It’s a shit show in the summer up there now. I saw a Tesla and a Prius last summer and I took that as a sign. Tons of golf carts too.
CK5
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It’s a shit show in the summer up there now. I saw a Tesla and a Prius last summer and I took that as a sign. Tons of golf carts too.
It is, but we found a nice corner where stock vehicles have trouble getting there.
Nice camping spot, right on a creek and 5 minutes from faucherie
This weekends project, Rubicon next week.
Air bumps are fun.
Apparently it's been a minute since the last update.
Here's a snow run from February. Ended up being quite the adventure because of the weather which required the trailer queens to drive up the highway
Here's a snow run from February. Ended up being quite the adventure because of the weather which required the trailer queens to drive up the highway
Last month we ran Rubicon with @bmxbryant9, @Chevk587 with our kids. Fun trip with the kiddos however we ended up stuck at buck with a broken steering box on my rig.
some pics.....
@bmxbryant9 on soup bowl
little sluice
on top there was a couple hundred yards of snow. @Chevk587
Our campsite had this sign from a previous tenant
My steering box was broken at this point so it was removed.
30 hours later and two trips to the trailhead, my junk was fixed. Shortly after I found a deep snow hole and needed a tug.
We reached the trailhead around 8pm. Here's a pic near gatekeeper.
some pics.....
@bmxbryant9 on soup bowl
little sluice
on top there was a couple hundred yards of snow. @Chevk587
Our campsite had this sign from a previous tenant
My steering box was broken at this point so it was removed.
30 hours later and two trips to the trailhead, my junk was fixed. Shortly after I found a deep snow hole and needed a tug.
We reached the trailhead around 8pm. Here's a pic near gatekeeper.
some pics of the carnage. Broke the gear on the output shaft and wedged some fragments into the housing.
There must have been a flaw in that gear just waiting to fail.
We didn't see any traces of snow until the very end of the trail. There was some in the trees where it's shaded from direct sun.
We didn't see any traces of snow until the very end of the trail. There was some in the trees where it's shaded from direct sun.
It’s possible however I’m pretty sure I shocked it when I sent the front wheels off the ground and landed hard on the passenger front. Right after that I couldn’t turn right, then it would pop and I regained right steering. Eventually it stopped steering all together.
Dumb mistake not being squared up to the ledge when I bumped it.
Pics of said ledge.
Over the past few trips I've compiled a laundry list of fixes and maintenance items on the truck.
First priority was the driver front shackle bushings. I'm pretty sure I changed the passenger last fall because it was visibly newer.
next priority was ditching the $hitty log coolers for a derale fluid cooler with a fan.
out with the old
in with the new.
I spent several hours performing basic maintenance including pressure washing, cleaning the air filter, bolt check, fluid check, tool & spare repacking etc. While I was under the truck I noticed the muffler is smashed, not sure where and when that happened
First priority was the driver front shackle bushings. I'm pretty sure I changed the passenger last fall because it was visibly newer.
next priority was ditching the $hitty log coolers for a derale fluid cooler with a fan.
out with the old
in with the new.
I spent several hours performing basic maintenance including pressure washing, cleaning the air filter, bolt check, fluid check, tool & spare repacking etc. While I was under the truck I noticed the muffler is smashed, not sure where and when that happened
Last week I joined a couple CK5 members @bmxbryant9, @Chevk587 and another dozen friends at Meadow Lake (top of Fordyce trail) for the Sierra Trek event. I'm usually out of town during this event therefore it's the first time I've had the opportunity to join them. Lots of wheeling and some carnage along the way.
@Chevk587 on driveline hill
@bmxbryant9 on WH3
WH1
@Chevk587 on driveline hill
@bmxbryant9 on WH3
WH1
On the third day we decided to explore fire trails so the first gen K5 could join us. About an hour + from camp I noticed my truck was leaning passenger a little bit so I asked my co-dawg to verify the tire wasn't flat. He said it was fine so we continued on for a couple hundred yards when we approached a steep downhill of loose dirt. I watched the FJ40 skate around so I decided to lock the hubs and put the cases in double low for better control. Halfway down the 100 yard downhill descent I heard my front driveshaft rubbing my skid plate which tends to happen with worn shackle bushings, bent shackles or loose shackle bolts (axle can move left to right). Shortly thereafter we stopped to evaluate the trail so I looked over the truck and found my passenger front spring plate dangling by the u-bolt and the two spring studs were gone. Also missing was the two shims (top and bottom) and the center pin was MIA.
After a short discussion we decided to move the truck to a flat shady spot so we can evaluate the problem and find a repair solution. After looking through my spare parts I found a center pin and two used spring plate studs. A friend had an easy out set, with drills, another friend had a drill motor, WD40 and we had a propane torch at camp. We sent one of the guys back to camp on the quad for the propane tank while jacked the truck up, centered the leaf pack and began drilling holes in the center of the broken studs. We also had a welder for plan B.
Here you can see the studs drilled and heat being applied. We ended up drilling them much larger/deeper and using a bigger easy out.
As you can see, I was happy as a pig in $hit when the first stud broke loose
and the second came out even easier. Both shims were located down trail and the truck was reassembled.
We continued our exploration into the night and got back to camp around 10pm
A good example of what the right tools, right minds can fix in the middle of the forest.
After a short discussion we decided to move the truck to a flat shady spot so we can evaluate the problem and find a repair solution. After looking through my spare parts I found a center pin and two used spring plate studs. A friend had an easy out set, with drills, another friend had a drill motor, WD40 and we had a propane torch at camp. We sent one of the guys back to camp on the quad for the propane tank while jacked the truck up, centered the leaf pack and began drilling holes in the center of the broken studs. We also had a welder for plan B.
Here you can see the studs drilled and heat being applied. We ended up drilling them much larger/deeper and using a bigger easy out.
