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 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.
If you're interested we can get some nice, rigid, light weight aluminum composite panels. It ranges from 1/8" to 1/2" thick. It's 2 thin outer layers of aluminum bonded to a polyethylene plastic core. Probably more expensive than the plywood tho.
Yeah, no. Oil burners have a place I just don't want to go through the BS of putting one in mine. It would have an 8.1 way before any thought of a dirtymax enters my brain.
I like that stuff. It's what my console base is built from. It was scrap from when our dealership was remodled a couple of years ago. That material was used for the facia of the building. Stuff was crazy rigid. Just don't have any left. Not sure I even want to know what it runs though.
1/4" is about $2.70/sq-ft.
Truck is partially loaded. Taking the next couple of days off to go play up in the mountains. Going to teach my nephew how to play off road with his rubicon my Blazer and my buddy John and his brother and their Jeeps. Totally need to go play to recharge from work BS.
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2000
- Posts
- 1,695
- Reaction score
- 2,115
Have fun poofter! Wish I was going too but I must take the ladies camping in the trailer this weekend 
.
Good luck with the fuel situation. You know, the exhaust being close to the fuel tank isn’t good but it is not the entire issue. Where I feel the issue lies is the exhaust routing on the passenger’s side from the front leaf spring rear shackle all the way to the rear spring hanger. That is like 4 feet where the exhaust is baking the fuel lines. I don’t feel rear exhaust exit being close to the tank is that big of deal and it isn’t much different from my Suburban, which is not ideal but it is not the entire issue as the exhaust through the pipe is much cooler back there than it is a few feet from the manifold like along the frame. If I recall, your muffler is closer to the fuel line than the pipe is near the tank. Regardless, nothing is going to fix this issue until the exhaust is moved to the driver’s side by way of a cross pipe like the Suburban has under the bellhousing.
We need to have your exhaust changed to something like this so the exhaust is far from the fuel lines…. Your exhaust runs very close to the front right shackle right next to the fuel lines for a few feet.
.Good luck with the fuel situation. You know, the exhaust being close to the fuel tank isn’t good but it is not the entire issue. Where I feel the issue lies is the exhaust routing on the passenger’s side from the front leaf spring rear shackle all the way to the rear spring hanger. That is like 4 feet where the exhaust is baking the fuel lines. I don’t feel rear exhaust exit being close to the tank is that big of deal and it isn’t much different from my Suburban, which is not ideal but it is not the entire issue as the exhaust through the pipe is much cooler back there than it is a few feet from the manifold like along the frame. If I recall, your muffler is closer to the fuel line than the pipe is near the tank. Regardless, nothing is going to fix this issue until the exhaust is moved to the driver’s side by way of a cross pipe like the Suburban has under the bellhousing.
We need to have your exhaust changed to something like this so the exhaust is far from the fuel lines…. Your exhaust runs very close to the front right shackle right next to the fuel lines for a few feet.
Have fun poofter! Wish I was going too but I must take the ladies camping in the trailer this weekend
Good luck with the fuel situation. You know, the exhaust being close to the fuel tank isn’t good but it is not the entire issue. Where I feel the issue lies is the exhaust routing on the passenger’s side from the front leaf spring rear shackle all the way to the rear spring hanger. That is like 4 feet where the exhaust is baking the fuel lines. I don’t feel rear exhaust exit being close to the tank is that big of deal and it isn’t much different from my Suburban, which is not ideal but it is not the entire issue as the exhaust through the pipe is much cooler back there than it is a few feet from the manifold like along the frame. If I recall, your muffler is closer to the fuel line than the pipe is near the tank. Regardless, nothing is going to fix this issue until the exhaust is moved to the driver’s side by way of a cross pipe like the Suburban has under the bellhousing.
We need to have your exhaust changed to something like this so the exhaust is far from the fuel lines…. Your exhaust runs very close to the front right shackle right next to the fuel lines for a few feet.
Well dude you nailed it. We had a blast on the run, but it wasn't without the exhaust problem developing again. Seeing as how I didn't change anything I wasn't surprised. The truck stalled shortly after airing down in St. Elmo heading up Tin Cup pass. Checking temps the tank was at the same temp as the exhaust pipes at 140 degrees. I decide at that point to just yank the damn tailpipes off. Thank goodness Stevie Wonder used the band clamps I requested for the tailpipes. I pulled the clamps and mounts then the entire pipe slipped out from each side. Much as you predicted the problem re-occurred near the summit, even with the tailpipes off and the temps reading closer to ambient at the tank.
