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'72 K5 - Where do I go from here?

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That's great man. Yeah, all of my wife's family is totally laid back. Hell, me and her brothers got friggin Talladega Nights 'Hammered Drunk' at her parent's place on Thanksgiving. One of them wants me to build an early 70's Chevy truck for his son. He might spend next Summer with us to do it. Since money will not be a problem (his wife is a senior partner at an intellectual property firm in the Bay Area), I figure I can pre-stage a crate motor and transmission and all required parts. With resources like this site, I figure I can get through pretty much any issue I might run into.

My daughter prefers the one horsepower variety. I'm at the ranch hanging out while she rides her horse.....I'm not into riding them much, but I do appreciate them.

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Mike’s ‘72 K5 Build Plan

My plan is to add to this/adjust as I go. I just wanted a rough timeline to get me thinking, and to spark any comments/suggestions from other K5ers. I actually thought about putting it in Project.......but then I realized that was nuking it out a bit much. That first window may be a bit too short, but I should have a good idea by the middle of February. Also, with a new job coming up, I really don't know what to expect for 'free time.'

Hopefully I can start building a parts list (with prices) tonight.

Suspension [01FEB16-01APR16]
  1. Disassemble entire front and rear suspension
  2. Remove both diffs
  3. Remove old exhaust
  4. Drain/remove gas tank
  5. Cut off tow hitch and all ‘extra’ steel
  6. Remove bumpers
  7. Remove old gas line
  8. Remove all wires underneath
  9. Make plate(s) to cover holes for heat/A/C box on firewall
  10. Clean/wire brush/sand (Now that I have spent a few hours under there looking, I realize this is a MUCH bigger task than I originally guesstimated)
    1. Firewall
    2. Frame
    3. Diffs
    4. Underneath/Rocker boxes
11. Remove old body bushings and replace with new (one at a time) [which type?]
12. Install new gas tank, including sending unit
13. Paint entire frame/diffs/underneath (What type of paint?)[buy a spray gun, or use rattle cans?]
14. Install new springs/shackle flip/shocks/pitman arm
15. Install new wheel bearings
16. Reassemble front end/steering with all new bushings
17. Install new brakes/rotors/drums
18. NP205 - drain, fill, new gaskets in adapter, paint
19. Install NP205

Remove all existing wiring/fuse panel
Install new wiring harness/fuse panel

Engine[01APR16-01JUL16]

  1. Assemble crate motor
    1. distributor (HEI)
    2. starter
    3. harmonic balancer
    4. water pump
    5. intake manifold
    6. Carb (or EFI)
    7. set timing
    8. plugs/plug wires
    9. oil filter/oil
    10. exhaust manifolds
2. Install NP205
3. Attach transmission to engine, install both
4. Install new exhaust pipes, with new exhaust hangers
5. Install new mufflers (want aggressive tone, but comfortable volume)
6. Install driveshafts
7. Clean/paint front support
8. Install front support/new radiator
9. Connect all wires to engine

Body[01JUL16-01JAN17, due to $$$$]
  1. Remove seats
  2. Remove Roll Bar
  3. Remove gage panel/AC controls
  4. Remove mirrors/door handles/wing windows/lock cylinders/all lights
  5. Remove old tailgate
  6. Install new tailgate
  7. Install new bumpers
  8. Send to body shop (paint it the stock white, with everything else blacked out)
  9. Send to powder coat (black)
    1. new bumpers
    2. wheels
    3. roll bar
    4. door handles/lock cylinders
    5. all light trim
    6. mirrors
    7. wing window frame
    8. grill/all grill trim
10. Install new gage panel/reinstall AC controls
11. Install all new knobs, turn signal arm, etc
12. Install new (stock) steering wheel
13. Wire interior
14. Install sound/heat barrier
15. Install new carpet
16. Install roll bar
17. Install new seats/center console

Have 35X12.5 15 tires mounted (The most aggressive looking ones I can find)[15JAN17]
Black lug nuts
Bikini top (with kit that allows you to use existing holes/no snaps)[01MAR17]
 
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:haha:Love getting that way with good people. What's even cooler is thinking about how professional and calm they are in their professions and getting to see them in the rare forms is even more of a treat!

Sounds like you will definitely make use out of that shop if you are taking build orders!:grind:

BTW nothing came up for the build plan.
 
At the local Dept of transportation they have these lifts that have a pallet jack built in to move the lifts around. you can use one for each tire and lift the plow truck. Each one is rated at 11,000 lbs. You can also get attachments to use them like a regular lift to lift on the frame. When not in use you can roll them all together. They still take up some room but not like a stationary lift.
 
I was thinking about getting one of these (link below) to clean up the undercarriage. Any words of wisdom? Also, first dumb question about this blaster, could I use it inside, under the lift? I know it would make a mess, but I don't care about that, I blow the whole shop out about once a week with my 'leaf blower.' Besides, it would be worth taking the time to tape some plastic in place for the painting which will follow. Leading to my next question, holy crap is there a lot of information on here about what to use on undercarriage (frame, diffs, front end parts, underneath part of floorboard, etc). Is there a 'definitive' '99% agree' answer on what to use for paint? I just want it protected and clean, but not too clean to drive. Hell, not even too clean to drive on dirt roads (many of my friends live on dirt roads), just.......clean. Rattle cans or a spray gun?

http://www.harborfreight.com/40-lb-pressurized-abrasive-blaster-68992.html
 
Dirsuper said:
I was thinking about getting one of these (link below) to clean up the undercarriage. Any words of wisdom? Also, first dumb question about this blaster, could I use it inside, under the lift? I know it would make a mess, but I don't care about that, I blow the whole shop out about once a week with my 'leaf blower.' Besides, it would be worth taking the time to tape some plastic in place for the painting which will follow. Leading to my next question, holy crap is there a lot of information on here about what to use on undercarriage (frame, diffs, front end parts, underneath part of floorboard, etc). Is there a 'definitive' '99% agree' answer on what to use for paint? I just want it protected and clean, but not too clean to drive. Hell, not even too clean to drive on dirt roads (many of my friends live on dirt roads), just.......clean. Rattle cans or a spray gun?

http://www.harborfreight.com/40-lb-pressurized-abrasive-blaster-68992.html
Click to expand...



FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DO NOT SANDBLAST INDOORS!!!! :haha:

Seriously, terrible idea... You live in CA, you can blast outdoors year round...


That blaster is OK, I have the same basic one from Eastwood. You will probably go through a lot of ceramic nozzles and maybe a few replacement hoses (due to blowouts).

I found that the 5mm ceramic nozzles are the most useful for blasting with "Black Beauty" abrasive. You can pick that up at Bond Auto or most autoparts stores for around $10/bag (80 LB)

How good is your compressor? Blasting takes a LOT of clean, dry air or you will be fighting clogs (water) or just waiting forever for the pressure to build to a reasonable level.... I've got a big upright Quincy and still have to go slow.... with blasting its all about the velocity of the air and surprisingly metering in VERY little actual abrasive media into the airstream. It takes some fussing to get the balace right and of course as the pressure drops the "blend" changes which is why you end up waiting a lot on the compressor.

I don't want to be the one to say it because everyone is expecting it from me, but if you're going to go the trouble of sandblasting.....you.......MIGHT.....AS.......WELL...... take the body off the frame and leave it hanging on your new 2-post lift. Break that frame down to the bare essentials and blast it outdoors. Send it off for powdercoating or at least a good coat of Ryoken Green, then a quality catalyzed paint (not-rattlecan). Unfortunately, the frame is as deep as you can go in terms of a project but being able to reassemble your "restored" axles, springs, engine and drivetrain into a freshly painted frame will be NIIIIICE..... then plop a set of new body mounts on it and lower the body back down onto it. If you are careful with welding blankets you can probably do all the sheetmetal repair without ruining your nice new detailed frame and running gear.


-G
 
I appreciate it Greg, but the title of this thread, stolen from 'Alice in Wonderland', finishes with, "That depends where you want to end up." If I go that far, I will never take this thing on dirt roads. Given that I already have one I will never take on a dirt road (the C20), I don't want another like that. I want this to be the vehicle I drive all over Ramona - to the ranch, to parties, Boy's Nights, etc. Ramona is a dusty place, one trip down a dirt road around here and the vehicle is coated, top to bottom. Why go through all of that trouble/expense to build what will be a step away from a trailer queen?

In fact, thinking about this while working out earlier, I'm just gonna clean up the undercarriage with scrapers and wire brushes and then hit it with some of Napa's 'Chassis black.' Ten cans for ~$100, done. I'll start to drift off course now and then, but I do know where I want to end up.

Regardless, I do appreciate your input.

Hell, I might even make up a sign or something to remind me........and my friends, because they all want me to take the body off the frame, powder coat..........
 
Dirsuper said:
I appreciate it Greg, but the title of this thread, stolen from 'Alice in Wonderland', finishes with, "That depends where you want to end up." If I go that far, I will never take this thing on dirt roads. Given that I already have one I will never take on a dirt road (the C20), I don't want another like that. I want this to be the vehicle I drive all over Ramona - to the ranch, to parties, Boy's Nights, etc. Ramona is a dusty place, one trip down a dirt road around here and the vehicle is coated, top to bottom. Why go through all of that trouble/expense to build what will be a step away from a trailer queen?

In fact, thinking about this while working out earlier, I'm just gonna clean up the undercarriage with scrapers and wire brushes and then hit it with some of Napa's 'Chassis black.' Ten cans for ~$100, done. I'll start to drift off course now and then, but I do know where I want to end up.

Regardless, I do appreciate your input.

Hell, I might even make up a sign or something to remind me........and my friends, because they all want me to take the body off the frame, powder coat..........
Click to expand...


I hear ya!

To me "sandblasted" means someone's going all-the-way.... You're going to make such a mess and ruin so many seals and bushings by trying to do spot blasting that I just can't wrap my head around trying it.

Wire wheels, those loop-style paint strippers and old fashioned elbow grease is probably all that's necessary for where you want to "end up".

-G
 
Greg72 said:
Wire wheels, those loop-style paint strippers and old fashioned elbow grease is probably all that's necessary for where you want to "end up".

-G
Click to expand...

I agree. Sandblasting will probably create more mess than is worthwhile, if you're not stripping the chassis down and trailer-queening it. Wire brushing should get you where you want to be. :waytogo:

Remind me again why you want to paint the frame...is it just aesthetics, or is there some problem with it?
 
First two are the areas in the worst shape, I want to get good paint on there. The rest, as you can see, is just dirty and grimy. I figure a weekend of work and $100 will make a big difference in the end product.

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Yeah, CA sucks in a lot of ways, but the weather sure is good for vehicles. This is why I am replacing the gas tank.

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Damn you Greg! I'm the guy who did a lot of very challenging shit in the Navy because most people could/would not. Now taking the body off is almost a challenge......I'm standing under this thing thinking.......'you never backed down before.' If one were to use a two post to remove the body, where would they lift?
 
WTF is the purpose of this 'bracket to nowhere?' It's on the driver's side just behind the front spring rear shackle.

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Yeah tank looks a bit out of shape!!

I have no idea what that bracket is?? I don't think I remember this on mine.
 
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