Blazin’ Around

Ron Call is a regular guy that just wanted to have a cool vehicle to run around town with his family in. Just have a turnkey vehicle that is nice but not showroom immaculate, just nice enough to park and have it gleam in the sun.

He just happened to have a buddy named Kyle Wilks who had this 1974 Chevy K5 Blazer sitting around but had too many other current projects vying for his attention. He already had a ‘72 K5 Blazer, a ‘75 International Pickup, a ‘71 Bronco, and six Suburbans ranging in years from 1971 through 1990. So basically, Kyle had too many projects and not enough time. Plus he had been busting Ron’s chops for years trying to convince him how classic trucks are fun to build and a great investment! So long story short, Ron happened to come by at the right time and offered him a handful of cash to take it off his hands.

A Proper Rumble

Since the 350, TH350, and stock rear end was still in decent shape Ron decided to just leave ‘em that way till the need arose. He did add a Holley Street Avenger CFU carb, aluminum bow tie valve covers and air cleaner, and Flowmaster Series 40 mufflers. Ron does plan on doing a 383 stroker and transmission upgrade in the future.

Ron’s main areas of attention were the exterior and the interior. The Blazer is already known as a fun, free-wheeling and stout SUV that looks amazing with the top removed and a roll cage installed. It allows for some awesome wheeling around town and on the trail, and its open architecture gives a birds-eye view of the interior. When Ron was thinking of both style and comfort, he made the right choice with a full TMI treatment. He went with a duo of Pro-Classic Universal Sport Seats in Saddle Brown vinyl with Brown and Beige plaid inserts, matching rear bench upholstery (and new foam), molded door panels, rear quarter panels, and matching tailgate cover. The factory-reminiscent paint scheme was expertly laid down by Pinky’s Autobody in El Monte, CA, in two-tone Wheatland Yellow with White stripes.

Calling Dibs

Ron’s plan for the K5 was to build it into a solid everyday runner that he and his family could enjoy. So when the Blazer came home, he immediately installed a set of 35-inch Mickey Thompson Baja Boss tires and 15 x 8 OEM Rally wheels to give it some attitude and altitude to match the 4-inch lift that was already on when he bought it. When his complete interior arrived from TMI, he immediately set his kids Gaven, Evan, and Ayana to work installing it. One of the greatest advantages of having complete interior components arrive ready to install is that almost anyone can tackle the project. After a few afternoons, the ’74 was transformed with a new interior that made the seating arrangements much more comfortable and 100-percent more stylish. Only problem now is that each kid has laid ownership claims on the Blazer when Ron is ready to pass it along!

This Chevy is a testament to finding a half-built project and still being able to personalize it. Ron made the right choices when it came to the paint scheme, adding those aggressive and effective tires, and of course by adding the TMI interior. It’ll serve the Call family for many years to come and if Ron is smart he’ll keep his phone on video mode to capture all the Thunderdome mayhem of his kids duking it out for ownership later on!