datmony
Registered Member
Hope you are all well. I just picked up a new to me 1991 K5. It is in good shape overall but I am going to be updating a few things. First I will note a little about the usage plans for this. Effectively this will end up being a mountain truck, focused on being able to get up snowboarding and general street driving. There will be some camping trips and some general fire road driving but the focus will be on a simple streetable, nice driving k5.
I don't really plan on ever getting rid of it, or if I do there will always likely be another one in the family that will take on its parts so I am not overly concerned on spending more than it's worth because it will more than pay for itself in planned usage.
Near term things that are planned is replacing the steering shaft and associated rag joint with a new Borgeson Ujoint shaft, replacing the steering box and all the tie rod ends. The frame has already been beefed up with the ORD kit and the balljoints replaced a couple hundred miles ago.
Currently it has 285/70 R17 KM2s on it, and I will likely be staying with a very similar sized tire.... never really going over a 33. Tires will likely be swapped for a set of Goodyear Wranglers or potentially the BFG ATs with the primary focus being a very good, high traction snow tire but still with decent driveability and wear characteristics.
Where I could use some guidance and thoughts. I would like to replace the existing leaf springs with a high quality set of after market springs. I am not looking for lift on it (I have a very built CJ7 being finished here shortly) and am more heavily focused on a good ride quality over offroad capabilities. Who makes the best quality replacement springs? I originally was trying to contact National who custom built my CJ springs but sadly it looks like they may have went out of business. I was thinking of either Alcan or Deaver for the springs but figured I would get some thoughts. I will be replacing the bumpstops and shocks as well but will be focused on high quality stock style replacements versus going exotic with fox or something like that. Additional thoughts on where to look for springs? Cost is less of a concern for me than quality on this so I would like thoughts on the best of the best in your experiences. If you have thoughts on shocks would love to hear them as well. Bumpstops will likely just be energy suspensions or something like that.
The next question I have is around seats. I would like to update the seats in it to something very comfortable. I have been tossing around the idea of Corbeaus and even including the heated options and lumbar supports because worst case, if I ever get rid of the k5, they can be swapped into my CJ. Any other thoughts that people have on nice simple reclining seats that are focused on comfort? Planning on this getting a ton of road miles over the next years and want something comfy but that also offers the ability to still access the rear seat and my daughters car seat since she will be doing a lot of boarding with me.
The final area was one that surprised me. I was looking for the grab handles (oh S*** handles) as this one just has block off plates for them on the passenger side and on the top where they should go. This was a fleet vehicle I think so it likely never had them in it. I checked LMC and a few other places and was surprised this wasn't something that seems to be made. Can anyone advise on where to source some? If not I can make some easily enough but just would prefer something simple and bolt in.
I will eventually build a new motor for it, rebuild axles and maybe swap out for 60/14FF, as well as rebuild the tranny and tcase so it is tip top, but for now just going to drive it as everything seems to work pretty well.
Many thanks in advance for the thoughts/guidance/help.
I don't really plan on ever getting rid of it, or if I do there will always likely be another one in the family that will take on its parts so I am not overly concerned on spending more than it's worth because it will more than pay for itself in planned usage.
Near term things that are planned is replacing the steering shaft and associated rag joint with a new Borgeson Ujoint shaft, replacing the steering box and all the tie rod ends. The frame has already been beefed up with the ORD kit and the balljoints replaced a couple hundred miles ago.
Currently it has 285/70 R17 KM2s on it, and I will likely be staying with a very similar sized tire.... never really going over a 33. Tires will likely be swapped for a set of Goodyear Wranglers or potentially the BFG ATs with the primary focus being a very good, high traction snow tire but still with decent driveability and wear characteristics.
Where I could use some guidance and thoughts. I would like to replace the existing leaf springs with a high quality set of after market springs. I am not looking for lift on it (I have a very built CJ7 being finished here shortly) and am more heavily focused on a good ride quality over offroad capabilities. Who makes the best quality replacement springs? I originally was trying to contact National who custom built my CJ springs but sadly it looks like they may have went out of business. I was thinking of either Alcan or Deaver for the springs but figured I would get some thoughts. I will be replacing the bumpstops and shocks as well but will be focused on high quality stock style replacements versus going exotic with fox or something like that. Additional thoughts on where to look for springs? Cost is less of a concern for me than quality on this so I would like thoughts on the best of the best in your experiences. If you have thoughts on shocks would love to hear them as well. Bumpstops will likely just be energy suspensions or something like that.
The next question I have is around seats. I would like to update the seats in it to something very comfortable. I have been tossing around the idea of Corbeaus and even including the heated options and lumbar supports because worst case, if I ever get rid of the k5, they can be swapped into my CJ. Any other thoughts that people have on nice simple reclining seats that are focused on comfort? Planning on this getting a ton of road miles over the next years and want something comfy but that also offers the ability to still access the rear seat and my daughters car seat since she will be doing a lot of boarding with me.
The final area was one that surprised me. I was looking for the grab handles (oh S*** handles) as this one just has block off plates for them on the passenger side and on the top where they should go. This was a fleet vehicle I think so it likely never had them in it. I checked LMC and a few other places and was surprised this wasn't something that seems to be made. Can anyone advise on where to source some? If not I can make some easily enough but just would prefer something simple and bolt in.
I will eventually build a new motor for it, rebuild axles and maybe swap out for 60/14FF, as well as rebuild the tranny and tcase so it is tip top, but for now just going to drive it as everything seems to work pretty well.
Many thanks in advance for the thoughts/guidance/help.
