it's all cool. Thanks everyone for all the help and info. Just seems like the more I "learn" the more questions I have
That's what we're here for. To answer questions and to talk you into doing cool things.
CK5
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86 k5 questions
- Thread starter lurch08
- Start date
That's what we're here for. To answer questions and to talk you into doing cool things.
That's correct. Have you? Do you have pictures of one?
(I'm talking factory rigs here, not conversions)
lurch08
Registered Member
just trying to figure out what's best for me and this build. I don't want to cut sheet metal if I can avoid it so keeping the axle centered is what I'm after. I guess it's just easier to move the one mount like you said since I've seen a lot of stuff about it moving the axle forward. Kinda why I was leary of doing a b-52 to begin with.Good. That's what I was getting at. There are a lot of things that people will tell you you've just GOTTA have, but different people have such different uses for their trucks that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to things. So figuring out your particular needs and priorities will make our input much more useful.
If you move it forward, it will want to contact the front fender first. Lift will help some with this, but you will be best off with it centered in the wheel well. If you move just the forward mount, the axle will shift forward. You can correct this with a Zero Rate or EZ Inch. These are 1" blocks that get attached to your spring pack. They come with 3 offset holes, so you can choose to slide your axle forward or backwards. So if your springs move forward and your Zero Rate moves the axle backwards you should wind up somewhere close to stock location.
You also have the option of moving both ends of your springs. If you move both mounts you have the option of picking whatever center point you wish. The downside of this is that it's more work to move both ends. But you do have options if you're worried about it.
Yep. I'd say that's a good summary. Driving style is key to component longevity. Full floating 14 bolt axles (14bff) are very stout. "Full floating" means that the hubs are mounted directly to spindles like front axles or trailer axles. No weight is carried by the axle shaft. With a semi-floating axle, the shaft carries the weight of the vehicle, and breaking a shaft or the clip that holds it into the differential can leave you missing a wheel. With a full floating hub, the shaft is optional.
I like the full floating architecture because the axle can be serviced without taking the wheels off (since the wheel hubs aren't directly connected to the rotating parts of the axle). So redoing gears, replacing inner seals or bearings, installing a locker (etc.) can be done without having to jack up the truck, remove wheel, and axle shaft. And working on outers is easier, too, as you can take the shafts, hub, etc apart without having to open up the pumpkin.
So that's my sales pitch on the 14bff. Not required, but it sure is easier to work on. So you might look for a pre-1980 3/4-ton axle set if that appeals to ya.
Yes ,the fire chief had a 87 k30,years ago here in the town I live in,havent seen one since .bout as rare as hens teeth.
lurch08
Registered Member
it's going to see some trails but nothing too serious. Honestly it'll be on road more than off. My kids are still really young but they love to be outside, my son actually likes hiking with my wife and i and you should have seen the amazement in my daughters eyes the first time she saw an actual mountain range off in the distance. so I'm after more dependability and drive ability than anything. This truck will be the "family rig" at least until the munchkins are older (currently 1 year old and 4 year old) in all honesty most of the places I will be going right now in it it will probably go in stock form. Which is why 35's and 3/4 ton axles seem to fit the bill and is probably overkill.
Always pays to overbuild and have that piece of mind that all the weak links are taken care of on your truck,especially when the wife and kids will be riding in it.
News to me. I have not seen them listed in the dealer brochures (there's a nice collection of them at http://brochures.slosh.com/), so they weren't a standard item.
Always pays to overbuild and have that piece of mind that all the weak links are taken care of on your truck,especially when the wife and kids will be riding in it.
I think it had to be special ordered, think of it as the COPO Camaro of the offroad world. They were produced
That's what we're here for. To answer questions and to talk you into doing cool things.
PIRATE 4X4 is also a good site for info. click on forum , go to chevy , click on chevy build thread list by muddin dog ,scroll down , find 52,56,57,64 inch leafspring resource. Lots of cool build ups,get them gears in your head turnin.it's all cool. Thanks everyone for all the help and info. Just seems like the more I "learn" the more questions I have
Well ,it seems I was wrong about this,as well .Although the fire chief's 87 did have emblem's that said 30 on the fenders and it had the 1-ton axles, it most likely must have had this equipment added by some sort of outfitter.After talking to other people about the subject,they informed me that a 1 ton suburban frame was never produced by the factory.If it was ,the military would have ordered a shit ton of them to go with the m1009 Blazers,and m1008 cucv's.So obviously the truck was ordered new , and must have then gone to some company to add the safety equipment and also add the 1 ton equipment before being delivered. Campfire, you know your stuff!
Thanks. It mostly comes from hanging around here.
There are lots and lots of one-off trucks that break all sorts of rules (so I don't doubt you've seen this special fire truck). But the standard factory trucks from any given year don't have all that many options. There are lots of logical combinations (like K30 Suburbans) that can be pieced together, but weren't ever offered from the factory.
Like my full-floating 8-lug 1984 K10 Suburban.
And then there are lots of mysteries, like the Suburban Chalet. This picture is floating out there, and I've seen it in brochures, but the concept never went into production. So did they actually make one, or is it just photoshop?
I don't know but I want it.Thanks. It mostly comes from hanging around here.
There are lots and lots of one-off trucks that break all sorts of rules (so I don't doubt you've seen this special fire truck). But the standard factory trucks from any given year don't have all that many options. There are lots of logical combinations (like K30 Suburbans) that can be pieced together, but weren't ever offered from the factory.
Like my full-floating 8-lug 1984 K10 Suburban.
And then there are lots of mysteries, like the Suburban Chalet. This picture is floating out there, and I've seen it in brochures, but the concept never went into production. So did they actually make one, or is it just photoshop?
There are pictures floating around here of several conversions. But I think more than half of them are photochops (I think that one is, too, as it's exactly the same config as one of the blazer pics in the Chalet brochure). It sounds like an easy enough idea to graft the back of a blazer onto a suburban (which has been done many times) and then install the Chalet camper onto it.
But it looks like very few people have put in the work. Or they're just not sharing pictures of the finished product.
When is the last time you have seen a Chalet/Casa Grande? Seen one for sale lately? Are they good campers?There are pictures floating around here of several conversions. But I think more than half of them are photochops (I think that one is, too, as it's exactly the same config as one of the blazer pics in the Chalet brochure). It sounds like an easy enough idea to graft the back of a blazer onto a suburban (which has been done many times) and then install the Chalet camper onto it.
But it looks like very few people have put in the work. Or they're just not sharing pictures of the finished product.
@a77blazerchalet is the local expert...I would check out the Chalet/Casa Grande Yahoo group for more info.
Link is here.
There is also some tech info here.
I'm not sure I ever have seen one in person. Their distinctive trait is being able to fit in a 5.5' blazer bed (and being open on the front so the cab can be accessed). It hangs out the back in a weirdly-custom manner (with a second set of stock GM tail lights). Don't think there's anything like it out there. If you want to go camping in a K5, it appears to be a better option than anything else out there. But they're 40 years old, so I'd be willing to bet that most of them are in need of restoration.
The Yahoo group maintains a listing of Chalets for sale at any given time.
Thanks,man!
