CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.
Hello CK5! Long time lurker (since 2012) but haven’t posted until today. I figured I would introduce myself and the truck.
I guess I should make up for lost time and talk about the 72 Jimmy I regretfully slapped together during college.
Started with this pile that was nearly stripped by the previous owner. He posted some pictures of it on here when it was together and running but but he fell off the map pretty quick and it ended up like this.
Nothing was tight, spring hangers were not square, no motor, transmission was mounted in the wrong spot, electrical was a rats nest, brake calipers were all leaking, wheel bearings shot, ball joints were shot...you get the idea.
Stored it at my parents house and worked on it after work during the summers when i was home. Rebuilt a 350, new clutch, spring bushings, front springs, ball joints, wiring harnesses, squared up the front leafs and fixed all the other stuff i could find. I tried to make my own hydro clutch setup which didn’t work out too well, my only regret. It worked but not correctly. The GMC front end was rusted out pretty bad so I found the front end off a 72 Chevy that was pretty solid minus the front fangs. The top was a smoothed out single wall that was surprisingly nice. I found a solid rear hath with a working lock too
Had a 14BFF/D44 with 4.10’s open front G80 rear, SM465, F250 shock towers, Fox 2.0 shocks, 52/63 springs
Had some fun around the central coast for a bit with it. It was loud, fun, and pretty reliable.
I decided to sell it because i was getting more into wheeling. The tub was in great shape compared to most. It had some rust in the floorboards but no holes. I couldn’t bring myself to cut up a clean body first gen.
I picked up a first gen 4Runner to beat on instead!
It was pretty built. Exo cage, tons, high steer, hydro assist, spooled front and rear, Yukon HD hubs, dual cases, 41’s on beadlocks, and it was registered to drive on the street. Had a ton of fun with this thing. Graduated, bought a house and needed money to put a new roof on so this got sold.
After life settled down a bit, I restored a 72 K10 Cheyenne. This truck had zero rust on all original GM sheet metal. Gorgeous truck if I do say so myself. And I sold it.....
Now I bring you the point of this post... I just picked up a 1990 K5.
Again, the previous owner posted a bit on here for help on some stuff. Not too active. I found the history of his post through the ad he posted in the classifieds on here.
I’m not sure what the truth is but in the add it said the truck was set other than cosmetics (trail damage). When I showed up, steering box was leaking bad, tie rods were shot, all spring bushings are toast, steering column sloppy, lower steering shaft loose, speedometer doesn’t work but the odometer does, rear Rancho shocks were useless, parking brake doesn’t work, flashing ABS code, passenger power door lock doesn’t work, wrong steering shaft for the steering box (steering box was switch out to one with a 36 spline shaft) a/c didn’t work which he said it did, and it needs brakes. Whatever, luckily I’ve had some experience with these fun things and knew what to look for. We negotiated a price we both felt was fair considering the surprises.
Positives were the previous owner before him could weld so the sliders were solid, ORD shackle flip, steering box frame reinforcement was welded on, Dana 60 open front, 14BFF rear with a spool, 4.10’s, 52/63 springs, fresh rebuild by a professional shop on the 4L60 and added tranny cooler, F250 shock towers, and the interior is complete and in decent shape. Oh, and it runs.
So far i have installed new tie rod ends from ORD, Borgeson steering shaft, rear Bilstein shocks, Bilstein steering stabilizer, radio with bluetooth, rebuilt the steering box, lower steering column bearing and retainer, and new tie rod from ORD with a PSC clamp.
Things I have purchased but haven’t installed yet:
Power steering oil cooler
Cage (1 3/4”x .120 DOM)
Rear disc conversion from lugnut 4x4 with parking brake
Warn Hubs
DIY4X spring plates and u-bolts with the pocketed version for the front
My goals for this rig is to make a reliable and safe mild rig for my wife and I to enjoy. We want to adventure around her family property in the Sierras and do the yearly rubicon and JV trip with our wheeling friends from college.
On the shopping list, in no particular order:
ARB’s front and rear
PSC hydro assist
Spring bushings
ORD steering brace
PRP seats
Crow padded 5pt harnesses
SYE
Yukon chromo front axle shafts
Front bumper to mount the 12k winch.
