So what's the status???

1-16-2016, 9:00am: Dropped K5 off at Unlimited Offroad

1-19-2016, 1:24pm: Rcvd quote from Aaron that cost is do SYE, replace driveshaft is around $1700. They requested deposit to begin work

1-20-2016, Provided $1500 so they can order what they need to order.

Now awaiting a status..  The SYE kit ( Part #16-1207 - $445) with 1350 Flange is coming from

JB Conversions, Inc.
P.O. Box 2683
Sulphur, LA 70664-2683

and going to

3051 W Thompson Rd, Fenton, MI 48430

They are charging 4 hours for the install which includes:

1. dropping xfer case
2. taking case apart and putting the SYE kit in
3. removing xfer case drop
4. installing oil in xfer case
5. installing xfer case back in K5

Then they need to measure for new drive shaft from Tom Woods and put the order in.

Received a call last night from Unlimited Offroad (Aaron) and looks like JB Conversions doesn't have all the parts to make a complete SYE kit for the K5. They are hoping to have them Friday but Monday at the latest.  Add 2 days for shipping and we are looking at Wednesday next week before Unlimited can do anything which means probably Thursday before they get to it.  I don't see why they couldn't complete it Thursday if they started in the morning then they need to measure for driveshaft length and get the order in with Tom Woods and that takes 2 days which means we are looking at roughly the following Wednesday.  Of course it seriously only takes about 10min to put the driveshaft in so they can test to see if the vibration is gone.

So next update should be next Wednesday (Feb.01, 2017) when they should have received the SYE kit from JB Conversions

16-1207.pdf

So what's the status???

1-16-2016, 9:00am: Dropped K5 off at Unlimited Offroad

1-19-2016, 1:24pm: Rcvd quote from Aaron that cost is do SYE, replace driveshaft is around $1700. They requested deposit to begin work

1-20-2016, Provided $1500 so they can order what they need to order.

Now awaiting a status..  The SYE kit ( Part #16-1207 - $445) with 1350 Flange is coming from

JB Conversions, Inc.
P.O. Box 2683
Sulphur, LA 70664-2683

and going to

3051 W Thompson Rd, Fenton, MI 48430

They are charging 4 hours for the install which includes:

1. dropping xfer case
2. taking case apart and putting the SYE kit in
3. removing xfer case drop
4. installing oil in xfer case
5. installing xfer case back in K5

Then they need to measure for new drive shaft from Tom Woods and put the order in.

 

Received an email from Unlimited today

Quote

I wanted to let you know what I found out from JB. They are still filling all their orders from last week. Ours will be shipping out from them tomorrow 2-1-17.  The ETA for the JB Conversions SYE is Monday 2-6-17

So a week delay in game.

Looks like a possible SYE install Monday (2/6) but realistically probably not until Tuesday (2/7) at the earliest.  They should be able to finish it same day but I'm not holding my breath.  If finished, they just need to re-install transfer case and take measurements from SYE to rear for new DriveShaft from Tom Woods.  If luck has its way this would be ordered by Monday (2/6) or Tuesday (2/7) close of business. Tom Woods usually knocks it out within 2-3 days, heading back to Unlimited which should be ready for install on Monday (2/13).. if any luck is involved it would arrive and be installed on Friday (2/24) but I'm a realistic.

Most importantly, let's hope this fixes the vibration issues when driving anything faster than 50mph (really bad at 70-80mph) in 2wheel drive.  The worse vibration is when you put the transfer case in 4wd (either high or low) you get that front driveshaft spinning and you may loose a filling.  That needs to work smooth with no vibration at up to 50mph

Updated time...

As of yesterday the SYE kit from JB Conversions is installed but a guess a part won't fit a xfer case with VSS so Unlimited Offroad needs to send the part back to JB Conversions to exchange it for the correct part.

Unlimited Offroad did order the driveshaft from Tom Woods and it should arrive no later than Wednesday next week.  Once they get the driveshaft and install it they are going to drive it and test to see if all vibrations are gone from the driveline (which I'm really hoping it is).

