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Deployed to Iraq.....

docjake

docjake

1/2 ton status
Joined
Mar 2, 2009
Posts
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Location
Camp Taji Iraq, or Texas
and I just bought a sweet 74 K5. With the buy comes a million questions I should have asked about that model but for the price and the condition I couldn't pass up the offer. I have worked on cars most of my life so I know how to make the SBC work I just have lots of questions about everything behind (and in front) of that.
From what I have read and searched I have 1/2 axles, the seller didn't take pics of them but he said they had never been changed so I will ask about them. That means to upgrade to 3/4 ton I need to change the shafts that come out from the axle and the brakes and the hub? I am also guessing that I have the 10 bolt rear end and to go 3/4 I would have to go to the D44. I have searched and seen a few of these done but I was wondering if anyone could break this down Mr Potato Head style.
From what the old man showed me there is no rust on the under carriage so I was wondering what I should do to keep it that way?
Any other starter advice you could give me? This isn't my first four wheel drive but it is my first solid axle truck so I am trying to learn and search as much as I can any help is appreciated
 
If the axles are stock, it'll be a Dana44 front and GM 12 bolt rear. To upgrade to 3/4ton would require swapping the axles out of a 3/4 ton truck/sub/van, but AFAIK it is a bolt in swap, though normally will require 8lug wheels.

If the underbody is fairly rust-free, cleaning it up and hitting it with some paint will go far in keeping it that way.

Since it's a '74, in my opinion, first thing you should do is take the hardtop off and just drive it, before you start swappin/choppin/grindin on it. period.
 
StevoandaRedK5 said:
If the axles are stock, it'll be a Dana44 front and GM 12 bolt rear. To upgrade to 3/4ton would require swapping the axles out of a 3/4 ton truck/sub/van, but AFAIK it is a bolt in swap, though normally will require 8lug wheels.

If the underbody is fairly rust-free, cleaning it up and hitting it with some paint will go far in keeping it that way.

Since it's a '74, in my opinion, first thing you should do is take the hardtop off and just drive it, before you start swappin/choppin/grindin on it. period.
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I am right at 9000 miles away from the truck you could probably get to it before I do, I won't even be able to sit in the truck until May. I understand the concept of swapping the axles out of a 3/4 ton vehicle but what am I looking for? What will I have to change in my steering to make the bigger axles work?
 
Swapping to the 3/4 ton axles will only require you to replace the u-bolts and get a conversion u-joint for the rear driveshaft to pinion. All the steering stuff is all the same.
 
Muddytazz said:
Swapping to the 3/4 ton axles will only require you to replace the u-bolts and get a conversion u-joint for the rear driveshaft to pinion. All the steering stuff is all the same.
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I see that most people just change to longer spring packs for the flex, if I was to do the spring swap with the people from ORD how much would that set me back?
 
There are a bunch of different options you can go with as far as that goes. Best thing to do would be to call DIY4x or ORD whoever you decided to go with and discuss what you are wanting to do and they'll help you out there.
 
Muddytazz said:
There are a bunch of different options you can go with as far as that goes. Best thing to do would be to call DIY4x or ORD whoever you decided to go with and discuss what you are wanting to do and they'll help you out there.
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Argh I had forgotten how much you miss turning wrenches over here, this is my fourth deployment and I will tell you they get really ****ing old. This place is like the movie ground hogs day without the women or the booze or the dying and coming back the next day...
 
Stay safe over there brother. My little brother is over in Afghanistan right now for his 19th time :eek1:
 
desertrat67 said:
I am a lowly blakhawk pilot with the "other" division. You replaced me. Are you with 2nd or 3rd bat?
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Ahhhh curse you for leaving before it was 130 outside.
How is killeen doing I have yet to have the chance to offroad out there but have heard of ketempcy recently have you ever gone?
Do you know about Sean in lampassas? He runs an amazing shop out there he is very helpful and has an amazing talent. What are you driving? What was your toy you got for yourself when you got back? Where are you looking for work after hood? Oh and I work at 3 batt
 
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Yes, we beat the heat out of there. It got warmer than I wanted before we left, but it wasn't too bad.

Killeen is pretty much the same. A ****hole(it was a ****hole when i was here in 97-99 also).

I went up to Marlin TX with a frined in his old CJ7 and played in the mud a little, but there isn't anything realy "local".

I never made it to Katemcy. I should be closed by now, but there is a park in Marble Fall called Hidden Hills Offroad Park. It is about 75 miles SE of here. I definately want to go there before I PCS again.

My buddy with the CJ goes to Sean and my wife took my Suburban out to him for some wiring and another friend had him build him some bumpers. All of us have been pleased with his work and customer service.

No toys this time. After the next dep.

I drive a 90 Sub on 39.5 Iroks. I need to move the front axle forward a bit(I rub the firewall) and set up my pinion angle, but it is built decent besides that(1 ton stuff, etc,)

The wife wants to go to Europe, so I am going to try to get the non-deployable unit in Germany after my next deployment(at the training center, forget the name).

If you know Jay Williams, tell him Ryan Mullins says hi.
 
Yeah I know Jay, we are in the same company he is really good people. I think that everyone is trying to get the same non d unit out there I wish you the best of luck trying to line that one up. From the way it is looking I will be stuck in the CAV vortex for a while to come:o
 
I am here for at least another two years. All of us that "only" deployed once with 4ID were told we weren't going anywhere.
 
Yeah this is my first go with the Cav, and it is oh so much fun. Right now we have such a tight sop its impossible to do anything. Add that to the fact that no americans can drive anywhere off the FOB its getting unsafe quick
 
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