Fox 2.5’s front and rear
Deaver or ORD rear 63’s
back and forth about if i want to link the front with the ORD kit or go Deaver or ORD front springs and keep it simple
New wheels and tires. Want to go 37x12.50R17 but stay away from beadlocks. I don’t get a safe feeling from the current military surplus specials
Anyway, long first post but i figured that was the best way to introduce myself and my background! Looking forward to contributing more to the forum!
I guess I should make up for lost time and talk about the 72 Jimmy I regretfully slapped together during college.
Started with this pile that was nearly stripped by the previous owner. He posted some pictures of it on here when it was together and running but but he fell off the map pretty quick and it ended up like this.
Nothing was tight, spring hangers were not square, no motor, transmission was mounted in the wrong spot, electrical was a rats nest, brake calipers were all leaking, wheel bearings shot, ball joints were shot...you get the idea.
Stored it at my parents house and worked on it after work during the summers when i was home. Rebuilt a 350, new clutch, spring bushings, front springs, ball joints, wiring harnesses, squared up the front leafs and fixed all the other stuff i could find. I tried to make my own hydro clutch setup which didn’t work out too well, my only regret. It worked but not correctly. The GMC front end was rusted out pretty bad so I found the front end off a 72 Chevy that was pretty solid minus the front fangs. The top was a smoothed out single wall that was surprisingly nice. I found a solid rear hath with a working lock too
Had a 14BFF/D44 with 4.10’s open front G80 rear, SM465, F250 shock towers, Fox 2.0 shocks, 52/63 springs
Had some fun around the central coast for a bit with it. It was loud, fun, and pretty reliable.
I decided to sell it because i was getting more into wheeling. The tub was in great shape compared to most. It had some rust in the floorboards but no holes. I couldn’t bring myself to cut up a clean body first gen.
I picked up a first gen 4Runner to beat on instead!
It was pretty built. Exo cage, tons, high steer, hydro assist, spooled front and rear, Yukon HD hubs, dual cases, 41’s on beadlocks, and it was registered to drive on the street. Had a ton of fun with this thing. Graduated, bought a house and needed money to put a new roof on so this got sold.
After life settled down a bit, I restored a 72 K10 Cheyenne. This truck had zero rust on all original GM sheet metal. Gorgeous truck if I do say so myself. And I sold it.....
Now I bring you the point of this post... I just picked up a 1990 K5.
Again, the previous owner posted a bit on here for help on some stuff. Not too active. I found the history of his post through the ad he posted in the classifieds on here.
I’m not sure what the truth is but in the add it said the truck was set other than cosmetics (trail damage). When I showed up, steering box was leaking bad, tie rods were shot, all spring bushings are toast, steering column sloppy, lower steering shaft loose, speedometer doesn’t work but the odometer does, rear Rancho shocks were useless, parking brake doesn’t work, flashing ABS code, passenger power door lock doesn’t work, wrong steering shaft for the steering box (steering box was switch out to one with a 36 spline shaft) a/c didn’t work which he said it did, and it needs brakes. Whatever, luckily I’ve had some experience with these fun things and knew what to look for. We negotiated a price we both felt was fair considering the surprises.
Positives were the previous owner before him could weld so the sliders were solid, ORD shackle flip, steering box frame reinforcement was welded on, Dana 60 open front, 14BFF rear with a spool, 4.10’s, 52/63 springs, fresh rebuild by a professional shop on the 4L60 and added tranny cooler, F250 shock towers, and the interior is complete and in decent shape. Oh, and it runs.
So far i have installed new tie rod ends from ORD, Borgeson steering shaft, rear Bilstein shocks, Bilstein steering stabilizer, radio with bluetooth, rebuilt the steering box, lower steering column bearing and retainer, and new tie rod from ORD with a PSC clamp.
Things I have purchased but haven’t installed yet:
Power steering oil cooler
Cage (1 3/4”x .120 DOM)
Rear disc conversion from lugnut 4x4 with parking brake
Warn Hubs
DIY4X spring plates and u-bolts with the pocketed version for the front
My goals for this rig is to make a reliable and safe mild rig for my wife and I to enjoy. We want to adventure around her family property in the Sierras and do the yearly rubicon and JV trip with our wheeling friends from college.
