The Chop Shop- 1990 Class 1 Topless K5 Blazer

[Hoosierdady]

I've been working on this project a little here and there since the last post. So far I have managed to completely change the color scheme and I have a roller "thumbsup".


I used a RC4WD Superlift pan hard linkage up front and Junfac driveshafts.



I snatched the DMG rear truss from my foff to get the rear end wrapped up. I somehow ended up with one link longer than the other so I have to adjust it some yet.



The mandatory flex shot. I used Proline Powerstrokes shocks on all four corners. I played with the spring ratio for a little. I think I have it right, but we'll see how she handles as the build goes on.


The point of balance. You may have noticed by now that I had to move the shock towers forward on the chassis to get the angle right for this shorter WB.


I sanded down the white and painted it Dark Pearl Grey on the sides. I'll put the pin stripe just below the window line along each side and the rear. I'm thinking either REving Red (Metallic red) or a light metallic blue for the top color.





I think Im going to either modify this bumper to work for me or make one. Im not sure yet.

 

[sgtbham]

Looking very nice sir!

 

[Hoosierdady]

Looking very nice sir!

Thanks Don.

After reading thru the rules I noticed my track width is to wide for SORCCA rules to fit in Class 1. So I ordered some rubber flares from RPP to cover half the tread on my tires.

 

[blukon98]

Looks great as a roller, I've gotta scrounge up some funds to mount everything up front like that. It looks so much better and gives more room for interior and whatever else. Irk why axial doesn't make axles that are 6.5"-6.75" wide for scalers or at least a narrowing kit. They aren't bad looking axles, just a tad wide. I stuck tlt axles on my clod build until I can figure out something else.

 

[Yotapane]

Damn this thing is looking so good, love that grille.....I've had a few of your bodies and must say they are always very solid and every detail looks as if it was factory...only 10 times more baddass of coarse"thumbsup"

 

[Hoosierdady]

Looks great as a roller, I've gotta scrounge up some funds to mount everything up front like that. It looks so much better and gives more room for interior and whatever else. Irk why axial doesn't make axles that are 6.5"-6.75" wide for scalers or at least a narrowing kit. They aren't bad looking axles, just a tad wide. I stuck tlt axles on my clod build until I can figure out something else.

I know right. I'm looking into cutting out the "diff cover" or lack there of and installing some meant for a Wraith. Im not 100% sure yet.

Damn this thing is looking so good, love that grille.....I've had a few of your bodies and must say they are always very solid and every detail looks as if it was factory...only 10 times more baddass of coarse"thumbsup"

Thank you sir. I'm looking to get Supershafty hooked up with the guy so he can start carrying them. I ordered 3 more grilles and some keys from the guy too. I also picked up some 1-64 scale hardware from you guessed it, LockedUpRC.com for the Big Boss Fender flares I ordered. I figure the scale hardware will be a nice touch instead of allen head screws. You can get yours here...https://lockeduprc.3dcartstores.com/1-64-x-7mm-Scale-Hex-Bolts-75-SS-_p_376.html

 

[Hoosierdady]

I've got some progress to report "thumbsup". The official name is Kujo. The color scheme is still up in the air :roll: and the front body mounts are done. Oh, and MtHead has me a set of 1989 K5 emblems headed my way too.


I started shaving some weight off the dash I bought. Starting weight was 59g and as of now Im down to 40g.


I've saved almost a 1/3rd of the weight and Im not done.


As some of you may know I've been really watching my weight on this build. Ever since having my @ss handed to me at last years ECSC due to a very top heavy rig (I'm not gonna lie, there was a lack of driving skills too, lol) I've been keeping this in mind through every aspect of the build so far. I made a fire wall last night out of .20 styrene. I figure if it's not "load bearing" it's getting the light weight stuff. For areas like the floor, I'll be using .40 for strength. As the build progresses I'll be weighing the body to let you guys see how the plan unfolds. My goal, to keep a full interior body about the same weight as a stock Clod body without anything but a tailgate.


