GCM's 1986 M1009 Blazer Build

[Generis]

Hey, fellers!

So, I finally went back through all my reference pics and info I gathered for this build. I had made notes on where to put stuff and what to use... and I THOUGHT I was OK on the exhaust and 5 bolt rims.. and I was right! I have several of these cutaway pics and several of the original brochures to show the layouts and options, but here's one of the pics that has both on it.
This one has all the options in one design layout pic, from the 1986 brochure. It's got 6 bolt rotors up front, 5 bolt drums out back, and exhaust on both sides of the truck. This saves me some work, as I'm not going to change the exhaust or rims now. I thought it was on my list to build it in the lower weight class vehicle with this layout, and it's going to stay that way. Most of the blazers came with the 3.73 axle and 6 bolt, but some came with the 3.42 axles and 5 bolt, so I'm sticking with that. I was surprised to see so many options on the truck! Even the 3 motor/axle combos is a neat thing.

[m1009cucv]

here is my m1009 in a sand pit down south new jersey. 6 lug. true duels. hope this helps

[Rodamis]

Originally Posted by Generis

Hey, fellers!

So, I finally went back through all my reference pics and info I gathered for this build. I had made notes on where to put stuff and what to use... and I THOUGHT I was OK on the exhaust and 5 bolt rims.. and I was right! I have several of these cutaway pics and several of the original brochures to show the layouts and options, but here's one of the pics that has both on it.
This one has all the options in one design layout pic, from the 1986 brochure. It's got 6 bolt rotors up front, 5 bolt drums out back, and exhaust on both sides of the truck. This saves me some work, as I'm not going to change the exhaust or rims now. I thought it was on my list to build it in the lower weight class vehicle with this layout, and it's going to stay that way. Most of the blazers came with the 3.73 axle and 6 bolt, but some came with the 3.42 axles and 5 bolt, so I'm sticking with that. I was surprised to see so many options on the truck! Even the 3 motor/axle combos is a neat thing.

The 5 bolt was 2 wheel drive blazers all 4x4 were 6 bolt build looks great

[Crusty Old Shellback]

Hey, I hope you don't think I'm questioning your build as I'm not. Just pointing out what is on my '87. Didn't know you had all of that reference material. And it's your truck so build it the way you want. I think you've done an AWSOME job on the build.

As for the brochure, It's funny that for '86, you could only get the 5.7 in Ca but for 87' when they went to TBI, you got the 5.0 as stock. I'm in the process of building a 5.7 to drop in mine. But I've got to keep the single exhaust as that's what it came with. I wonder if the dual exhaust was just for the big block? As you stated, that shows ALL of the options together but I think as stated, 5 bolt was 2 WD and 6 was 4 X 4. That may be why it also shows the dual exhaust.

[6.2blazer]

All 6.2 diesel powered K5's had true duel exhaust.

1989 factory 6.2 diesel civilian version.

[350TacoZilla]

Yeah looks like someone goofed on the cutaway, the 1/2 ton 4x2 trucks and blazers were 5 bolt pattern and 1/2 ton 4x4 trucks and blazers are 6 lug but that pic shows a 4x4 chassis with 5lug axle, they also seem to show both rear shocks being behind the axle but I seem to remember them being one in front on pass side and one in back on driver but its been couple years since my m1009. Onto the exhaust yeah it should be dual for the diesel like the m1009's were.

[Generis]

Man, you all are a wealth of information! Thanks so much for the pics and participation! Oh man, that's great! I had no idea about any of this, and the drawn cutaway representation has a mess of everything there!
Thanks to all for the comments about the build. I've really had fun with this one! I have some video and pic footage to add here also, will get to that tomorrow.

[Generis]

Add: after seeing that Jersey blazer all flexed out there I think I have to raise my rear ride height a bit also. That should help with the extreme rear bumper dragging I experienced today on my trail ride.

[Generis]

Here's some video from the trail ride yesterday. A bit of snow, rocks, and fun!

[m1009cucv]

glad I could help

[Generis]

Well, I've got now 2 big runs on this truck. With still a little rear suspension tuning left to do, I'll be very happy with the overall performance.. but I must say, this thing side hills like no tomorrow, and it climbs hills like they're flat. AMAZING. There's zero torque twist on the truck. None. I'm VERY happy with this rig on the performance side. I can only imagine with the civilian lid and larger tire, it will be a force to contend with in comps. Look out, Jeeps.... the Chevy has arrived!!

[TheDirt520]

Awesome truck and awesome job you've done building it, BUT if you wanted to go scale you shoulda added leaf springs, not sure anyone that would drop 3x what the truck is worth doing coilover conversion just to keep small tires on it,,, please don't get me wrong, I'm jealous as hell, I couldn't have build it better myself

[Generis]

Thanks... None of these tiny trucks are scale, sir. None of these have electric power steering, or 3 foot tall rear shocks, so we all get full license to do what we want.
good thing, too. That's what makes the hobby worth doing at all!

[TheDirt520]

I wasn't trying to knock how you put it together, I love the truck and wouldn't change anything if I bought it tomorrow

[TheDirt520]

Ill be watching for new builds, also watching on YouTube, maybe ill be smart enuff to pull off some ideas ill attempt to steal for ur trucks

[Generis]

Francois was kind enough to post up the video from some of my fun run at his place called 'The Sims'. Check out his channel. He's got some great scale truck terrain out back!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ASkhjq4iNk

[350TacoZilla]

Not enough good things can be said about how this has turned out so far, I love the height it ended up and the tires are perfect size for it.

[CBurwinkle]

Where did you get those side mirrors? I haven't seen anyone else with them.

[willeh_ca]

Originally Posted by Generis

Back to the M1009 side of this build, I finally added the proper wheels, which are a black version of the GCM Racing Detroit 8-Hole rims, and used the BFG copied tires again. The steel bumper base is on the truck also, front and rear, and with all the body magnets on the truck the thing really sits nice now! YAY!! I really like this thing!



The rims are simple, and understated, and work great with the GCM LOCK hubs front and rear. Just goes all together really nicely for this build.



This last picture below shows you the fantastic features the magnet mounting brings to the lexan body... like the floppy lexan wave is GONE and the body lays straight as an arrow now. Yay! Can you get the excitement I feel about this build? haha. The rim offset with the rotors hangs the tire nicely with the fender, and I'm really happy with the stance!

When you put the rear wheels on did you notice a bunch more play in the shaft in and out? If so how did you correct it? Just a spacer or some other way? The Vaterra drive hexes are done a bit different than the axial style and inherently take up more slop. I've just received a set of the wheels (which are awesome) and I wondered if you tackled this.

[Generis]

Yes, we added washers behind the wheel to remove the gap. True.
Thanks for the comments!