77K5. The IronMaiden...9/2 headed for Blazer Bash 20!

[76zimmer]

be bewy bewy quiet, I'm hunting wabbits....



Yeah, I realize the air is thin up there Dave, been snow skiing out there, I was just joking around because I have never towed anything there. I mean, if you are going too slow, just go faster! Like when you were a kid and your parents didn't have any money and you'd say, just write a check.

And stuff never gets cheaper in a project does it. You never hear anyone say, I thought I was going to get it done for $700 and it only cost me $400. Same with time, my wife always doubles my garage time estimates.

When does the CC build thread start? You going to finish more on the maiden first?

Well, perhaps when I get a few pics of its current condition, but the fun stuff will be a year away...I hope.

I know this is a weird suggestion, but you could just SLOW DOWN

Thats gonna be me when I get my dually done, same tire size as you Dave but with 4.56 gears and a 465

OUch....can you say 7mpg????6 towing????

JUst get to carbs dave. One set up for lower altitudes, then another set up for higher. Stop at wally mart somewhere in the middle, slap the other on, good to go! lol

Edit: Heres a cheap setup http://muskegon.craigslist.org/pts/2616920473.html prolly same thing you got though.

Actually a good idea Adam....simple quick swap, I need to school myself more on the quad's tunability.
Although it never did show smoke of any kind, maybe mixture is ok, and may be a little lean for my 800 altitude.

 

[Deuling]

Actually a good idea Adam....simple quick swap, I need to school myself more on the quad's tunability.
.

Well when you get EFI for the Maiden cuz you know you want it, you will have a second carb for the CC

 

[76zimmer]

Good shot Adam, but we'll have to see how it does on the dunes before I make that decision.

 

[Deuling]

Good shot Adam, but we'll have to see how it does on the dunes before I make that decision.

I CALL SHOTTY!!!

 

[blazinzuk]

OUch....can you say 7mpg????6 towing????

More like top speed is going to be 55 well at least a self imposed top speed

 

[cybrfire]

careful gearing for the highway Dave! Been there, done that.

 

[76zimmer]

yeah, first I'll have to do an engine analysis on torque band, then gear for that.
It really don't seem to mind running at 32-3500 though, just a bit thirsty.

 

[Teck]

Do a 6.2L 6l80E swap and never look back.

I'm learning that it's not as bad as you think to do one.
I'm doing a 5.3L (upgrade to 6.2L later when a good one can be found) 4l60E, hooked to a NP205.
Drive by wire so the cruise will work, also will be able to hook up all factory gauges.
When its all done I will post a list of what it took to get it done.

 

[Avery4jc]

If this is truly a tow rig FORGET ABOUT GAS ENGINES and just go diesel. 12v cummins with an NV4500 is hard to beat, in fact I'd wager it's impossible to beat for performance and simplicity vs money spent.

Not only will the mileage be a lot better than a big block gasser (not even going to mention a small block because that's a joke in a tow rig) but you'll be so much happier on the grades it's not even funny. I used to do 25-30mph with my '00 K3500 going up a huge pull called the 4 lanes that we have to take to get up to the local wheeling. It's looooooong and steep and it was all my vortec 454 with 4.10's and 33's could do to keep it at 30ish.
On our last trip I was doing 50mph with the same exact load and everything was happy the whole way, engine was under 180* the whole way and it just cruised.

 

[folkenheath]

I;m sure whatever you do it will be killer Dave, your attention to detail is incredible with the maiden, and your Vette is just amazing.

 

[76zimmer]

If this is truly a tow rig FORGET ABOUT GAS ENGINES and just go diesel. 12v cummins with an NV4500 is hard to beat, in fact I'd wager it's impossible to beat for performance and simplicity vs money spent.

Not only will the mileage be a lot better than a big block gasser (not even going to mention a small block because that's a joke in a tow rig) but you'll be so much happier on the grades it's not even funny. I used to do 25-30mph with my '00 K3500 going up a huge pull called the 4 lanes that we have to take to get up to the local wheeling. It's looooooong and steep and it was all my vortec 454 with 4.10's and 33's could do to keep it at 30ish.
On our last trip I was doing 50mph with the same exact load and everything was happy the whole way, engine was under 180* the whole way and it just cruised.

Avery I have no doubt a oil burner can blow away a gas engine, but this is the truck I have been looking for, and to put a 6BT/trans and all the mods it takes to make it work right now don't look too appealing...Now if I have to get into a major overhaul on the 454 it might be worth looking into, but if I can save this shortblock (gotta figure out where all the oil is going) then the 454 will stay...my towing is flat compared to out west, even going down across the Smoky range is only 4K' or so. Also remember this truck might only see a couple thousand miles a year....dropping thousands into a drivetrain would take a long time to recoup, and if that ends up being the case, oilburner would be a major consideration....also keep in mind I know absolutely nothing about diesels, and am very familiar with BBC's

I;m sure whatever you do it will be killer Dave, your attention to detail is incredible with the maiden, and your Vette is just amazing.

Thanks Heath, I just try to clean em up a bit.

 

[shady]

if your gonna do the gear vendors, I'd stay with your current gears. I like the idea of keeping it as is too. I dont think you need the OD though. Wont be ding 70-75 with the maiden behind ya much anyway really. maybe when ya go to BB13 but not all year Pretty it up and drive the h3ll out of it.

 

[76zimmer]

yeah, thats kinda what I'm thinking Rick, most drives would be 300mi or less. BB13 being the exception...we did do 70 though in the 6.0 towing on flats with 265's and 3.73's...liked it pretty well at 2800rpm.
I like the power its making right now, and hopefully won't need to do anything to the short block...the trans works great as is, and rear diff is quiet too. So leave well enough alone right?

 

[Z71paramedic]

yeah, thats kinda what I'm thinking Rick, most drives would be 300mi or less. BB13 being the exception...we did do 70 though in the 6.0 towing on flats with 265's and 3.73's...liked it pretty well at 2800rpm.
I like the power its making right now, and hopefully won't need to do anything to the short block...the trans works great as is, and rear diff is quiet too. So leave well enough alone right?

How can you spend a bunch of money and screw stuff up if you leave well enough alone??? Sweet truck if I haven't said it already!

 

[76zimmer]

good jab there. I can screw up a wetdream.

 

[Z71paramedic]

Yeah, story of my life!

 

[jekquistk5]

Thanks alot dave, I'm searching for 2wd 6pack DRW now!!! I probably would put a wrecked DMAX allison in though

 

[byggyns]

After seeing your tow rig and the others on here, I'm shopping for crew cabs already and I haven't even started tearing into my k5 yet

Looks like your tow rig has a great foundation for you to customize

 

[76zimmer]

Thanks alot dave, I'm searching for 2wd 6pack DRW now!!! I probably would put a wrecked DMAX allison in though

That would be the cats ass Jess!

After seeing your tow rig and the others on here, I'm shopping for crew cabs already and I haven't even started tearing into my k5 yet

Looks like your tow rig has a great foundation for you to customize

its a disease I tell ya

 

[blazinzuk]

Thanks alot dave, I'm searching for 2wd 6pack DRW now!!! I probably would put a wrecked DMAX allison in though

I will find you one Jess

I skipped a couple that I had seen that were small blocks cause Dave wanted the big block and they are pretty much the same price, one of those was an abosolute cream puff man. At least on the outside