I love this thing.
Martin
Martin
CK5
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'91 K5 Four Wheel Camper
This is the build for my 1991 V1500 Blazer, AKA the K5.3. It started out life being sold to the U.S. Government with a 350 TBI/700r4/241 combo. 4 years with a 5.3/700r4 Combo and now moving to an 8.1L Vortec and NV4500 5-speed.
y5mgisi
1 ton status
Just a sweet truck now.
LIVEAnimals
1/2 ton status
That is a serious transformation. I agree with Martin, what a beautiful rig.
Thanks all. Larry hit another one out of the park for sure. Now I've got to keep it up. Building up funds a little before the next phase. Exhaust and raptor liner to the interior of the tub are next up. With the holidays screaming upon us I don't have time to get either done right now. We'll get it up after new years and punch those to big items off the list. Then once it's quiet we can start tuning. Then I can finish the interior and start driving it to work so I can dial in the tune better.
Fast forward to spring and we should be able to knock out the minor blemishes to the body and prep it for some fresh doeskin tan. Can't wait to get drive it down the highway. At least I have driven it once now. When we put the top on I drove it out of the shop, down the driveway and backed it up to the side of the shop where the top was sitting. Then I drove it back in again. Larry asked me how it felt, I honestly answered "familiar". Outside of having to hike my large frame a little higher to get into the same seat it felt similar to the old 75 as the view is the same. The sound and sights are different but it just feels "right". Even with needing some tweaking to the tune, with zero miles right now the 5.3 starts easier cold than the 350/q-jet combo did on it's best day. Throttle response is crisp and it don't stink of unburned fuel. I'm totally converted, EFI is the shiznit.
Our annual snow run is coming up too. Hard to believe it's almost been a full year since the 12 bolt blew up on the way to the last snow run that kicked this process into gear. I would love to be ready to take the 91 out on it's maiden run, but I'd rather get this done right instead of rushing against a self imposed deadline and screwing up something in the process. As much fun as the unrealistic deadlines the car building shows on TV look like, it's not worth the rush. I went through that on our '59 Apache restoration project at the dealership earlier this year and it stressed the hell out of me. I wasn't footing the bill on that one either. Still the added costs for express shipping of last minute parts we paid to get the parts here on time were huge. I'm not going to do that to myself. We'll have more snow to go play in. I'll be the trip photographer riding in a pretty well built TJ so we shouldn't get stuck.
Fast forward to spring and we should be able to knock out the minor blemishes to the body and prep it for some fresh doeskin tan. Can't wait to get drive it down the highway. At least I have driven it once now. When we put the top on I drove it out of the shop, down the driveway and backed it up to the side of the shop where the top was sitting. Then I drove it back in again. Larry asked me how it felt, I honestly answered "familiar". Outside of having to hike my large frame a little higher to get into the same seat it felt similar to the old 75 as the view is the same. The sound and sights are different but it just feels "right". Even with needing some tweaking to the tune, with zero miles right now the 5.3 starts easier cold than the 350/q-jet combo did on it's best day. Throttle response is crisp and it don't stink of unburned fuel. I'm totally converted, EFI is the shiznit.
Our annual snow run is coming up too. Hard to believe it's almost been a full year since the 12 bolt blew up on the way to the last snow run that kicked this process into gear. I would love to be ready to take the 91 out on it's maiden run, but I'd rather get this done right instead of rushing against a self imposed deadline and screwing up something in the process. As much fun as the unrealistic deadlines the car building shows on TV look like, it's not worth the rush. I went through that on our '59 Apache restoration project at the dealership earlier this year and it stressed the hell out of me. I wasn't footing the bill on that one either. Still the added costs for express shipping of last minute parts we paid to get the parts here on time were huge. I'm not going to do that to myself. We'll have more snow to go play in. I'll be the trip photographer riding in a pretty well built TJ so we shouldn't get stuck.
Went over to the BigAssGas Garage for a work day. Had to get the alternator situation nailed down, hook up the tv cable to the trottle body and diagnose the off idle stumble. Oh and help Larry pull the 8.1 out of the Polar bear.
So I pull up and find the K10 outside with the Blazer. Had to snap a couple of pics. Not a full family portrait but close.
Another shot.
For the alternator issue, Larry Volunteered the Alternator off of the burb for proof of concept. I did have to change the plug for the alternator to match, but after getting the right single wire hooked up, we had the system charging finally. Now I got to buy Larry an alternator before he needs it to go back in this week. This one only has 800 miles on it so it's pretty close to new so I don't have to worry about taking it off again.
