Photographs
Some photos from customers. (Click for larger view)
<a href="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer">Flash Required</a>
Flash Required
83 Blazer Project R.I.P.
Built by Gibsonwebsolutions.com © 2009-2010
I decided to tear the rear axle out (sold it) and install the new 14 bolt & shackle flip kit to get rid of the (Bad Idea) lift blocks in the rear. In the process of taking the rear axle out all of the bolts that hang the rear springs in there are rusted into the sleeve in the bushing (OH GREAT!!) so when the impact gun gets on the bolt it twists the rusted bolt/sleeve inside the bushing! Of course it isn't able to come out either because the "sleeve" acts like a shoulder to keep the bolt from coming out anyways! Now you got to drop the tank and all the "rusted" hose clamps in order to use the torch so you don't EXPLODE doing this. Now you can use the TORCH to "melt" the bolt heads/nuts off and of course when you do this the rear bushings CATCH ON FIRE! Another additional cost to add onto this "project". I look around on the internet for bushings on the rear of this and then you run into the PITA of which ones will fit your truck.  There are 2 different shackle bushing sizes that they used on the rear of these. I went outside to measure the ID of my shackle bushing and I got the 1 3/8 ID bushing for my truck instead of the 1 1/2 ID. I order the kit that will fit my bushings (Energy Suspension Kit # 3.2108G). Another week passes while the rear is tore out (pics below). Now that the springs are torched/melted out you got to take a press (best way) and press the bushing/sleeve out of the eyelets. Now that gas tank and rear springs are out you take the torch to the "rivets" that hold the rear shackle hanger on the frame. Cut the heads off the rivets and take a punch to knock them out thorough the frame. Hang the new brackets in the rear where the original hanger once was. Put a few bolts in to keep it there. You will have to "enlarge" a few of the holes with a drill to get all the bolts in before you can tighten them down. I didn't have to cut the exhaust off any because the "bend' is after the new bracket. I will cut this pieced together crap out eventually when the "Doubler" is installed and run all new exhaust in between the frame rails. I plan on eventually having a 3/8 flat belly pan under the frame rails to "help" going over obstacles. I even put a "Zero Rate" lift block under the rear spring pack to move the axle back 1 in. to center it in the wheel well. Now the tank is back in with new hoses and the rear springs have all new bushings/bolts in them ready to install the "new" 14 bolt with 4.56's to match the new 60 front ready to be built now.
New Hummer rims ready to modify
Click here to add text.
Old 700R4 NP 208 out ready for sale
Everything needs to be removed...chop chop
My rims with new centers welded in and painted