1991 Volcano K5 - Family Wheeler - Fully Independent Twin Turbo BBC

[folkenheath]

So the truck I have had for 19 years, and its been an excellent truck, lots of memories and fun times, but I have 3 kids now and can't haul the family in the truck.

So I am swapping my drivetrain from the truck, 489 BBC, NP205, D60, 14BFF into this K5.

I will convert it to full convertible, put a chrome-moly cage in it, reuse my front radius arm coil-over suspension, and link the rear with coil-overs too. I will upgrade the TH400 I build 14 years ago to a 4L80E I'll build and upgrade the EZ EFI to multi-port Holley Terminator X EFI along with trans control and add Volcano Nitrous to the big block.

To see the history of my truck build where a lot of these parts come from, go here...

'83 K10 SB "L1TSBFIBBC" build (SOLD)​

The rest of the story will be here.

EDIT: New plan, starting on post #15 below.

 

[folkenheath]

Starting with this....

 

[folkenheath]

Took the top off, its already kid approved...they helped me remove all the fake body trim and abundant stickers on the interior.

 

[mrk5]

Nice!

 

[folkenheath]

Nice!

Thanks, it's got one of those Chevy exhaust tips on it, if you want it it's yours!

 

[doubletrouble]

I like the chrome-moly cage plan.

 

[pomai]

Took the top off, its already kid approved...they helped me remove all the fake body trim and abundant stickers on the interior.

View attachment 418884

Right On Heath!

 

[ktmoutfront]

Should be a fun time for the family when it is done

I know this guy who can get you the Holley stuff

 

[muddybuddy]

Watching, should be fun!

 

[ZooMad75]

Excited for the build.

 

[Chevy305]

Subscribed for the next episode

 

[GWeakland620]

 

[BentK5]

Pretty cool plan. Any updates?

 

[folkenheath]

I have amassed a rather large collection of parts, both new and used, but haven't actually started the project yet as I have been too busy with customer projects. Plus the longer it takes to start it, the more plans I have for it...

 

[folkenheath]

Update on this...I have been collecting parts for this for a while now obviously.

I sold my K10 as is, with the EFI 489 BBC, coil-over Dana 60, etc. I decided time is money to take it all apart and rebuild the K10 just to sell, and I would start over. Went to a good home, guy plans to do light trails and dunes and maybe give it a new paint job. He has a 10 year old son that was very excited.

Now I don't have a running square to drive currently.

Here are my long term plans at this point.

I have a 4L80E I will build for the K5 to go behind a Twin Turbo Big Block, either a 540 or a 572 I will build.

Behind that will be a drivers drop NP205 that I bought I will rebuild with 35 spline outputs I have.

Then at each end will be Aluminum 9" Independent center sections, they are only about 13" wide and I will use them to build a completely custom tube chassis with fully independent front and rear suspension. Double A arm in the front and 5 link in the rear. Not stock at all, I am planning at least 16" or more of wheel travel with nice coilovers and air bumps. I have collected many of these parts already.

This will be light weight and also strong and fast. Will be great for dunes, dirt drags, sand drags, etc.

However, as busy as I am this is going to take time, quite a bit.

So in the meantime I have a complete K5 now, you may recognize, I will just swap in my old 388 I built about 3 decades ago, along with a 4L60E, and have a K5 I can use in the meantime while I build the different parts of it in the next few years. The 85 will be used for a different project, it's very solid but not very close to driving as is.

1st up, get it running...388 SBC, 4L60E, stock NP241, stock axles, 33" tires

Next year I hope to put a cage in the cab, a soft top, etc. I still haven't decided if I will leave it as is or go full vert.

After that I will build the fully independent tube chassis and twin turbo BBC to swap under it.

K5 on the lift ready for action....this first step will be mostly parts I already have to get it running.

1991 K5 previously owned by @longbedder....





388 SBC I built in 1996, check...(been sitting in a barn for 8 years after I beat the snot out of it for over 20 years)



More to come in the next couple weeks as I catch up...

 

[Babaganoosh]

I like it, we have talked a lot about this in the past looking forward to seeing more updates.

 

[Greg72]

SWEET BABY JESUS!!!!!!

Way to jump right in the deep end my friend!!!....

 

[ktmoutfront]

I know a guy with coilovers, bypasses and air bumps for sale soon.

 

[folkenheath]

I like it, we have talked a lot about this in the past looking forward to seeing more updates.

Me too, ha ha

SWEET BABY JESUS!!!!!!

Way to jump right in the deep end my friend!!!....

You know me, got to challenge myself.

I know a guy with coilovers, bypasses and air bumps for sale soon.

Thanks but for the IFS and IRS I will need shorter stiffer stuff to work at the angles.

This K5 came with bilstein 5100 and stock wheels and 33" BFG, those will work for now until the upgrades.

 

[shady]

Yeah I'm subbed for this one