I hooked up the laptop to see if my TPS reading is dropping out to cause the stumble. Watching the TPS percentage and voltage I found when the throttle got close to 95% the reading for percentage would drop to 6.6% but the voltage was still 4.5v or better. Larry had a spare TPS sensor so I swapped it out and rechecked. It behaved the same way. Our thought is the weird reading was probably more to do with the old scannerpro software than the TPS itself. Tuning looks to be the solution for this issue.
The TV cable and adjustment was pretty straight forward. I did have to adjust the pvc hose to the throttle body so it wouldn't rub on the TV cable.
The larger amount of work done was on the Burb. Larry needed help pulling the hood and running the engine hoist while he freed it up all over. We got it out and was able to get the engine torn down to swap out the hot rod camshaft.
Good day in the shop. Better than going to the mall the day after Christmas.
So I pull up and find the K10 outside with the Blazer. Had to snap a couple of pics. Not a full family portrait but close.
Another shot.
For the alternator issue, Larry Volunteered the Alternator off of the burb for proof of concept. I did have to change the plug for the alternator to match, but after getting the right single wire hooked up, we had the system charging finally. Now I got to buy Larry an alternator before he needs it to go back in this week. This one only has 800 miles on it so it's pretty close to new so I don't have to worry about taking it off again.
I hooked up the laptop to see if my TPS reading is dropping out to cause the stumble. Watching the TPS percentage and voltage I found when the throttle got close to 95% the reading for percentage would drop to 6.6% but the voltage was still 4.5v or better. Larry had a spare TPS sensor so I swapped it out and rechecked. It behaved the same way. Our thought is the weird reading was probably more to do with the old scannerpro software than the TPS itself. Tuning looks to be the solution for this issue.
The TV cable and adjustment was pretty straight forward. I did have to adjust the pvc hose to the throttle body so it wouldn't rub on the TV cable.
The larger amount of work done was on the Burb. Larry needed help pulling the hood and running the engine hoist while he freed it up all over. We got it out and was able to get the engine torn down to swap out the hot rod camshaft.
Good day in the shop. Better than going to the mall the day after Christmas.
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It was a great day for sure. I can’t remember when we were able to spent 9 hours straight working in the shop together living nothing but beer, tamales, Hickory Farms sausage, and Sam Adams Christmas Toffee without interruptions. Perfect way to spend a holiday vacation day!
My crummy cell phone pic contribution to the day…Mr. Zoomad talking to the 5.3L via ScannerPro
Polar Bear Burb 8.1L on the stand for dehotrodding….
My crummy cell phone pic contribution to the day…Mr. Zoomad talking to the 5.3L via ScannerPro
Polar Bear Burb 8.1L on the stand for dehotrodding….
Yeah it's been a while we've been able to hang out and get stuff done. We were very productive for sure. Can't beat beer and tamales for keeping us going. The added kick to the toffee kept the sugar rush up for better production. I have to make that batch again next year.
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Christmas vacation wrench-a-thon! Rob on his K5 and me on the Burb
Rob getting after the rear window gremlins
Rob getting after the rear window gremlins
The mechanical side of the window is fixed. As expected it was gummed up with dirt filled decades old grease. Just the same on the manual windows, this causes the motor to drag and pop the circuit breaker from working too hard. Here's how gummy it looked to start.
The tracks were just as gummed up.
After a cleanup in Larry's solvent tank.
The mechanism works much more smoothly now. That is when you chuck the drive cable to a cordless drill. The dash switch moved it slightly before I got started but it wouldn't click after. Just like everything else the wiring is sketchy. So I'll leave that for another day.
Both days in the shop were great for sure. I even drove the K5 down the street when I pulled it out of the garage both days. Didn't go far, but I was able to surmise a couple of things. First, the speedo won't move. It doesn't feel like it's upshifting automatically either. I tried manually from 1st to 2nd, no change. Got more to do there for sure.
The tracks were just as gummed up.
After a cleanup in Larry's solvent tank.
The mechanism works much more smoothly now. That is when you chuck the drive cable to a cordless drill. The dash switch moved it slightly before I got started but it wouldn't click after. Just like everything else the wiring is sketchy. So I'll leave that for another day.
Both days in the shop were great for sure. I even drove the K5 down the street when I pulled it out of the garage both days. Didn't go far, but I was able to surmise a couple of things. First, the speedo won't move. It doesn't feel like it's upshifting automatically either. I tried manually from 1st to 2nd, no change. Got more to do there for sure.
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Looks like fun! 
I just re-read and caught up on this thread. I love it! There ain't no friends like old friends. This should be a Buddy movie! 
