1983 K5 trail truck/dd/ R.I.P. 03/14/18

[RootBreaker]

what color blue is that?

 

[83ChevyK5Blazer]

From tractor supply

 

[RootBreaker]

Lol i knew it looked familiar..

I used

 

[83ChevyK5Blazer]

Went camping and did a little wheeling with a local group this past weekend.

I desperately needed to get the spare out of the back of the truck, so I built a rear bumper. I still have more to add but it worked great this past weekend and opened up a bunch of room in the back of the truck.
Before paint...








And I figured I might as well carpet the back area, so I picked up an outdoor rug and we cut it to fit.

 

[nvrenuf]

Heck yeah mang!

 

[Truckman4life]

Nice! I will probably copy that. I need one too and I like the way you did the hinge.

 

[83ChevyK5Blazer]

I really don't trust the spindles over time, especially with the weight of a 37.
I used junk laying around the yard to build the bumper.
I would get a section of 2x6 box for the main part

 

[skunked]

do you think it needs a gusset where the piece of tube protrudes from the frame holding the rim?

 

[83ChevyK5Blazer]

It does, I'm adding more, there is a tube running from the frame to the tube holding the rim plate. I just needed it workable for that trip.

 

[Truckman4life]

My rear bumper is currently 6" I-beam that's like 1/4" thick or so. Should be plenty strong to add one too for now. Eventually I want lighter tube bumpers.

 

[83ChevyK5Blazer]

https://www.comp4x4.com/collections...e-kit-with-dual-shear-bracket-universal-mount

That's the hinge I used.

 

[Truckman4life]

https://www.comp4x4.com/collections...e-kit-with-dual-shear-bracket-universal-mount

That's the hinge I used.

Thanks.

 

[83ChevyK5Blazer]

We took it out camping the other weekend, put about 450 miles on her over the weekend and got about 9 mpg. I'm pretty happy about that.

We came home and I finally found a straight fender at the wrecking yard.

Before


After



Just needs to be painted and it should look decent again to me.

 

[RootBreaker]

Dents have stories... always a good chat starter...lol

 

[83ChevyK5Blazer]

Something is happening.....

 

[83ChevyK5Blazer]

Started tear down of her today.
Kinda sad, but it's just the end of one era and the beginning of another.

I'm hoping to have the new suburban up and running before it gets unbearably hot here in Alabama.

Took a few pictures of her this morning....


And in the morning the engine is ready to be pulled.



I'm going to get the new rig running then swap the tons and suspension in.

The plan is to sell it as a half ton, stock suspension roller.

New build thread for the burb..
https://ck5.com/forums/threads/91-suburban-family-truck-build.333229/

 

[F.S.F.W]

I’m dragging my feet on the same scenario... bout to start robbing parts off my crawler for my 77 and my wife’s 76 F-250. Probably sell/scrap whatever is left. Sooooo I know the feeling. I’ve owned it for 15 years and have had a lot of fun in it. It’s like this...

 

[83ChevyK5Blazer]

This year was 10 years in the K5. First truck I actually bought when I was 16.
I've had a lot of great times with it, I'm looking forward to another decade or more with the new rig.

 

[ChrisAwesome]

Hey, that's a fantastic rig. I like the colors.

 

[imiceman44]

Started tear down of her today.
Kinda sad, but it's just the end of one era and the beginning of another.

I'm hoping to have the new suburban up and running before it gets unbearably hot here in Alabama.

Took a few pictures of her this morning....
View attachment 259890

And in the morning the engine is ready to be pulled.

View attachment 259891

I'm going to get the new rig running then swap the tons and suspension in.

The plan is to sell it as a half ton, stock suspension roller.

New build thread for the burb..
https://ck5.com/forums/threads/91-suburban-family-truck-build.333229/

It's funny I am in a similar situation although I have everything I need to build the suburban I might just sell thk5 to the right buyer as is.