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CK5
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‘87 K5 - Back in Black
- Thread starter muddybuddy
- Start date
Lolz_cats
Uga duga
Very clean rig!
Pathetic, but not real updates yet in terms to tangible progress. I’ve driven it probably 50-75 miles since buying it last April, but thats because its been parked at my fathers place (so not convenient to hop in and drive), and we had a son in September so I was focused on getting house ready to him, and then spending time with him. He is 6mo now, and I’m planning to get the k5 ready for cars & coffee in the coming weeks, and bring him along. I will be brining the k5 over to my place, so will be much easier to tinker with it.
Things I’m working on over the next couple weeks:
-Soft top has been ordered from ORD, says 4-6weeks, so hopefully it arrives by end of April.
-Pinstripe - I’m planning to cover up the painted pinstripe and add a more factory looking pinstripe. Because of how the painted pinstripe was done, the vertical on the front of fender did not taper like factory, so I can use one of the couple available factory replica pinstripe kits that are available; must be custom made. That will hopefully be completed within the 4-6weeks.
-Exhaust tailpipe routing. Will be swapping to side exit vs the existing straight out the back, to get rid of the interior fumes with the rear window down, especially now that my son will
Be riding along. Current exhaust is all welded up, but I’ve found some nice 90* mandrel bent pipes I plan to use for the tailpipes in the near factory location on both sides. Plan to complete this in the next 2-3weeks.
Things I’m working on over the next couple weeks:
-Soft top has been ordered from ORD, says 4-6weeks, so hopefully it arrives by end of April.
-Pinstripe - I’m planning to cover up the painted pinstripe and add a more factory looking pinstripe. Because of how the painted pinstripe was done, the vertical on the front of fender did not taper like factory, so I can use one of the couple available factory replica pinstripe kits that are available; must be custom made. That will hopefully be completed within the 4-6weeks.
-Exhaust tailpipe routing. Will be swapping to side exit vs the existing straight out the back, to get rid of the interior fumes with the rear window down, especially now that my son will
Be riding along. Current exhaust is all welded up, but I’ve found some nice 90* mandrel bent pipes I plan to use for the tailpipes in the near factory location on both sides. Plan to complete this in the next 2-3weeks.
Testing out what the pin stripe will look like before the vinyl shop makes it. This is just $5 pinstripe to quickly simulate and confirm the width I want for each band. Just tested on the tailgate, easy enough to get good idea of what it’ll look like. Yep, much better! Cant wait to get it all on!
Nice unit!!!
Looks like a beautiful truck.
On the emblems, I thought the tailgate emblem would have "Fuel Injection" directly under "Blazer"?
On the emblems, I thought the tailgate emblem would have "Fuel Injection" directly under "Blazer"?
Apparently that emblem is an ‘87 only thing. The placement is factory as well. I just learned that myself, so thanks for asking!
No real update, except that soft top showed up last night, excited to get that on at some point in the next week or so. Pinstripe is printed and will be shipped this coming week. Mandrel bent 90*’s and new tips showed up last night as well, hopefully get those on this weekend.
Pops and I went out to local cars & coffee spot this morning, was nice to get out with the near perfect weather
Pops and I went out to local cars & coffee spot this morning, was nice to get out with the near perfect weather
Havent had much tangible progress on the truck, but did get the top off this morning. Will be getting the soft top on here shortly
Soft topper 90% the way there, baking to get last couple snaps, yesterday there wasnt enough sun to get fabric malleable to get it on. Drove 75mph with the top in the retracted position with the bonnet around it and it was great. The 2 adjusting straps between the 2 cross bars wont keep tension, will get Soft topper a call to see if I’m just an idiot or if I need to grab a couple new ones.
Neighbor has his ‘67 EB at his house across the street and cane over to check it out. Says how much more practical the k5 is vs his bronco. I havent asked if he wants to trade yet lol.
Neighbor has his ‘67 EB at his house across the street and cane over to check it out. Says how much more practical the k5 is vs his bronco. I havent asked if he wants to trade yet lol.
Update from today, finally got the exhaust resolved. New tailpipes out the side vs straight out the back. That was hindering my ability to run around with soft top in safari mode, as it would just suck in all the exhaust fumes. Much better now. Couple shots from different angles, the guy did a really nice job tucking it and keeping it clean. Happy with the result.
And most importantly, drove it around in safari mode, would say 98% of fumes are gone (remaining amount is because of lack of cat and 160* t-stat, need to swap to a 180-195*
Yes, long trails are not long for this world, ‘14 dates. Will be buying some bfg’s in the near term.
