StevoandaRedK5
1/2 ton status
this is the new motor i dropped in 5 or 6 months ago. haha good to know on the tires though, thanks
CK5
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'73 K5 - Stevoandaredk5's Build - [Pre-Summer Update - (4/5/11)]
- Thread starter StevoandaRedK5
- Start date
this is the new motor i dropped in 5 or 6 months ago. haha good to know on the tires though, thanks
eitherway, i think it's great mileage for a truck like yours with no overdrive.
StevoandaRedK5
1/2 ton status
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G-Force8
1/2 ton status
no more leak
oh and i figured out i'm getting about 10-12mpg at 70mph (no OD)
main idea: i'm feeling much better about all this now.
awesome!
BS! I'm getting 11mpg on the freeway in my stock '91 Suburban with OD and 32" tires with stock 3.42 gears
think I'm getting around 9mpg in my stock '72. My 76 was getting 10-12 before it went under the knife. If you're already getting that, you should slow it down to around 60mph and shoot for 15mpg.
StevoandaRedK5
1/2 ton status
fine, call BS
here's the numbers:
first fillup mileage: 71388.6
post-trip mileage: 71448.6
amount of fuel to fillup tank: 6.563gal
truck runs about 10% faster than speedo reads (63-64shown=70mph actual)
so 60+ miles, 6.5 gal somewhere in the neighborhood of 10-11, and possibly 12mpg. haha
all depends on how off the odometer is...
yeah, i'm not bitching too much about 20mpg on 38's, 4.10's and no overdrive. 
StevoandaRedK5
1/2 ton status
Well guys, we are "all systems go" for the trip tomorrow haha!
Had a buddy come over and we took the hardtop off. I took off the doors, but the parentals were skeptic about safety, so they went back on tonight, no big deal with quick release pins.
Didn't have a chance to put the heat shield on the starter, but i have a "jumpstart" (battery in a box) that'll give me the extra juice if the solenoid gets too hot, plus a set of jumper cables if all else fails. Strapped my overly large toolbox into the bed and loaded it up with everything I need (tools, jack, extra fluids, etc.).
I can't wait! I'll let you guys know, and snap some pics from all the festivities
Had a buddy come over and we took the hardtop off. I took off the doors, but the parentals were skeptic about safety, so they went back on tonight, no big deal with quick release pins.
Didn't have a chance to put the heat shield on the starter, but i have a "jumpstart" (battery in a box) that'll give me the extra juice if the solenoid gets too hot, plus a set of jumper cables if all else fails. Strapped my overly large toolbox into the bed and loaded it up with everything I need (tools, jack, extra fluids, etc.).
I can't wait! I'll let you guys know, and snap some pics from all the festivities
i hear you can bump start an auto-trans engine if you get going like 35 mph on a hill - no biggie, right?
G-Force8
1/2 ton status
fine, call BS
here's the numbers:
first fillup mileage: 71388.6
post-trip mileage: 71448.6
amount of fuel to fillup tank: 6.563gal
truck runs about 10% faster than speedo reads (63-64shown=70mph actual)
so 60+ miles, 6.5 gal somewhere in the neighborhood of 10-11, and possibly 12mpg. haha
Lies!
StevoandaRedK5
1/2 ton status
aight guys, i'm back at the house after a great day. Truck did great, and we had no problems other than the lack of stereo haha oh well, guess i've got my priorities straight...
pics later (not much to take pictures of though...eh)
oh well, guess i've got my priorities straight...pics later (not much to take pictures of though...eh)
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StevoandaRedK5
1/2 ton status
Worked the whole afternoon yesterday, got alot done though.
Pulled the headers and starter, painted the headers and put the heatshield on the starter (no more heatsoak problems) While I had that off I did some other small stuff: cleaned spark plugs, put on the metal dust cover i had (tq conv/flexplt).
Still have a rocker arm that's making some noise, but not much, and i need to tighten up the collectors some more, got a small exhaust tick.
I'm enjoying driving it with the hardtop off in this cool weather that the rain has brought...wait, what rain?
Pulled the headers and starter, painted the headers and put the heatshield on the starter (no more heatsoak problems
) While I had that off I did some other small stuff: cleaned spark plugs, put on the metal dust cover i had (tq conv/flexplt).Still have a rocker arm that's making some noise, but not much, and i need to tighten up the collectors some more, got a small exhaust tick.
I'm enjoying driving it with the hardtop off in this cool weather that the rain has brought...wait, what rain?
StevoandaRedK5
1/2 ton status
No big update, just been enjoying being able to drive the K5.
Saturday I did order some stuff from a couple of places that should be here either tomorrow or the next day:
From Classic Parts:
-Fuel Tank Sender
-Tailgate Cable
-Turn Signal Switch
-Right Amber Parklamp Lens
-New Black Side Mirrors
-New Rearview Mirror
From Oznium.com
-10 White 5mm Prewired LED's (for dash lighting)
-5 "Superflux" 4-LED-in-1 Prewired Modules (possibly front turn signals, front rock lights, interior courtesy light...?)
