1976 Blazer/Willys

[Drewz]

Hello al I have a couple of quick questions for you experienced folk. I have a 76 blazer with a few things done and am looking to swap on my friends 1953 Willy's ambulance 4x4. i am looking for info on this swap and google as well as Yahoo haven't turned up much useable info. I am just looking to see how hard the swap is, how it all lines up or if it does. My driveline is stout but the body is weak on the blazer and the Willy's is cheap and complete so I want to hybrid it. I have mig and arc, hand and air tools, and am a mechanic by trade so all I need is a link to some better info. My main concern is that the wheel base line up close enough as well as the body mounts. I don't want this to be a multi month project in the spring so if it is straight forward enough I want to jump on it now. I have found info on a 1976 cherokee swap but all the ones here are toast and still over a grand to buy. ANY info helps. has someone on this board done this swap?? i don't see a search function here so I am either blind or there isn't one.

[LoS10]

I don't know about any swap pages for that, but body mounts are easy enough to fab up and weld on? Why not ask your buddy to measure the wheelbase on it to get a good idea?

And if you know your way around photoshop and you can get a side picture of each and size them correspondingly, you could swap out bodies on there to get a general idea of where you want it to sit, and how it will look with the blazer wheelbase.

[Drewz]

I already have found pics of them on blazer chassis but there is no info to accopany them. I though I was told there was one on the message boards here. I am doing the wheel base measurements but if someone had done this already then they would know if the wheelbase was off an inch or so then I wouldn't worry about tweaking the wheelbase a bit. We have some prtty strict laws about modded rides so I can't really go too far without getting pulled off the road.

[Drewz]

Wheel base works with 2 inches extra in the blazer which is fine to offset the azle forward a bit for clearance. I know there are Willy's guys on this board noones got any info or advice??? I am not looking for freaky suspension or Mog axles as I want to drive it and then continue on to see what I want to do with it in the end. Opinions???

[jonx4x4]

K5 Blazer's wheelbase is 107". The wheelbase of the willys wagon is going to be 104". So, thats about 3" of wheelbase difference. This can easily be accomodated by replacing the rear leaf springs with ones that are 46" long. I believe this is the same length as the front springs on the K5. This would give you no lift though. In fact, it would set you lower.

You could also move the entire rear suspension forward 3". Or, if you want it done quicker and easier, you could use extra-long leaf spring perches and drill new holes to set the axle 3" further forward.

Body mounts would more than likely have to be custom fitted. So, you can either cut the original mounts off the old frame and use them, or make new ones out of box tubing or C-Channel.

[bigyellowjimmy]

so you are wanting to put the willys body on the blazer frame and use the blazer running gear?

If so you'll need to link everything up (will be easier with an auto trans) and get new mechanical gauges.....you'll just have to adapt as you build

[Drewz]

Thanks guys. I am putting new rear spring in that have 4 inches of lift and the hangers and bushing all come preassembled from the other truck so I am going to remove my rear hangers and shift it forward about an inch and a half and leave the extra length for the front for tire to fender/floor clearance. Body mounts from the blazer and willy's frames will be cut off and used where needed so that issue is solved as well. I am not starting the swap till spring as the blazer is my winter ride so I will be going through all the mechanicals on the blazer chassis when it gets slow at work. I am a mechanic and when it gets slow and on weekends I can work on my rig when I want since I am flat rate. I built my last Samurai and Toyota 4.3 at work in my spare time. This is gonna be a keeper though. I like freaks though, stock just doesn't rub my the right way. I am sure alot of guys here know what I am talking about.

[cbbr]

You might find more info on www.steelsoldiers.com

[Drewz]

Thanks, I did a search of their forums and pics and there was nothing but the odd comment but no info.

[feathers]

can someone tell me if 3/4ton 14 bolt corp axle and 1ton are same. i am going to local u pull it junk yard to try and get complete axle for my 1ton chev how can i identify posi axle thank you. i also have a 700r4 tranny from s10 blazer would this tranny fit and hold up in my 1ton used to pull long camper long distance 350c.i. motor in 86 chev crew cab 1ton thank you ,yes i am newbie

[imiceman44]

Originally Posted by feathers

can someone tell me if 3/4ton 14 bolt corp axle and 1ton are same. i am going to local u pull it junk yard to try and get complete axle for my 1ton chev how can i identify posi axle thank you. i also have a 700r4 tranny from s10 blazer would this tranny fit and hold up in my 1ton used to pull long camper long distance 350c.i. motor in 86 chev crew cab 1ton thank you ,yes i am newbie

3/4ton and 1ton are the same except spring pad location.
Springs on a 1 ton are closer together but you can move those pretty easy if you had to.

the 700 could be fine depending on how you drive.