1980 k5 resurrected!

[1980Franken5]

So if been shopping for a blazer for some time, i was an owner of a 1972 blazer like 16 years and due to some hardships I had to sell it off. needless to say I was pretty heart broken about having to part with it.

So about a year ago I started shopping again and just recently came across a deal I couldn't pass up. Picked up this 1980 k5 in running condition. It's been sitting for some time and needed a lot of tlc but it's a super good starter! Snagged it for 700 bucks and was pleasantly surprised at how well maintained the interior was and how strong the 350 ran! So here's to the start of putting this monster back together

 

[bsgreen]

Welcome to CK5. Sounds like a nice rig. Post up some pics

 

[imiceman44]

So if been shopping for a blazer for some time, i was an owner of a 1972 blazer like 16 years and due to some hardships I had to sell it off. needless to say I was pretty heart broken about having to part with it.

So about a year ago I started shopping again and just recently came across a deal I couldn't pass up. Picked up this 1980 k5 in running condition. It's been sitting for some time and needed a lot of tlc but it's a super good starter! Snagged it for 700 bucks and was pleasantly surprised at how well maintained the interior was and how strong the 350 ran! So here's to the start of putting this monster back together

Norcal or socal?

 

[1980Franken5]

Central can, Fresno area

 

[1980Franken5]

Welcome to CK5. Sounds like a nice rig. Post up some pics

I'm not sure how to post them yet, doing most of my forum stuff from the cell phone

 

[imiceman44]

I'm not sure how to post them yet, doing most of my forum stuff from the cell phone

You can host pictures somewhere and link here or, you get a $25 membership and you can upload them here.

 

[imiceman44]

Central can, Fresno area

Oh ok.
I will be in your neck of the woods next month going to Dunlap for a weekend

 

[1980Franken5]

Here's a pic with the wheels and tires mounted up. Have a lot of work to do but I'm pretty happy with the starting point!

 

[1980Franken5]

I knew I'd eventually find some issues, what do you guys think? Is that real pumpkin in my pumpkin?!

 

[nvrenuf]

Holy crap!

Even if the gears are good I’d COMPLETELY disassemble that axle to clean it.

 

[1980Franken5]

Holy crap!

Even if the gears are good I’d COMPLETELY disassemble that axle to clean it.

Yep, doing a total rebuild with new ring and pinion. Luckily I found some stuff really cheap. Eventually I want to go 4.10 front and back but that's just not in the budget right now.

 

[imiceman44]

Yep, doing a total rebuild with new ring and pinion. Luckily I found some stuff really cheap. Eventually I want to go 4.10 front and back but that's just not in the budget right now.

Don't spend money and time on other gears if they are not what you want.
Do it once

 

[1980Franken5]

Don't spend money and time on other gears if they are not what you want.
Do it once

Totally agree but new suspension and new gears are for the future, I have a long time to build this thing up to what I want it to be. Right now I just want it road ready and "reliable"

 

[imiceman44]

Totally agree but new suspension and new gears are for the future, I have a long time to build this thing up to what I want it to be. Right now I just want it road ready and "reliable"

Was it driveable?
If so I would say clean it up and run it.
Evaporust can do wonders

 

[1980Franken5]

Was it driveable?
If so I would say clean it up and run it.
Evaporust can do wonders

Once we cleaned it all up and pulled all that muck out it started making a lot of noise

 

[bsgreen]

I knew I'd eventually find some issues, what do you guys think? Is that real pumpkin in my pumpkin?!

good god that's horrible. Wonder how long that's been like that

 

[1980Franken5]

good god that's horrible. Wonder how long that's been like that

Lol yeah me too, funny thing is the front was clean.

Whatever muck we pulled out must have been what was holding It together cause the minute we got it all cleaned out it started rattling and humming loud.

 

[bsgreen]

Lol yeah me too, funny thing is the front was clean.

Whatever muck we pulled out must have been what was holding It together cause the minute we got it all cleaned out it started rattling and humming loud.

you should post up some pics of how bad the bearings n such are when you get it apart.

 

[imiceman44]

Lol yeah me too, funny thing is the front was clean.

Whatever muck we pulled out must have been what was holding It together cause the minute we got it all cleaned out it started rattling and humming loud.

I would put some bananas in until I was ready for the final gear ratio.
Or find a stock axle and swap in

 

[1980Franken5]

Trucks on the road after a rear end swap out and a couple upper ball joints. Had about a 30 mile mile from my buddies shop to home and it ran real good.