[MOC] Chevy K5 Blazer

[Madoca 1977]

On 9/19/2025 at 5:15 PM, Jundis said:

What a cool build, the chassis looks so clean and no unuseful additional part to see :-)

How well does the 20t half bevel gear mesh with the 16t? Never thought of using this solution for narrow builds...

Gears are meshing quite smoothly. But gear tooth touches at very small area(A) compare to normal square tooth gear meshing(B).

Transmitting high torque will damage gear teeth. In this MOC, transmitting torque (diff-locked) situation is limited. So it worked.

By the way, I also learned interesting/annoying size difference of those gears. Maybe you all have already known it though.

On 9/19/2025 at 11:29 PM, gyenesvi said:

Wow, now that's a surprise, a pleasant one! When I saw the thread first, I thought somebody has revived an old thread, but I was wondering why I haven't seen this model yet. I didn't expect it would be a new one :) But it's great to see you and the new model.

As all, I really like the suspension, the solution to connect the two ends. Also, the amount of articulation and the balance it would have. And a really nice property if the setup is that it does not need springs at the front, so there's a lot of space for all the motors without the springs intruding or limiting articulation.

I also like the two-tone body, adds a really nice touch. I was wondering though, if you'd build it all in red, would you rather use the flat fenders of the new Bronco? I have also been entertaining the idea of building a Chevy Blazer for a while. It's quite boxy, so it has a lot of space inside for stuff :)

I tested flat fenders and they fit well. But with this chassis setting tires touch fenders when suspension articulate to the limit. So I used curved one which have more space in it. (This time I stick to maximum suspension travel.) I think widen the body 1 stud would be solution.

Instructions available at Rebrickable!

I know sometimes my photo-sequence instructions would be hard to follow. I'm very sorry but I prefer somewhat challenging instructions (back in 1980s) to recent "18+" instructions. 

Edited yesterday at 12:54 PM by Madoca 1977

[Igor1]

Is it possible to replace/fit in rare 2473 parts (2L) in gear shifters with 18947 parts (3L) without sacrificing performance?

2473   -->18947

Edited Saturday at 07:03 PM by Igor1

[Madoca 1977]

Since all gears and shifters are in 5 studs width, using shorter 2473(2L) was the only choice. If you use 18947(3L), you also need to replace red differential to older DBG one which has smaller housing. My Dacoma 4x4 model has rear diff lock using 18947.

With major modification to both axles, you may use 18947 with DBG diff gear. I think performance would be almost the same thanks to planetary hubs.

Edited yesterday at 02:08 PM by Madoca 1977

[Vitaliy-4759]

Hi, what about the model with defender arches and gray panels? is it in development and will there be instructions?

[Igor1]

@Madoca 1977 Thanks for your reply! There are already some skilled people who have been able to modify this with minimal changes (someone known as Revenant).

All three differential locks can be easily modified with an old 2L driving ring 6539:

What do you think about this? In this case there is only one new driving ring remains, which will engage the transfer case on the green gears.

A simple resource would be to purchase the 42209 Volvo Electric Wheel Loader set and use it as a donor for one rare 2L driving ring 2473 and a 12-tooth green gear (bricklink cancelled Russia).

Edited 20 hours ago by Igor1

[damian_kane_iv]

That's a fascinating mechanism for triggering the diff locker. I would have assumed that was a feature of the actual Blazer's suspension if you hadn't described it as the diff locker

[Madoca 1977]

6 hours ago, Vitaliy-4759 said:

Hi, what about the model with defender arches and gray panels? is it in development and will there be instructions?

I built that one last year. It was highly experimental model which had front and rear independent suspension with self-locking differentials. Instead of 2 speed gearbox, it had M motor for locking 3 differentials simultaneously. I didn't share it because of poorly outdoor performance. But now I'm thinking if I combine those mechanics and Blazer's together, off-road performance would be much better.

5 hours ago, Igor1 said:

 

All three differential locks can be easily modified with an old 2L driving ring 6539:

You are absolutely right. Actually I used old red 2L driving rings during WIP because I had dozens of those parts. The only reason I used new (and still rare) 2L driving ring was to avoid discontinued parts in 2025. Also, I got 42209 as a donor for this MOC.

[Vitaliy-4759]

this is very good- it would be a pity to forget a model with such a body. now I hope it will appear after the Blazer in your workshop, and we have instructions for assembly.

Edited 17 hours ago by Vitaliy-4759

[Igor1]

9 hours ago, Madoca 1977 said:

You are absolutely right. Actually I used old red 2L driving rings during WIP because I had dozens of those parts. The only reason I used new (and still rare) 2L driving ring was to avoid discontinued parts in 2025. Also, I got 42209 as a donor for this MOC.

Thanks again for the reply! I didn't even know the red 2L driving rings were discontinued. I hope the new ones won't be so rare in 2-3 years. 

I'll definitely be building your Blazer using C+ first. But I'm thinking of converting it to PF electrics later, since I still like them better and I have enough Buwizz 2.0 to get rid of the heavy battery-powered control unit. I also really love all your old PF MOCs.