[{"id":4670,"permalink":"https:\/\/dirtsportsworld.com\/2020\/04\/02\/kendas-k5-blazer\/","title":"Kenda\u2019s K5 Blazer","content":"It\u2019s not often you come across a K5 Blazer build. They are out there, just like Kenda Tire\u2019s 1991 GMC K5 Blazer. Introduced in 1969, the K5 was the smallest SUV out of the GMC truck line. The final year of the K5 was 1991 before it was replaced by the Yukon. The K5 was built as a short-wheelbase vehicle with two and four-wheel drive options.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-4674\" src=\"https:\/\/dirtsportsworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/KendaK5Blazer_Side-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" \/>\r\n\r\nKenda Regional Sales Manager, Mike Higgs spent years trying to find a K5 in just the right condition. His search came to an end in South Lake Tahoe when he found one. It had no issues starting and drove just fine. He paid the owner $1,000 for it. Higgs finally owned his K5 Blazer.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-4675\" src=\"https:\/\/dirtsportsworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/KendaK5Blazer_ExteriorBuild-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" \/>\r\n\r\nJust like how every garage build normally starts, Higgs wanted to keep things simple. Change out the suspension, new wheels and tires along with adding a lighting package and some other small things. Of course, the more parts you add, soon the project turns into a full-blown build. That is exactly what happened with the Blazer.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4676\" src=\"https:\/\/dirtsportsworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/KendaK5Blazer_RearCage-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" \/> <img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4677\" src=\"https:\/\/dirtsportsworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/KendaK5Blazer_FrontCage-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" \/>\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4679\" src=\"https:\/\/dirtsportsworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/KendaK5Blazer_InteriorCage-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" \/> <img class=\"alignnone wp-image-4684 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/dirtsportsworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/KendaK5Blazer_MotorIntake-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" \/>\r\n\r\nHiggs started out with a custom 4130 chromoly race cage from Wicked Creations. Next a Wilco tailgate was added. Higgs went to Can-Back to design a custom pre-production soft-top. Baja Rack stepped in with a roof rack system and integrated adjustable light bar. After sitting in the garage for months, Higgs moved the Blazer to Mikey Vanden Huevel\u2019s race shop in Wisconsin. Vanden Huevel was between projects and agreed to work on the vehicle. Vanden Heuvel was taking on a build outside of his normal wheelhouse. This is where things went into full overdrive.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4680\" src=\"https:\/\/dirtsportsworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/KendaK5Blazer_Dash-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" \/> <img class=\"alignnone wp-image-4682 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/dirtsportsworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/KendaK5Blazer_FrontSkidPlate-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" \/>\r\n\r\nVanden Huevel installed a customized carbon fiber dash for the interior from Fiberwerx . Higgs sourced a fiberglass body from McNeil racing. Adding all these parts increased the weight of the Blazer. New springs and suspension from Eibach were added to the Blazer along with Bilstein shocks to handle the increased load. The final weigh in came in at 5,600-lbs.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-4683\" src=\"https:\/\/dirtsportsworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/KendaK5Blazer_FrontShocks-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" \/>\r\n\r\nThe new goal of the K5 Blazer was to make it as versatile as possible. Higgs could drive at high speeds in the deserts, or slow in rock crawling sections. The front hood assembly is all one piece and can be unbolted and removed when necessary. The fenders can also be removed with to bolts per side to turn the Blazer into a rock buggy. Higgs says for overlanding trips, he can add a rooftop tent. The Blazer has already proved itself on the desert terrain of the recent King of the Hammers.