1983 Chevy K5 Blazer Playing The Ace

Have you ever ordered sushi at the International House of Pancakes? What about asking for crème brulee at Mickey D's? You're likely to receive a blank stare or a furrowed brow in reply. Rick Curcio, on the other hand, would probably get his order filled. Why is this? Rick persuaded Total Chaos Fabrication, famous for long-travel A-arm suspension systems, to build his solid-axle leaf-sprung Chevy Blazer.

Rick's request wasn't a random one. "I've had two trucks with Total Chaos kits," he told us. "I had a '98 4Runner with a T.C. long-travel kit. I drove it hard for a long time and I broke almost everything on that truck except for the Total Chaos kit. I've got a Nissan Titan, too, and I've got Total Chaos upper control arms and rear shackles on that. I'm really happy with how the truck works."

Despite the 4Runner and the Titan, Rick was a long-standing fan of the Chevy Blazer. After years of scheming and dreaming he happened across a clean '83 K-5 and decided his time had come. He had the K-5 Blazer and he had a plan. He just needed someone to perform the build. Total Chaos immediately came to mind.

Right about this time, T.C.'s Nicole Pitell and Matt Vaughan wanted some work done on their house. Rick, a contractor, immediately came to mind. The three met up. Rick knew he held an ace, and it was time to lay it down. "The only way I'm gonna work on your house is if you build my Blazer," he stated. Matt, sensing Rick wasn't bluffing, countered "I won't build you a typical Blazer If I build this, it's gonna be a Chaos version!" Rick's contract work was on par with T.C.'s fab work, and Matt and Nicole knew it. An agreement was reached, and the Blazer's transformation commenced.

"I took the Blazer as a challenge," Matt commented. "It was completely different from our normal stuff, but Rick was an ideal customer. He trusted us to do a good job and didn't pressure us. I wouldn't say we'd never do a build like this again, but it took a pretty unique situation for us to go ahead with it."

The Blazer was built as an all-around machine: something that could go throttle-down through the sand washes as well as creep through rock-strewn canyons. Four-wheel drive was retained, as were the solid front and rear axles. A full roll cage was built to keep the occupants safe and the Blazer intact through the rough. Suspension parts from Deaver, Light Racing, and Fox made sure that the ride was as smooth as it was controlled.

With time on Total Chaos's side, Matt was able to keep up with production and development on T.C. suspension systems and build the Blazer too. A year and a half later, the K-5 was a faster, smoother, tougher, and safer version of its former self.

"Everyone I worked with on this project has been great," Rick reported. "I probably drove Jeff at Deaver Spring nuts, but he worked with me until I was happy with the springs. The Turnkey engine and Atlas transfer case have been great, too." Rick's overall assessment? "I never thought this Blazer would work the way it does. Perfection! Matt's skill and attention to detail are just awesome."

It wasn't on the menu, but Rick still got his order filled. Sounds like an ace well played.

Specs
Vehicle: 1983 Chevy K-5 Blazer
Owner/Hometown: Rick Curcio, Wildomar, California
Engine: Chevy LS2 with LS6 heads, built by Turnkey Engine Supply
Exhaust: Custom headers by Tom Face, Flowmaster mufflers
Transmission: Turbo 400 by Culhane Transmissions
Transfer case: Advance Adapters Atlas II
Front end: Dynatrac Dana 60 with GM 1-ton brakes
Rear end: Dynatrac Dana 60 with Wilwood disc brakes
Ring and Pinion: 4.56:1
Front Differential: Detroit Locker
Rear Differential: Detroit Locker
Suspension: Deaver front and rear leaf packs, Fox 3.0 bypass shocks, Light Racing Jounce Shocks, Total Chaos shackles
Tires: 37-inch BFG Mud-Terrain T/A
Wheels: 17x8 Robby Gordon Beadlocks
Roll cage: Full roll cage by Total Chaos Fabrication, 1.75-inch .120-wall chromoly MIG welded.
Interior: Beard seats, Crow harnesses, custom dash, center console, and door panels by Joe and Moe's Speed Center

