KSJ
Registered Member
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CK5
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'71 K5 TX Blue
- Thread starter KSJ
- Start date
ekajkrats
1/2 ton status
Welcome! That would be a fun project for a father/son team.
-Jacob
-Jacob
KSJ
Registered Member
Thanks Jacob. Certainly enough there to test both of us, but it will be fun.
Good deal to be able to build a truck with your kid! 
My 15 year old and I work together...its fun!
My 15 year old and I work together...its fun!
KSJ
Registered Member
Update
Here is what we have accomplished in 60 days
Thanks Keith and Tyler
Here is what we have accomplished in 60 days
- Removed seats, gas tank, engine, transmission
- Removed front grill and bumper assembly
- Removed fuel lines, brake lines
- Removed Brake booster and master
- Installed new rotors, bearings (in/out)
- Installed new WARN locking hubs
- Replace body mounts (poly)
- New shocks front and rear
- Frame rust removal and coating/painting
- Rocker/Floor repair replace
- New gas tank
- New fuel and brake lines
- Thoughts on painting versus POR15 (or some other coating) for the frame/underneath. May do a full frame off in the future but right now it is for Tyler to drive, enjoy and work on through HS/College.
- Would like to switch to automatic transmission but need input on the gearing changes (if any) required. What about just moving to 4spd manual?
- Your vote/experience on best body parts and vendors. Have read many comments on staying away from LMC, liking GMC Pauls, etc. But many comments are a bit dated. Has anyone had any luck saving on shipping by shipping large order freight (palletized) versus piece by piece?
Thanks Keith and Tyler
Tough to say...
I can appreciate wanting to get things "good enough" to drive and enjoy... But you're also going to be doing quite a bit of work that will need to be redone at some point in the future.
POR-15 is probably better than doing nothing (and letting the rust continue to spread) but it's really not fixing the rust either. Same deal with new cab supports.... Welding them in is quite a bit of work, and you end up digging in pretty deeply to get the old ones out. Without a doubt you will find more rust in there than what you were expecting.... So you have to decide if you are going to just slather those items with POR-15 too... Or try to do a more complete repair before working your way back out of those areas with fresh patch panels.
If you're in it for the long haul.... Just dig in and do the best you can. You will learn a LOT even if the work isn't perfect. Ten years from now when you decide to dig back in and do it "right".... You'll have better skills and understanding about how to get everything repaired perfectly.
Unless you're doing a numbers matching resto... I think most people would tell you to just put the 350 motor in there. It's silly to rebuild a 307... You just don't get much power for all of your effort and expense.
Post lots of pics when you start.... As you probably noticed already, there's a lot of expertise around here and you'd be amazed what others will notice and suggest if they have some images to work with.
-G
I can appreciate wanting to get things "good enough" to drive and enjoy... But you're also going to be doing quite a bit of work that will need to be redone at some point in the future.
POR-15 is probably better than doing nothing (and letting the rust continue to spread) but it's really not fixing the rust either. Same deal with new cab supports.... Welding them in is quite a bit of work, and you end up digging in pretty deeply to get the old ones out. Without a doubt you will find more rust in there than what you were expecting.... So you have to decide if you are going to just slather those items with POR-15 too... Or try to do a more complete repair before working your way back out of those areas with fresh patch panels.
If you're in it for the long haul.... Just dig in and do the best you can. You will learn a LOT even if the work isn't perfect. Ten years from now when you decide to dig back in and do it "right".... You'll have better skills and understanding about how to get everything repaired perfectly.
Unless you're doing a numbers matching resto... I think most people would tell you to just put the 350 motor in there. It's silly to rebuild a 307... You just don't get much power for all of your effort and expense.
Post lots of pics when you start.... As you probably noticed already, there's a lot of expertise around here and you'd be amazed what others will notice and suggest if they have some images to work with.
-G
Nice score! Excited to see what comes of this.
I Love the first gens.. Never see them around here though. Neighbours actually got a stock, full vert across the street. Tarped and never driven in the winters. Not restored or anything, but doesn't appear to be rusted away. In my future id like to build stuff with my kids. That'd be a sweet project.
I Love the first gens.. Never see them around here though. Neighbours actually got a stock, full vert across the street. Tarped and never driven in the winters. Not restored or anything, but doesn't appear to be rusted away. In my future id like to build stuff with my kids. That'd be a sweet project.
^^^^^
Robert71K5
Registered Member
- Joined
- Jun 15, 2016
- Posts
- 6
- Reaction score
- 1
Man that looks a lot like my 71. Same color blue, same rust spots... I'd love to see an update on this project as well.
C’mon, Man.......You know as well as I do, that 1st gens must be taken apart 36 times with a minimum garage time of seven years before you can even make a simple 7-11 trip with them. Don’t be leading this guy and his son astray right out of the gate. That’s just not right.
Welcome aboard. My boy and I both have Blazers. They make for some good memories between a Father and Son. Excited to see what path you go on.
Now peel that onion.
C’mon, Man.......You know as well as I do, that 1st gens must be taken apart 36 times with a minimum garage time of seven years before you can even make a simple 7-11 trip with them. Don’t be leading this guy and his son astray right out of the gate. That’s just not right.
Welcome aboard. My boy and I both have Blazers. They make for some good memories between a Father and Son. Excited to see what path you go on.
Now peel that onion.
So. Much. Truth.
-G
Oh stop it you two. I already ruined one first gen while you were both polishing bumpers
Eggxactly.... yours was Bent...
C’mon, Man.......You know as well as I do, that 1st gens must be taken apart 36 times with a minimum garage time of seven years before you can even make a simple 7-11 trip with them. Don’t be leading this guy and his son astray right out of the gate. That’s just not right.
Welcome aboard. My boy and I both have Blazers. They make for some good memories between a Father and Son. Excited to see what path you go on.
Now peel that onion.
Does your son have a first gen too?
The other ‘69 and my boys ‘76.
ekajkrats
1/2 ton status
Wait, I assumed the other '69 was a buddy's?
But I am glad I don't live too close to you. My blazer might have caught whatever made yours come all the way apart!
Jimmy4matt
Registered Member
With the 3 speed did they run a Dana 20 or an NP205? I'm a bit curious. I have a th350/NP205 combo and have been wanting to swap to a manual. I'd offer to trade, but I'm not sure it would be that simple. A manual with a low 1st is a blessing and makes it a much more pleasant experience in traffic, hills, technical maneuvering, etc. I,'ve got an OBS Ford with a Powerstoke and ZF5. Torqu with low gearing get things moving easily. I plan to swap an NV4500 in my '71 Jimmy when I'm feeling flush with cash. 