On the shopping list, in no particular order:
ARB’s front and rear
PSC hydro assist
Spring bushings
ORD steering brace
PRP seats
Crow padded 5pt harnesses
SYE
Yukon chromo front axle shafts
Front bumper to mount the 12k winch.
Fox 2.5’s front and rear
Deaver or ORD rear 63’s
back and forth about if i want to link the front with the ORD kit or go Deaver or ORD front springs and keep it simple
New wheels and tires. Want to go 37x12.50R17 but stay away from beadlocks. I don’t get a safe feeling from the current military surplus specials
Anyway, long first post but i figured that was the best way to introduce myself and my background! Looking forward to contributing more to the forum!
Last edited:
Top is off for summer/cage prep!
The cab has some rust holes in the top corners. I’ll add that to the list.
Taking the top off i noticed these on each side over the “cargo” area of the bed. Can anyone shed some light on what these mounts were used for?
The cab has some rust holes in the top corners. I’ll add that to the list.
Taking the top off i noticed these on each side over the “cargo” area of the bed. Can anyone shed some light on what these mounts were used for?
The threaded holes in the top are for overhead seatbelt retractors, 90-91 iirc.
Nice trucks but I am inclined to knock you in the head for selling the 72 K10. I get it though, we all have one that we shouldn't have sold.
Nice trucks but I am inclined to knock you in the head for selling the 72 K10. I get it though, we all have one that we shouldn't have sold.
not yet... my truck since 1989 is still in my driveway...
I’m sure the K10 will be a regret down the line. I bought it with the intention of selling it once it was done so it didn’t hurt too bad. I’ve never seen a 100% rust free truck before, it was originally the ochre and white and had nearly every factory option except buckets and the vacuum gauge. The one I will never sell is my Chevelle and the next first gen Blazer I decide to buy...whenever that ends up in my cards.
Thanks for the info on the seatbelts. Makes sense. The two threaded parts per side threw me off. I’ll have to come up with something fun to mount there instead. Has anyone else reused these for something creative?
Thanks for the info on the seatbelts. Makes sense. The two threaded parts per side threw me off. I’ll have to come up with something fun to mount there instead. Has anyone else reused these for something creative?
You must have really paid attention in college. Your grammar is perfect. When I was in college I saw students fresh out of high school that "learnt how to red and rite really well". 
You must have really paid attention in college. Your grammar is perfect. When I was in college I saw students fresh out of high school that "learnt how to red and rite really well".
Haha! I appreciate the compliment.
Got pulled over driving home last night! Turns out the rear lights don’t work but the brake lights do. Officer was really cool and a fellow enthusiast and let me go. He did ask if i was a poser or will actually wheel it, apparently if i was a poser he would write me a ticket 
Rear lights are fixed, had a bad ground in the harness.
Not much of an update recently. I’ve been compiling parts and driving it on the weekends to figure out what else needs to be addressed. I’m planning on installing most of the parts after the cage gets glued in.
Just ordered the bolt in ORD steering brace, ORD bump stops, and bushings with greasable bolts for all the springs.
Looking to have everything i have so far installed in time for a wheeling trip near Huntington Lake for Labor Day weekend.
Not much of an update recently. I’ve been compiling parts and driving it on the weekends to figure out what else needs to be addressed. I’m planning on installing most of the parts after the cage gets glued in.
Just ordered the bolt in ORD steering brace, ORD bump stops, and bushings with greasable bolts for all the springs.
Looking to have everything i have so far installed in time for a wheeling trip near Huntington Lake for Labor Day weekend.
Has anyone installed the pocketed front spring plates from DIY4X before? Im looking for direction on which way they are supposed to go on. One side the pocketed portion sticks out farther. I’m thinking the longer section points towards the rear of the truck?
Also, B52 front hangers ordered. I noticed my driver side front hanger is a little tweaked out. Not sure if it was mangled when one of the previous owners cut it off and moved it forward or if it was welded on wrong. Either way it’s coming off...
Also, B52 front hangers ordered. I noticed my driver side front hanger is a little tweaked out. Not sure if it was mangled when one of the previous owners cut it off and moved it forward or if it was welded on wrong. Either way it’s coming off...
