89 full convertible is now 3/4 ton & Painted

[73K5Kid]

Well I can honestly say swapping in 3/4 ton axles has been fun. Have to thank NateInChandler in helping me do the swap. He was real cool with having to spend two full days with me. Also have to thank Shawn Supersize75k5 for the spare 14bolt brake parts. And Pauly383 for his winch. After busting a ujoint strap bolt in the 14 bolt pinion and braking 14 bolt springs for those wonderful drum brakes. The swap is complete. Here is the before and after pics. Didn't get to take any pics of the swap. Gonna try and get better pics tomorrow. We had overcast today kind or rare in AZ.

 

[chevy wrangler]

sweet rig

 

[73K5Kid]

Thanks now its time for a cage and a front driveshaft

 

[chevy wrangler]

full cage and 1ton d-shafts??? its gonna look super fly!LOL so what kinda top are you gonna run???

 

[73K5Kid]

Haven't decided on the top yet. I would like to go soft when funds permit. Gonna use the 73-75 top for now. And in good wheather a bikini.

 

[chevy wrangler]

kool bikinies are sweet

 

[73K5Kid]

I have a 73-75 factory roll bar I plan on installing for now.

 

[chevy wrangler]

kool beans , i like those they are cool.

 

[73K5Kid]

I like the look of the factory roll bar. If I build a cage it will be removable. I love this truck. But everyone has their price. I will keep for awhile and maybe see what I can get for it on ebay. I know I could sell it to someone back in the rustbelt for a nice chunk of change.

 

[73K5Kid]

And here is the convertible chop for all who did not get to see this post. http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=188648

 

[4X4HIGH]

Is that roll bar for just behind the seats? If so what are you going to do about the difference in the floor board height?

 

[73K5Kid]

Don't know yet. I know the k5 floors changed in 76. Honesty I haven't even put the roll bar in to see how it fits or sets.

 

[4X4HIGH]

It should sit about 6" too low, i think the floor changed in 1978 IIRC.

 

[dremu]

I like the look of the factory roll bar. If I build a cage it will be removable. I love this truck. But everyone has their price. I will keep for awhile and maybe see what I can get for it on ebay. I know I could sell it to someone back in the rustbelt for a nice chunk of change.

Have you, umm, measured for this?

Pretty sure you'll be selling it sooner rather than later, 'cuz they don't fit the newer (78-up) floor styles so well

-- A

 

[dremu]

It should sit about 6" too low, i think the floor changed in 1978 IIRC.

Scott, you beat me to it!

-- A

 

[73K5Kid]

It should sit about 6" too low, i think the floor changed in 1978 IIRC.

Well my friend Randy has a tube bender and the welder. Looks like a cage in my future.

 

[4X4HIGH]

How hard or easy was the full convertible conversion? I like the full convertible look and i've thought about doing it at some point. Did you have a full top before you started the project to keep things lined up properly?

 

[pauly383]

It should sit about 6" too low, i think the floor changed in 1978 IIRC.

Absolutely . The 77 in my garage has the old floor .

The roll bar he has looks alot like the rear kind though by the tailgate area .

 

[73K5Kid]

How hard or easy was the full convertible conversion? I like the full convertible look and i've thought about doing it at some point. Did you have a full top before you started the project to keep things lined up properly?

Yes I had a full top we did not use it until we were done. What my buddy Randy did was we measured the windshield frame on the 89 and then he made a template of the 74 windshield frame and cut it to fit the 89. Cutting the windshield frame and the doors is the easy part. The hard part is covering up the holes on the bedrails.

 

[4X4HIGH]

Any pics of how or what you used to cover the bed rail holes?