Yesterday the K5 headed on over to a Transmisson shop since the trans failed again.  This time trying a different trans shop that was highly recommended by the head tech (Joe) at Unlimited Offroad.  I suppose we'll see.  On the fence using another local transmission shop versus ordering a trans from Monster Transmission but like Joe mentioned. Local guy is local and can fix it, test it and be good with it. Also offers a one year unlimited miles warranty.  Monster is in Florida and they just send the trans. You have to purchase an extended warranty which automatically feels a bit like you don't trust your product enough to warranty it for very long.

Should have the K5 back next Friday.

Time for an update....

Talked to Joe at Unlimited yesterday and he gave me a status of how its going at the Transmission shop since he just got off the phone with them.  Upon taking apart the transmission they found the new Hughes Performance torque converter came apart and messed up the pump which in turn sprayed trans fluid everywhere.  Not sure if you remember but at the very beginning the torque converter came apart the first time Frayley's put the transmission in.  Come to find out, the wiring to the lockup was wrong causing the torque converters to explode basically.

So its a good sign they found this issue and is correcting it.  They are still building it but expect to have it back to Unlimited by Thursday or Friday this week which means a Monday pickup for me.

So this should be a lengthly update but seriously I've had a few so will try and keep this at the 30,000 foot view.  I got the Blazer back from Unlimited and before I even drove it off the lot I noticed an oil leak which I pointed out to the salesman Aaron Dixon which noted the leak.  We assumed it was left overs from the trans pump seal going and shooting trans fluid everywhere but you could see its engine oil not transmission oil.  I figured I'd spray/clean the underside and see if it continues to produce oil which it did.

Last Thursday I brought the Blazer back to Unlimited to correct the issues since the oil leak is a new development since it left there shop.

I talked to Aaron today and it appears the power steering pump is also leaking.

So high level, power steering pump is leaking, transfer case is leaking the synthetic 5w-30 Mobil engine oil and not sure if the engine is leaking any oil or if all the engine oil is possibly coming from the transfer case vent tube that is attached to the trans filler tube which lines up with the side of the engine that is showing signs of engine oil leaking.

Suggestion: PSC (http://www.pscmotorsports.com/vehicle-specific-products/gm-truck-steering?cat=246&limit=all)

Time will tell...

Ok, not a great update.

Good News

power steering fixed

 

Bad News

Leaking seal on Xfer case for gear selector

xfer case vent leaking oil

 

So moved to a SYE by JB conversions a bit ago to help eliminate vibrations in the driveline which worked. Bad news is before the SYE the air build up could slip out the slip yoke seal if build up happens.

Now it's sealed tight so the vent is now an escape for the transfer case oil. Moved to ATF since it's thinner than the Mobile Synthetic oil. An option was to put a thicker/wider vent tube or relocate the vent on the xfer case which is what we ended up doing. Moving the vent away from the chain hoping to still allow heat to escape and pressure out but keep oil in.

spacer had to be used by alternator since belt was being eaten.

will find out in about two weeks

Ok so we are now working.  Transfer case is no longer leaking.  Transmission was provided by one of Sammons contacts and it seems pretty good (just a little sluggish between shifts)..  Currently at Motor City Steel for an ignition upgrade and dyno tune on the Holly Terminator which they are certified to tune.

Hopefully next week I should be ready to go. Very excited to see what they can do

Got it back from Motor City Steel.  On a 1-5 rating I'm giving them a 3.  Some annoying facts about the company.

1. They never ever answer the phone
2. They are slow..  they promise one time and deliver many many days or weeks after.

Now why am I giving them a 3.  I believe they do good work.  Just be patient.  If you are in a rush stay away.  If they say a week count on a month.  If they say a month count on two months.  At least double whatever they quote you.  They are also a tad on the expensive side.

So I got it back and it runs pretty good.  I would say I'm at about 75% happy with how it runs.  The trans is still a tad sloppy and it stalls every once in awhile when you first start it and finally, the torque converter locks up and you wish it would of waited just a tad longer.

***************

On another note, I found out finally how to remove the top on the 91 K5 since its different then the rest because its the only year that comes with seat belts that come down from the top.

