What's new
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.

91 k5 build advice

Kripplek5

Kripplek5

1 ton status
 Premium
Joined
Mar 4, 2020
Posts
108
Reaction score
92
Location
Hildale, Utah
Good morning, unsure of where to post this but I'm looking for some build advice. I'm disabled and want a rig that can go deep into the backcountry for camping or wheelin down most trails. I have a small home in UT 40min from St. George.
Currently everything is OEM on the truck and with my wife being small I don't want tires bigger than 33" maybe 35" or she may really struggle to mount and change them.
My axle gears are 3.73 with posi trac rear. With only 33" tires I see my options as 1. keep the current gear ratio but install lockers front and rear maybe Detroit in the rear OX upfront with crossover high steering and 2-4" lift to accommodate new steering.
2. Regear the axles to 4.10 and all the previous mods or
3. Put in a 14b ff rear and Dana60 upfront with all the desired mods.
My first purchase is some new Cooper S/T Maxx tires, front receiver hitch 2" with bumper and shackles(I have a Warn winch in a cradle), wiring to run winch front & back, and some skid plates for oil pan etc. My main fear is stuff breaking and getting stuck. Obviously i don't wheel alone but want to avoid problems
I appreciate the feedback and advice.
Chris
 
Last edited:
Welcome.
You can post this wherever, but the Lounge is for general chit chat and for paying members only. Usually something like this would be put in the Garage where non-paying members can post up too.
When you say wheeling down trails are these just like fire road trails or something a little more extreme. I wouldn’t toss a whole lot of money into those stock 10 bolt axles when you can upgrade for about the same price. Don’t really need crossover with the lift you’re doing.
Just curious, but who would carry the winch from front to back if the wife would have trouble with a tire larger than 33”? And how will you get in and out with a 4” lift?
Thanks for your service! :bow:
 
I will move this over to the garage. More "extreme" than fire roads definitely. Dream is to be able to tackle trails similar to the Rubicon and stuff around UT down to MOAB. Wife can pick up the winch it's just handling a big tire to mount is my concern. I'm installing a seat that will swing out of the vic and lower down.
 
A 14 bolt on 33's is going to drag a bunch of stuff. I think you would be ok with the stock 30 spline 10 bolts. I ran them in my 91 for a few years wheeling pretty hard and never really had an issue.

Your upgrades you have planned are things that I would definitely recommend. However, I don't think it is worth it to regear and only go up one ratio. If you are going to do it, I would go at least 4.56. Is the truck an automatic?
 
I have driven through St. George area and it is super cool. I really want to get over there and go wheeling.

I have a '90 K5 on 37"with a Detroit in the rear. I love it but it really sucks in snow and ice. Truck is all over the place on ice. A selectable locker is really the way to go if the budget allows. I have 3 squares so the K5 just doesn't get used in ice and snow, I use the suburban with studded snow tires instead.

I like 8 lug axles,3/4 ton or 1ton are great. I agree that a 14bolt is going to hang up with a 33" tire. Putting money into 10 bolt axles isn't the best option but every mod seems to be a compromise when building a truck. You can have a great time wheeling a 10 bolt truck on 33" tires but if you go bigger you will wish the locker and gears were in stronger axles.

Heavy tires can be difficult. If you go with a narrow tire on an aluminum wheel it makes a big difference in weight. I like a narrow tire a lot for wheeling personally. In snow and mud it takes less horsepower to spin the tires and push through. Lets face it, squares are heavy and are going to the bottom of whatever snow or mud you are dealing with. It takes a ton of power and speed to keep a heavy truck on top with big wide tires so a narrow tire is my choice. Lifting a big tire is hard but rolling one is easy. A folding aluminum ramp for dirt bikes would make it so your wife can move a big tire in and out of the back. Only jack up the truck just enough to change the tire, use the jack handle or a pry bar to lift the tire onto the studs.

Put the winch on when you go wheeling before you are stuck with a locking hitch pin.

Trim your fenders to fit a large tire without a huge lift. Makes getting in and out easier and keeps driveshaft angles reasonable. I run 37" on 2 trucks with 4" of lift. No lift or 2" of lift with a trim should fit a 33" or 35" tire.

Your screen name is excellent. Good luck with your build.
 
swettysblazer said:
A 14 bolt on 33's is going to drag a bunch of stuff. I think you would be ok with the stock 30 spline 10 bolts. I ran them in my 91 for a few years wheeling pretty hard and never really had an issue.

Your upgrades you have planned are things that I would definitely recommend. However, I don't think it is worth it to regear and only go up one ratio. If you are going to do it, I would go at least 4.56. Is the truck an automatic?
Click to expand...

Yes it's an automatic. My biggest fear is stuff breaking leaving me SOL. When you say "drag a lot of stuff" I'm assuming you're talking about the clearance of the diff to the ground/rocks, would a shave kit and 35" tire be a reasonable work around or better to source a 1ton K30 axle or similar and be done with it?
If I keep the stock axles and went with 33 or 35's you recommend 4.56 over 4.10, my cruise speed would ideally be around 65-70 correct?
Thank you for your time and feedback.
 
