Race Against Time
The old adage of being in the right place at the right time holds true when it comes to vehicle builds. Stumbling onto a barn find or getting a smokin’ deal off the internet is all about timing. So the takeaway here is, if you have a project build in mind, try to find the best starting point available, but don’t let a good example pass by ‘cause there may not be another one for a while.
When TMI was looking for 1969-1972 Chevy K5 Blazer to show off its full array of interior components, they knew the used market was gonna be a tough road. There are few examples out there, and the quote of “Price firm, I know what I have,” appeared on too many Craig’s List ads to have the option to bargain. So when this decent-condition ’70 was found locally, TMI jumped at the opportunity and took a fistful of cash. With the deal struck and the Blazer safely on a trailer, TMI was already formulating the build on the ride back to the warehouse.
The Big Dance
Since its final destination was SEMA 2016, TMI knew that this K5 had to be a knockout. With a whole website of finished interior products to choose from, the Research and Development team at TMI chose to go with Pro-Classic Complete Seats in the Sport VXR pattern in Screaming Yellow Vinyl and Grey Suede with black stitching and TMI’s signature black grommets. A center console was done up in the same pattern as well as molded door panels and a dash pad. If you take a look at the dash under the climate controls you’ll see a special treat, TMI created a custom under-dash console that houses the Ridetech digital readout and switches. Underneath it all is a full German Square Weave carpet kit.
The Blazer was chosen due to its ability to turn into a fully open roadster by just lifting the top off. The vehicle choice was done deliberately so the entire interior could be viewed by the attendees at SEMA. Continuing that inside-out theme was the addition of a molded fiberglass upper windshield cap that was color matched to that same PPG Root Beer Brown. The wheel and tire combo consist of American Racing wheels wrapped with Continental Extreme Contact tires, as a set of Baer calipers and rotors provide stopping power.
First Impressions
The stock 350 and 4-speed was ditched in favor of a 5.3 LS paired with a 4l60E paired to a Chevy 12 bolt, with a Magnaflow system. Although a new engine and transmission setup was chosen, that is really where the upgrades stopped. TMI chose to spend more time on the look of the Blazer and they really excelled at that. As anyone who likes Blazers, or has had one, once you take the top off there is that transition step from the door to the bed rail that serves a stop for the fiberglass top. TMI solved that goofy step down with their easy-to-install bed rail caps, which run from the doors all the way to the tailgate. The folks at TMI wanted something eye-catching but not flashy, while retaining the nostalgia of the vehicle while including modern elements. The two-tone color scheme was chosen with Johnny’s Auto Color handling all the body work and shooting the PPG Root Beer Brown and Champagne Paint. To cap off all the exterior upgrades and showcase what TMI has to offer is a color matched lower front bumper spoiler.
Lowdown and Rolling Hard
Getting the K5 that low was no easy feat, but it’s also a well known road. The stock frame had a rear C-notch cut in and welded by RnG Customs, who did the rest of the suspension as well. Ridetech was tapped to provide ‘bags for all four wheels and as well as the digital controls. The wheel and tire combo consist of 20x9 and 20x10 American Racing VF 498s with bronze inners and a satin lip, wrapped with Continental Extreme Contact tires, as a set of Baer calipers and rotors provide stopping power.
With another home run on their hands, TMI is really proud of how this ’70 K5 turned out. Not only were the paint and interior on point, but the addition of the chin spoiler and windshield cap made the front view look awesome. And those bedside rails really beefed up the build overall by making the whole thing look sleeker and lower to the ground.
