CK5
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78 K5 Linked/42s Family Crawler
- Thread starter crawler78
- Start date
Poor man budget build trying to make a dependable and capable trail rig for the family to enjoy.
I've built a couple other off road rigs (geo trackers) but never documented them in a build thread. Hopefully big things will be happening in a short time. Spring is only like 50 days away or something so I gotta hustle some.
I bought the k5 as you see it already cut up and mostly caged. Previous owner did great job on the boatsides along with lowering cab about 4" and moved it back 4-5".
Trying to build a rig for my family to fit in yet capable enough to crawl thru some sweet rock gardens and v washes along with some good hill climbs and steep ledges. So I'm trying to keep a low center of gravity along with good approach and departure angles.
Anyways, here's the day I bought her...
I bought the k5 as you see it already cut up and mostly caged. Previous owner did great job on the boatsides along with lowering cab about 4" and moved it back 4-5".
Trying to build a rig for my family to fit in yet capable enough to crawl thru some sweet rock gardens and v washes along with some good hill climbs and steep ledges. So I'm trying to keep a low center of gravity along with good approach and departure angles.
Anyways, here's the day I bought her...
Once I got her home and the 203/205 doubler was delivered it didn't take me too long to bolt things together and start mocking things into place. Motor is set high and as far back as I can for better balance and flat belly. Things are still just tacked into place to make sure my suspension and driveline all work together before things are finalized.
5.3lm7 that will run on propane to a th350 and 203/205 doubler. Axles will be dana 60s with 5.86 gear.
Axle mock up is next!
5.3lm7 that will run on propane to a th350 and 203/205 doubler. Axles will be dana 60s with 5.86 gear.
Axle mock up is next!
With a big tire and lots of gearing, you might consider something bigger than a D60 rear axle. A D70 would be happier.
I'm poor lol. Its what I have to use so that's what's happening. Chromoly shafts are in my future. If they fail me then ill go to 14bolt. Problem with that is that I'd have to regear my front also cause 14bolt only goes to 5.38 gear. Not in budget right now.
These 60s and tires are what I had under my geo tracker just need more room for family and want a bit more power. I loved my tracker tho, underpowered and overgeared. It was a capable machine.
These 60s and tires are what I had under my geo tracker just need more room for family and want a bit more power. I loved my tracker tho, underpowered and overgeared. It was a capable machine.
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I hear ya, just a suggestion. The Blazer is cool, lots of neat parts. Pretty cool Tracker too! I bet that thing was fun.
Cool build. I like it.
I got 39.5 TSL's as well, just need to get my engine back together.
I got 39.5 TSL's as well, just need to get my engine back together.
Hopefully tonight I can get in the garage for a couple hours. I've been under the weather and its been bitterly cold lately. Today is a heat wave in the mid 30s lol
This is how she sits now. Have axles rolled into place and mocking up link placement. I'm settling on 125" wheelbase and is sitting at 24" belly (It'll go down some once weight is on tires at like 6-8psi too). My goal is around 24" belly on 42-44" tires and around 5-6" up travel 12-13" droop.
This is how she sits now. Have axles rolled into place and mocking up link placement. I'm settling on 125" wheelbase and is sitting at 24" belly (It'll go down some once weight is on tires at like 6-8psi too). My goal is around 24" belly on 42-44" tires and around 5-6" up travel 12-13" droop.
I wheel with a full-size big block k5 on 42s and he's got a 60 rear. I know. Im with you. But I can't believe it either.
Finally had a productive weekend on the k5. Got the 4 link rear all mocked up and tacked in. 3 link front is also mocked up for the most part. Still gotta do panhard bar. Flex test coming soon then mount the 18" Fox 2.5s.
Not the prettiest fab but it'll get the job done. Still gotta add quite a bit of support/gussets and kickers off the sides of the trusses. One step at a time.
Not the prettiest fab but it'll get the job done. Still gotta add quite a bit of support/gussets and kickers off the sides of the trusses. One step at a time.
Nice progress man!!! You're making me have bad thoughts...
How far away from the pulley is the steer cylinder?
I have about 6.5" to the pulley. Roughly 24" belly height. I have motor and trans raised up a bit to get flat belly.
Got to do some flexing. It all seems to work pretty well. Have a few clearance issues to work out. More cage work in rear than I was expecting, oh well. Driveshaft angles doesn't look the greatest with 13" of droop but ill figure it out when the time comes.
And yes, I take lots of pics.... Lol
And yes, I take lots of pics.... Lol
Nice! Looks badass! Yay for pics.
For the past couple of months I've been looking all over for pics and info on linked fullsize trucks and I couldn't find much. Most stay leaf spring which is what I was running in my other rigs. I just want a smoother ride. I hope all these pics help some people in the future. Its my first linked suspension build so its all still a learning process.
Looks awesome man. Keep up the good work!
What's your wheel base now?
It's always a good feeling when you can stand back and see a plan come together.
It's always a good feeling when you can stand back and see a plan come together.
123" wheelbase. Belly should be around 22-24" on 40s. Planning on 5" up travel and 13" down.
Almost 3 years of planning and research and its finally real life lol. I'm pretty happy with it so far. Mounting shocks is gonna be the next challenge. Looks like I'm gonna have to notch in the rear frame rails to get everything to clear.
Almost 3 years of planning and research and its finally real life lol. I'm pretty happy with it so far. Mounting shocks is gonna be the next challenge. Looks like I'm gonna have to notch in the rear frame rails to get everything to clear.
Sitting at bump and she is tight in spots. I love it!
Everything still needs prettied up. Just roughed in to make things work.
A buddy is hopefully bending me some shock hoops this weekend to use up front. Can't wait to get it off the lift and rolling around.
Everything still needs prettied up. Just roughed in to make things work.
A buddy is hopefully bending me some shock hoops this weekend to use up front. Can't wait to get it off the lift and rolling around.
