This Vintage 1972 K5 Blazer Has All the Right Hardware

Square-body Blazers are commonly spotted on the trail, and for good reason. They came from the factory with V-8 engines and solid axles, the top is removable, and an 18-year production run ensured that there are still plenty of them out there. First-generation (1969-1972) Blazers are much rarer, and we can't recall seeing many of them that have been repowered with an LS engine and fitted with coilovers and 1-ton axles.

Nate Jensen from Nate's Precision has built a lot of custom trucks over the years, many of them for Jack Stanko. Stanko commissioned Jensen to build this Blazer, knowing that he would apply the same level of detail he does to every project. The original plan called for 37-inch-tall tires and uncut fenders, but things quickly got out of control. All it took was seeing a set of 40-inch Goodyear Wrangler MT/Rs sitting next to the Blazer for Stanko to know he needed them on it.

One of the reasons Jensen has built so many vehicles for Stanko is that he has a hard time keeping anything for long, often giving his friends killer deals on past projects so he can make room for new ones. That is how this Blazer ended up with Vincent and Inez Guss. They wanted something different from the standard square-body Blazer, and they got just that. With air conditioning and a full interior, along with locked 1-ton axles and linked suspension front and rear, this Blazer can go just about anywhere and keep them comfortable along the way.

Tech Specs
1972 Chevy K5 Blazer
>Drivetrain
Engine: 6.2L Gen III V-8
Transmission: 4L65E 4-speed automatic
Transfer Case: Offroad Design Magnum
Front Axle: Dana 60 with 5.38 gears and ARB Air Locker
Rear Axle: 14-bolt with 5.38 gears and ARB Air Locker
>Suspension
Springs & Such: Offroad Design 4-link kit with 14-inch-travel King coilovers (front and rear)
Tires & Wheels: 40x13.50R17 Goodyear Wrangler MT/R on 17x9 TrailReady Creeper beadlock
Steering: Crossover with PSC steering box, hydraulic assist ram, and pump
Lighting: Dual Rigid 20-inch Midnight Series LED light bars in the grille, Southern Rods Silver Bullet headlights with integrated turn signals
Other Stuff: Offroad Design front bumper, AutoMeter Pro-Comp Ultra-Lite gauges, Winters Sidewinder shifter, Warn VR10,000 winch, Factor55 fairlead and winch thimble, custom Nate's Precision TIG-welded 1 3/4-inch DOM rollcage, PAC Spring sway bar, custom Nate's Precision TIG-welded rock sliders, Camaro SS front seats, Vintage Air air conditioning, Ididit tilt steering column