It only did it once near the top of Reno Creek on day 2 and today on my way back over Independence pass. If there was any consolation since it occured with my wife riding shotgun she got to feel it first hand. Funds for reworking the exhaust system have been allocated.
I agree the complete section running along the right side frame rail is too much to deal with. The new system will run similar to the burb minus the spin tech muffler.
So here are a couple of teaser pics as I'm exhausted (no pun intended) and want to go wash the last three days off and hit the sack.
That's it you convinced me to run some kind of heat shealth on my fuel lines because of this..
"Funds for reworking of the exhaust system have been allocated"
454Sub
5/8 ton status
This is now my concern as well.
With the HP axle, traction bar and doubler, everything wants to invade the space of the fuel lines. Heat soak is the last problem I need.
With the HP axle, traction bar and doubler, everything wants to invade the space of the fuel lines. Heat soak is the last problem I need.
Nice trip! 
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2000
- Posts
- 1,695
- Reaction score
- 2,115
Well dude you nailed it. We had a blast on the run, but it wasn't without the exhaust problem developing again. Seeing as how I didn't change anything I wasn't surprised. The truck stalled shortly after airing down in St. Elmo heading up Tin Cup pass. Checking temps the tank was at the same temp as the exhaust pipes at 140 degrees. I decide at that point to just yank the damn tailpipes off. Thank goodness Stevie Wonder used the band clamps I requested for the tailpipes. I pulled the clamps and mounts then the entire pipe slipped out from each side. Much as you predicted the problem re-occurred near the summit, even with the tailpipes off and the temps reading closer to ambient at the tank.
It only did it once near the top of Reno Creek on day 2 and today on my way back over Independence pass. If there was any consolation since it occured with my wife riding shotgun she got to feel it first hand. Funds for reworking the exhaust system have been allocated.
I agree the complete section running along the right side frame rail is too much to deal with. The new system will run similar to the burb minus the spin tech muffler.
So here are a couple of teaser pics as I'm exhausted (no pun intended) and want to go wash the last three days off and hit the sack.
Looks like a fun trip. Wish I could have gone
. Anxious to see the pics and videos. I’m also glad you removed those tails as it proves what I have been telling you for months, the issue is with the lines next to the exhaust along the frame causing the fuel to boil in the return and supply lines. Not the pipes by the tank. Once that hot fuel gets into the rail it just boils and dribbles out of the injectors then the hot fuel around the pump it just cavitates and pumps nothing, which is why when you purged the rail and put cool fuel in it in Ft. Garland you were able to make it the rest of the way home. Lucky you two didn’t have a screaming headache and die with the exhaust dumping right under the cab while rolling 3 MPH for hours straight
Looks like a fun trip. Wish I could have gone
I’m also glad you removed those tails as it proves what I have been telling you for months, the issue is with the lines next to the exhaust along the frame causing the fuel to boil in the return and supply lines. Not the pipes by the tank. Once that hot fuel gets into the rail it just boils and dribbles out of the injectors then the hot fuel around the pump it just cavitates and pumps nothing, which is why when you purged the rail and put cool fuel in it in Ft. Garland you were able to make it the rest of the way home. Lucky you two didn’t have a screaming headache and die with the exhaust dumping right under the cab while rolling 3 MPH for hours straight
I totally agree the crappy routing along the rail caused its own share of problems. Tailpipes off, starting fresh on Saturday it ran flawlessly until we got near the top of Reno. Stopped for a photo op and the engine sputtered and died. Purged the air and took some pics and fired the truck up and ran fine The rest of the trail to Crested Butte where we stopped for some supplies and then went 8 miles up the trail to pearl for a campsite. Yesterday was even better. We spent 5 solid hours on the he trail. No issue. Gassed up in Aspen (7 gallons to fill it full) and immediately headed up Indy. So even with a full tank it still couldn't handle the heat. I saw over 300 degrees on the pipe just below the manifold just below where the fuel lines jump from the frame to the back of the engine.
The plan will be to run just like you show for the right pipe. Both will run down the left side. From there I'm not sure to go back the duals dumping on each side or just run them both down the left and dump there. I really need to talk to the guy and hash that out.