The 'cage was built using 1.75-inch 0.120-wall 4130 chromoly tubing and a lot of thought. A successful roll cage protects the occupants, reinforces the existing chassis,....
The 'cage was built using 1.75-inch 0.120-wall 4130 chromoly tubing and a lot of thought.
.....provides mounting points for suspension components, and provides mounting points for spares, tools, and other accessories. It takes planning to pull this off successfully. Textbook-quality MIG welds are evident throughout.
.....provides mounting points for suspension components, and provides mounting points for
The stock dash was stripped away and set aside. Joe and Moe's Speed Center of Riverside, California, built a custom aluminum dash, center console, and door panels to replace the stock stuff. Dzus fasteners allow quick panel removal when needed.
The stock dash was stripped away and set aside. Joe and Moe's Speed Center of Riverside, C

There's no need to cut off the roof for welding access when you've got a removable top.
Four Beard seats and matching Crow harnesses cradle the occupants. Roll bar padding is a plus, but building the cage with plenty of overhead and side clearance is more important. This Blazer has both the clearance and the padding. Racer-X headsets and a matching intercom make for easy conversation.
Four Beard seats and matching Crow harnesses cradle the occupants. Roll bar padding is a p
Easy-to-read gauges and clearly marked, easily reachable switches are hallmarks of a job well done, and qualities worth emulating. Just below the Lowrance GPS and the Icom race radio you can see the Winters tranny shifter and the twin sticks that actuate the Atlas II transfer case.
Easy-to-read gauges and clearly marked, easily reachable switches are hallmarks of a job w

It's not easy to find room for a 37-inch spare, but this angled mount did the trick. The cooler is plumbed to drain through the floor, and the tool bags are securely tied down. Extra stuff can be tied down on the overhead Defender rack.
It's not easy to find room for a 37-inch spare, but this angled mount did the trick. The c
Old-school Chevy small-block V-8s are perhaps the most popular engine ever made, but a Turnkey-prepped LS2 with LS6 heads still outdoes the old iron. The entire OEM drive train was removed and replaced with better hardware.
Old-school Chevy small-block V-8s are perhaps the most popular engine ever made, but a Tur
Long-travel, desert-bred suspensions usually have generous articulation as a side benefit. There's plenty of flex on tap here.
Long-travel, desert-bred suspensions usually have generous articulation as a side benefit.

You'll find a Culhane-built Turbo 400 in front of the Atlas II transfer case. The Atlas II's compact front-to-rear dimension means the rear drive shaft can be longer, which is important with a relatively short wheelbase like the Blazer's.
You'll find a Culhane-built Turbo 400 in front of the Atlas II transfer case. The Atlas II
The original half-ton front axle is long gone, replaced by a Dynatrac Dana 60. The Dynatrac is fortified with 4.56 gears and a Detroit Locker. Deaver springs suspend all four corners of the Blazer, and a few iterations were tried before the right mix of cush and body roll control was found.
The original half-ton front axle is long gone, replaced by a Dynatrac Dana 60. The Dynatra
Position-sensitive suspension control comes via Fox 3.0 bypass shocks. In addition to the custom-tuned Deaver leaf packs, Light Racing's Jounce Shocks were a key factor in controlling body roll.
Position-sensitive suspension control comes via Fox 3.0 bypass shocks. In addition to the

Matt tucked a Ramsey 12,000-pound winch behind the front bumper. The bumper maximizes protection, approach angle, and bears no resemblance to a farm implement. Nice job.
Matt tucked a Ramsey 12,000-pound winch behind the front bumper. The bumper maximizes prot
The rear bumper isn't overly elaborate, but it's well-executed and solidly built. Rick had the Blazer torn down for prep when we inquired about a feature story. We lucked out: Donald Arnao, Nicole Pitell, and Four Wheeler staffer Robin Stover had some photos of Rick's Blazer to lend. Thanks!
The rear bumper isn't overly elaborate, but it's well-executed and solidly built. Rick had