77k5 build thread - Wanna Crush a ford taurus? help is needed.

[nova]

Well I started a project about 2 years ago when I picked up a 77K5 frame and body from a tow yard for $200. The k5 has been more and more of a project then ever thought to be. It's like an addiction and I can't stop. I have torn this thing apart 3 times now down to the frame because there is something more I want to do. I believe this will be the last time and it's on it's way to be done (for now, shhh don't tell the wife ). I know there is alot of people on here doing build threads and some of you are tired of the same thing being done. Sorry but, I'm still doing one. I have been getting alot of pm's to do one so here we go.

This is my first pic of the k5 after I got the d60 on in 2005

A close up of the stock location of the rear upper shackle mount. This will change in location several times in my build.

Here is the finished project of 2005 when I finally got the d60 and 14blt on with a PRO-COMP 6" lift and Irock 39.5 on 16.5 m/t rims. The brown 84 blazer next to it was a parts truck I got for my k5.

Tearing up the 84 k5.

A close up of the ORD cross over steering and M.O.O. crossmember.

Side view of the 77k5. I don't think it's looking to bad for a project start.

I'll update with more recent ones soon. much more to come:

 

[84CUCV]

nice!

 

[nova]

Thanks man what you see here was the easy part.

 

[chevy wrangler]

wow i wish i still had my k-5, nice rig man

 

[GM Man]

Looks good, post up more pics..

 

[Craig Artzner]

Nice! You're keeping the '77 front clip, right?

 

[84CUCV]

i would keep the 77 clip. wish i had mine still

 

[Chevy305]

I love it! Nice and clean with a big lift, big tires, and blingin' wheels!

 

[nova]

The k5 didn't have a front grill on it when i got it. so I'm using the tube grill I had on my 78 stepside.

 

[nova]

Well a few months later I blew the motor I was going to use for the 77k5 in my 78 stepside. So I bought a 300hp GM 350 crate motor. And pulled the 700r4 out of the 84 k5. Now I thought i was good, but the mod bug hit me again and ended up rebuilding the np-203 range box and putting in a rebuilt np-205, doubler kit, comp. motor mounts, and HD front shackles with 1/2 " bolt kit from ORD.


Here is the motor I've added an edelbrock rpm performer intake, holley 650cfm double pumper converted to a 650hp, 1.6 roller rockers, jegs timming gears set, hv oil pump w/ 4340 chrome molly pump rod, mallory uni-lite distributor, MSD 6al,MSD High vibration coil, jegs fuel log w/ 8an inlet 2 6an out lets and a 10an return, mallory fuel regulator 10 an in/outlets, edelbrock elite valve covers and air cleaner, and ceramic coated tight hugger headers.

This is my 700r4 it has a reverse shift pattern tci valve body w/ tci shift kit, I also added a high volume tci pan, to add on the doubler I added a 1 5/8 thick spacer to help with clearence issues with the drivshaft and to add extra length the drive shaft for better drive line angles.

You can see the spacer just in front of the np-203 gear box. and as you can see I tried to use stock type crossmembers and poly bushings. This will not work so I need to make a new crossmember.The np-205 also has the 32 spline front and rear outputs.

In the begining of 2007 I added a TCI outlaw shifter and a ORD 3 stick doubler shifter and ORD 1 inch body spacers and poly body bushing mounts. Yes the k5 jams with the alpine in place. I'll be making a new floor pan cover for that area because I had to do alot of cutting. The seats are trashed (all foam )so I'll be on the look out for new ones.

I'll post up the rear 64's build later at 3" and 6" back axle placement.

 

[chevy wrangler]

what happened to the step side??

what are you gonna do with the parts blazer when your done with it??

 

[nova]

what happened to the step side??

what are you gonna do with the parts blazer when your done with it??

The 84 blazer was donated to another k5er and the step side was sold for 50 buck to just get it out of my yard. the step side was in real bad shap with indiana rust and a broken frame in 2 places. Not including how every panel was different colors including the roof from rolling it 3 different times. I beat the hell out of my trucks thats why I build them.

 

[nova]

i would keep the 77 clip. wish i had mine still

here is a pic of what I have on the front end with the 6 inch lift installed.

 

[muddermilitia]

here is a pic of what I have on the front end with the 6 inch lift installed.

I really like whats on your frontend . This is getting better and better. cant wait to see pics with the 52s and 64s.
So when are moving to indiana? Now I cant wait till we wheel together!

 

[nova]

I really like whats on your frontend . This is getting better and better. cant wait to see pics with the 52s and 64s.
So when are moving to indiana? Now I cant wait till we wheel together!

