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This thread is for the general discussion of the Item 1990 Jimmy - Family Wheeler. Please add to the discussion here.
CK5
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I found this truck on Craigslist (remember those days?). It came on for sale in Denver on a Sunday night, and I was the first one to call on Monday morning. The guy had no idea what he had or the value of it. While I was on the phone with him, he kept getting more calls about it. So I told him "I'll take it", which totally caught the guy off guard. Thanks to @85k5witha6.2 for taking my money and picking it up for me. Here's two pictures of when I got it home to Lincoln, NE.
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I'd love to know the history and previous owner/builder of this truck. It had a TON of recovery and camping gear stored everywhere inside. I can only imagine the stories this can tell from the Colorado mountains. But as sweet of a truck as it was, and as much as my boys loved it, a 2 seater truck with a tiny camper doesn't fit into my family of then 4 (now 5) people.
I sold the camper to a guy from Utah. I met him in Western Nebraska where we removed the camper from my truck and installed it into his in a Walmart parking lot.
I was able to find an almost perfect, almost color matched GMC tailgate at a local yard. I used the money from the camper sale to buy a new soft top and the build process began.
I sold the camper to a guy from Utah. I met him in Western Nebraska where we removed the camper from my truck and installed it into his in a Walmart parking lot.
I was able to find an almost perfect, almost color matched GMC tailgate at a local yard. I used the money from the camper sale to buy a new soft top and the build process began.
What are the plans for it?
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It's pretty much built now. I'll keep posting updates and pics as I get some time.
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Progress after that was slow. I've got a Jeep that I use for hardcore wheeling, so that gets most of my free time and extra money thrown at it. Plus we added a 3rd kid in there too, so free time went from little to none.
In the mean time I had been stocking up parts to throw them all at it at one time.
First was to build a new front axle. I chose to do a Ford High Pinion 44. It's stronger than a low pinion, plus gets the drive shaft tucked up above the leaf springs. We installed Nitro 4.56 gears and a Yukon Grizzle locker. I set it up for I did cross over steering with new aftermarket knuckles and used the 6 lug outers off the original 10 bolt.
Out back I built a 6 lug semi float 14 bolt with an Eaton E-Locker and 4.56's.
For suspension I pieced together my own version of a lift kit
4" Tuff Country EZ ride front springs
12" travel Bilstein shocks. On the front I used the factory longer dual shock mounts on the frame side.
ORD 2.5" shackle flip
New (not junk yard) 56" springs (p/n 22-459) - These have a lot of flex. They have a ton of free arch and a soft spring rate (with a lot of leaves) .
New 35's on rally wheels
I built a driver drop 241 with a Tom Woods SYE to replace the factory passenger drop 241. I used a JB Conversions cable shifter to link the factory shift lever to the new t-case.
The rear drive shaft is from a F250 Superduty front shaft. It's a 1350 CV, and I paid $150 from a salvage yard, and then $120 to have it shortened.
Then in December 2021, between Christmas and New years, I lived in the garage throwing all my free time at it.
In the mean time I had been stocking up parts to throw them all at it at one time.
First was to build a new front axle. I chose to do a Ford High Pinion 44. It's stronger than a low pinion, plus gets the drive shaft tucked up above the leaf springs. We installed Nitro 4.56 gears and a Yukon Grizzle locker. I set it up for I did cross over steering with new aftermarket knuckles and used the 6 lug outers off the original 10 bolt.
Out back I built a 6 lug semi float 14 bolt with an Eaton E-Locker and 4.56's.
For suspension I pieced together my own version of a lift kit
4" Tuff Country EZ ride front springs
12" travel Bilstein shocks. On the front I used the factory longer dual shock mounts on the frame side.
ORD 2.5" shackle flip
New (not junk yard) 56" springs (p/n 22-459) - These have a lot of flex. They have a ton of free arch and a soft spring rate (with a lot of leaves) .
New 35's on rally wheels
I built a driver drop 241 with a Tom Woods SYE to replace the factory passenger drop 241. I used a JB Conversions cable shifter to link the factory shift lever to the new t-case.
The rear drive shaft is from a F250 Superduty front shaft. It's a 1350 CV, and I paid $150 from a salvage yard, and then $120 to have it shortened.
Then in December 2021, between Christmas and New years, I lived in the garage throwing all my free time at it.
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Let me know if you have any questions about the details.
I ended up removing and selling the winch bumper, I just like the stock look better.
The 52" springs and 2.5" shackle flip sits perfectly level with the 4" front lift springs.
The driver drop t-case has a different clocking angle than the factory case. I estimate it is about 3-4" higher than the factory case. This works perfect with the high pinion front axle. I'll get some pics of the case to show how tucked up tight it is.
I ended up removing and selling the winch bumper, I just like the stock look better.
The 52" springs and 2.5" shackle flip sits perfectly level with the 4" front lift springs.
The driver drop t-case has a different clocking angle than the factory case. I estimate it is about 3-4" higher than the factory case. This works perfect with the high pinion front axle. I'll get some pics of the case to show how tucked up tight it is.
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The interior I left pretty much stock. I put a Tahoe 3rd row seat in to haul the kids. Up front I added an OBS temp/compass mirror just because.
And before anyone freaks out, no I did NOT cut the dash board. I made a plate the covered the 1.5 DIN opening (I still have the factory radio and it can easily be reinstalled). On the plate I mounted a simple Bluetooth audio and switched for the locker and LED lights.
And before anyone freaks out, no I did NOT cut the dash board. I made a plate the covered the 1.5 DIN opening (I still have the factory radio and it can easily be reinstalled). On the plate I mounted a simple Bluetooth audio and switched for the locker and LED lights.
Very nice K5!
Beautiful Jimmy.
Can you post some pics of the Tahoe seat and how you installed it?
Can you post some pics of the Tahoe seat and how you installed it?