Here's a mini Trip report of the weekend's activities. One of my Nephews had bought a used Jeep Rubicon last year and I'd been bugging him to come wheeling with us. So I threw the gauntlet down and set a date and told him to get the time off work to go wheeling with us. So the plan was hatched, I would have to help coach him through as he had only ridden in my old 75 as a passenger and at that time he was a kid. I invite my normal crew and had the possibility of at least 8 rigs going out with us. As it turned out Larry, Bill and Ian all had plans or trucks not capable of driving. It ended up being my buddy John in the Yellow TJ with his wife and both his boys and the family dog too. One of the boys rode with his brother Shane in the red YJ with his wife and 2 yr old baby. My son rode in from Denver with Zach and my wife came with me for a change.
So here is a quick rundown on the specs of the rigs: John's TJ is loaded with ARB's front and rear, fully adjustable arms on each end, 4" springs, winch and onboard air. Shane's YJ is his high school ride from way back when, stock as it can be, short of the clutch John and I installed a month ago along with a 2.5" black diamond lift on each end. No blocks. But John did get some Hankook Dynapro ats tires thrown on a couple days before departure. Zach's Ruby is stone stock, no lift but the full arsenal of goodies stock, Lockers, deep low range and electric disconnecting sway bart.
Here's the lineup.
100_1213 by Rob Zulian, on Flickr
I felt like a Jeep Shepherder for a while as I led the pack all weekend.
100_1220 by Rob Zulian, on Flickr
Coming up Tin Cup
100_1226 by Rob Zulian, on Flickr
Near the top
100_1230 by Rob Zulian, on Flickr
Enough Jeep pics... Here's mine at the top of Tin Cup.
100_1232 by Rob Zulian, on Flickr
100_1233 by Rob Zulian, on Flickr
So here is a quick rundown on the specs of the rigs: John's TJ is loaded with ARB's front and rear, fully adjustable arms on each end, 4" springs, winch and onboard air. Shane's YJ is his high school ride from way back when, stock as it can be, short of the clutch John and I installed a month ago along with a 2.5" black diamond lift on each end. No blocks. But John did get some Hankook Dynapro ats tires thrown on a couple days before departure. Zach's Ruby is stone stock, no lift but the full arsenal of goodies stock, Lockers, deep low range and electric disconnecting sway bart.
Here's the lineup.
100_1213 by Rob Zulian, on Flickr I felt like a Jeep Shepherder for a while as I led the pack all weekend.
100_1220 by Rob Zulian, on FlickrComing up Tin Cup
100_1226 by Rob Zulian, on FlickrNear the top
100_1230 by Rob Zulian, on FlickrEnough Jeep pics... Here's mine at the top of Tin Cup.
100_1232 by Rob Zulian, on Flickr100_1233 by Rob Zulian, on Flickr
At Mirror Lake:
100_1268 by Rob Zulian, on Flickr
As the largest rig in the group I was the supply base for the crew. I carried the food, cooking equipment and beverages for the weekend. Had I let the jeeps do it I would have starved or gone thirsty at camp.
100_1272 by Rob Zulian, on Flickr
Meadow on Reno Creek.
100_1286 by Rob Zulian, on Flickr
Stopped for pictures at Oliver's cabin on Reno.
100_1290 by Rob Zulian, on Flickr
100_1288 by Rob Zulian, on Flickr
Near the top.
100_1294 by Rob Zulian, on Flickr
Pearl Pass starts.
100_1303 by Rob Zulian, on Flickr
Can't beat these views.
100_1306 by Rob Zulian, on Flickr
I make fun of Jeeps, but you can't deny how capable a Rubicon is out of the box. Flexy little turd it is.
100_1314 by Rob Zulian, on Flickr
Getting hairy. Pic does not do the steepness of the section justice. That big guy is me spotting him through.
100_1319 by Rob Zulian, on Flickr
The little YJ that could. No lockers and a wheezy 4 banger I could turn over by hand when I was putting the new flywheel in last month.
100_1323 by Rob Zulian, on Flickr
John made it look easy.
100_1325 by Rob Zulian, on Flickr
Playing in the mud.
100B1252 by Rob Zulian, on Flickr
More pics loading. To be continued tomorrow.
100_1268 by Rob Zulian, on FlickrAs the largest rig in the group I was the supply base for the crew. I carried the food, cooking equipment and beverages for the weekend. Had I let the jeeps do it I would have starved or gone thirsty at camp.