It shouldn't be to much different from your rig. I notice you are using about the same stuff as I am. Diyx and ORD they are great.

 

[broncoman6524]

in that picture...the k5 on the right only has a 6" lift? or is there a body lift on it too?

 

[nova]

There is no body lift in this pic for either k5. The 84 on the left has a 3" block lift competely worn out, I mean springs are about to bend the wrong way and snap on 31" tires. The 77 on the right is only a 6 inch spring lift (brand new)with ORD's 1/2" Longer shackles (1/4" lift) and missing some of the goods inside the cab and front clip on 40" tires. I approximate about 250-300 lbs of weight.

So I gather you notice the major difference between heights. You figure with the worn out stock springs on the 84 with about 6" difference in tire height, I would guess there is about a total height difference of 8 inches, but still the 77 looks higher than that. If you look at the tires and tie rod height you'll see a major difference right there. Hell the 77's tie rod is higher then the 84's 10 blt frontend.

 

[73K5Kid]

here is a pic of what I have on the front end with the 6 inch lift installed.

Excellent choice on the front clip.

 

[nova]

2005 was a busy year and was unable to gather the funds to finish the k5, with a wedding and all.
In 2006 things took a real turn. I started working on the 77k5 again and decided to redo the rear suspension with 64's. The real question at the time was how I wanted to do it. Did I want to spend the money to redo the fuel system and go 6 inches back or go 3 inches and leave most of my quarter panels in place. My wife at this point was not happy with the blazer because every time it's almost done I tear it apart again and spend more money. So I went 3 inches back.
I ordered ORD's 2.5 inch shackle flips and there tc 3" lift 64's. At this time there wasn't much info out there for the swap and people were just talking about doing it. Steve at ORD was a great help in getting me in the right direction for thoughts and measurements for this kind of swap.

First thing I had to do was decide where I have to put the rear shackle hanger. After hours of diagrams and measuring I found my spot. I decided to use the 2 rear hole for the stock mount location. And guess what was in the way! a frame bump and body mount.

There was no reason I saw for this bump, but to tick me off. and for the body mount I lucked out and one of the hole in the mount lined up with the shackle mount.

I decided to just cut it out and let a fab. shop reinforce it

Another view

The front mount I just moved the stock mount forward 3 inches and bolted it in with 7/16 grade 8 bolts.

now during this time there was no one making good solid rear shackles, but low rider companies. so purchased a shackle that offered poly bushings and thicker then sock metal and 2 mounting positions (5.5" and 6.5") From bell tech. I decided to use the 5.5" shackle mount hole. After mounting the shackles and springs I noticed My axle was hanging a lot lower. Was it more travel or way to much lift?

I was very impressed, the shackle angle was good, the suspension was very loose, and I was only 3/4 inch higher in the rear when empty. With all my gear I was level. This pic is when empty, as you can see the shackle is on the to close to straight up and down side. Don't let this get you it still flexed good, and when geared up the shackle angle was great. The only thing different I would of did with this setup in this position would be to have the rear shackle mount about 1.5 inches closer to the front of the vehicle for a little better shackle angle but then the rear end would also be lower and gave me saggie butt blazer issues. All in all this set up gave me approx. 7.5 inches of lift. Oh yeah, yes there is a 1" ORD body lift now on the k5 for the doubler install to help out with room.

I also did a disc brake conversion on the 14blt rear end from shakerbuilt.

Then in 2007 still trying to get this thing done. I noticed a bad leak in the stock fuel tank. I said the hell with it I'm going all the way after more measuring and planing I decided to go a full 6 inches in the rear with the 64's.

I tore the 77k5 back apart and put the front hanger back in the stock location with the same grade 8 bolts.

Then I moved the rear hangers 1.5 inches towards the back of the frame and placed the rear spring bolt in the 6.5" location. Now I have an even better shackle angle.

I had an old M.O.O. shock mount system and used my 6 inch lift pro comp shock for the time being. Trust me when I say the shock are way to short for any rear wheeling. These spring flex like crazy. I'm in the market for new shock all the way around with about 14 inches of travel. suggestion are welcomed
I like this pic, it also shows off the 32 spline doubler with tom woods flanges.

Now to answer some questions These are true 64's some people ou there say they are 63's. Maybe stock one are 63's but these are 64's from ORD made by tough country. With my wifes help we came up with this for a measurement.

This pick is with the k5 unloaded of all gear with only the weight of the k5 on the springs as it stands. you can not get any closer to 64inches then this.

so 6 inches back and about 7 inches lift is how much this mod has given me. Here is the tire and wheel well pic.

shhh I'll give you a sneak peek of the new fuel system.

 

[Craig Artzner]

Pulling some all-nighters are we?