That's a "glass is half full" kind of spirit right there!
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.
86 K5,
- Thread starter jdot2004
- Start date
Attempting to pick up where I left off.
I got the front tore apart and spent way to much time deciding how I was going to support the body while I drop the old frame out from underneath.
The body on the inside wasn't in that bad of shape but I figured I would replace it anyway. A little hammering and cutting...
Gotta make sure the kids don't fly out.
Underneath was in even better condition. I cleaned it up the best I could and replaced some parts but don't know that I got pics of all that.
I used some 4x6's, blocks, stands and angle iron to support the body while I worked on it. Hacked up the frame and got rid of it.
I had a chance to buy a one piece drop in replacement but passed it up. It was the same guy I got the frame from. In the end, I wish I would have bought it but glad I didn't because I am nickel and dimeing the build now.
Not my best work but It'll do. Just need something to support the new floor.
Probably heavier then I needed but I am not a fabricator and it seemed like it would work.
I had to cut the floor out of two pieces. It wasn't a perfect fit but it's getting covered with a vinyl floor anyway.
This is the frame for the floor I built. I welded 1x1 angle to the perimeter to place it on and a 1x3 channel in the center to mount to the frame. The rear support is the original. Surprisingly it survived the rust.
3" exhaust, new muffler and schoenfeld header. The one header is in the way of the transfer case support bar. I am still working on a solution to that unless anyone has a suggestion...
Radiator support and radiator installed. I didn't have much time that day but was determined to get something done. Went with the windstar fans and had some trouble finding a way to get them mounted. It isn't pretty but it works. I had to go to the junkyard to get the wire connectors for the fan motors. could only find one of them for to much money online.
I got the front tore apart and spent way to much time deciding how I was going to support the body while I drop the old frame out from underneath.
The body on the inside wasn't in that bad of shape but I figured I would replace it anyway. A little hammering and cutting...
Gotta make sure the kids don't fly out.
Underneath was in even better condition. I cleaned it up the best I could and replaced some parts but don't know that I got pics of all that.
I used some 4x6's, blocks, stands and angle iron to support the body while I worked on it. Hacked up the frame and got rid of it.
I had a chance to buy a one piece drop in replacement but passed it up. It was the same guy I got the frame from. In the end, I wish I would have bought it but glad I didn't because I am nickel and dimeing the build now.
Not my best work but It'll do. Just need something to support the new floor.
Probably heavier then I needed but I am not a fabricator and it seemed like it would work.
I had to cut the floor out of two pieces. It wasn't a perfect fit but it's getting covered with a vinyl floor anyway.
This is the frame for the floor I built. I welded 1x1 angle to the perimeter to place it on and a 1x3 channel in the center to mount to the frame. The rear support is the original. Surprisingly it survived the rust.
3" exhaust, new muffler and schoenfeld header. The one header is in the way of the transfer case support bar. I am still working on a solution to that unless anyone has a suggestion...
Radiator support and radiator installed. I didn't have much time that day but was determined to get something done. Went with the windstar fans and had some trouble finding a way to get them mounted. It isn't pretty but it works. I had to go to the junkyard to get the wire connectors for the fan motors. could only find one of them for to much money online.
Another shot of the frame from the front.
It sat like this for a while as I got frustrated with the wiring.
I made a mess with the wiring and could not figure out what I was doing. This part of the build took up the majority of the time. I am still working on it. Trying to make sure all the interior components are working correctly.
I probably contemplated cutting all the wires in the back for far too long before I just finally started snipping.
WTF was I thinking. I've wired homes but this is not for me. Too many wires and I can't tell if they are coming or going.
This was my break from the wiring nightmare. Took a weekend hike in PA.
When I got home, I thought it had gotten worse.
I am not sure how anyone can interpret these schematics.
Can anyone tell me what this does? Everything I could find pointed toward the cruise control so I removed it.
Finally got the bumper on. Need to do some body trimming after I get this thing moving.
It sat like this for a while as I got frustrated with the wiring.
I made a mess with the wiring and could not figure out what I was doing. This part of the build took up the majority of the time. I am still working on it. Trying to make sure all the interior components are working correctly.
I probably contemplated cutting all the wires in the back for far too long before I just finally started snipping.
WTF was I thinking. I've wired homes but this is not for me. Too many wires and I can't tell if they are coming or going.
This was my break from the wiring nightmare. Took a weekend hike in PA.
When I got home, I thought it had gotten worse.
I am not sure how anyone can interpret these schematics.
Can anyone tell me what this does? Everything I could find pointed toward the cruise control so I removed it.
Finally got the bumper on. Need to do some body trimming after I get this thing moving.
Last four images for now.
This is how it sits right now. Still need to replace the grill and I ended up turning the air intake the other direction.
I've got most of the wiring cleaned up and mounted the computers on the glovebox door. I'll have to add my beautiful creation for that later. Just got it done yesterday.