And most importantly, drove it around in safari mode, would say 98% of fumes are gone (remaining amount is because of lack of cat and 160* t-stat, need to swap to a 180-195*
Yes, long trails are not long for this world, ‘14 dates. Will be buying some bfg’s in the near term.
Soooooo Cleeeaan! You know a truck is nice when even partial pics look amazing. 
Wow, i’m moving incredibly slow. But guess thats what happens when you have a rig that doesnt “need” anything to be enjoyed as is. I should feel fortunate to be so lucky.
Since this photo this morning I did wash her and she looks great now. I did put the new carhartt cover on her. Very impressed with quality and much nicer than the lmc cover I had previously.
Finally got her out of hibernation after 4.5 months. Forget how much I enjoy driving it. I love this truck but i think my 2.5yr old son may love it more and that makes me so incredibly proud.
He loved it last summer, and today was first time taking it out flr the year and he had a blast. We went for a cruise before his nap and he didnt want to stop, so after coming home, we pulled out of the driveway again and drove around another 15min or so. Then come home, eat lunch then take nap. He wales up from nap and first thing he says is “ride in daddy’s big truck”. We then proceeded to drive around another 30-45min this afternoon. Hes excited to ride in it again tomorrow. He doesnt know about the crew cab build i have planned for him (hint: be on look out for anyone that is actually reading this).
Anyways, ive got a couple cosmetic things planned this year. Some probably controversial, others not.
-83/84 grill and bezels
- 81/82 front bumper with integrated turn signs (i will use as fogs)
-Dapped halo switchback headlights (still need to finalize whether smoked or clear)
-front valance with cutout for towhooks, and factory towhooks
I need new tires, so debating between keeping rally’s and doing 31-32” BFG AT’s or going aftermarket with some 17’s and 31-32” BFG AT’s. If i can find a used set of 31’s for the 15’s in the next month or so, I’ll pull the trigger and that will settle it, otherwise I’ll keep my eye out and look for memorial day sale and pull the trigger on set of wheels.
Since this photo this morning I did wash her and she looks great now. I did put the new carhartt cover on her. Very impressed with quality and much nicer than the lmc cover I had previously.
Finally got her out of hibernation after 4.5 months. Forget how much I enjoy driving it. I love this truck but i think my 2.5yr old son may love it more and that makes me so incredibly proud.
He loved it last summer, and today was first time taking it out flr the year and he had a blast. We went for a cruise before his nap and he didnt want to stop, so after coming home, we pulled out of the driveway again and drove around another 15min or so. Then come home, eat lunch then take nap. He wales up from nap and first thing he says is “ride in daddy’s big truck”. We then proceeded to drive around another 30-45min this afternoon. Hes excited to ride in it again tomorrow. He doesnt know about the crew cab build i have planned for him (hint: be on look out for anyone that is actually reading this).
Anyways, ive got a couple cosmetic things planned this year. Some probably controversial, others not.
-83/84 grill and bezels
- 81/82 front bumper with integrated turn signs (i will use as fogs)
-Dapped halo switchback headlights (still need to finalize whether smoked or clear)
-front valance with cutout for towhooks, and factory towhooks
I need new tires, so debating between keeping rally’s and doing 31-32” BFG AT’s or going aftermarket with some 17’s and 31-32” BFG AT’s. If i can find a used set of 31’s for the 15’s in the next month or so, I’ll pull the trigger and that will settle it, otherwise I’ll keep my eye out and look for memorial day sale and pull the trigger on set of wheels.
Honestly, decide if you want bigger than the 31's. It seems like anymore 15" sizes bigger than 31's are getting pretty uncommon. I think 31x10.5R15's are going to be around just out of a legacy thing but anything bigger they're hard to find. If you want a bit bigger and can factor in the cost of new wheels anymore it's easy to justify 16's or 17's for availability.
My last Blazer had 16x8's with 4" of backspacing and I started with 265/75R16's and went up to 305/70R16's but should have stuck with 285/75R16's. They all fit but I never needed the wider 305's. If you went with a 17" wheel all the standard 32-33" tall sizes are commonly available now as many new trucks run them OEM.
My last Blazer had 16x8's with 4" of backspacing and I started with 265/75R16's and went up to 305/70R16's but should have stuck with 285/75R16's. They all fit but I never needed the wider 305's. If you went with a 17" wheel all the standard 32-33" tall sizes are commonly available now as many new trucks run them OEM.
Yea, i’ve got a couple wheels in mind for 17’s. I believe its the 275/70/17 that comes on rubicons that can be found relatively cheap with low miles. The 17’s give me the option for bigger brakes down the line and rear-end upgrade that I’ve been eyeing