I hope so!
I’ve been commuting in it lately with the top off while the weather isn’t too hot. She’s been cruising fine at 65. Get a lot of mean looks with the tire chirp from the spool even when I’m going slow around a turn. The lockers might move up faster than i thought. I like the idea of the e locker more but Eaton still hasn’t made one for the 14 bolt. Not sure how i feel about e locker front and arb rear. Any thoughts?
Going to try and get the interior stripped next week. Front and rear seats, center console, and factory belts will be going up for sale once they’re out. Carpet will probably go in the trash.
I’ve been commuting in it lately with the top off while the weather isn’t too hot. She’s been cruising fine at 65. Get a lot of mean looks with the tire chirp from the spool even when I’m going slow around a turn. The lockers might move up faster than i thought. I like the idea of the e locker more but Eaton still hasn’t made one for the 14 bolt. Not sure how i feel about e locker front and arb rear. Any thoughts?
Going to try and get the interior stripped next week. Front and rear seats, center console, and factory belts will be going up for sale once they’re out. Carpet will probably go in the trash.
Interior is stripped for the cage
Found this under the carpet on both passenger and drivers side seat mount. Is this normal?
It doesn’t bother me much since the cage has the seat mounts built in. I already drilled out the ends of the cracks and plan on welding it back together to seal the cab.
Also have some close ups of the cab rust i plan to fix. Are there patch panels, or should i plan in making my own out of some blank sheet metal?
Found this under the carpet on both passenger and drivers side seat mount. Is this normal?
It doesn’t bother me much since the cage has the seat mounts built in. I already drilled out the ends of the cracks and plan on welding it back together to seal the cab.
Also have some close ups of the cab rust i plan to fix. Are there patch panels, or should i plan in making my own out of some blank sheet metal?
Made some progress stripping the surface rust and old paint off the cage. It’s ready to finish weld some spots that the previous owner couldn’t get to when they fabricated it in their rig. Those 3M “sandblaster” discs are awesome!
Looks good! Keep up the good work.
For those who have stripped the carpet out of their rig, what are you using for a heat barrier/sound deadener? Is beadliner enough?
My 72 had nothing and the floor would radiate heat...
My 72 had nothing and the floor would radiate heat...
Finished welding the bottom of the cage that were missed by the last guy. Pretty proud, but feedback is appreciated.
Still sanding...
Ordered a case of Steel-It from SDHQ and some gussets from Chassis Unlimited. trying to have the cage in before the end of the month.
Still sanding...
Ordered a case of Steel-It from SDHQ and some gussets from Chassis Unlimited. trying to have the cage in before the end of the month.
Cage has been stripped, welded, cleaned, and sprayed. Just had another surgery on my foot so I’ll be on my ass for 6 weeks. It’s ready to go in and sitting on my side yard for whenever I’m ready.
PRP front seats ordered. Went with the Enduro series so there’s easier access to the back. Opted for the seat heaters and the italia stitching cause why not
Trying to have all the safety stuff in for a shake down run over Labor Day.
While I’ve had my foot up, I’ve been planning out the axles. Some parts I already own but not much.
5.13 gears
Front: Yukon 4340 front axles w/ super joints- 35 splines, E locker, Yukon HD hubs, seals, bearings, king pin bushings, EBC brake pads
Rear: arb, seals, bearings, Eldorado brake kit from lugnut 4x4
I currently have the NP241 transfer case but have been eyeing the Atlas 4.. seems like a better route than a traditional doubler
PRP front seats ordered. Went with the Enduro series so there’s easier access to the back. Opted for the seat heaters and the italia stitching cause why not
Trying to have all the safety stuff in for a shake down run over Labor Day.
While I’ve had my foot up, I’ve been planning out the axles. Some parts I already own but not much.
5.13 gears
Front: Yukon 4340 front axles w/ super joints- 35 splines, E locker, Yukon HD hubs, seals, bearings, king pin bushings, EBC brake pads
Rear: arb, seals, bearings, Eldorado brake kit from lugnut 4x4
I currently have the NP241 transfer case but have been eyeing the Atlas 4.. seems like a better route than a traditional doubler