All the seats are in but one.
...calling it a night.
I am not much for taking pictures or for describing the process as I have gone but as I have said, I am not much of a mechanic and wouldn't know what I was talking about anyway. My truck has been down for far too long though. I bought lots of wrong parts, fried a computer and spent more money then I care to say, especially to my wife, but when this truck fired up for the first time I was.....Pissed because some dumb ass forgot to plug in the gas pedal and I could not rev the engine. After taking care of that, I am sure I scared a couple neighbors. It's been fun and frustrating but it feels worth it even though I have not driven the truck yet. The project has sat over winters, for a funeral, college graduation, medical issues and changing jobs but for one person, a day or two a week, I don't think 2 years is that bad. I plan to drive it for a while before getting into more projects on it like exterior body work but that won't be something I'll do.
Right now, the truck will start and run but I need to figure out why I can not get it out of park so I can move it. I guess I need to figure out why the back brakes won't bleed so I can stop it too. It sounds great though and I can't wait to drive it.
I've had many questions while building it (and still have more) and would not have gotten it done without the help I could find on this site. Pretty much every search I put in google for a problem was ended with "CK5". So I want to say thank you to everyone who answered my posts and everyone's builds I found in my searches that already had the answers I needed. Hopefully it is ready and able to make it to Blazer Bash next year.
This is how it sits right now. Still need to replace the grill and I ended up turning the air intake the other direction.
I've got most of the wiring cleaned up and mounted the computers on the glovebox door. I'll have to add my beautiful creation for that later. Just got it done yesterday.
All the seats are in but one.
...calling it a night.
I am not much for taking pictures or for describing the process as I have gone but as I have said, I am not much of a mechanic and wouldn't know what I was talking about anyway. My truck has been down for far too long though. I bought lots of wrong parts, fried a computer and spent more money then I care to say, especially to my wife, but when this truck fired up for the first time I was.....Pissed because some dumb ass forgot to plug in the gas pedal and I could not rev the engine. After taking care of that, I am sure I scared a couple neighbors. It's been fun and frustrating but it feels worth it even though I have not driven the truck yet. The project has sat over winters, for a funeral, college graduation, medical issues and changing jobs but for one person, a day or two a week, I don't think 2 years is that bad. I plan to drive it for a while before getting into more projects on it like exterior body work but that won't be something I'll do.
Right now, the truck will start and run but I need to figure out why I can not get it out of park so I can move it. I guess I need to figure out why the back brakes won't bleed so I can stop it too. It sounds great though and I can't wait to drive it.
I've had many questions while building it (and still have more) and would not have gotten it done without the help I could find on this site. Pretty much every search I put in google for a problem was ended with "CK5". So I want to say thank you to everyone who answered my posts and everyone's builds I found in my searches that already had the answers I needed. Hopefully it is ready and able to make it to Blazer Bash next year.
So, a couple of things I learned...
Don't join a website full of people with mechanical skills for ideas when your just a carpenter!!
This was only supposed to be an engine swap for a turn key 350.
Wiring vehicles sucks.
but doing it yourself can be cheaper (unless my work blows up in my face. literally)
Before taking on this size of a project, have a garage to work in.
working in a driveway with minimal mechanical tools is a challenge. Also, expensive since I had to buy more tools. My daughter now calls the parts and tool stores my toy stores.
Whatever you think it will cost, double it.
But I am pretty sure I read that on here too.
Check your computer before plugging it in.
if pins are bent and touch the others it will throw a code that will stump a programmer.
Kids are not the best of helpers.
even though their small hands seem like they could be helpful.
LY6 with 3" exhaust will aggravate bitchy old neighbors.
worth every minute and bit of aggravation along the way.
I haven't learned this one yet but I hear I am about to soon...Steering columns also suck
Can't get it out of park on the column even though it was fine before I started all this. Gonna have to tear it down until I find the issue.
Don't join a website full of people with mechanical skills for ideas when your just a carpenter!!
This was only supposed to be an engine swap for a turn key 350.
Wiring vehicles sucks.
but doing it yourself can be cheaper (unless my work blows up in my face. literally)
Before taking on this size of a project, have a garage to work in.
working in a driveway with minimal mechanical tools is a challenge. Also, expensive since I had to buy more tools. My daughter now calls the parts and tool stores my toy stores.
Whatever you think it will cost, double it.
But I am pretty sure I read that on here too.
Check your computer before plugging it in.
if pins are bent and touch the others it will throw a code that will stump a programmer.
Kids are not the best of helpers.
even though their small hands seem like they could be helpful.
LY6 with 3" exhaust will aggravate bitchy old neighbors.
worth every minute and bit of aggravation along the way.
I haven't learned this one yet but I hear I am about to soon...Steering columns also suck
Can't get it out of park on the column even though it was fine before I started all this. Gonna have to tear it down until I find the issue.
all you need to know to rebuild a GM steering column! http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/images/d/d6/Jazzman_Steering_Rack_Rebuild.pdf
Wow man! That was quite the update!