Open the cover to the seatbelts there are 2 bolts that have to be removed. There's also a plate behind the drivers side seat. Open that and there is a plug in there for the light. Then all that is left is the bolts on the top itself. It is a safety torx They sell the bit at auto zone. It is a size 40. We had to buy the bit because a regular torx will not do it. The bolts have a solid center to them. So get a bit that has the center taken out of it to accomidate the solid center of the bolt. Other than that have someone there to help you gently lift the top off and back. We slid it down to the tailgate and carried it off from there.

Below is from a 75 but the cab and rails should be similar. The biggest difference is the seatbelts and electrical hookup for the light.

Prepping for my drive to the Silver Lake Sand Dunes this weekend with some buddies.  I still have a trans leak (seems like its coming from the kick down cable but not positive). I checked the trans pan bolts and they are tightened to 12 ft lbs of torque like they should. Its currently got a cork gasket (which may get swapped for one of those nice FelPro gaskets) I just did my first oil change (put in 5w30 Royal Purple.. took 5qts) and used an AC Delco pf1218 oil filter. All joints I saw got some grease so ready to go.

Ok, a little late on my update but sand Dunes was awesome. Only some minor issues of Tire hitting front fender

Went to the Mounds thanksgiving morning. Big to do here. Got pretty muddy which wasn’t my intention.

go pro wouldn’t stay fastened to windshield so didn’t get crap for video.

insane amount of people. Glad we got there early

So fender issue is now much worse

not sure what the solution is. I see a lot of articles talking about either

A. Trimming fender (cutting the fender which takes away from the look but adds functionality)

B. Moving axle forward by 1 inch (this could also help with vibration in 4wheel drive due to the angle but could cause issues with high steer)

 

Wow, Kert at DIY4x responds pretty quick to online questions.  Seriously like less than 5minutes he also suggested moving the axle forward.  But how?

A. Drilling the Spring Perches

B. Easy Inch Kit

 

Pretty sure if I could move it just one inch forward I would be good but whats the best route?

for my lack of confidence I lean towards the easy inch kit which is a plate under your springs that will offset your axle forward roughly an Inch

So in regards to what I decided to do to fix my tires rubbing is nothing for the moment.  Instead I took the top off the Blazer (its 90+ degrees out) and learned you should never do this by yourself..  it was HEAVY.  Luckily I didn't break any of the custom glass windows in the hard top when I dropped it.. a couple times.

BUT luck ran out real quick when I discovered how bad the rust is that was hidden with the top on.

Let me upload some photos so you can feel my pain

Just dropped the Blazer off at around 4:15pm today (5/30/2018) to get that rust repaired (estimate is $1100 - $2500 and two weeks)

112 State Street
Davison, MI 48423

Open: Mon. – Fri.  9 a.m. till 5 p.m.

810-412-4215

Let me tell ya its difficult to walk out into my garage and not see my Blazer there.  I wonder how often you can stop by and check on progress without becoming a pain in the ass.

Pretty sure I am going to just swing by today and see if they started on it.  Anxious to see the progress and how much metal is gone after they sand blast all the rust off.

Ok so I stopped by MMC to see if they had a chance to start working on the Blazer and to my surprise they have already started, so that's the good news.

Now the bad news is apparently TONS of rust.  As they are getting into it, they found it would be great to find a new skin they could just lay down but no one makes it for the Blazer (including LMC Truck) so they have to custom make everything.

Will keep you posted.

Just as a reference point, I did find some cool sites for auto body parts

https://www.autobodyspecialt.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?search=action&category=0111

This one shows only to 1986: http://www.goodmarkindustries.com/chevrolet-k5blazer-parts.aspx

RPS: http://restorationpartssource.com/store/K5 Blazer_1981_1991_Sheet_Metal_and_Body_Parts.htm

GM Discount Parts I always check because I love OEM but most of the time they don't have what I need but its a great place to get part numbers that you can search for on the internet

https://www.gmdiscountpartsnow.com/a/Chevrolet_1991_Blazer-Silverado-57L-Chevrolet-AT/_51505_6403488/ROOF--COMPONENTS-EXTERIOR-TRIM/GC1120.html

OEMcats is a great site for OEM parts: http://oemcats.com/oem-parts/355616.html

Car-Part.com is a great search of all junk yards in United States.  You can sort my closest since many don't ship big parts.