'86 K30 Crew Cab Build

[LNielson]

LNielson submitted a new Build:

'86 K30 Crew Cab Build

I am going to start a thread for my truck build on here.

I've been a member on the board for a long time, but don't post much. I enjoy seeing all the other truck builds going, so maybe someone will get something out of mine. I use the truck to haul dirt, get firewood, go to the dump, haul kids and camping gear, and explore mountain trails in the area. All my mods are pretty much aimed at making it more useful for those types of things.

I bought this truck from a guy on the board way back in'09 I think. I hopped on a plane to NM and drove it home to SE Idaho. It was a fun adventure. The truck started out as a Wyoming highway department vehicle. It is pretty clean, no rust to speak, a few dents and dings, and a little trail rash. Some came with it, some I have accumulated during my expeditions with the truck.

My truck has a fresh 350, SM465/NP205, D60/14B with 4.10 gears. I drove it around stock for 6-7 months then lifted it 4" (springs front and block in rear) and put a set of 35" tires on. The original front springs were done for. The Upper shackle bushings were totally gone and the brackets were worn almost completely through. I replaced those with some parts from ORD and did a crossover steering conversion. It was amazing how much nicer the truck rode with the new suspension.

I found a good deal on a set of 37" 90% military Goodyear MTR's last year and that is currently what I am running. I really like the tires. Been driving it like this for a long time now and am ready to make a few more improvements.

Current Plans for the truck:
Front Bumper (I built the rear last year out of some 3x6 tubing). Front bumper still working on how I want to build it. I will be adding a winch at the same time.
Replace the rockers with 3x3 tube just like MrK5 did to his crew.
Bump Stops
Lockers front and back. I'd love to go ARB or other selectable front and rear. We will see if I can find a deal.
E-Brake, I have DIY4x brackets and rear discs which are great, but having no e-brake and a manual trans has brought the suck many times. Not sure how I want to go after this yet. Open to suggestions.
Shackle Flip the rear and ditch the block.
Bob the bed and rear frame 6-9" when I do the flip.
Contemplating building a roof rack to hold my spare/hi-lift/shovel/axe/etc.
TBI swap maybe, but it runs really good with the Holley carb that is on it.
Would love to do an 8.1 swap and an NV4500 in this someday.

So pretty tame compared to lots of rigs on here. Hoping to finish...

Read more about this build here...

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[sreidmx]

That's a mean looking rig!
Something about creased sheet era, makes people move real quick like outa your way I bet!

 

[LNielson]

That's a mean looking rig!

Thanks, I really like it too.

I built this rear bumper last year out of rectangle tube (6x3x.25). I chopped the rear corners of the bed off (they were all beat up and dinged anyhow) and extended the bumper with 3x3 tube up underneath to the wheel opening. The horizontal extensions are a great place to pick the truck up with the Hi-lift Jack for tire changes and what not. I used 3x3x.375 angle to mount it to the frame.


I designed the rear bumper using Solidworks. Here is the CAD version of the bumper.


I fabbed it up, painted it with some rustoleum spray paint and mounted it up on the truck. It is a beefy piece of steel. it weighs about 120lbs. If I had a do-over I would probably put the receiver through the tube instead of hanging it off the bottom like I did, but as it is the receiver is pretty high off the ground, but I still manage to hit it on stuff occasionally.

Here are a few pics of the finished rear bumper.

 

[blazinzuk]

Clean and simple. I like clean and simple

 

[82355]

I like the rear bumper. You'll have to redo it after the bob though. I am excited to see a bobbed crew cab.

Also, are the pictures in the first post not showing up for anyone else?

Martin

 

[sreidmx]

So is the wheelbase staying the same but the beds getting shorter?

 

[LNielson]

I like the rear bumper. You'll have to redo it after the bob though. I am excited to see a bobbed crew cab.

Also, are the pictures in the first post not showing up for anyone else?

Yeah I don't see the pictures on my first post either? Not sure what is going on there.

