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Building a trail only rig...guide me CK5

B

Bone85K5

1/2 ton status
Joined
May 7, 2000
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Location
Columbus, Georgia
Allrighty..after letting my 85 k5 sit in the barn for a few years, I am ready to build a toy. It is a nice truck..2inch lift, 35's, strong 350, 1/2 ton axles. I just got a killer deal on new tires... 37 x 12.50 18 BFG MT's ($45 each NEW). I have a nice flatbed trailer and a strong tow rig. I live in Phenix City,AL/ Columbus,GA (hour south of Atlanta) and would love to tackle the trails in the southeast with the big boys.

Goals:
Functional trail truck
Something fun
Simple


I have been on this board for years off and on..I know many on here have ALOT of experience after their build up's..please share the wealth!.



A few pics of my trucks:

Blazer
http://www.johntookmypicture.com/gallery/4664941_PXTxh#275577238_ctyTQ-O-LB

DD...2004 Excursion 6.0
http://www.johntookmypicture.com/gallery/4664941_PXTxh#276438101_4xcx5-L-LB

Tow Rig 1999 F-250
http://www.johntookmypicture.com/gallery/4664941_PXTxh#273358407_W7Gjs-L-LB
 
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hey, I live in Auburn AL. Im putting a dana 44 and 12 bolt in my truck and this summer getting my lift and tires once i graduate from OCS. Since your only 30 min from here we could go trail riding sometime. nice trucks by the way
 
For a trail rig only, and if you plan on sticking with 37's, I would go with a 3/4 ton swap with 4.56's or 4.88's depending on trany, weld the rear and a detroit in the front, maybe a TBI swap, maybe a doubler if the truck doesn't have a sm465 (got to love that 6.5 to 1). For suspension I would throw some 56's up front (dont have to drill a big ass hole in the frame) and some 56's and a shackle flip in the rear with some long shocks (maybe inboard the rears) and a square tube front shaft and at least 1350's in the rear shaft. Then build a stout cage and chop the rockers and weld in some tube, maybe a mild boat side while you are at it. Then wheel the thing until the body is a mangled piece that resembles a truck if you look hard, then cut some more and add more tube
 
What's the budget?

What are the design constraints (ie: must seat 4 people, has to still run a hardtop, must use simple off-the-shelf parts) etc??

Obviously "budget" is a constraint....probably the biggest one.


If you want something cheap, and don't care about creature comforts I'd go to a hacked-up and narrowed platform as soon as possible to get the weight down. Rip out anything that isn't required to make the truck run, add lockers front and rear and as much gear reduction as you can afford (a Doubler may not fit in the budget).

Also, it's not as sexy as a fresh build but you can also scour the "FOR SALE" area...there are plenty of folks who built a "trail only" rig that end up selling it for pennies on the dollar. You can pick up something already done a lot cheaper than you can usually build it for yourself....
 
Greg72 said:
Also, it's not as sexy as a fresh build but you can also scour the "FOR SALE" area...there are plenty of folks who built a "trail only" rig that end up selling it for pennies on the dollar. You can pick up something already done a lot cheaper than you can usually build it for yourself....
Click to expand...

I'm still waiting for somebody to start selling Mog axles with aftermarket portals cheap :haha:

-- A
 
If you want to play with the big boys where you live, I thought BIG motor, BIG axles (rockwells) and BIG tires along with the full cage and harnesses.
X2 on whats the buget?
 
5 simple steps i have gotten from my last martha stewart magizine

ingredients

-Find cab (crew cab if you need more room)
-Desired tire size and approiate axle size
-motor tranny and t-case that will work with your tire and axle combinantion
-various lengths of steel
- lots of beer

Step one:
Prep cab and offer beer to friends for help
Step two:
Weld cage around cab keep in mind that drain train will be attaching to your cage and it needs to be strong
Step three:
Make sure you dont run out of beer, there will be alot of upset buddy's
Step four
Mount motor
Step five
Add protection and make sure everything is safe and then enjoy and have some wheeling fun.

some ppl add frilly things and shinny things well
 
What's the budget?

Great Question.. I am willing to spend money..however I do not have a set amount...wife just got a $10,000 horse trailer so...

What are the design constraints (ie: must seat 4 people, has to still run a hardtop, must use simple off-the-shelf parts) etc?? Whatever is most fuctional...2 people seems logical to me...hardtop or not is not a concern. As far as off the shelf parts...look like there is plenty of parts guys are making for these trucks.


