off just like to do it before i put it in. the neighbor said he do it for 40 bucks? i know thats good compared to the friend of mine that wants a 100 lol i know welding guys get alot but come on now if i had the stuff to do it i would but i guess we might have it tomorrow so we will see

You're a hike from me, and I have a drill press, but I'd feel a bit leery putting an axle on my standard drill press to make new stud holes.

What is the width of the 8.8 axle?

As for welding, is the center section cast iron on the 8.8? I think it is, and if so, there is a rather lengthy process to do the job right - if my memory serves me right - the rod isn't cheap and you can make it weaker if not done correctly.