When I bob the frame my plan is to make the brackets that mount the bumper go inside the frame rails and I will use those as the nut plates for the shackle flip brackets as well.

So is the wheelbase staying the same but the beds getting shorter?

Yes I am planning to leave the whole 14' of wheel base. I'd probably cut the frame for a short bed if I had one just laying around, but I don't really want to loose the utility of the long bed. I can really improve the departure angles by chopping 6-9 inches out of it and still have most of the length of the long bed. This is not news for anyone on here I'm sure, but factory short beds are bobbed 6" in the back versus the long bed.

These are not my pictures, just some that I found online of someone doing the same bob that I intend to do to mine.

 

[blazinzuk]

That is gonna be awesome man. Shoot me a PM when you plan on doing it maybe I will drop by

 

[LNielson]

That is gonna be awesome man. Shoot me a PM when you plan on doing it maybe I will drop by

Thanks Man, I'll do that. Probably won't be for a few months yet while I keep building my pile of cash for parts.

 

[Phil513]

Very cool.

 

[82355]

Bob more.

Martin

 

[Kay86K5]

I like that rear bumper. I showed it to my brother as he wants something similar for his k5.

 

[LNielson]

Bob more.

I have debated that myself. I may cut it down to a shortbed someday, but loosing too much length from the bed takes away too much versatility for what I use it for right now. Who knows maybe I'll end up chopping it into an ORD style Cousin Willard someday?

I like that rear bumper. I showed it to my brother as he wants something similar for his k5.

I may have a fabrication drawing for it somewhere around. I'll look and see. If I do he/you/anyone is welcome to it.

 

[78SWB]

I like it.

 

[82355]

I have debated that myself. I may cut it down to a shortbed someday, but loosing too much length from the bed takes away too much versatility for what I use it for right now. Who knows maybe I'll end up chopping it into an ORD style Cousin Willard someday?

Keep the box!

Martin

 

[LNielson]

It is time for a new K5 project, Looking to sell or trade this truck for a similar value K5.

1986 Chevrolet 1 Ton http://www.ksl.com/auto/listing/3967785

 

[Truckman4life]

Any interest in trading for mine https://ck5.com/forums/builds/the-spud-wagon-front-springs-d44-vs-10-bolt-s.24/
1983 k5 with 6.2L diesel. About 68,000 original miles I think. Originally a CA vehicle almost no rust. Really straight body. 700r4 trans, 208 tcase, 14 bff rear with 4:10 gears, 8 lug 10 bolt front. Rear discs, 5" lift 64" rear springs with 6" hd shackles and grease able bushings, 4" lift pro comp front springs with grease able bushings, fabbed steel bumpers, 35" old style bfg mts, added a center jump seat up front. I'm sure there's more. Take a look and let me know.

 

[UpnAdam]

That is a smoking deal around me!

 

[LNielson]

Any interest in trading for mine https://ck5.com/forums/builds/the-spud-wagon-front-springs-d44-vs-10-bolt-s.24/
1983 k5 with 6.2L diesel. About 68,000 original miles I think. Originally a CA vehicle almost no rust. Really straight body. 700r4 trans, 208 tcase, 14 bff rear with 4:10 gears, 8 lug 10 bolt front. Rear discs, 5" lift 64" rear springs with 6" hd shackles and grease able bushings, 4" lift pro comp front springs with grease able bushings, fabbed steel bumpers, 35" old style bfg mts, added a center jump seat up front. I'm sure there's more. Take a look and let me know.

Hey man, lets talk. I'll send a PM your way.

 

[LNielson]

LNielson updated '86 K30 Crew Cab Build

Fixed a few broken pictures and am dusting this thread off, bought a basket case '74 blazer and decided to keep this truck and see if I can find some momentum to finish this build.

I have a bunch of parts that came with that '74 K5 I bought that someone in the SE ID area might need/want. An couple core supports, 2 tailgates, multiple sets of doors with good glass, 2 extra sets of '74 factory headlight bezels in decent shape, just a ton of parts.

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