88' K5 Family Mountain Mobile (Fam.lee Moun.ten Mo.beel)

[B.N.Z.MTNS]

Well I have lived in Colorado most of my life and in my opinion, the mountains around us are some of the most scenic to camp, hike and wheel in. Most of the trails based around Ouray / Telluride reach up to 13,000 feet and you get a good look at the world from that high. They are not very technical, save for a few, but for family trips and camping, its hard to beat.

As for some rock crawling, there is BLM access just 1/2 mile from my house and a few miles down the road from there is some fairly gnarly stuff. I have watched a few guys run the tough ones, but I have not done them myself. Up until recently I haven't been that well equipped. Now with some better axles and maybe a winch soon...who knows . I don't plan on anything more than rock sliders so the body bashing trails are out of the question for me.

Shoot me a message if your coming to my neck of the woods.

Brian

PS.
What brings you to Idaho Springs?

 

[TommyM]

It's the best part!

BNZ, I usually go with "redneck, but I bet I can give you a run for your money.

Give me a ring if you're down this way sometime and we'll grab a burger. I'd love to check out your K5.

Tommy

 

[ThePatriot1996]

I live just a couple hours north of you in Montrose.

I went to the HOG Rally there a few years back... BEAUtiful country! I lived in CO Springs for 12yrs n loved all that CO had to offer (minus the wind)... now I'm stuck in NC til I retire from the Army in a couple years, then I'm definately headed back to the Rockies... Nice rig brother!

 

[B.N.Z.MTNS]

When you move back, you might try checking out the western slope. Its still the rockies, but just a different more laid back kind of mentality over here...IMO

Also, thank you for your service.

 

[41bigdawg]

Nothing like a Big White K5!!!

This is a great thread, most of the mods you have done are on my list so it was nice to see that you got them completed with minimal tools and out in the gravel drive

Your rig seems very capable and looks Awesome!!

 

[B.N.Z.MTNS]

Thanks,

I have enjoyed building my rig with a minimalist tool selection and no shop, I think it makes trail repairs more familiar. However, I wouldn't mind a nice heated shop and some power tools to make the project go quicker.

I'm hoping to add more to this thread soon, I'm trying to save up for a NP241 transfer case, SYE kit and new rear driveshaft. Hopefully before Blazer Bash 13'.

 

[B.N.Z.MTNS]

Well my rear brakes haven't been grabbing for several months now and the adjuster is frozen with rust....soooo. Since I cant really afford a disc conversion right now I will get em working before Blazer Bash. I'm glad I pulled them apart because I needed some new diff lube anyway, I don't think its supposed to look like chocolate milk.



Then was to find my Farmboy jack stands, this time they were supplied from our cabin property near the Gunnison National Forest... only the best





All of the components moved freely and there was plenty of material left on the shoes so all I really needed to do was replace the adjusting components and clean it all up. I also installed new parking brake cables that PO of my axles just cut off.




After new seals in the drums and fresh RTV on everything it all went together well. Probably not the most thorough brake job in history, but they are functional until I can go to discs.

Next is my transfer case... if JB Conversions will ever ship my parts.

 

[Kay86K5]

It took a while for JBC to send my SYE kit too. I think most of their parts are sourced from other manufactuers and then they put it in the kit and ship it. Just keep calling them. The main guy who answers the phone (can't remember his name) is a really nice dude

 

[natemc]

Bumping on my list to catch up on your build later

 

[B.N.Z.MTNS]

Next is my transfer case... if JB Conversions will ever ship my parts.

Well I decided to start tearing down the used NP 241 t-case while I was waiting on my SYE parts. It looks liked a recent rebuild prior to being removed from the donor truck. There was RTV all over every mating surface and the speedometer gear was flipped over as it had previously been shredded on one half of the spirals.






Then a few days after getting a start on tear down the new parts finally came in .



Unfortunately I am slammed for the next 3 days so I wont be able to get it finished right away. But I need to get it done soon so I can get my driveshaft measurements and get it ordered. BB13 is right around the corner

 

[Kay86K5]

It's a pretty easy install. I did it by myself in about 2 hours (and I was really taking my time and following every step in the instructions). The only thing that sucks is those stupid snap rings, but if you have a good set of snap ring plyers, you should be good. Mine sucked so it made the job that much more fun

 

[Teck]

Sub'd to watch you build.
Did you make BB2013?

 

[B.N.Z.MTNS]

Well guys, Some shocking news. I sold it to find a more dedicated trail rig project later. I didn't think I would get what I wanted out of my rig, but I did, so this thread will fade into the archives.

Thanks for all of you who kept up on it, I will post up when I get a new rig one of these days.

There's more explanation of the sale in this thread.

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=312031

 

[Kay86K5]

That sucks. You probably got so much $ for it cause the body was really clean, that and it had a lot of good parts on it (1 tons, PSC assist, stuff like that). Glad to hear that you want to get something else that is dedicated to trails. Depending on how crazy you would like to get with fabrication, you could get a 93-95 Blazer (or I think they started calling them Tahoes at that point too, just the two-door ones with IFS) and do a SAS on it. I always thought those look sick with a SAS on it. Or if you really want to start wheeling on serious trails, go with an s-10 and build from there. Smaller body to fit in smaller places...just some ideas.

I will put in a vote for trying to find someone who has put some good money into a rig already. You can get some great deals that way. That is exactly what I did. I bought my 86 K5 with military 1-tons (4.56's and detroit in rear), ORD crossover steering w/ weld on & bolt on frame braces, 4" lift, 37's, 383 stroker, and a somewhat straight body for $2000!!! And ever sense then have been putting my own touches on it. Just to build my rig to where it was when I bought it would have cost me at least $5000 in parts (not including the purchase of the rig). I know some people have the mentality of "built not bought", which I understand, but it's all a numbers game to me. I try to buy/build my rig as nasty as I can for as cheap as I can....and that is a great way to start . We are all gonna keep on you to make sure you do purchase something instead of fading into the archives