Trail King - 1976 Chevy Blazer - Four Wheeler Magazine

Trail King Cover Truck Chevy Front Three Quarter

When Alyssa Lehr and John Webster head out for a weekend wheeling trip, they leave nothing to chance. Preparation for whatever potentially catastrophic failure could occur is thought through well in advance, and steps are taken to ensure that their fun will not be cut short due to some unforeseen circumstance. Having a life-long affection for desert racing, Alyssa’s husband John knows the difference between simply going out for a little light four-wheeling and racing the Baja 1000. As such, he prides himself with his ability to prepare for the worst-case scenario on any given outing. That’s why we didn’t mind if the couple and their son tagged along with us on a recent trip through the Rubicon Trail. We knew that John could handle any potential issue he encountered.

Through decades of owning and operating a custom auto body shop near their hometown of Hollister, California, John has literally seen and done it all when it comes to vehicles. His ’76 Blazer is a potent mix of tried-and-true girth with subtle race-car tricks in critical areas. Provisions such as the bombproof Atlas II transfer case mated to a TCI Turbo 350 transmission equipped with a shift kit, heavy-duty clutches and the more desirable truck case provide Alyssa and John with the confidence they need to venture out to far-off places such as the Sierra Nevada or Baja without worrying about breakdowns. Details such as 39.5-inch BFGoodrich red-label Krawlers and a heavy-duty skidplate protecting the 25-gallon fuel tank allow the couple to tackle virtually any obstacle they encounter without fear of trip-altering punctures. The rig simply works, and with all the necessities to be self-sustaining on rocks, mud, sand, or snow, we can’t help but think of the Websters as trail kings of every discipline.

The rig simply works, and with all the necessities to be self-sustaining on rocks, mud, sand, or snow, we can’t help but think of the Websters as trail kings of every discipline.

The Details
General
Owner/Hometown: Alyssa Lehr and John Webster/Hollister, CA Vehicle/Model: 1976 Chevy K5 Blazer
Estimated value: $25,000
Engine
Type: Chevrolet 410ci V-8
Aspiration: Holly ProJection
Output, hp/torque, lb-ft: N/A
Drivetrain
Transmission: TCI Turbo 350
Transfer Case: Atlas II 5:1
Suspension
Front: Deaver springs over axle, 12-in Fox Racing Shox
Rear: Deaver springs over axle, 14-in Fox Racing Shox
Axles/ Differentials
Front: Dana 60, 35-spline chromoly axleshafts, CTM U-joints, disc brakes/ARB Air Locker
Rear: Corporate 14-Bolt, 35-spline chromoly axleshafts, drum brakes/Detroit Locker
Ring And pinion: 4.88:1
Wheels/Tires
Wheels: 17x9 steel Rock Crawlers
Tires: 39.5x13.50-17 BFG Krawlers (competition compound)

The interior of this rig retains a stock appearance, with the exception of seven Auto Meter gauges mounted to a custom aluminum insert. Additional upgrades include a Grant rosewood steering wheel, CB radio and in-dash CD player. Seating comfort comes from a pair of ’90s-vintage Mustang GT bucket seats. The rear passenger area regularly hosts the couple’s son, J.P., thanks to a custom-mounted PRP suspension seat.
The interior of this rig retains a stock appearance, with the exception of seven Auto Mete
When it came to axles, John and Alyssa didn’t skimp out. Instead, they balanced all the variables and picked what they knew would keep them moving through even the toughest of trail scenarios. To them, the combination of a Dana 60 front and 14-bolt rear seemed perfect for a vehicle of the size and power they were working with. The front axle shown here is loaded with 4.88:1 gearing, an ARB Air Locker, chromoly axleshafts, and CTM U-joints. Also visible is the business end of a Warn XD9000 winch.
When it came to axles, John and Alyssa didn’t skimp out. Instead, they balanced all the va
Shown here on the infamous Little Sluice obstacle of the Rubicon Trail, Alyssa proves that girl-power and a flexy rig are all you need to turn heads and silence the boys on the trail.
Shown here on the infamous Little Sluice obstacle of the Rubicon Trail, Alyssa proves that

Out back, a trussed GM Corporate 14-bolt is geared with the same ratio as the front and locked by a Detroit Locker. The rear axleshafts are also 35-spline chromoly units.
Out back, a trussed GM Corporate 14-bolt is geared with the same ratio as the front and lo
The rear suspension arrangement consists of nine-leaf spring packs custom built by Deaver Spring. Their length is six inches over stock to improve flex and provide a supple ride around town. Damping comes from a pair of 14-inch-travel, Fox 2.5-inch remote-reservoir racing shocks that protrude into the rear of the passenger compartment to intercept custom tubular mounts fabricated by Toby Lavender of XXX-Traction in Seaside, California.
The rear suspension arrangement consists of nine-leaf spring packs custom built by Deaver
Powering John’s green giant is a Chevy 410ci small-block equipped with forged pistons, ported Chevy heads, a full roller valvetrain, and a Lazer camshaft. The beast is fed by a Holley ProJection four-barrel EFI system mated to an Edelbrock Performer RPM intake manifold. The fumes exit through a pair of Doug Thorley headers that connect to a 3-inch Magnaflow exhaust system. Spark comes from a Jacobs electronic ignition system. The mill is cooled by a Be Cool aluminum radiator.
Powering John’s green giant is a Chevy 410ci small-block equipped with forged pistons, por

Here, you can see how the shocks tie into the robust interior ’cage structure. The setup allows for gobs of droop while requiring minimal interior real estate. Notice the sizable storage area alongside the rear passenger seat. An ARB freezer unit (not shown) fits snugly within this void.
Here, you can see how the shocks tie into the robust interior ’cage structure. The setup a
The spare tire resides inside the confines of the rear cargo compartment, providing a useful void for stowing items such as tow straps, gloves and a lug nut wrench. The extensive cage structure was built by XXX-Traction and features 1¾-inch DOM tubing and a durable gloss-black powdercoat finish. All interior surfaces have been coated with Ultimate Liner applied by John’s auto body shop. Notice the handy storage area for liquids along the driver’s side. A dry-food storage cooler is contained under the spare tire along with a plastic bin for spare parts and tools. A custom nylon tie-down made by Mac’s Custom Tie-Downs secures the spare to the cage system.
The spare tire resides inside the confines of the rear cargo compartment, providing a usef