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1985 Chevy M1009 (CK5 build thread part 2)
- Thread starter cheavyk10
- Start date
Well....what's the plan with this one?
This is a continuation of the build that @kennyw started..
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I have owned it for a little over two weeks and I've already started getting after a few things on it.
Wife's Ride - Princess, 1985 Chevy M1009 wife's Daily
We picked this up for my wife to use as a daily during the winter.
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So, I have owned my K10 for 25 or 26 years (my dad was the original owner), and have now built it to the point where its pretty dialed in. Sorry I don't have a build thread on it, I don't have pics for a lot of the work. That being said, I was ready for a new project. (K10 Pic for reference):
I have always loved the CUCV's, and been intrigued by the 6.2, so when I saw @kennyw was thinking of selling his M1009, I jumped on it.
I have never owned or worked on a 6.2, so I look forward to learning everything there is to know about them.
I have always loved the CUCV's, and been intrigued by the 6.2, so when I saw @kennyw was thinking of selling his M1009, I jumped on it.
I have never owned or worked on a 6.2, so I look forward to learning everything there is to know about them.
My k5 is a 6.2 I specifically wanted one when I bought it so I wouldn't have to mess with adding fuel injection to a gasser and I've always been a diesel mechanic. It's pretty gutless but I love it and I get like 17 mpg on 35s with 4.10 gears and a 700R4. I've got a '92 mechanically injected turbo 6.5 I'd like to build for it someday maybe.
Cucv_M1008 posted a new review on the Item 1985 Chevy M1009 (CK5 build thread part 2)
Rapco sells a great carc 383 green substitute.
I would like at some point to DA the whole truck and respray it, thanks for the lead. I actually think its pretty funny that the truck is three shaded of OD right now (plus a little red!) that has been brushed, rolled, and sprayed on!!
What better way to get to know you new ride than some general maintenance! So I picked up some Lucas 15/40 and a Wix oil filter. I have had great luck with both brands over the years.
Although it didn't need one, I picked up a Wix air filter to have in stock. Fortunately, @kennyw has just changed the fuel filter and trans filter/fluid before I got it. We had discussed that the TH400 may be sharing ATF with the NP208, so i will keep an eye on it. My guess would be the input seal of the 208. The good news is I have a spare 208 on the shelf (my K10 runs one also) that @Taylormade hooked a guy up with after Blazer Bash 2022.
I also picked up a new Dayco (made in Australia!) harmonic balancer and a new seal, that I will swap in soon for peace of mind. The current balancer passes a visual inspection, but we have all heard the horror stories of broken cranks in these engines.
Although it didn't need one, I picked up a Wix air filter to have in stock. Fortunately, @kennyw has just changed the fuel filter and trans filter/fluid before I got it. We had discussed that the TH400 may be sharing ATF with the NP208, so i will keep an eye on it. My guess would be the input seal of the 208. The good news is I have a spare 208 on the shelf (my K10 runs one also) that @Taylormade hooked a guy up with after Blazer Bash 2022.
I also picked up a new Dayco (made in Australia!) harmonic balancer and a new seal, that I will swap in soon for peace of mind. The current balancer passes a visual inspection, but we have all heard the horror stories of broken cranks in these engines.
Wear ppe carc is not good to breath in.
Right on!
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I have forgotten how cool it is to drive a stock squarebody around, ever since I sold my '89 V2500 Suburban back in 2008. This M1009 handles and cruises just fine, steering feels tight and the hydoboost brakes are like right now. The 6.2 has pretty decent power even for what it was rated from the factory.
That being said, as I was underneath it in the driveway, I noticed the front shackle bushings were shot:
So, now what to do? Replace the bushings? Add an easy inch while I was at it? Well, after a few days of deliberation, I decided to pull the trigger on a Skyjacker 2.5" Softride kit with rear blocks. I also ordered up Skyjacker Black Max shocks and a steering stabilizer to go with it. And no squarebody is complete without OffRoad Design greaseable bushings and HD front shackles, so they became part of the upgrade.
Saturday morning, ready to get after it:
Growing up in New York State, I am always a bit tentative tearing into a new project rig, because the amount of salt and rust back there could make a few hour project turn into a 2 day project. This M1009 living its life on the west coast though, made the effort a breeze. Everything came right apart, no seized bolts in sleeves or anything. I did have to cut the passenger side upper shackle bolt though, as it was installed from the inside, and the exhaust was in the way.
Before:
After:
Check out this bump stop bracket! Somebody caught some air lol:
After getting it together, it sat pretty darn level, so all I did was install the Black Max Shocks out back, and left out the blocks. The 3/4 ton military springs have a pretty good arch to them. And when the top comes off soon, I'm sure the rear will come up a bit.
I ended up keeping the sway bar, although it needs new bushing badly. Then a quick adjustment of the draglink to get the steering wheel straight, and I was ready for some fresh tires.
That being said, as I was underneath it in the driveway, I noticed the front shackle bushings were shot:
So, now what to do? Replace the bushings? Add an easy inch while I was at it? Well, after a few days of deliberation, I decided to pull the trigger on a Skyjacker 2.5" Softride kit with rear blocks. I also ordered up Skyjacker Black Max shocks and a steering stabilizer to go with it. And no squarebody is complete without OffRoad Design greaseable bushings and HD front shackles, so they became part of the upgrade.