As you can see, I was happy as a pig in $hit when the first stud broke loose
and the second came out even easier. Both shims were located down trail and the truck was reassembled.
We continued our exploration into the night and got back to camp around 10pm
A good example of what the right tools, right minds can fix in the middle of the forest.
It's about time for an update.
Coming home from Sierra Trek I noticed the truck was difficult to start (cold) and it was making a clanking noise when it finally fired. It sounded like the exhaust was hitting something and it went away after a minute or so. Oil pressure was fine. I also melted another shift cable so I left the truck in drive and made the 4 hour drive home that day without using park or reverse to avoid a broken cable. On the drive home I could tell the truck felt sluggish and the transmission was warmer than usual.
Last month I wanted to put the doors back on for the winter and found the truck dead (7 year old optima) and when I finally had enough voltage the damn thing didn't want to start. Lot's of cranking later it fired and the clank noise continued so I dropped the belly pan to find a bunch of rat shit and noticed my exhaust wrap was chewed off. This section of exhaust tubing runs along my trans and shift cable therefore explaining the melted cable and hotter trans temps. However I still couldn't find anything that would explain the clanking noise so I was concerned it could be something internal or maybe a flex plate? It was running rough when the clanking happens so maybe it's something related to that.
My plan for the last several years was to find another big block chevy (OEM EFI) since it would bolt it with minimal work and I really like the Gen 6 454 after building one for the other truck. An 8.1L is another option however most people are pretty proud of those and want too much for them until last week when I stumbled across this one.
Coming home from Sierra Trek I noticed the truck was difficult to start (cold) and it was making a clanking noise when it finally fired. It sounded like the exhaust was hitting something and it went away after a minute or so. Oil pressure was fine. I also melted another shift cable so I left the truck in drive and made the 4 hour drive home that day without using park or reverse to avoid a broken cable. On the drive home I could tell the truck felt sluggish and the transmission was warmer than usual.
Last month I wanted to put the doors back on for the winter and found the truck dead (7 year old optima) and when I finally had enough voltage the damn thing didn't want to start. Lot's of cranking later it fired and the clank noise continued so I dropped the belly pan to find a bunch of rat shit and noticed my exhaust wrap was chewed off. This section of exhaust tubing runs along my trans and shift cable therefore explaining the melted cable and hotter trans temps. However I still couldn't find anything that would explain the clanking noise so I was concerned it could be something internal or maybe a flex plate? It was running rough when the clanking happens so maybe it's something related to that.
My plan for the last several years was to find another big block chevy (OEM EFI) since it would bolt it with minimal work and I really like the Gen 6 454 after building one for the other truck. An 8.1L is another option however most people are pretty proud of those and want too much for them until last week when I stumbled across this one.
Last night I spent a couple hours in the garage removing accessories, wiring, brackets and inspecting any broken or missing parts. I want to clean it so I left some parts on for that purpose alone.
Oh boy, this is going to be fun. Assuming you are leaving it stock besides bolt ons?
My goal with this swap is a dependable power plant therefore I'll be trying to stay focused on that with minimal modifications.
Engine Mounts: Use existing DIY4X comp mounts and ORD engine crossmember
Electrical: The harness was cut so I'm leaning toward a Howell harness and PCM.
Throttle: I have an L29 throttle body from my other build so I can ditch the DBW this engine has and I'll pickup another lokar cable that attaches to my pedal setup. I read something about possibley needing throttle body spacer. Need to investigate that further.
Fuel System: Currently installed is a EP381 pump with 6an lines for the fitech so I'll just need adapters at the fuel rails.
Exhaust: Use existing big block tubualr manifolds and exhaust.
Cooling: It's all there (454 radiator and windstar fans) however I read that one of the heater hoses needs to connect to the radiator and I don't think I have that port. I use the mojave heater often so I need to figure that out.
Power Steering: Need to figure this out, I'm hoping I can use my existing sagnaw PSC pump.
I've been reading through the 8.1L resource thread and making notes about things I need to replace and address while the engine is out. I'll be ditching the EGR, oil cooler and EVAP systems. I'll pickup a new crank sensor, gasket set and a new water pump at a minimum. The oil filler neck needs to be replaced and the part is discontinued by GM (PN 12581140). Might be able to use a "straight filler neck" with the L29 throttle body? I also need to figure out an intake and filter setup.
Engine Mounts: Use existing DIY4X comp mounts and ORD engine crossmember
Electrical: The harness was cut so I'm leaning toward a Howell harness and PCM.
Throttle: I have an L29 throttle body from my other build so I can ditch the DBW this engine has and I'll pickup another lokar cable that attaches to my pedal setup. I read something about possibley needing throttle body spacer. Need to investigate that further.
Fuel System: Currently installed is a EP381 pump with 6an lines for the fitech so I'll just need adapters at the fuel rails.
Exhaust: Use existing big block tubualr manifolds and exhaust.
Cooling: It's all there (454 radiator and windstar fans) however I read that one of the heater hoses needs to connect to the radiator and I don't think I have that port. I use the mojave heater often so I need to figure that out.
Power Steering: Need to figure this out, I'm hoping I can use my existing sagnaw PSC pump.
I've been reading through the 8.1L resource thread and making notes about things I need to replace and address while the engine is out. I'll be ditching the EGR, oil cooler and EVAP systems. I'll pickup a new crank sensor, gasket set and a new water pump at a minimum. The oil filler neck needs to be replaced and the part is discontinued by GM (PN 12581140). Might be able to use a "straight filler neck" with the L29 throttle body? I also need to figure out an intake and filter setup.
We should compare notes.
I am doing the same thing for my 74 suburban.
I probably spent too much time cleaning this up for its intended purpose and I can say for certain, it will never look this good again.