Rob, you are correct about Larry. I've been on this site since 08? and Larry has always stood out. Not saying anything about any one here, so don't take it wrong. Larrys workmanship and attention to the details has always stood out IMO. And has always been helpful to anyone having an issue with their rig. His 8.1 stories are legendary here.
It's great to see 2 old friends doing what they love together. you guys rawk!
Rob, you are correct about Larry. I've been on this site since 08? and Larry has always stood out. Not saying anything about any one here, so don't take it wrong. Larrys workmanship and attention to the details has always stood out IMO. And has always been helpful to anyone having an issue with their rig. His 8.1 stories are legendary here.
It's great to see 2 old friends doing what they love together. you guys rawk!
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I just re-read and caught up on this thread. I love it! There ain't no friends like old friends. This should be a Buddy movie!
Rob, you are correct about Larry. I've been on this site since 08? and Larry has always stood out. Not saying anything about any one here, so don't take it wrong. Larrys workmanship and attention to the details has always stood out IMO. And has always been helpful to anyone having an issue with their rig. His 8.1 stories are legendary here.
It's great to see 2 old friends doing what they love together. you guys rawk!
Gee Ray, you’re making me blush over here!
Yeah, Rob and I have known each other a long time. Over 20 years in fact! We went to college together in the 90’s, both Chevy guys and both took the same career path with Chevrolet which uprooted us from Colorado to Michigan where both of our families spent 6 to 10 years there before migrating back to CO. Hell, I went to High School with Rob’s wife. In Michigan we were all alone and only had our other handful of auto industry college friends that were foolish enough to go to work for one of the Big 3 and move to Detroit. Driving around Detroit today and reminiscing I can’t believe any of us had the balls enough to move to Detroit for a job. I don’t think I could that again but I wouldn't change a thing the way life worked out thus far. While in Detroit today I even drove by Rob’s old house on Butternut in Royal Oak just to remise the good old bad days when we all couldn’t wait to get the phuck out of MI for a field job! That all seems like 2 days ago but it’s been like 10-15 years ago. Wow
Friends are easy to come by but close friends that are basically family are much harder to come by. I have 5 that I trust with my life and I lost one of them this past Saturday. He was a much older guy that Rob and I worked with a Workhorse. He was a much more senior guy in the ranks and was like an uncle to all of us where he mentored us like we were his own kids. I cashed in some frequent flier miles once I heard the news Saturday and flew up here to Detroit yesterday to attend the funeral today. It was a bittersweet day for sure. If any of you follow the 67-72 page and familiar with the 205 tcase to frame side bracket discussion that has gone on for years will remember me talking about this guy. He is the GMC engineer that was the man behind that bracket going away in 73/74.
Rest in peace Winston!
This funeral and driving around our old hoods in Detroit really has me feeling old and sensitive this cold Michigan night. Wow, how fast time goes! In a blink of an eye we’ll be looking back at this K5 saying….. crap, we built that truck 20 years ago while I am on a oxygen tank and Rob is in a wheel chair!
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Wow, sorry for your loss Larry...
This funeral and driving around our old hoods in Detroit really has me feeling old and sensitive this cold Michigan night. Wow, how fast time goes! In a blink of an eye we’ll be looking back at this K5 saying….. crap, we built that truck 20 years ago while I am on a oxygen tank and Rob is in a wheel chair!
It will be a big block wheelchair, right? Because life is too short for anything else...
And welcome back to Michigan.
You still glad to be outta there? 
Yeah we've been around each other for quite some time. It's been a hell of a ride for sure. It took some big brass ones to uproot and move out to Detroit away from any family for a job. Hell, my wife was 4 months pregnant with our son when we moved. Talk about balls. Move a pregnant lady that grew up in a town of 100,000 to a major metropolitan area in the heat of the summer with humidity from hell. That was insanity. I'm lucky to be alive over that one. Still like Larry said, we had an extended family of college alumni and their wives or girlfriends to do things with. Holidays, you name it. Larry came to my son's first birthday and got to enjoy burnt spaghetti. I've not let her forget it too, it's a funny story. Larry hand picked me to replace him at Workhorse and got our butts back to Colorado. That's where I met the legend of Winston Moore. He was the smartest farm boy I ever met. Graduate of the GM institute for engineering he was crazy smart. Funny thing was he never lost that simple country upbringing and never flaunted his ability. As engineers go he never behaved like one being overly OCD and I should know I was raised by one.