79chevyk10If you want to play with the big boys where you live, I thought BIG motor, BIG axles (rockwells) and BIG tires along with the full cage and harnesses.
X2 on whats the buget?

Thats what I was thinking untill I scroed 37 BFG MT's for $40 each new...I am trying to build with this in mind since it was such a deal
 
sell the 37s to a lifted cummins owner...they'll like the bling of the 18s :D then turn around with your profit & get some good but used 42-49s. then build off of that. you're in big tire/motor/axle terrirtory, as already mentioned. if I could start over...I'd probably start with a four door tacoma or 4runner & leave my Blazer for weekend cruises.
 
For a long time, I've been preaching that the first thing you should do is pick the tire size you really want to end up with FIRST..... the rest of the build (and your budget) is established by that first decision. :deal:

There's nothing wrong with using 37's if that's what you really want...but if your next set of tires is going to be a LOT bigger, you can't build the truck for 37s and still expect it to work later on with 42's / 49's / 54s...

You can run 37's on 1/2-Ton axles (barely)...you're at the very limit of what those axles will hold.

1-Tons will support 37's to maybe 42's or 44's...

47's and up require Rockwells (maybe Mogs? :thinking:)


See how your budget is climbing? Guess what....the amount of motor you'll need to spin those gets larger and larger too..... more $$$

If you want to run with the "big boys", you can build a tubed-out buggy with a hot BBC, low gearing, Rockwells and 49s for maybe $25K. If you want to stick with a stock-bodied truck on 37's you can set yourself up VERY nicely on 1-Tons, cage, sliders and even a winch for less than $10K.

Tire size really does set the budget.


:usaflag:
 
Alrighty...plans might have changed...just scored a 1985 Chevy Military CUCV...6.2l d60 14b th400 for $2900..has a newly rebuilt tranny also. I am thinking this shoud be the truck I build insetead of the K5..thoughts?


Ben
 
^^^^^^ Very good advise.

except, you must be referring to a stock D60 on "maybe" hold up to 42's and 44's. A stock 14FF WILL hold up to 44's easy. My upgraded D60 (bobby cv's) DO hold up to 42's. Gets beat on at places like the Hammers without issue.
 
Bone85K5 said:
Alrighty...plans might have changed...just scored a 1985 Chevy Military CUCV...6.2l d60 14b th400 for $2900..has a newly rebuilt tranny also. I am thinking this shoud be the truck I build insetead of the K5..thoughts?


Ben
Click to expand...

step 1: remove the bed and doors. cost=free

step 2: weld in cage. cost=$400 from S&W

step 3: weld rear and lock the front. cost=$400 for a lockright

step 4: cut the front fenders until they just hold the rad support in place. cost=free

step 5: install 4" shackle flip in the rear and a set of 52/56's in the front. cost=$200 for the flip

step 6: install full hydro steering setup cost=$1000-1400

step 7: bolt on your recentered H1 wheels with 42's cost=a lot more then the steering

step 8: go wheeling. value=PRICELESS!

I will never build another one because it would make me realize how much I wasted on the one I have by building it wrong.
 
Great advice!!

1. I got those 37's for such a deal...kinda stuck with them for now...but that doesnt mean I cannt build with "bigger" in mind.

2. The previous owner said there is a detroit locker in the rear already:)


Plan on picking up the new to me pickup this weekend.
 
Yeah CUCV 14 bolts come with detroits. I would build the truck over the k5, maybe bob the bed a little or make a sweet little tube bed and chop the frame off at the shackle hangers
 
You can wheel with the big boys with 37s, Just expect to winch. First purchase should be 35spline outer stub shafts and drive flanges. Second purchase should be a winch... Think Warn or Ramsey... not "are we there yet" aka Mile Marker. Then you need to think about cage, seats, harness ect. If you need help with any of this stuff I will be glad to point you in the right direction.
gabe

Ps. This is what I wheel so if you see me stop me and say hi, Or come on over to www.offcamber4wd.org I am gabe.k5

k51.jpg
 
if you where wanting to sell those 37s for bigger i would gladly take them off your hands in july when i get back from ocs. if they fit a 15 " rim
 
hmm well in July depending on money the right price for the tires might make buying rims a good deal.
 
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