CK5
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'78 K10 Build

Oh god yes it begins. I built my truck twice too.. :)

You gonna run the DIY a-bomb and put some wings on it? I have a buddy down in Hallam who is trying to start a Fab business and is dying to get some use out of his ridiculous new tube bender.
 
Yes a-bomb for sure and yes I want it to look similar to Kay86K5's bumper.
 
This guy has flipped 56s. It moved the axle back 4", and the rear portion of wheelwell back 8" which seems a little excessive, but looks freakin sick IMO.

Pretty sure it would end up the same on the ass end of your truck.

K5+15+nov+02.jpg


Sorry for probably trying to oversell this idea, I just think it's cool as **** and want to see someone do it. I would do it if I didn't already have a long ass wheelbase!

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29480&page=2

He's also got sweet cab sliders which I'm definitely going to copy at some point.
 
Yeah I see what you mean about a lot of work for not much benifit on the bobbing, but it would definitley help my departure. Right now I only have about 6 inches behind my shackle flip I think. I will definitley do the front and rear springs cause on one side now, I have a cracked leaf and on the other side it saggs really bad. Once I get myself a welder and learn how to use it I will do a lot of stuff to this thing.


Posting this link for future reference.
http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=148725 Ton's of 52/56 spring swap info.
 
Good info there. For what it's worth, I'm not super happy with the 54" frankenpacks I have up front even though they flex well. One side sags and they're already S shaped. I'd like to get standard packs all the way around, for ease of replacement and better longevity.

One thing I am very happy with though, is all the shocks being outboarded as far as I can get them. Ride is very nice and controlled with the shocks more directly dampening wheel travel through the mostly linear range of motion.
 
mine corners like a water bed, does that mean if flexes well?
 
Not to derail, but since you asked- the stock shock locations have the shocks only moving, say, 1 inch for every 4 inches of wheel travel. (exaggeration) Going around a corner without a sway bar, it tends to suddenly flop to one side, because the shocks can't keep up. This is why people started putting multiple shocks on each corner, or getting stiffer shocks.

If one strives to get the ratio closer to 1:1, with linear orientation and outboarding, then one can get away with softer [read: cheaper] shocks for a better ride, because each shock has a more direct hand in controlling its respective wheel. Going around a corner, the truck will still lean, but it will feel night and day more controlled, without the "flop".

The downside to this setup is having to get monster shocks with a crap load of travel. So, true 1:1 is impossible to attain, but you have to figure out what is acceptable to you.

I like my front shock setup, but the rear ratio is sort of lacking. Which isnt a huge deal because there isn't much weight back there. If I ever find a k5 I'll keep them on the outside of the framerails, but in a more linear (to axle travel) orientation, and probably with an outboarded and dropped lower mount, like this: http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/low-lift-long-shocks-diy-shock-shifters-whats-advantage-852221/
 
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All this shock talk reminds me, the other day I noticed marks on my rear shocks from where they made contact with my leaf springs.
 
All this shock talk reminds me, the other day I noticed marks on my rear shocks from where they made contact with my leaf springs.

I thought you just replaced your spring eye bushings. Seems like that should prevent the springs from moving around too much. I wonder why the springs are contacting the shock bodies.
 
Something is loose. Either the bolts for the springs or the shocks or the u-bolts or the bolts for the shackle flip.

I'm sure bobbing the bed will cure this problem.
 
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