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73 K5 mild retro restore

Beautiful K5, I say keep it looking as stock as possible, not many 73-75s out there unmolested. In the process of working on a 75 myself, but not nearly as clean looking as yours. As far as the shackles, the Off Road Design ones are nice, I have them and really like them. I think they are only 1/2" longer than stock so shouldn't mess with anything steering and driving wise. I would say go ahead and replace the Front Upper Shackle Hanger Bushings while you have it apart. I might have some extra ones laying around. PM me if interested.
 
Yes, You guys are right need ORD shackles and Bushings are shot on the passenger side.

Just Ordered ORD greasable shackles and Bushings.
They were so helpful over the phone. I described what was going on to them over the phone and they new exactly what I needed.

Hope it will be here next week sometime.


Thanks guys
 
Nice! Should only sit about a 1/4" higher in the front with those shackles. Good choice tho. I dont know of anyone who has been unhappy with them!
 
Your shackles are probably fine, just needs bushing, and possibly the shackle hangers.

Martin
 
Driverside bushings still look ok. However I see evidence from the spring hitting the frame. so I think I need the longer shackles.

Passenger side bushing is shot and frame has more severe evidence of spring impact.

Just got shipping notice From ORD.

Same day shipping is awesome!

I will post photos of the install when the parts get here.
 
She ran around Topless yesterday.

Man that top is big. I hung it on the back of my barn and it is taller than the eaves.

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man. that is saweet!

and it seems like you are appreciating it just as much as it deserves. carry on.
 
In Michigan it's SO rare to see the old stuff.
It's a state with an automotive culture like no other but cars get eaten alive by the road salt.
When I had my square bodies in Michigan people always wanted to talk, ask where I got them, offer to buy them, gave me thumbs up, etc.
Equal parts awesome for the appreciation and sad that you have to import them or wade through the "restored" and over-valued junk to own one.
 
I am right there with you on Michigan's history with these trucks.

I live only a short drive from the Flint Truck plant where this truck was built back in 1973.
My Grandfather worked at the V8 engine plant so he could have been at work when my 350 rolled down the line.

I grew up near Flint and back in the day Chevy and GMC trucks were all I knew.
Ford was rare and I think I had only seen Dodge trucks in TV commercials until I was about 15.

These trucks were everywhere back then but they rusted into pieces very quickly with all the salt we put on our roads.

I hope to have this one forever:waytogo:
 
Just stopping in to say what a beautiful old truck you've got there! Glad to see you enjoying it! :bow:
 
Mundy said:
I am right there with you on Michigan's history with these trucks.

I live only a short drive from the Flint Truck plant where this truck was built back in 1973.
My Grandfather worked at the V8 engine plant so he could have been at work when my 350 rolled down the line.

I grew up near Flint and back in the day Chevy and GMC trucks were all I knew.
Ford was rare and I think I had only seen Dodge trucks in TV commercials until I was about 15.

These trucks were everywhere back then but they rusted into pieces very quickly with all the salt we put on our roads.

I hope to have this one forever:waytogo:
Click to expand...

Yeah. I grew up near Grand Rapids but my parents are from Dearborn and the Thumb and lived in Flint before I was around. I can remember being a kid in the 80's and going by the completed vehicles lot off the freeway. That was when they were making CUCV's and I distinctly remember noticing all the camo versions of our orange '76.
 
My Burb was built in Flint. Made sure to cover that sticker up when I painted it. Speaking of Flint btw, I seen a show on the town and at one time it had all the factories and was a boom town, and now (at the time of this show) it served as the main printing/distributing town for homeowner eviction notices. How sad to disgrace a town with that horrible of a job. Sadly, it seems many of the workers were sending notices to friends and family in the area as the factories dried up due to greed of the big 3 or whoever had their factories there. Memory has me a bit foggy on that part.
 
Hit a snag putting in the Mile Marker part time kit today. My 1973 203 transfer kit requires a 74 and after spacer.

In the directions there is a note that on 73 and early 74 models the spacer from the shaft must be removed and replaced with a 74 thru 80 spacer.


Where do I find one of those?

Does anyone know the dimensions and I could machine the spacer I have?

Anyone??????
 
Stuff that old doesn't appear in junkyards in Michigan anymore. It all got scrapped years ago.
 
I have piles of NP203's. I would remove and discard it though. An NP208 would be a nice upgrade.

Martin
 
I am still caught up in the matching numbers all original and 55000 miles thing with this truck, so the 203 is staying. I don't really even want to change the rear cone to the later 2 piece cone.

If you have piles of NP203's how about sending me the spacer I need. If you would, I have a diagram showing the spacer I need.
 
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