Few companies have mastered the art of restomodding as effectively as Ringbrothers, and their latest project, a 1972 Chevrolet K5 Blazer known as the ‘Raskal,’ is among their most impressive and comprehensive endeavors.
Restoring and modifying a vehicle as beloved as the K5 Blazer is always tricky as there’s always the potential a firm will go overboard and completely disregard the car’s history and former self. In building ‘Raskal’, Ringbrothers invested some 2,800 hours ensuring everything about it is perfect.
“This build is less about the numbers and more about character,” said Ringbrothers co-founder Mike Ring. “Every piece of the build was designed to embrace the fun sport-utility aspects of the original K5 but enhanced to be better and more capable in every way.
The key alterations start with the bodywork where the quarter panels and tailgate have been raised to match the door height while the door handles have been moved to the top of the doors for a more seamless look. Ringbrothers also removed the original hardtop, side and rear glass and replaced it with a bespoke full-length, two-piece removable aluminum canopy.
Then there’s the engine. Found beneath the carbon fiber hood is a 6.2-liter LS3 V8 from Wagner Motorsports with 430 hp and 425 lb-ft (576 Nm) of torque. This engine sends it power to the pavement through a Bowler Tru-Street GM automatic transmission.
Helping to ensure the 1972 off-roader can handle the additional grunt is a custom RS4 chassis from Roadster Shop, Currie Dana 44 front and Dana 60 rear axles, and new triangulated four-link suspension with Fox Racing coilovers. A set of Baer brake calipers have also been fitted and bite down on 13-inch calipers at all four corners.
No stone has been left unturned in the cabin either. Key upgrades include distinctive seats fabricated in-house and upholstery done by Steve Pearson at Upholstery Unlimited. Ringbrothers has also fitted its own unique dashboard bezels and Dakota Digital gauges. A new steering wheel has also been installed.
“Raskal is all about having fun, getting into trouble and causing some mischief,” Ringbrothers co-founder Jim Ring said. “With this project, we wanted to explore the nuance of sport utility and evolve the K5 Blazer’s original lines and proportions into something that celebrated the K5’s go everywhere, do everything attitude.”
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