Saturday morning, ready to get after it:
Growing up in New York State, I am always a bit tentative tearing into a new project rig, because the amount of salt and rust back there could make a few hour project turn into a 2 day project. This M1009 living its life on the west coast though, made the effort a breeze. Everything came right apart, no seized bolts in sleeves or anything. I did have to cut the passenger side upper shackle bolt though, as it was installed from the inside, and the exhaust was in the way.
Before:
After:
Check out this bump stop bracket! Somebody caught some air lol:
After getting it together, it sat pretty darn level, so all I did was install the Black Max Shocks out back, and left out the blocks. The 3/4 ton military springs have a pretty good arch to them. And when the top comes off soon, I'm sure the rear will come up a bit.
I ended up keeping the sway bar, although it needs new bushing badly. Then a quick adjustment of the draglink to get the steering wheel straight, and I was ready for some fresh tires.
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Alright, there ain't nobody who don't like new tires!!
For this rig, I wanted to switch to 15x10's, they just look proper on a 1/2 ton.
And with the lift I had settled on, 33x12.50-R15's got the nod.
I looked around for a tire that I hadn't run before, and ended up going with Mickey Thompson Baja Legend EXP's. They are one of the new crossover mud/all-terrain tires that have been coming out. And made in the USA!!
Over the years I have probably spent 10's of thousands of dollars at Summit Racing, because they always have great prices and fast shipping. This time was no different. I picked out the tires and wheels I wanted, called them up, and a few days later I had them in my driveway, all mounted, balanced, and shipped for free.
The wheels, Cragar Soft 8's, gloss black with 4" backspacing, were actually my second choice, I wanted a matte black version, but they were a month or so out. No big deal.
The bonus was they were delivered by my friendly FedEx guy last Saturday while I was wrapping up the lift!! So they went right on. Cool story that the FedEx guy told me was that he was stationed at Fort Lewis and had worked on a bunch of M1009's while he was there. Maybe he wrenched on this one!
Then a few days later I realized Mickey Thompson was having a rebate on these tires, so I'll be getting $100 back eventually...sweet.
Delivery:
Side view:
For this rig, I wanted to switch to 15x10's, they just look proper on a 1/2 ton.
And with the lift I had settled on, 33x12.50-R15's got the nod.
I looked around for a tire that I hadn't run before, and ended up going with Mickey Thompson Baja Legend EXP's. They are one of the new crossover mud/all-terrain tires that have been coming out. And made in the USA!!
Over the years I have probably spent 10's of thousands of dollars at Summit Racing, because they always have great prices and fast shipping. This time was no different. I picked out the tires and wheels I wanted, called them up, and a few days later I had them in my driveway, all mounted, balanced, and shipped for free.
The wheels, Cragar Soft 8's, gloss black with 4" backspacing, were actually my second choice, I wanted a matte black version, but they were a month or so out. No big deal.
The bonus was they were delivered by my friendly FedEx guy last Saturday while I was wrapping up the lift!! So they went right on. Cool story that the FedEx guy told me was that he was stationed at Fort Lewis and had worked on a bunch of M1009's while he was there. Maybe he wrenched on this one!
Then a few days later I realized Mickey Thompson was having a rebate on these tires, so I'll be getting $100 back eventually...sweet.
Delivery:
Side view:
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I am quite happy with the way it came out. We will see if the rear comes up a bit when the soft top goes on soon.
Looks good!
I like the stance as is.
I like the stance as is.
Took supermutt (aka Lottie) out to run some errands and blast down the highway to see how the new suspension/tires felt. I can report everything is happy!!
Got home, went to roll the back window up, and heard something let go. Doh!
Took it apart because its about to rain (of course!), and found the clutch part is fubar. Good news is they are about $2 on LMC.
Good thing its a manual window, I can roll it up with pliers until the parts come in, and maybe the rain will wash the inside of the tailgate out
Got home, went to roll the back window up, and heard something let go. Doh!
Took it apart because its about to rain (of course!), and found the clutch part is fubar. Good news is they are about $2 on LMC.
Good thing its a manual window, I can roll it up with pliers until the parts come in, and maybe the rain will wash the inside of the tailgate out
That 208 has good seals, but it pops out of 4wd. I think it needs the plastic shift fork pads?? It has the input shaft for a th400 though, so that’s a plus!
The window crank handle is broke on mine too and I just use a big pair of pliers right now. Havent fixed it because I planned on a soft top and truck tailgate swap.
After further inspection, the window crank itself was broke too, so I ended up ordering everything to rebuild it. I was able to find a black crank handle on EBay, and I am waiting on the remainder of the parts to come in, as FedEx decided my box from LMC needed to go to Florida first....
I also sold the tires and wheels that came with the M1009 to my Brother-In-Law, who just acquired a '84 GMC K1500 from his step dad who recently passed away. It had some old man P235's and steelies on it, the new rolling stock makes it look legit.
