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88 K5 Build Thread - 4BTA Cummins Swap - 05/18 Dory is delivered to Alaska!!

So today I decided to put the engine in. It probably took me 10 hours just to get it in by myself, it really wasn't easy. Once it was in though it felt really good. I was hoping I was going to be able to use the exhaust from the step van but after the engine was in I could tell that it isn't going to be an option. Its going to have to be modified, there just isn't enough room. Enjoy the truck porn....

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My 35 Cooper STT's came in the other day to so I though I would mount them and finally get her ass off them blocks. Pretty sure its going to look better once I get the 4" body lift off and put it back to stock.
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Looks great. That 4bt sure does look short.


I sent you another PM about that adapter. Thanks!
 
Well today I mounted the Gas Tank, skid plate, Tow Hitch, and bumper. Oh, I forgot to mention when I did the tire install I also installed some Rancho shocks in the rear. They didn't have the studs mounted in the shock so it allowed me to use the ones welded in the frame. I'll just use the Bilstiens in the front.

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Money Shot...
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After that was done I raised the front to get it ready for the spring lift install. Didn't have enough time to do it today though. When your car is sitting in the grass it makes raising it up pretty hard. It doesn't help that I don't have my transfer case crossmember to hold it up.

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I also got my drivers side batter tray from LMC so I mocked it up on the wheel well and drilled the holes for it.
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Looks great. That 4bt sure does look short.
I sent you another PM about that adapter. Thanks!

It might look short but its not, its longer then the 350 and weighs 100-150 pounds more. The engine is pushed right against the firewall.

4BT = 30 inches long
350 = 27 inches long
 
I would think a 4 BT would fit in there perfect. I was amazed at how big the Cummins diesel is in person. Pictures don't do it justice. It makes the big engine bay of a Chevy look small in a hurry. Also, it will be interesting to see how the 4BT runs and drives in one of these K5s as well as mileage numbers.
 
That looks like a lot of custom work, keep it up man. You'll be very proud of that thing.

I was reading your thread and saw the torque converter in and thought, "oh no, it's not seated all the way", but then I kept reading and you already fixed it, way to pay attention when you bolt stuff up, some people just force things together and then wonder why they don't work right. I'm glad you caught it, good eye.
 
So yesterday I went to install my custom Atlas Leaf Springs with a 4" lift and a +450lb stock carrying weight.
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Here is the spring installed on the passenger side.
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Before installing the drivers side I wanted to remove the stock steering arm and put in the new tall steering arm to accommodate the 4" lift. Below is the stock arm.
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It was stuck so I decided to bang out the drag link on both ends. When it came out I realized I split the bolts on both end of the drag link which means I will have to get new ones :doah:
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Even after it was removed it didn't help so since it was very late I decided to spray some break free on it to hopefully loosen it up by morning. Just before going for bed I decided to set everything up for paint first thing in the morning so I hung up the two battery trays and Throttle sensor bracket and went and drank some beers with the wife :thumb:
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Soooo, that brings us to today. I started by painting the parts you can see above but I forgot to take pictures of the final product so I'll post those tomorrow.

After painting I went back to that steering arm, soooo cloooosseeee!!!
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Successs!!!!!!:pimp:
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New tall steering arm installed.
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After that was FINALLY done I put in the drivers side leaf spring. I'm sure you have already noticed the HUGE u bolts. I ordered the wrong ones. Unfortunately they are so large that the threading on the bolt doesn't go down far enough to tighten the spring down all the way. Sooo, I ordered some new ones and they are supposed to be here on monday. Until then I will leave these u bolts in so I can move on to other things.
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After this was done I painted the second coat of paint on the parts seen above. Then after that I installed the power steering lines, fuel lines and other random things on the engine. I didn't take any pictures because it really isn't much to look at. Tomorrow i am going to try install the transfer case cross member.



That looks like a lot of custom work, keep it up man. You'll be very proud of that thing.

I was reading your thread and saw the torque converter in and thought, "oh no, it's not seated all the way", but then I kept reading and you already fixed it, way to pay attention when you bolt stuff up, some people just force things together and then wonder why they don't work right. I'm glad you caught it, good eye.
Thanks :)
Yeah, it was late when I did it the first time, I guess I just didn't catch it. Luckily I noticed it when they were sitting together. I could just tell it was off by an inch or so.
 
Great job man! Now you can add to the threads where people ask, "How do i get my steering arm off?" Where did you order your u-bolts from? and do you mind me asking how much the cost?
 
Purchased some new draglink parts today. the draglink ends were incredibly hard to screw together. I used metal cutting lube and it still was all but impossible. I ended up grabbing two pipe wrenches and doing it that way. Looks like its made out of a semi soft metal which makes it seem to catch as you screw. My forearms felt like putty after I was done.
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The correct Ubolts came in today so I went ahead and installed them.
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Went ahead and mounted my Throttle position bracket and sensor today too.
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In the beginning of my build when I was removing my hood release cable I broke the little plastic piece that holds it into the latch. So I replaced it with a new one today. Not sure why I took the picture of it but here you go, lol.
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I also got rid of the cement slab I poured for the build today too because I don't need it anymore and this should give it time for the grass to grow back when we leave at the end of the month.
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After the slab was removed I started drilling the new holes for the transfer case cross member. I didn't take pictures because its just some holes in the frame. I finished the day by painting a rust inhibiting paint on all the holes I drilled.

I still never took pictures of the wheel wells painted. I guess you guys will just have to wait until I put them back on the truck--hopefully this weekend.



Great job man! Now you can add to the threads where people ask, "How do i get my steering arm off?" Where did you order your u-bolts from? and do you mind me asking how much the cost?

Lol, I know right! Learn from my mistake! Do not hit the bolts on the draglink with a hammer!

Great job man! Now you can add to the threads where people ask, "How do i get my steering arm off?" Where did you order your u-bolts from? and do you mind me asking how much the cost?

Not sure if you are joking or not but from his post above he said,

I figured that was going to happen, I mean you can pretty much guaranty only half of the people that look at the thread actually ready the thread :P
 
Great job man! Now you can add to the threads where people ask, "How do i get my steering arm off?" Where did you order your u-bolts from? and do you mind me asking how much the cost?

It`s looking awesome dude! :bow:
You think it will be done when you are ready to move?

Thanks :D I hope so! I need to have it least running by the end of the month! Military is moving all my stuff on the 28th of March! So I have 1 month to get here moving under her own power. Won't have to drop off the truck until the next month though. Gonna stay with family until we finally leave--thanks dad!
 
Got my crossmember in today. The drop wasn't near low enough with the 4" lift. Even though its not the best solution I installed some spacers to lower the crossmember so the drive angle wasn't too bad. If I had more time I would look for other options but this should at least get me by until then.

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While I was down there I decided to replace the axle breather hose because it was worn through. When I went to pry the hose out with pliers the whole metal tube sticking from the axel came out! When it first happened I though I broke it off but apparently its just grooved and is just pressed in.
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I cut the hose off with a razor blade and cleaned it up.
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I was tired so I just installed it with the hose and breather and called it a night. Tomorrow I plan on modifying the step van exhaust to mate up with the 4BT in the k5 and install the 4 remaining bell housing bolts that I picked up today at a local fastener store. When i get in AK I will probably make an entire new exhaust but for now this will have to do.
 
Next drag link you mess with...take a small chisel and use it like a wedge to slightly open up the adjuster sleeve. Then you'll be able to spin in the DLE's almost by hand and not have to fight them.

Rene
 

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