So I'll have this to get installed, hopefully will end up with a functioning, correct fuel gauge (that I can see at night haha), a turn signal switch that doesn't short out, and turn signals that people can see...
Once all of this is knocked out I will start gathering the supplies to finish all the metalwork and bodywork in preparation for PAINT! (It'll be a solid color!!)
Engine has been doing good, still no hot-start issues after installation of the heatshield. However there is a whole lot of excessive engine movement at idle. I don't think it's the motor mounts b/c they are new from the engine install, but I won't rule out any possibilities, and it only started doing this within the past couple of weeks. Just minor stuff I'll get figured out.
Saturday I did order some stuff from a couple of places that should be here either tomorrow or the next day:
From Classic Parts:
-Fuel Tank Sender
-Tailgate Cable
-Turn Signal Switch
-Right Amber Parklamp Lens
-New Black Side Mirrors
-New Rearview Mirror
From Oznium.com
-10 White 5mm Prewired LED's (for dash lighting)
-5 "Superflux" 4-LED-in-1 Prewired Modules (possibly front turn signals, front rock lights, interior courtesy light...?)
So I'll have this to get installed, hopefully will end up with a functioning, correct fuel gauge (that I can see at night haha), a turn signal switch that doesn't short out, and turn signals that people can see...
Once all of this is knocked out I will start gathering the supplies to finish all the metalwork and bodywork in preparation for PAINT! (It'll be a solid color!!
)Engine has been doing good, still no hot-start issues after installation of the heatshield. However there is a whole lot of excessive engine movement at idle. I don't think it's the motor mounts b/c they are new from the engine install, but I won't rule out any possibilities, and it only started doing this within the past couple of weeks. Just minor stuff I'll get figured out.
StevoandaRedK5
1/2 ton status
Update (7/17)
Had today off work, it rained all night and part of this morning, so I straightened the garage enough to back the K5 in partway. First order of business was taking off the skid and dropping the tank(3/4 full)...by myself...did get creative painting the skid though haha
Then I swapped on the new rearview and side mirrors
And went back to amber lenses to match the sidemarkers and b/c i like amber better than the clearish ones
Also put a new tailgate cable on, it's longer than the one that has been on there, but i made it work and don't care if it doesn't match.
Also found out that whoever swapped in a new fuel sender at some point put one in for a 25gal tank (3 outlet). the tank in this k5 is a 31 gal (my dad said "no wonder i ran out of gas all the time...." haha) So the new one i ordered and got in is for a 31gal tank (4 outlet). I don't have a 4th connection (I think it is for a return line?) Anyway, it's been working on 3 so it'll stay that way.
I have the LED lighting and the new turn signal switch/cam, so I will need to install those. I went by Autozone tonight and ordered new straps for the fuel tank (cheaper and no shipping charge) since I sheared one of the bolts.
Making progress though.
Had today off work, it rained all night and part of this morning, so I straightened the garage enough to back the K5 in partway. First order of business was taking off the skid and dropping the tank(3/4 full
)...by myself...did get creative painting the skid though haha
Then I swapped on the new rearview and side mirrors
And went back to amber lenses to match the sidemarkers and b/c i like amber better than the clearish ones
Also put a new tailgate cable on, it's longer than the one that has been on there, but i made it work and don't care if it doesn't match.
Also found out that whoever swapped in a new fuel sender at some point put one in for a 25gal tank (3 outlet). the tank in this k5 is a 31 gal (my dad said "no wonder i ran out of gas all the time...." haha) So the new one i ordered and got in is for a 31gal tank (4 outlet). I don't have a 4th connection (I think it is for a return line?) Anyway, it's been working on 3 so it'll stay that way.
I have the LED lighting and the new turn signal switch/cam, so I will need to install those. I went by Autozone tonight and ordered new straps for the fuel tank (cheaper and no shipping charge) since I sheared one of the bolts.
Making progress though.
G-Force8
1/2 ton status
I like the amber lights much better than the clear also. I just installed 4 new headlights on my '91 burb and will be installing new amber turn signals soon. The clears just don't look good at all to me.
Its exiting to see a good 'ol full-vert K5 get steady restoration.
Looking forward to the paint work
Its exiting to see a good 'ol full-vert K5 get steady restoration.
Looking forward to the paint work
StevoandaRedK5
1/2 ton status
Aight well I swapped in the new turn signal switch yesterday with my dad's help...no more short.
Then tonight I decided I had been lazy enough today and got all the gauge lighting done. Drilled holes for the LED's, pulled em through and wired them up. I still need to wire up the high beam indicator, but it's up in such a bad spot that it'll wait...plus I can tell when my high beams are on lol. So now I can see an indicator for the turn signals since my clicker/blinker thing isn't loud enough with the truck off, much less driving down the road haha, and my gauges are lit. what a luxury.