The last coat of Dark Pearl Grey has been laid down and cured. It's gotten 3 coats with a wet sanding in between each coat. She's pretty damn slick if I say so myself.


But I'm trying to decide on a top color. The top color will be present in the seats too. I'm hung between a Metallic Orange, Metallic Ice blue (light Metallic Blue), Star Spangled Blue (darker Royal blue). Any input is welcome "thumbsup".



So as of these last pics the body weight is as follows.
Stock Clod with tailgate- 280 grams
Modified K5 body so far- 190 grams :shock:

 

[Mr. LowBudget]

Very killer looks awesome... That front bumper looks really tuff

 

[fr8cture]

Star Spangled Blue for sure. The other blue would be too light with black IMO. Looking good. "thumbsup"

 

[Hoosierdady]

Okay I'm always a sucker for a Chevy this is a killer build man keep up the awesome work"thumbsup"

Thank you sir "thumbsup"

Very killer looks awesome... That front bumper looks really tuff

Thanks, Im going to shave some metal off here and there to cut down the weight, but it's definitely strong.

Star Spangled Blue for sure. The other blue would be too light with black IMO. Looking good. "thumbsup"

Thanks, but I decided to go a different route with the paint :twisted:.



I taped the body off.


Then shot it with some Testors Inca Gold.


Next up, Revving Red.




I made a set of buckets and a bench seat for the rear out of flashing. Then used foam to make the designs.



It took forever, but I got the harnesses done too.



Here's a preview of the finished product. I've still got to wet sand it again before hitting it with a few layers of Wet Clear.

 

[fr8cture]

Looks good, like I said on fb I knew you were going red. Almost every truck I've seen of yours has red somewhere in it. Lol

Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk

 

[rjwalker]

You nailed it she looks nice and clean but still has that bad ass look to it

 

[boosted4lyf]

Looking good James!!"thumbsup"

 

[johnnyh66]

Awesome work from the Chop Shop as usual!

 

[HDMM]

Nice work! I love K5 Blazers, owned a few 1:1's here and there over the years. "thumbsup"

 

[sgtbham]

You nailed the colors IMO!!!!!

 

[daf2]

love this build!! the K5 is my favorite!! keep the pics coming!!

 

[Hoosierdady]

Looks good, like I said on fb I knew you were going red. Almost every truck I've seen of yours has red somewhere in it. Lol

Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk

Yeah, Im a sucker for red.

You nailed it she looks nice and clean but still has that bad ass look to it

Thanks, it'll get better hopefully "thumbsup"

Looking good James!!"thumbsup"

Thank you sir.

Awesome work from the Chop Shop as usual!

Thanks Johnny "thumbsup"

Nice work! I love K5 Blazers, owned a few 1:1's here and there over the years. "thumbsup"

Thank you sir.

You nailed the colors IMO!!!!!

Thanks Don, I'm liking them so far.

love this build!! the K5 is my favorite!! keep the pics coming!!

Thank you sir, don't mind if I do, lol.


So here she is after one coat of clear. I'll wet sand it down tonight and hit it with another coat, then repeat the process once that's dried.


It's not 100% perfect, but I'm happy with it.



I worked on my dash some too. All that's left is a shift lever and it's done. I thought about backlighting it, and I guess I still could but I just wasn't feeling it. It wouldn't take much to drill out the gauges, put some thin clear styrene with gauge decals on them in place and put a handfull of LEDs behind it. But I'm thinking about weight. Im not sure if the material I would remove would offset the weight of the LEDs, wires, etc. Anyways, here it is. Notice the tilt and turn signal levers :mrgreen:.


I've got some laser cut metal keys coming from the same guy I ordered my grill from. They should help out with the look.

 

[bmuzz1]

Awesome build, I love the paint and that dash is killer!

 

[blukon98]

Coming along nicely love that dash and those colors pop!