Heads or Tails, This Blazer Cannot Be Beaten

The Chevrolet K5 was originally introduced in 1969 to compete with Ford’s Bronco and Dodge’s Scout. One year later, the K5 was outselling both its competitors and became the most popular-selling sport utility vehicle. It’s no wonder it has become a very sought-after vehicle to customize for truck enthusiasts everywhere. Sam Harper III and his father, Sam Harper Jr., had built a ’57 Bel Air, but at the top of Sam III’s list of vehicles he wanted was a K5 Blazer. Once he was able to sell his custom Bel Air, he began his search, finding a perfect base for his ideas.

The K5 was originally owned by Loren Hoover, a fellow truck builder, so Sam knew it was already loved and cared for. A big brake kit was installed previously along with the boxed body being air bagged, but there was no interior inside the K5, and it had an inferior 383 motor under the hood. After the Blazer was brought back to Michigan from South Carolina, Sam and his father tore the truck down to get it ready for paint and bodywork. All the dents, dings, and scratches were taken care of, and Sam and his father then added custom Kindig It handles that blend evenly with the doors.

Sam searched for a while for the right color to add to the Blazer, finally settling on Prowler Orange. He contacted a good friend and painter, Andy “Big Mac” McBrine at Paint by Big Mac, to handle the color change from stock blue to orange. The next step was contacting Jerin Clements of Corn Fed Customs in Huntington, Indiana, to help nail down the perfect material to add inside the cabin. All the interior components were color-matched by Jerin, and then the stereo install began by Andy Khazad, outfitting subwoofers in spots behind the seats and mid-range speakers added to kick panels in the front. Andy and good friend Chad Pratley added Dakota Digital analog gauges along with correcting other wiring issues, making sure everything was in top shape.

You simply cannot have a true custom truck without taking care of the motor. The engine bay is one of the most neglected things in the truck community, so it was important for Sam and his father to replace the stock 383 simply because it was substandard to Sam’s needs. Sam’s father and Tim Slater installed an LS motor and column. The added power fit perfectly into the Blazer, and Sam and his father were able to finally have working A/C with Vintage Air.

This project was a true culmination of years of experience and love, all coming together to build what is displayed here. Sam wishes to thank everyone for helping along the way, especially his father, Sam Harper Jr. Sam sends a special thanks to his wife, Jennifer Harper, for all her understanding and patience. Sam also wishes to thank his best friend, Derick Goldey, for everything he has done. The Penny Prowler has been gathering up awards, which is a true accomplishment that Sam and his father can be proud of together.

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OWNER
Sam Harper III

• 1990 Chevy K5 Blazer
• Kalamazoo, MI
• Acrophobia

ENGINE & DRIVETRAIN

• LS swap
• LS engine and radiator cover
• Vintage Air A/C compressor
• Spectre cold air intake
• Tuff Stuff 220-watt alternator
• 4L60E transmission
• 3.55 rear gear ratio

CHASSIS & SUSPENSION

• Porterbuilt front end swap
• Z’d frame
• Slam Specialties 2600-lb bags
• ThorBros triangulated rear 4-link
• Accuair eLevel air management
• Two Viair 444 black compressors
• Two 5-gallon tanks
• Suspension work by Brad Baird at Driven Addiction

WHEELS & TIRES

• 22×8.5 and 22×10 Boyd Coddington Dictator wheels
• 265/35ZR22 and 285/35ZR22 Desert Storm tires
• Wilwood master cylinder and brakes

BODY & PAINT

• PPG Envirobase Prowler Orange Pearl Metallic by Andy “Big Mac” McBrine
• Smoothed topper with shaved seams, shaved drip rails, cab moldings, mirror and doors, and emblems
• Kindig It chrome bar handles
• ‘57 Bel Air mirrors
• Cowl hood
• Painted grille shell and billet insert
• Shaved firewall
• Slosh Tubz inner fenders
• All work by Sam Harper Jr.

INTERIOR & STEREO

• Black carpet reworked to cover floors
• Back half floor raised above C-notch
• Rear bench
• 2006 Silverado front seats with center console
• Distressed brown vinyl upholstery
• Custom-painted covers in the rear to hide battery and amps
• Billet Specialties Anthem half-wrapped steering wheel with matching vinyl
• Pioneer 3400 flip-up deck
• Two Rockford Fosgate 6.5-inch speakers in custom kick panels
• Two 18-inch Rockford Fosgate subwoofers in custom panels behind seats
• Rockford Fosgate 4-channel amplifiers
• Stereo work by Andy Khazad at Dash Works