K5 Blazer to scout swap help.

5533 Views 11 Replies 8 Participants Last post by 78ChevyK5, Dec 27, 2011

78ChevyK5

Discussion Starter · Dec 26, 2011

Ok so to start out I have a 78 blazer with dana 60 front 14b rear on 37's with 350/350/203. The k5 body has a TON of rust and is slowly falling apart.
I am getting a clean rust free 74 scout with chevy dana 44 front 12 bolt rear no motor, tranny, or tcase and full cage.My plan is to mix these two vehicles to come up with the best possible vehicle for light mud/trails and rocks.

So here is my question Would it be better to swap the body from the scout onto my blazer frame since it already runs and drives or swap my stuff onto the scout frame? I understand the scout is narrower and shorter so either way fab work will be in order, but which will be the least trouble with best results?

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wingnuts514

· #2 · Dec 26, 2011 (Edited)

I would think swapping the scout onto the blazer frame would be the better choice. That way you won't have to mess with the drivetrain to much. Either frame could probably use some boxing/reinforcements so don't forget to reinforce the steering box if you use the k5 frame.

EDIT: I just noticed you said the scout has a full cage. Depending on the quality of the cage, and being narrower/shorter wheel base maybe you should use the scout frame....ha fuck it I'm no help, I'm gonna go color now.

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78ChevyK5

Discussion Starter · #3 · Dec 26, 2011

Yes frame reinforcing will happen either way. The cage is bent and built but not welded in yet b/c it was a project for the last owner he never finished so it could be modified for either project I guess.

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[email protected]

· #4 · Dec 26, 2011

If the scout already has 12b and chevy 44. Then you chevy 60/14b should bolt in. Make some motor mounts and a tranny mount. That's what I would do.

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Cuda K5

· #5 · Dec 26, 2011

I would say clean up the scout, reinforce everything, plumb everything good and neat while you enjoy the k5 then swap your junk into the scout. one thing I wish I would have done differently to my jimmy (other than a 6.0 swap instead of tbi 454), is pay more attention to details and do everything clean as possible before I had it together. Its way easier to do the small things with no power train

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NorCal_Chris

· #6 · Dec 26, 2011 (Edited)

I know the old scout frames are boxed, so if the newer ones are then it is a no brainer to swap your stuff onto the scout frame/body

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71durabakscout

· #7 · Dec 26, 2011

NorCal_Chris said:
I know the old scout frames are boxed, so if the newer ones are then it is a no brainer to swap your stuff onto the scout frame/body

The scout II frames are

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Grumpy_old_fart

· #8 · Dec 26, 2011

I think the early scout frames and spring mounts are wider than GM mounts, fwiw... I could go measure, but its raining and Im in my pajamas.

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[email protected]

· #9 · Dec 26, 2011

78ChevyK5 said:
Ok so to start out I have a 78 blazer with dana 60 front 14b rear on 37's with 350/350/203. The k5 body has a TON of rust and is slowly falling apart.
I am getting a clean rust free 74 scout with chevy dana 44 front 12 bolt rear no motor, tranny, or tcase and full cage.My plan is to mix these two vehicles to come up with the best possible vehicle for light mud/trails and rocks.

So here is my question Would it be better to swap the body from the scout onto my blazer frame since it already runs and drives or swap my stuff onto the scout frame? I understand the scout is narrower and shorter so either way fab work will be in order, but which will be the least trouble with best results?

Grumpy_old_fart said:
I think the early scout frames and spring mounts are wider than GM mounts, fwiw... I could go measure, but its raining and Im in my pajamas.

That's^ why I said to run with the scout frame. And yes clean and pay attention to details it will pay for itself 10fold.

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78ChevyK5

Discussion Starter · #10 · Dec 27, 2011

Thanks for all the help guys. The scout used to be running a dana 60 front and rear. He is giving me the rear b/c the perches are already narrowed for the scout frame. I am going to use my front 60 b/c it was just rebuild 2 weeks ago. The scout already has chevy motor mounts so swaping my powertrain in wont be too much of a hassle.I am going to check the frame all over for signs of stress and box it in. then run new cross members and spray on some por15. So since this will be a 75% chevy vehicle I can still post the build in chevy right...

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muddindog

· #11 · Dec 27, 2011

78ChevyK5 said:
Thanks for all the help guys. The scout used to be running a dana 60 front and rear. He is giving me the rear b/c the perches are already narrowed for the scout frame. I am going to use my front 60 b/c it was just rebuild 2 weeks ago. The scout already has chevy motor mounts so swaping my powertrain in wont be too much of a hassle.I am going to check the frame all over for signs of stress and box it in. then run new cross members and spray on some por15. So since this will be a 75% chevy vehicle I can still post the build in chevy right...

What help did they give? If the scout was all set up for chevy stuff already, why did you waste everyones time with this thread, seems like a no brainer to me...:shaking:

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78ChevyK5

Discussion Starter · #12 · Dec 27, 2011

muddindog said:
What help did they give? If the scout was all set up for chevy stuff already, why did you waste everyones time with this thread, seems like a no brainer to me...:shaking:

I didn't know the scout was set up for the motor and tranny in chevy until last night. I did know about the axles being chevy but so was my truck.So it was a very valid question as either way could have been done. as for everyones help, they did point out the partially boxed frame, the fact that the cage was built for the scout frame and in general to use the scout frame as it would be better in the long run. But thanks for your input.

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