Blower Blazer Build

[Maverick]

Thanks, and thanks for the input, I appreciate it.

Now I need to find some time to put it together. The locker will show up next week. Working solid through Thurs, thinking of coming up on Friday, maybe if the locker shows up on thurs then I'll bring the rear axle and work on it here: brakes, locker, etc. Maybe by then I'll know which direction I'm gonna take on the suspension.

Brett

 

[2INSANE]

Honestly. If it was me, I wouldn't have the blazer be the plow/snow blower machine. Your new to you blazer is very clean and having it do that kind of work with it will mess it up. I would go with an old beater truck 3/4 ton or 1 ton. They usually already have the axles, gears and hd suspension for your much needed work.

 

[Maverick]

So true. Beater is what I was looking for. 3/4ton or blazers so modified. I passed on this one several times and finally called on it. to

Like I said above, this one might get sold for enough to totally fund the project. The axles go in either way, the blazer needs them.

The short wheelbase has 2 potential upsides that I'd like to explore, namely, maneuverability and being able to back the whole assembly into the garage and close the door.

My plan is to continue to look for other rigs while I get the axles in the coca-cola blaze.

 

[2INSANE]

Hmmm yea after looking at your snow drift pics, I can see why you will need that extra turning and maneuverability. It for sure will be a fun project! If u live in SLC or northern Utah and need some help, let me know.

 

[blue90]

Good luck on your build and keep us posted. It's nice to see another blazer owner here!

I agree with 2INSANE, good to have another blaze guy around. Awesome lookin build!

 

[Maverick]

Score! It actually is the 35hp engine.

Holy cow, more wires than the space shuttle! Can't wait to get all this figured out and hooked up.

 

[Bart]

Cool and congrats. Keep the Blazer. It's sweet and you already own it.

 

[LT.]

How long do the Duratracs last?
Brett

I am not sure how long they would last. We had them on the wrecker for a year and a half before we sold it. I think we had an easy 20,000 miles on it and they were still in fantastic shape. I suspect they would last anywhere between 40,000 and up. Keep in mind that we rotated the tires religiously and the truck was checked for proper alignment. It was a very heavy truck though, our 10,000 lbs lift could not lift the truck. Only the 14,000 lbs alignment rack could pick it up.

LT.

 

[2INSANE]

It looks like the biggest size Duratrac tire is a 33" according to a chart I googled. If they had a 37" or 38" I would get a set...

 

[thenag]

It looks like the biggest size Duratrac tire is a 33" according to a chart I googled. If they had a 37" or 38" I would get a set...

I have a set of duratrac's on my super duty, they are really good in the snow.

as far as life, they are good years they won't last nearly as long as a set of michelins.

sucks about the sizing though...

nathan

 

[Maverick]

Duratrac vs BFG AT KO?

My KO's on the X get rotated religiously too, good alignment, etc. 3 sets, 30-35K each set. Awesome traction. This is a tangent for this thread...but it's my thread :greg: 33's are ok for my X.

Tires for the blaza will likely be purchased used or even (gasp) retreads. I need a good starting point, but chains will make up the difference. It might even get the old tires from the X when I get new X tires. Just need some 16" rims. I'm keeping the tire options open for now.

 

[I Lean]

I haven't had them in the snow like you'll be seeing, but I'm completely happy with my Treadwrights so far. I have the Guard Dog in 285/75/16. (that's the MTR-lookin tread)

One thing to keep in mind if you go that route, they end up taller than the same size new tire.

 

[Maverick]

Are you running the "kedgegrip" or whatever it is? I was looking at their site a couple weeks ago and reading reviews around the web. Interesting tires.

 

[I Lean]

Nope, no Kedge Grip here.

 

[Maverick]

lockright came today...er, yesterday (days blend together lately)

 

[Maverick]

Sweet! Scored a set of H2 rims, tranny cooler and tranny gauge today. Just need to get to Moab to pick them up.

 

[Maverick]

Spent some time this afternoon cleaning off the axles and installing the lockright. Stupid passenger side c-clip gave me a fit.

Still waiting for the plow mount to arrive.

 

[Bart]

Looks like it's coming along.

 

[Maverick]

A 4" lift would be perfect for 35" tires on your blaza. Narrow tires with a good 4" front lift spring and a block in rear. Don't do the shackle flip cuz you will need to keep your suspension stiff for the added weight of the plow and possiblly rear weight from salt or sand for the extra traction in the rear.

Back to suspension. How do the folks around here deal with driveline vibrations and u-joint angle on blazers, especially with the stupid slip yoke t-case?

All roads led to a CV on the scrambler, and all the web wheelin' that I've done in the lar 24 hours suggests the same.

 

[BCGPER]

That's what I did on mine, albeit a slightly diferent animal. CV Shaft and 4" blocks installed backwards rotated the pinion up for perfect alginment.

All roads led to a CV on the scrambler, and all the web wheelin' that I've done in the lar 24 hours suggests the same.