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'74 K5 build: Smurf

Overview Gallery Discussion
Without further ado, here's Tankie's new look:

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Now, remember, this is a '74 and WAS full-convertible. Neat trick, huh? The windshield header was cut off, and a new roof from a 76+ truck grafted on, (parts courtesy of Imiceman44, thanks!)

The windshield pillars were aligned by sliding 3/4" tubing down each side:

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and then horking the roof over the cage. The cage design up front can't change much, since the roof was welded over -- the cage isn't coming out again!

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Prodigious weld/grind/sand/weld cycles were followed by a certain amount of Bondo, and then it looks basically factory:

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and then once painted and the windshield installed:

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Mind you, that's the better side of the two and the doors both need alignment and none of the panels are remotely straight any more. But, the doors open and close nicely and mostly seal out the weather.

-- A
 
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What influenced this?

Just asking. I like the half cab better myself but I know some on here are probably wiping coffee off their monitor right now and looking for a new keyboard so they can tell you of the atrocity you've committed.
 
Now I know some purists will scream at putting a roof ONTO a full-vert -- and if this was a restored, rust/Bondo-free truck, I'd be screaming too. But as this build has progressed, it's increasingly flirted with buggy-hood, which I'm finding counter-productive. Cool LOOKING, yes, but less functional overall and more of a pain for me. While I want her to wheel well, I also need her to be comfortable on the highway, be able to drive her to the Home Depot for stuff that won't fit in the Altima, etc.

And I sunburn (and windburn) easily and am tired of being alternately scorched or cold and wet.... so a roof it is.

Here in a while I'll get a soft top for her, obviously the '76-91 style, which I think will be the best of both worlds. Some protection from the elements all the time, with the option of some exposure as well.

There's a bazillion other things that need to be done before she's roadworthy, and there won't be so many updates for a while as I sort out the Bad Family Stuff. Still, pretty soon I won't have to tarp her all the time, and the yard will get cleaned up, all good things.

[EDIT: AJM beat me to it :doah:I *knew* it would start a discussion... :D ]

-- A
 
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It is different to add the roof like that, but I think you did a great job on it. Plus, it doesn't really matter what we think, it is what works for you. Turned out really well and you really can't tell it wasn't there from the factory, at least from a distance.:grin:
 
AJMBLAZER said:
What influenced this?

Just asking. I like the half cab better myself but I know some on here are probably wiping coffee off their monitor right now and looking for a new keyboard so they can tell you of the atrocity you've committed.
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Word I guess full verts are for the less fragile among us :D:D
 
AJMBLAZER said:
Fixed it for ya.:whistle:
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desirers of the pointlessly rare, leaky, drafty, and odd looking things among us
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:haha:

Donno about pointless, and I like the look, though I prefer the 73-75 to the 69-72 ... but they are TOTALLY impractical, you're dead on with leaky and drafty.

If I had indoor parking for it, I'd love to have a totally stock, restored, shiny 73-75 ... but for what/where I am, this'll do better.

-- A
 
That looks factory... nice job man. I like it. Modify what you got to suit your needs, instead of starting over is a good way to think :D
 
I think it looks better than factory because there's no seam between the cab and the bed. :waytogo:
 
colbystephens said:
I think it looks better than factory because there's no seam between the cab and the bed. :waytogo:
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You know, I couldn't remember how a half-cab truck looked even though I've owned two :doah: and was too lazy to come inside and look so I made it up as I went along. :haha:

I'm just waiting for some good-natured soul to try and convince me it's a '76+ because it has the cab :rolleyes:

-- A
 
What a interesting build up! its neat to see all your ideas i might steal a few. the roof job looks awesome!
 
I always cringe when a halfcab gets cut into a vert. You did it right. Looks great!
 
So I do not claim to be an expert engine builder ('cuz I'm not, that's why we have 4X4HIGH) ... but, based on my years of experience with breaking things, I think the harmonic balancer got borked :D Would 'splain why the motor's been shaking. Guess I went through and checked each plug wire twice for nuthing :doah:

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Thankfully Summit is as close as my web browser (and also one state away, so as long as they ship from NV I get things the next day.)

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and painted, complete with timing highlight:

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I also got some other new bling, but it's like 105* out all friggin day this week, doesn't cool off until way after dark, so it'll be a while before I can install anything.

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The red things are transmission/transfer case adapter feet mounts, in Energy poly. Gonna switch out the motor mounts to DIY4X's poly's, so I'll replace the mounts on the tranny and the Doubler at the same time. The tranny's been leaking fairly bad, so the rubber ones are rotting out from the goop down there.

-- A
 
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And I have no good pix of the new Tom Woods driveshafts or the ORD custom Alcan front springs and stock replacement rears. But they're all there, after a certain amount of swearing and sweating and backbreaking labor. It's one of those things where the build thread says "Oh, yeah, I put on new springs", which doesn't remotely do justice to the hours of horking the floor jack and stands and shifting the axles and undoing U-bolts and all the other "little" "easy" things that will put my chiropractors' kids through college. They have twins.

I do like the new springs. Still gotta get the toe-in adjusted and the draglink dialed in, but overall the new springs ride a WHOLE BUNCH better than the (admittedly beat-up) 52"s and 56"s I had. I suspect it was a combination of factors including spring wear and shackle angles and whatever else... but whatever the cause, she drives better now.

I'm also happy to see the truck mostly level (front-to-rear AND side-to-side), which is a new and unusual state. With the floppy/worn 52/56's the left and right sides would be different by an inch, inch and a half, even after swapping the packs left-for-right and such.

Stephen @ ORD is suspicious that my Bilsteins may be too soft with the custom fronts, and they do seem pretty bouncy in the driveway. Out on the street, though, the thing doesn't bounce or wallow near like it used to, so I may luck out on the shock front.

-- A
 
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Oops, I lied; I do have a few pix. Here's the "before", with 52"s and 56"s and long shackles on both ends (~7" both ends, I think?)

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And then with custom 47"s up front and (new) stock 52"s in back and shorter shackles (front are the ORD HD's, which just baaarely clear the frame, and back are DIY UDSR's @ 4".)

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The net result is I'm down an inch or so in ride height, prolly 2-3" shorter wheelbase (i.e. right about the stock 106.5", though I haven't measured) and lots more stable. She gets ever further to streetable... :haha:

-- A
 
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