Ringbrothers reveal ‘TUKA’ 1972 Chevrolet K5 Blazer at SEMA 2024

This K5 Blazer features a fully bespoke interior, hand-shaped body, 525hp LS3 V8 and more than 3700 hours of custom details by Ringbrothers

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Photographers: Drew Phillips, Louis Yio

The second Ringbrothers unveil at SEMA Show 2024 is this 1972 Chevrolet K5 Blazer known as ‘TUKA.’ Designed with a dual focus on off-road agility and the aplomb of the city, TUKA is a singular edition to Ringbrothers’ storied lineage of K5 Blazers and delivers Ringbrothers’ signature attention to detail.

Investing more than 3700 hours, the TUKA project enhances the K5 Blazer’s original lines and proportions by raising the tailgate and box sides by two inches to match the door height and create a seamless and timeless profile. The fibreglass rear top is hand-built and integrates a panoramic roof from a modern Blazer, while the rear window was grafted from a contemporary Jeep Wrangler and canted to mimic the Blazer’s  factory top. The sculpted bodywork is finished with a BASF Glasurit Waterborne mix called Galactic Black.

TUKA is distinct from the Blazers we’ve built before as it melds our knowledge of the platform with updated underpinnings creating our desired on and off-road vision,” said Ringbrothers co-owner Jim Ring. “This project is all about crafting something new and highly functional from a tried, true and familiar K5 that can be used daily while no stranger to playing in the dirt.”

Beneath the Ringbrothers carbonfibre hood resides a 525hp GM Performance 6.2-litre LS3 V8 channeling 487lb-ft of torque to the ground through a Bowler Tru-Street GM 4L60E automatic transmission and NP208 transfer case. Uniquely, TUKA incorporates class-leading chassis elements from a third-generation Tacoma with the Toyota’s independent front suspension modified for purpose with Total Chaos control arms and a custom rear suspension with King shocks fitted all around. The Blazer rides on a set of one-off 18-inch bronze wheels from HRE and features a custom spare tyre mount behind the rear seat.

The techno-utilitarian, entirely bespoke cabin was penned by designer Sean Smith and crafted by Gabe Lopez and the team at Gabe’s Custom Interiors. The carbonfibre dashboard houses instrumentation from Dakota Digital as well as billet-machined and 3D-printed switchgear, gear selector, handbrake and a carbonfibre steering wheel.

“Almost every piece of this Blazer is custom,” added Ringbrothers co-founder Mike Ring. “We wanted to leave no stone unturned in creating something wholly unique, designed to embrace the open road and the unbeaten path. This truck is built for driving in style and with modern comfort. None of this would be possible without our trusted partners at BASF, Dynamat, Gentex Corporation and HRE Wheels helping us fulfill our vision and bring the character of this build to life.”

Ringbrothers offers a number of billet aluminium parts, carbonfibre steering wheels, side-marker light bezels and more for enthusiasts looking to customize their own Blazer. Visit Ringbrothers.com for more details.

SPECS:

Vehicle:Ringbrothers 1972 Chevrolet K5 Blazer
Vehicle Name:“TUKA”
Designer:Ringbrothers
Build Hours:3700
DRIVETRAIN
Engine:GM Performance 6.2L LS3
Transmission:Bowler Tru-Street GM 4L60E 4X4 transmission backed by a Midwest Transmission Center NP208 transfer case and Truetrac differential
CHASSIS
Chassis:2016 Toyota Tacoma
Suspension:2016 Toyota Tacoma front suspension with Total Chaos control arms and Offroad Design custom extended travel leaf springs
Shocks:King Shocks with air bump stops
Sway Bars:2016 Toyota Tacoma
Steering Rack:2016 Toyota Tacoma
EXHAUST
Header Details:Custom built by Ringbrothers
Exhaust:Custom 3in stainless exhaust by Ringbrothers with Borla mufflers
WHEELS & TYRES
Wheels:HRE Wheels custom wheels designed by Sean Smith Designs
Front Wheel Size:18x11in
Rear Wheel Size:18x11in
Tyre Manufacturer:Nitto Recon Grappler A/T
Front Tyre Size:325/60R18
Rear Tyre Size:325/60R18
BRAKES
Brake Manufacturer:Baer Brakes
Front/Rear:Baer Brakes six-piston calipers and 14in rotors
FUEL
Fuel Tank:Precision Tank stainless-steel fuel tank
ELECTRICAL
Wiring Harness:Painless Wiring
EXTERIOR
Paint Manufacturer:BASF Glasurit Waterborne
Paint Colour:Galactic Black
Paint Booth:Global Finishing Solutions
INTERIOR
Installation:Performed by Gabe’s Custom Interiors
CAD Modeling Engineer:Martin Horton of Blue Point
Gauges:Custom instrumentation by Dakota Digital
Mirrors:Gentex FDM (Full Display Mirror) rearview mirror with cameras
Steering Wheel:Bespoke one-off wheel with Ringbrothers carbonfibre hoop
Climate-Control System:Vintage Air Gen IV Magnum Evaporator Kit
Stereo:Fully bespoke sound system

Major Modifications

  • Complete one-off fibreglass topper
  • Machined billet aluminium roof rails
  • Powered sunroof from 2019 Blazer 
  • Flush-mounted windshield and topper side glass
  • Raised bedsides two inches to align with door heights
  • Custom right-hand swing tailgate door, latches and hinges from 2024 Ford Bronco
  • Custom-powered running boards
  • Frenched-in side-marker lights
  • Modified stock bumpers for better fitment, added daytime running lights to grille
  • Bespoke tow hooks
  • Custom-built front skid plate
  • Custom radiator support covers
  • Custom front wheel tubs
  • Clean finished engine bay and firewall 
  • Powered mirrors from 2019 Chevrolet Blazer
  • Modified floors to accommodate relocating front seats toward back
  • Custom spare tyre mount behind backseat
  • Bespoke Tuka badging
  • Custom roll cage

SPONSORS:
Corporate: BASF/Glasurit, Gentex Corporation, HRE Wheels.
Product: California Car Cover, Dakota Digital, Dynamat, GFS – Global Finishing Solutions, Heat Shield Products, Miller Welding, MSD.

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