77 K5 Just had to do it

[Capt Ron]

I spent most of the day gluing, screwing, stapling, and drilling. I was not looking forward to cutting the top but it turned out to not be so bad.






I vacuumed out the back of the K5, I think some of these places have not been vacuumed since 77.



I started to clean all of the sealant off of the top in preparation to install rubber roofing. This is going to take a while.

 

[ZooMad75]

I spent most of the day glueing, screwing, stapling, and drilling. I was not looking forward to cutting the top but it turned out to not be so bad.



View attachment 264049

View attachment 264050
I vacuumed out the back of the K5, I think some of these places have not been vacuumed since 77.


View attachment 264052
I started to clean all of the sealant off of the top in preparation to install rubber roofing. This is going to take a while.

View attachment 264056

Good progress. Got a tip for you on the roof cleanup. Angle grinder with a wire cup brush. It will make a hell of a mess but it will peel all that garbage off of the roof. Then you can go about replacing all the screws. I went one size up to avoid any stripping out.

 

[Capt Ron]

Good progress. Got a tip for you on the roof cleanup. Angle grinder with a wire cup brush. It will make a hell of a mess but it will peel all that garbage off of the roof. Then you can go about replacing all the screws. I went one size up to avoid any stripping out.

Thanks Rob, I am gonna be needing some new rubber seals for the top also, where did you get yours. Were you happy with the quality?

 

[ZooMad75]

Thanks Rob, I am gonna be needing some new rubber seals for the top also, where did you get yours. Were you happy with the quality?

I got the top seals through LMC. You'll need a tube of gorilla snot too as the only way the seal is attached is by gluing it down. I will say this, glue the seal that goes on the top prior to installing the top section on the camper. We had four of us holding the damn seal up there until it stuck for good. With that section off the camper you can have a lot more control to glue it in place prior to installing the section to the camper.

 

[Capt Ron]

I have been looking for a parts camper thinking I could use a late model furnace and misc interior parts for my FWC remodel and I came across this. The owner had it listed wrong it is a 98 not a 78. It is in very good condition and no I am not going to part it out. I am not really sure what I am going to do with it but it was way to good of a deal to pass up. I even paid a bit less then asking price!



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[ZooMad75]

That's the same company that made Larry's camper. Lots of similarities there since the guy that started Phoenix is the son of the guy that orginally started Four Wheel Pop-up Campers. Might be able to flip that as it looks like it's in really good shape.

 

[Capt Ron]

I cleaned off about 5 lbs of silicone/caulk and replaced all of the screws in the top. I was advised to not put the rubber roofing directly onto the aluminum so I glued down some 1/8" substrate.


I also installed new weather stripping on the top and cab. I got the spacer bolted up temporarily to help the rubber "learn" it's shape.

 

[ZooMad75]

So did you delete the vent? Looks like it should be good for no leaks.

 

[Capt Ron]

So did you delete the vent? Looks like it should be good for no leaks.

Yep I deleted the vent. I want this to be as waterproof as possible and with the rubber roof/vent delete/new sealed screws I think it will be good to go. I actually weighed all of the materials involved, the weight of the roof will increase 36 lbs.

 

[ZooMad75]

Yep I deleted the vent. I want this to be as waterproof as possible and with the rubber roof/vent delete/new sealed screws I think it will be good to go. I actually weighed all of the materials involved, the weight of the roof will increase 36 lbs.

Sounds like a good plan. With the added weight you might want to look into using gas struts to aid in lifting the roof up.

 

[Capt Ron]

I ended up buying some actual rv rubber roofing instead of the heavy commercial roofing a friend gave me. This stuff is 12 lbs lighter so now the weight will only increase by 24 lbs.

 

[ZooMad75]

Looks good!

 

[6872xtc]

Looks like it finished very well!

 

[Capt Ron]

Looks good!

Looks like it finished very well!

Thanks guys, it came out ok. I learned a lot as this was the first time I have installed it. I will throw another coat of paint on the overhead and bulkhead tomorrow, then sand and paint the roof of the K5 where the sagging particle board caused some slight surface rust. I am hoping to get the camper back on Sunday and then start on the interior. I am really looking forward to start working on the lift / axles / NV4500 etc.....

 

[ZooMad75]

Thanks guys, it came out ok. I learned a lot as this was the first time I have installed it. I will throw another coat of paint on the overhead and bulkhead tomorrow, then sand and paint the roof of the K5 where the sagging particle board caused some slight surface rust. I am hoping to get the camper back on Sunday and then start on the interior. I am really looking forward to start working on the lift / axles / NV4500 etc.....

Good work. We'll be plugging away south of you tomorrow. Bill and I are tackling the spare carrier, fuel pump/fuel tank skid and hitch install. The wife and I'll will be blitzing up Sunday for Mother's day so No work that day.

Keep it up!

 

[Capt Ron]

I got my painting done today and then made some some new bumper mounts.

Before





After

 

[6872xtc]

That looks great! I just hope that you didn't make it so tight that it hits and makes noise.

 

[Capt Ron]

I think it will be OK, the closest it is to the splash pan / fenders is 3/8".

 

[6872xtc]

I think it will be OK, the closest it is to the splash pan / fenders is 3/8".

I believe that the condition of the body mounts at the radiator support , as well as if you twist it while wheeling, will be determining factors. My '90 will move over 1/2" at the ends, but it has tired body mounts.

 

[ZooMad75]

I like how you got the bumper up and in better. The roof looks good too. It will be pretty cool to get both of ours together and check them out.