Then tonight I decided I had been lazy enough today and got all the gauge lighting done. Drilled holes for the LED's, pulled em through and wired them up. I still need to wire up the high beam indicator, but it's up in such a bad spot that it'll wait...plus I can tell when my high beams are on lol. So now I can see an indicator for the turn signals since my clicker/blinker thing isn't loud enough with the truck off, much less driving down the road haha, and my gauges are lit. what a luxury.
StevoandaRedK5
1/2 ton status
Got the fuel tank and skid back in (once again, by myself lol) on Thursday. Been driving it and it's doing good. However I still haven't found the cause for the unnecessary engine/drivetrain movement at idle. It comes and goes depending on engine rpm. It's not a motor mount(side to side, torquing motion), it is moving up and down, front to back. I'm thinking that some of the bellhousing bolts may not be tightened all the way down, and i need to double check all the mounts on the drivetrain to crossmember stuff.
Stomis
Professional Amateur
That fourth tube on the pump unit is a vent for the k5 tanks. I'm pretty sure that all the senders measure the same resistance for fuel level. perhaps the 25gal is a different story but my saddle tank sender measures the blazer tank I swapped in perfect minus the typical over fill/reserve that most of our trucks are off by.
StevoandaRedK5
1/2 ton status
Alright, been driving the truck topless for two days (it has rained both days haha, love those looks I get at red lights). I figured out on Sunday that my excessive engine movement problem was caused by loose bellhousing-to-motor bolts... (Good call Dad) Tightened those up and the problem went away. If it starts to do it again, all the bolts are coming out and are getting retorqued, this time with loctite.
If it would quit raining and give me some good weather, I could start the POR15 and herc on the remainder of the floor, the sliders, etc.
I am still trying to get ahold of the guy with the '74 tub and hardtop to see if he still has it, and I also found a '75 Jimmy on CL here local that is complete but hasn't moved or run in 15-20 years. Maybe between the two I can get some stuff off that I need and then make most of my money back in scrapping/parting out.
Because of the sad state of my rear fender openings, I am hoping to find those in good shape on one or both of these vehicles, and with some modification, regain a factory style lip that is wider than stock to meet the sliders.
Started planning on fabbing up the bracket for my custom bikini top, but will need to see if I can get the 1/8" aluminum for a good price, and make sure I have somewhere where I can use a heavy duty sewing machine to stitch up the fabric. But for now, the rain doesn't bother me...when I'm moving
I had hoped to put together a weekend at Barnwell Mountain Recreational Area sometime in the next few weeks, but the closer it gets to me moving to Austin to start college, the less likely it will happen. I could settle for a 30min drive to something closer, but Shiloh Ridge is almost exclusively mud...and this truck is definitely, definitely not a mud-runner. We'll see how it goes. Dang it, I want to get some pics to submit for the '10 CK5 Calendar!
For now, I will just enjoy my truck, since that's the whole idea behind driving something like it!
, love those looks I get at red lights). I figured out on Sunday that my excessive engine movement problem was caused by loose bellhousing-to-motor bolts... (Good call Dad) Tightened those up and the problem went away. If it starts to do it again, all the bolts are coming out and are getting retorqued, this time with loctite.If it would quit raining and give me some good weather, I could start the POR15 and herc on the remainder of the floor, the sliders, etc.
I am still trying to get ahold of the guy with the '74 tub and hardtop to see if he still has it, and I also found a '75 Jimmy on CL here local that is complete but hasn't moved or run in 15-20 years. Maybe between the two I can get some stuff off that I need and then make most of my money back in scrapping/parting out.
Because of the sad state of my rear fender openings, I am hoping to find those in good shape on one or both of these vehicles, and with some modification, regain a factory style lip that is wider than stock to meet the sliders.
Started planning on fabbing up the bracket for my custom bikini top, but will need to see if I can get the 1/8" aluminum for a good price, and make sure I have somewhere where I can use a heavy duty sewing machine to stitch up the fabric. But for now, the rain doesn't bother me...when I'm moving
I had hoped to put together a weekend at Barnwell Mountain Recreational Area sometime in the next few weeks, but the closer it gets to me moving to Austin to start college, the less likely it will happen. I could settle for a 30min drive to something closer, but Shiloh Ridge is almost exclusively mud...and this truck is definitely, definitely not a mud-runner. We'll see how it goes. Dang it, I want to get some pics to submit for the '10 CK5 Calendar!
For now, I will just enjoy my truck, since that's the whole idea behind driving something like it!
StevoandaRedK5
1/2 ton status
Worked with my dad tonight(It's always awesome when he helps), diagnosed and replaced the u-joints on the rear d-shaft. No more annoying squeal/drivetrain vibes.
Going to look at that '75 GMC tomorrow morning to see if it is worth getting.
), diagnosed and replaced the u-joints on the rear d-shaft. No more annoying squeal/drivetrain vibes.Going to look at that '75 GMC tomorrow morning to see if it is worth getting.