100_1272 by Rob Zulian, on FlickrMeadow on Reno Creek.
100_1286 by Rob Zulian, on FlickrStopped for pictures at Oliver's cabin on Reno.
100_1290 by Rob Zulian, on Flickr100_1288 by Rob Zulian, on FlickrNear the top.
100_1294 by Rob Zulian, on FlickrPearl Pass starts.
100_1303 by Rob Zulian, on FlickrCan't beat these views.
100_1306 by Rob Zulian, on FlickrI make fun of Jeeps, but you can't deny how capable a Rubicon is out of the box. Flexy little turd it is.
100_1314 by Rob Zulian, on FlickrGetting hairy. Pic does not do the steepness of the section justice. That big guy is me spotting him through.
100_1319 by Rob Zulian, on FlickrThe little YJ that could. No lockers and a wheezy 4 banger I could turn over by hand when I was putting the new flywheel in last month.
100_1323 by Rob Zulian, on FlickrJohn made it look easy.
100_1325 by Rob Zulian, on FlickrPlaying in the mud.
100B1252 by Rob Zulian, on FlickrMore pics loading. To be continued tomorrow.
That last puddle picture is calendar-worthy. 
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2000
- Posts
- 1,695
- Reaction score
- 2,115
Maybe there is enough room to split them up in front of the tank just above the axle like how the burb is. The problem is having room for two mufflers though. You may end up having to go to a two in/two out muffler for it all to package nicely regardless where the exhaust exits. The left hand packaging is why I got stuck with a two in/two out muffler instead of two Thrush's like yours and the K10
See my tails are close to the tank too. Much closer than I would like but it is what it is. If you look at a 70’s Suburban the OEM dual exhaust is pretty stinkin close to the tank too although Burbs have a few more feet of wheelbase to allow the exhaust to cool a little more at the tank area.
@Larry I may have to go that way with a 2 in 2 out. I'll need to brainstorm with the exhaust guy.
Back to the trip details.
Between hairy sections of Pearl Pass you get treated with epic views like this.
IMG_20170820_113233258_HDR by Rob Zulian, on Flickr
IMG_20170820_113605159 by Rob Zulian, on Flickr
This is looking west off of Pearl.
IMG_20170820_114108502 by Rob Zulian, on Flickr
A wide spot near the top with a place to park and stretch out for a few.
IMG_20170820_114508012 by Rob Zulian, on Flickr
The trail leading off to the north and east from here.
IMG_20170820_114510917 by Rob Zulian, on Flickr
Large snow bank to check out. That stuff was rock solid still.
IMG_20170820_114541951 by Rob Zulian, on Flickr
Top of Pearl Pass at 12,705 feet above sea level.
IMG_20170820_120714906 by Rob Zulian, on Flickr
The group. Not much room to park up here.
IMG_20170820_120813094 by Rob Zulian, on Flickr
The road down. STEEP.
IMG_20170820_120828207 by Rob Zulian, on Flickr
The view from the top, North.
IMG_20170820_120831180 by Rob Zulian, on Flickr
East.
IMG_20170820_120834414 by Rob Zulian, on Flickr
South.
IMG_20170820_120846363 by Rob Zulian, on Flickr
West.
IMG_20170820_120850215 by Rob Zulian, on Flickr
We stopped again below the summit on the downhill side for a snack break and to check out this meadow full of high mountian flowers.
IMG_20170820_123803570 by Rob Zulian, on Flickr
The Montezuma Basin is off in the distance in this pic.
IMG_20170820_123819224 by Rob Zulian, on Flickr
More meadow pics,
IMG_20170820_123846707 by Rob Zulian, on Flickr
Shane with the YJ is a bit of a mad man. But he had admitted to me this was one of the scariest things he's ever done, so he had to give his little Jeep a hug for getting him up and over the pass. Little did we all know it was just as hairy going down as it was going up. He loves that Jeep though.
IMG_20170820_123923444_HDR by Rob Zulian, on Flickr
Another group shot.
IMG_20170820_124430027 by Rob Zulian, on Flickr
Coming down. More snow runoff on this side making things wet and slick at times.
IMG_20170820_130205194_HDR by Rob Zulian, on Flickr
Final shot of the view.