Yes that switch with the vacuum line is for cruise.
For the rear brakes check the prop valve on the crossmember. I would assume it tripped when the rear lines were open. There is a button (pin) on it to reset it. Open the rear bleeders and see if you can get fluid to gravity bleed to them. If not very short pumps on the pedal to get the fluid to move. Keep an eye on fluid level and make sure you dont keep trying with the vavlve popped.
4L60e? How did you do the linkage?
Yes that switch with the vacuum line is for cruise.
For the rear brakes check the prop valve on the crossmember. I would assume it tripped when the rear lines were open. There is a button (pin) on it to reset it. Open the rear bleeders and see if you can get fluid to gravity bleed to them. If not very short pumps on the pedal to get the fluid to move. Keep an eye on fluid level and make sure you dont keep trying with the vavlve popped.
4L60e? How did you do the linkage?
Thanks for the link. I will definitely have that opened while tearing down the column.
It was quite the update but it has been a while!! I only wish I had more pics. Most of those were just for me to remember how things went when I took them apart or for my own future reference.
I put a new Prop valve in when I still had the body off but will still check the button (pin) and try gravity bleeding. As for short pumps, that is all it will let me do when I try to bleed the back lines. I will probably blow them out with air before I get to all that too. There is only one piece of existing line, the rest is all new, it is the one that runs the frame rail and the previous owner had replaced it at some time so I just want to make sure no debris got into the line while I had everything apart.
For the linkage, I made a couple small modifications to the Lokar ACA1800 linkage kit.
Tool you need to buy for column https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CJqchOzV_t0CFQ8ONwodsLwFPA
I've heard. I'll have to order them. To be sure, there's nothing from the brake switch that releases the shifter? Like I mentioned, it worked fine before I started this project and I know the guy that did the wiring didn't have much experience!
Thats what I was thinking..if the trans is new enough to have the brake lockout?
It wouldn't be in the trans because I can unhook the linkage and the column still won't switch. Hopefully I can tear the column apart Sunday.
After tearing down the column I found the four tilt bolts were completely backed out. So I tightened them up and put the column back together and still wouldn't shift. Replaced the ignition switch and the problem was solved. Now I have 5 trouble codes to figure out.
0300: misfire
0650: MIL control circuit
0787: 3-2 shift solenoid valve control circuit low
2764: TCC pressure control solenoid valve control circuit low voltage
2769: TCC enable solenoid valve control circuit low voltage.
If anyone has run into these and has any solutions let me know. Gonna google them for now.
0300: misfire
0650: MIL control circuit
0787: 3-2 shift solenoid valve control circuit low
2764: TCC pressure control solenoid valve control circuit low voltage
2769: TCC enable solenoid valve control circuit low voltage.
If anyone has run into these and has any solutions let me know. Gonna google them for now.
I no longer have any trouble codes but I am still having transmission issues which I'm trying to figure out and have a post out there to see what info I can get.
In the meantime, I am still learning from my mistakes. Drove my truck to a friend's house yesterday and he noticed my transfer plug was barely threaded (I did that thinking I would notice before driving the truck and fill it). So, I have driven a total of 15 miles with no fluid in the transfer, hopefully I didn't hurt anything.
Also I have a bad driveshaft angle with the add a leaf in the rear. So now I will try moving the axle back 1.5" and see if that helps or just remove them until I can afford a driveshaft.
Got the cab back together inside. Next for the interior I plan to build a lockable center console and get the heat working better (doesn't work in all speeds and modes).
On a side note, it seems this truck was cursed from the beginning...this is the third #13 I have found. One on the firewall, one on the original CPU and this one. So I'm putting all the blame for any issues along the way on that not my lack of mechanical expertise.
In the meantime, I am still learning from my mistakes. Drove my truck to a friend's house yesterday and he noticed my transfer plug was barely threaded (I did that thinking I would notice before driving the truck and fill it). So, I have driven a total of 15 miles with no fluid in the transfer, hopefully I didn't hurt anything.
Also I have a bad driveshaft angle with the add a leaf in the rear. So now I will try moving the axle back 1.5" and see if that helps or just remove them until I can afford a driveshaft.
Got the cab back together inside. Next for the interior I plan to build a lockable center console and get the heat working better (doesn't work in all speeds and modes).
On a side note, it seems this truck was cursed from the beginning...this is the third #13 I have found. One on the firewall, one on the original CPU and this one. So I'm putting all the blame for any issues along the way on that not my lack of mechanical expertise.
AZK5
1/2 ton status
I love this build, any updates? I read it start till now and I hope you got it wheeling again.
It'll be 3 years this August. I had it around the neighborhood a few times last year only to find the transmission was bad. Got a 4l70e from monster this spring and have been taking longer drives but now I have high fuel pressure at the rail that I am trying to sort out.