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-4681\" src=\"https:\/\/dirtsportsworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/KendaK5BlazerRearQuarter-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" \/>\r\n\r\n<em><strong>BUILD SHEET<\/strong><\/em>\r\n\r\n1991 K5 Chevrolet Blazer\r\n\r\n<strong>Power Train<\/strong>\r\n\r\nGM DR525 LS3 6.2L Aluminum V8 Engine\r\n\r\nCBR Performance Products-Aluminum Radiator<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<strong>Drive Train<\/strong>\r\n\r\nAutomatic Transmission Designs 4L80E, Differential\/Ring &amp; Pinion Install\r\n\r\nReid Racing Super SH80 case\r\n\r\nFlying Dutchman Custom Dana 60 Front Axle W\/Reid Racing HD Dana 60\r\n\r\nFlying Dutchman Custom GM Corporate 14-bolt Rear Axle\r\n\r\n<strong>Brakes<\/strong>\r\n\r\nWilwood Brake System\r\n\r\nArizona Performance-Caliper Brackets\r\n\r\n<strong>Suspension<\/strong>\r\n\r\nFlying Dutchman Off-Road Designed 4 &amp; 5 Link Coilover Solid Axle\r\n\r\nBilstein M9100 2.5\u201d Coil-Over Remote Reservoir &amp; Bypass Remote Reservoir Shocks\r\n\r\nEibach Performance Suspension-Coil Springs\r\n\r\n<strong>Steering<\/strong>\r\n\r\nPSC Motorsports -2.5\u201d Full Hydraulic Dual Ram System\r\n\r\n<strong>Exterior<\/strong>\r\n\r\nMcNeil Racing Fiberglass Conversion Fenders, Hood &amp; Bedsides\r\n\r\nFlying Dutchman Off-Road Designed Front &amp; Rear Pre-Runner Bumpers.\r\n\r\nWilco Off-Road Products-Custom Swing-Away Rear TireGate\r\n\r\nBajaRack Adventure Roof Rack\r\n\r\nCan-Back Convertible Soft Top\r\n\r\nLightforce Performance Lighting\r\n\r\nWarn Industries-Zeon 12-S Winch \u2022\r\n\r\nFreesprit Recreation High Country 63\u201d Premium Rooftop Tent \u2022\r\n\r\n<strong>Interior <\/strong>\r\n\r\nFiberwerks Off-Road Fiberglass-Navi Full-size Race\/Pre-Runner Dash \u2022 Aqua-Hot Heating Systems Inc.-WR13000 Auxiliary Heating System.\r\n\r\nARB On-Board High Performance 12V Air Compressor with 1 Gallon Forged Aluminum Air Tank.\r\n\r\nCorbeau Baja XRS Suspension Seats Front\r\n\r\nAim Sports- MGX 7\u201d TFT Competition Data Acquisition Dash\r\n\r\nLowrance HDS-12 Gen3 &amp; HDS LIVE 7 Baja Touch Screen GPS\r\n\r\nRugged Radio-VHF Radio System","excerpt":"<p>It\u2019s not often you come across a K5 Blazer build. They are out there, just like Kenda Tire\u2019s 1991 GMC &hellip;<\/p>","date":"April 2, 2020 00:28","categories":[{"id":25047769,"title":"FEATURES","slug":"features"},{"id":25048477,"title":"Rides","slug":"rides"}],"tags":[{"id":25048773,"title":"Blazer","slug":"blazer"},{"id":25048776,"title":"Chevrolet Blazer","slug":"chevrolet-blazer"},{"id":25048524,"title":"chevy","slug":"chevy"},{"id":25048775,"title":"Feature Build","slug":"feature-build"},{"id":25048772,"title":"K5","slug":"k5"},{"id":25048771,"title":"Kenda","slug":"kenda"},{"id":25048774,"title":"Mike Higgs","slug":"mike-higgs"},{"id":25048777,"title":"SUV","slug":"suv"}]}]{
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    "title": "Blazer Archives - DirtSportsWorld",
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        {
            "id": "https://dirtsportsworld.com/?p=4670",
            "url": "https://dirtsportsworld.com/2020/04/02/kendas-k5-blazer/",
            "title": "Kenda\u2019s K5 Blazer",
            "content_html": "<p>It\u2019s not often you come across a K5 Blazer build. They are out there, just like Kenda Tire\u2019s 1991 GMC &hellip;</p><p>The post <a href=\"https://dirtsportsworld.com/2020/04/02/kendas-k5-blazer/\">Kenda\u2019s K5 Blazer</a> appeared first on <a href=\"https://dirtsportsworld.com\">DirtSportsWorld</a>.</p>\n",
            "content_text": "It\u2019s not often you come across a K5 Blazer build. They are out there, just like Kenda Tire\u2019s 1991 GMC &hellip;The post Kenda\u2019s K5 Blazer appeared first on DirtSportsWorld.",
            "date_published": "2020-04-02T00:28:08-07:00",
            "date_modified": "2022-02-21T00:53:03-08:00",
            "authors": [
                {
                    "name": "DirtSportsWorld Staff",
                    "url": "https://dirtsportsworld.com/author/dirtsportsworld/",
                    "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4817be88e351e2814fd215f4b782a136e8119efccfc1eafde273c56619cf08f5?s=512&d=identicon&r=g"
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            "author": {
                "name": "DirtSportsWorld Staff",
                "url": "https://dirtsportsworld.com/author/dirtsportsworld/",
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            "tags": [
                "Blazer",
                "Chevrolet Blazer",
                "chevy",
                "Feature Build",
                "K5",
                "Kenda",
                "Mike Higgs",
                "SUV",
                "FEATURES",
                "Rides"
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