HankScorpio said:
I have driven through St. George area and it is super cool. I really want to get over there and go wheeling.

I have a '90 K5 on 37"with a Detroit in the rear. I love it but it really sucks in snow and ice. Truck is all over the place on ice. A selectable locker is really the way to go if the budget allows. I have 3 squares so the K5 just doesn't get used in ice and snow, I use the suburban with studded snow tires instead.

I like 8 lug axles,3/4 ton or 1ton are great. I agree that a 14bolt is going to hang up with a 33" tire. Putting money into 10 bolt axles isn't the best option but every mod seems to be a compromise when building a truck. You can have a great time wheeling a 10 bolt truck on 33" tires but if you go bigger you will wish the locker and gears were in stronger axles.

It's amazing country! I would hate to put money into mods only to wish later on I had spent a little more for more stout equipment.
Thank you for the advice regarding getting the wheel out and on. My AWD van runs 245/75/16r Discover maxx and I like them. If possible I would like to keep the stock aluminum rims however I know going down to 12psi you risk blowing a bead, u recommend bead locks? My thoughts are they're heavy and expensive. I thought a lift was necessary for crossover high steering to clear the linkage, am I wrong? I don't have experience with Detroits in the snow and ice so thank you. I was told there is a learning curve with them.
Click to expand...
 
For bulletproof you cant go wrong with a Dana 60/14 Bolt combo. I think 35’s and a shave on the 14 bolt would be exactly what you’re looking for. There’s no point in putting money into the half ton axles if it will see more than fire roads and above stock tires. Not worth the risk in my opinion. Selectable lockers are awesome but the price point reflects that. Not sure what your budget is but axle builds can get out of hand quickly.

With the 700R4 transmission the over drive helps out a ton with aggressive gearing. In general, the deeper the gearing the less strain on the transmission. As @ktmoutfront said, 4.56 would be the sweet spot on 35’s.
 
ktmoutfront said:
Definitely start a build thread.

With 33" tires, the 10 bolts will last. I have 35" tires on mine. Stock front axle for 14 years now. No locker though. Detroit in a 9" rear.

Also check out Blazer Bash in Moab. We are still on this year.

https://ck5.com/forums/ck5/blazer-bash.32/
Click to expand...

Thank you for your reply. I'm a noob what is a 9" rear? Are my fears of axle breakage with 33 or 35s overblown, to much Youtube watching and 4Wheel mag reading? I checked out Blazer Bash and want to go hopefully wifey can get off school
 
Gibby56 said:
For bulletproof you cant go wrong with a Dana 60/14 Bolt combo. I think 35’s and a shave on the 14 bolt would be exactly what you’re looking for. Selectable lockers are awesome but the price point reflects that. Not sure what your budget is but axle builds can get out of hand quickly.

Thank you for your reply. I have the time and funds just not the hands to turn the wrench. Do you have experience or knowledge of crossover/ high steering mods? I'm probably way to paranoid about the idea of bent/broken steering linkage and loss of articulation in obstacles.
Click to expand...
 
Unbreakable axles would be Dana 60 with RCV axle shafts, Yukon HD selectable hubs, ARB locker for the front, and a stock 14 bolt with an ARB locker in the rear.

Ive had high steer, regular cross over steering, and reverse high steer and would recommend regular crossover steering. Be smart with your lines and don’t try Backdoor at Johnson Valley at full throttle and you’ll be happy. ORD’s 1.5” tie-rod is beef.
 
Kripplek5 said:
Thank you for your reply. I'm a noob what is a 9" rear? Are my fears of axle breakage with 33 or 35s overblown, to much Youtube watching and 4Wheel mag reading? I checked out Blazer Bash and want to go hopefully wifey can get off school
Click to expand...

Driving style will allow 10 bolts to last.
My rear axle is a Currie extreme duty housing with a 9+ modular center section. It is nice to know people.

I am not easy on my front axle, but I know when to back off.

55F4265C-4B75-489A-B3E8-0D843C4775F8.jpeg DSC_0140.JPG 7-4-104X4PARK179.jpg
 
Thank you for the advice on axle mods, gearing, and crossover steering. Do you think there is a big trade off between air vs elockers? Opinion on OX lockers?
 
Thank you! Those pics are great and inline with my idea of function. Awesome rig what tire style and rims are you running?
 
Kripplek5 said:
Thank you for the advice on axle mods, gearing, and crossover steering. Do you think there is a big trade off between air vs elockers? Opinion on OX lockers?
Click to expand...

OX lockets work well but i don’t think they make anything for the 14 bolt. If you are going selectable and one tons, i would recommend they match. Plus the side benefits of having onboard air for the arb are incredible. I’m 99% sure ARB makes the only selectable locker for the 14 bolt.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom