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:

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.