One of my favorite memories was a story Winston told me about being involved with the design of the GMC motorhome back in the 70's. You older guys remember it as the one built with the Olds 455 Toronado front wheel drive setup. He felt that design was ideal compared to the p-chassis that was introduced near the same time (and was still built as a Workhorse up to 2005). The low step in floor and air suspension gave it unmatched ride quality and handling. He said the Center of Gravity was so low, you couldn't flip it in a skid. To prove that point, he and a couple of the other engineers on the project took a prototype out on the Black Lake at the Milford Proving Grounds slid that beast around on the skidpad like Burt Reynolds in his black Trans Am. They made a lot of noise, but it never even tipped. I can just imagine Winston in his prime laughing like a maniac tossing that motorhome around! He was the real deal. I know just about every time I saw him I begged to buy his GMC Syclone from him. It wasn't just any Syclone, it was one of the few known as the Saudi Syclones that were shipped overseas. Winston headed up the project to retrofit them back for US use when they didn't sell any over there and shipped them back to Detroit after a year in the sandbox. He retrofitted them with US spec Sonoma clusters (normal ones had clusters from Pontiac sunbirds with tach and boost gauges), US spec radios, PCM's and removed the test pipe in the exhaust and refitted cat/converters. They only were sold to GM employees and he kept one for himself. He promised it to one of his grandsons and there was no way he was going to let it go outside the family.
Rest In Peace Winston.
Larry I'm happy you made the trek up there. I didn't think you would have ran by our old place on Butternut. I remember dogsitting Snoopy for you and your new bride when you two flew back to Colorado for your wedding. Hell I think you used my PC to order the plane tickets, something about being cheaper to buy a round trip than one way since you were bringing the Z71 back you bought. I will say this, had I lived there much longer I don't think my Liver would have made it. Those neighbors were awesome but hanging out drinking beer on the on the porch or in one of our garages almost every night was starting to hurt.
As far as 20 years from now? If I don't shed some pounds I might need a big block wheelchair just to move me around. It's going fast that's for sure. In a blink we'll be going to Hannah's graduation.
One of my favorite memories was a story Winston told me about being involved with the design of the GMC motorhome back in the 70's. You older guys remember it as the one built with the Olds 455 Toronado front wheel drive setup. He felt that design was ideal compared to the p-chassis that was introduced near the same time (and was still built as a Workhorse up to 2005). The low step in floor and air suspension gave it unmatched ride quality and handling. He said the Center of Gravity was so low, you couldn't flip it in a skid. To prove that point, he and a couple of the other engineers on the project took a prototype out on the Black Lake at the Milford Proving Grounds slid that beast around on the skidpad like Burt Reynolds in his black Trans Am. They made a lot of noise, but it never even tipped. I can just imagine Winston in his prime laughing like a maniac tossing that motorhome around! He was the real deal. I know just about every time I saw him I begged to buy his GMC Syclone from him. It wasn't just any Syclone, it was one of the few known as the Saudi Syclones that were shipped overseas. Winston headed up the project to retrofit them back for US use when they didn't sell any over there and shipped them back to Detroit after a year in the sandbox. He retrofitted them with US spec Sonoma clusters (normal ones had clusters from Pontiac sunbirds with tach and boost gauges), US spec radios, PCM's and removed the test pipe in the exhaust and refitted cat/converters. They only were sold to GM employees and he kept one for himself. He promised it to one of his grandsons and there was no way he was going to let it go outside the family.
Rest In Peace Winston.
Larry I'm happy you made the trek up there. I didn't think you would have ran by our old place on Butternut. I remember dogsitting Snoopy for you and your new bride when you two flew back to Colorado for your wedding. Hell I think you used my PC to order the plane tickets, something about being cheaper to buy a round trip than one way since you were bringing the Z71 back you bought. I will say this, had I lived there much longer I don't think my Liver would have made it. Those neighbors were awesome but hanging out drinking beer on the on the porch or in one of our garages almost every night was starting to hurt.
As far as 20 years from now? If I don't shed some pounds I might need a big block wheelchair just to move me around. It's going fast that's for sure. In a blink we'll be going to Hannah's graduation.
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Stay Strong. Think about the good times. I've been scouring the internet for the last couple of nights to find a written version of your favorite Winston joke. By the fact I couldn't find it tells me one thing. That joke was uniquely his. The words, the way he told it and his goofy gestures sold it. I'll never forget the first time he told it to me. You were there, egging him on to tell me and we all laughed our asses off. That's how I remember him and it makes me smile.
y5mgisi
1 ton status
Good stuff fellas. I am but a young lad of 29 years. But already I can see that as I get older, each year seems to go quicker and quicker. It's scary and peaceful at the same time.
Lots of truth here.
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Rob’s ZooK5.3 loaded for its ride to Canon City for exhaust and to have the interior bed lined. It will be a good road test for the Burb. The Burb only has about 120 miles on it since the re-cam.