IMG_20170820_131030080 by Rob Zulian, on Flickr
Fun trip for sure. Outside of the fuel/exhaust problem, the K5.3 did awesome. Point and shoot as far as driving went. Never got stuck, the truck just idled over most obstacles without any drama. Cooling system did great. The radiator/shroud/fan combo kept temps at 155 on average and I did finally see it at 195 at one point after creeping along for a long time but then the fan kicked in and it came right back down. The only casualty was my digital camera as my son was taking pics while I spotted, slipped on a rock and took a digger. The camera smacked the rock and dinged the lens hard enough it won't power out when turned on. It was a great unit but was old and beat up from years of trail rides and other abuse.
Back to the trip details.
Between hairy sections of Pearl Pass you get treated with epic views like this.
IMG_20170820_113233258_HDR by Rob Zulian, on FlickrIMG_20170820_113605159 by Rob Zulian, on FlickrThis is looking west off of Pearl.
IMG_20170820_114108502 by Rob Zulian, on FlickrA wide spot near the top with a place to park and stretch out for a few.
IMG_20170820_114508012 by Rob Zulian, on FlickrThe trail leading off to the north and east from here.
IMG_20170820_114510917 by Rob Zulian, on FlickrLarge snow bank to check out. That stuff was rock solid still.
IMG_20170820_114541951 by Rob Zulian, on FlickrTop of Pearl Pass at 12,705 feet above sea level.
IMG_20170820_120714906 by Rob Zulian, on FlickrThe group. Not much room to park up here.
IMG_20170820_120813094 by Rob Zulian, on FlickrThe road down. STEEP.
IMG_20170820_120828207 by Rob Zulian, on FlickrThe view from the top, North.
IMG_20170820_120831180 by Rob Zulian, on FlickrEast.
IMG_20170820_120834414 by Rob Zulian, on FlickrSouth.
IMG_20170820_120846363 by Rob Zulian, on FlickrWest.
IMG_20170820_120850215 by Rob Zulian, on FlickrWe stopped again below the summit on the downhill side for a snack break and to check out this meadow full of high mountian flowers.
IMG_20170820_123803570 by Rob Zulian, on FlickrThe Montezuma Basin is off in the distance in this pic.
IMG_20170820_123819224 by Rob Zulian, on FlickrMore meadow pics,
IMG_20170820_123846707 by Rob Zulian, on FlickrShane with the YJ is a bit of a mad man. But he had admitted to me this was one of the scariest things he's ever done, so he had to give his little Jeep a hug for getting him up and over the pass. Little did we all know it was just as hairy going down as it was going up. He loves that Jeep though.
IMG_20170820_123923444_HDR by Rob Zulian, on FlickrAnother group shot.
IMG_20170820_124430027 by Rob Zulian, on FlickrComing down. More snow runoff on this side making things wet and slick at times.
IMG_20170820_130205194_HDR by Rob Zulian, on FlickrFinal shot of the view.
IMG_20170820_131030080 by Rob Zulian, on FlickrFun trip for sure. Outside of the fuel/exhaust problem, the K5.3 did awesome. Point and shoot as far as driving went. Never got stuck, the truck just idled over most obstacles without any drama. Cooling system did great. The radiator/shroud/fan combo kept temps at 155 on average and I did finally see it at 195 at one point after creeping along for a long time but then the fan kicked in and it came right back down. The only casualty was my digital camera as my son was taking pics while I spotted, slipped on a rock and took a digger. The camera smacked the rock and dinged the lens hard enough it won't power out when turned on. It was a great unit but was old and beat up from years of trail rides and other abuse.
Last edited:
Awesome pics. You guys were at some altitude there!
155 sounds a bit on the cool side. Is that even high enough to get out of the cold enrichment?
155 sounds a bit on the cool side. Is that even high enough to get out of the cold enrichment?
Great trip pictures!
The PAD thread pic you posted of your new camper brought my back to your thread here...I have missed the updates for a bit?
Love that camper! I think it looks awesome on the blazer,will be sweet to see Larys and yours together on a trip!
Cant wait to see it all fixed up...what a great score you got!
The PAD thread pic you posted of your new camper brought my back to your thread here...I have missed the updates for a bit?
Love that camper! I think it looks awesome on the blazer,will be sweet to see Larys and yours together on a trip!
Cant wait to see it all fixed up...what a great score you got!
