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*** Dream Truck Now Sitting In My Driveway - Yeah Buddy :) ***

If that is really all original, don’t mess with it. Maybe new shocks and leafs for better ride but yeah, I wouldn’t go about making a monster truck or anything like that....
no lift , nothing. Keep it as is.

skip the mechanic, you’ll go broke. Your best bet is use that money for tools and do it yourself. The people here know these vehicles inside and out.

Im in AZ as well, over in Gilbert.
 
dgillette.az said:
Honestly.... haven't thought that far ahead yet. I'm a pretty minimal guy so couldn't see myself doing anything too dramatic but for sure a bit of a lift... maybe a couple "'s, bigger tires, possible fuel injection but don't know enough about whether or not it would be worth it. For sure some safety features like discussed in the safety thread like a cage etc.... Thanks man
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I would only go 2-3" on lift. you can get some 33-10.50R15s so you could still run the rally wheels. fuel injection is nice but not necessary. the CK5 group has a run called Blazer Bash every year. there is a guy @500$k5 that runs minimal lift with 33s and goes with the big rigs. pretty impressive. although as clean as yours is you might want to think twice about going and potentially scratching it or denting it.
 
I was looking at the pics earlier on my phone, but now on my laptop. I noticed something. Nothing major. The engine looks to have been swapped out from a van. The dipstick reaching almost to the radiator and the power steering reservoir is the giveaway.

I also agree with what else has been suggested. It's going to get expensive to farm out doing all the work that needs to be done. You can learn as you go for sure. Nothing wrong with getting a pro to check it out to be sure, but these trucks are really simple to work on. Even more basic than the Toyota you used to have. Plus you got lots of help from the guys here. If you are unsure about something, chances are one of us have been through it and can help you out.
 
I think from looking that the motor is out of a van, from all the extended dipsticks and the reservoir for power steering. Might have a 2" lift from the amount of wheel clearance. Pictures of the front axle would verify.
 
ZooMad75 said:
The engine looks to have been swapped out from a van. The dipstick reaching almost to the radiator and the power steering reservoir is the giveaway.
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frankin5 said:
I think from looking that the motor is out of a van, from all the extended dipsticks and the reservoir for power steering.
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looks like whoever put the van motor in thought the steering wheel might as well go along with it also.
 
frankin5 said:
I think from looking that the motor is out of a van, from all the extended dipsticks and the reservoir for power steering. Might have a 2" lift from the amount of wheel clearance. Pictures of the front axle would verify.
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Oh really.... a van huh. Didn’t know they put 350’s in vans that’s awesome

I’ll take a pic of the front axle
 
ZooMad75 said:
I was looking at the pics earlier on my phone, but now on my laptop. I noticed something. Nothing major. The engine looks to have been swapped out from a van. The dipstick reaching almost to the radiator and the power steering reservoir is the giveaway.

I also agree with what else has been suggested. It's going to get expensive to farm out doing all the work that needs to be done. You can learn as you go for sure. Nothing wrong with getting a pro to check it out to be sure, but these trucks are really simple to work on. Even more basic than the Toyota you used to have. Plus you got lots of help from the guys here. If you are unsure about something, chances are one of us have been through it and can help you out.
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Hey thanks man! So is it ok to keep that Van motor in? Did they make 350’s for vans?

Really appreciate the support. I feel like I can do the work myself. I have the basic foundation and tools. And everything is so much more accessible. Prob run into some snags but sounds like that’s what the support here is for. So awesome
 
TJ1978 said:
If that is really all original, don’t mess with it. Maybe new shocks and leafs for better ride but yeah, I wouldn’t go about making a monster truck or anything like that....
no lift , nothing. Keep it as is.

skip the mechanic, you’ll go broke. Your best bet is use that money for tools and do it yourself. The people here know these vehicles inside and out.

Im in AZ as well, over in Gilbert.
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Thanks man appreciate it! Oh yeah ur right down the street. We’re in QC. What kind of Blazer do you have? I’m capable and def motivated to work on this machine myself. Can’t wait actually. Eager to get a list though from a real mechanic to see what he’d recommend. He’s my buddy so will give it to me straight
 
dgillette.az said:
Hey thanks man! So is it ok to keep that Van motor in? Did they make 350’s for vans?

Really appreciate the support. I feel like I can do the work myself. I have the basic foundation and tools. And everything is so much more accessible. Prob run into some snags but sounds like that’s what the support here is for. So awesome
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They put 350's in everything. The only difference is what I pointed out. A 350 is the same in a van or truck. The van engine just gets some different items due to the cramped engine bay and lack of accessibility.
 
dgillette.az said:
Thanks man appreciate it! Oh yeah ur right down the street. We’re in QC. What kind of Blazer do you have? I’m capable and def motivated to work on this machine myself. Can’t wait actually. Eager to get a list though from a real mechanic to see what he’d recommend. He’s my buddy so will give it to me straight
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1978 k5... I’d post a pic but don’t want to hijack your thread.
Once you’re situated with the Blazer we should meet up or something...
I’m by Power and Germann
 
TJ1978 said:
1978 k5... I’d post a pic but don’t want to hijack your thread.
Once you’re situated with the Blazer we should meet up or something...
I’m by Power and Germann
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Ha ha... no worries at all. Would love to see it. Yeah man for sure let’s do it. Power & chandler heights. Right up the street
 
Looks like a good truck! 8-20k is The going rate for in very good condition K5s Depending on the state. Southwest seems to fetch higher prices. Here in Cali, you can add 3-6k just for anything Smog exempt lol.

Enjoy! They're very easy to wrench on. They were one of the last vehicles designed for owner maintenance. Most anything can be fixed at home with simple tools and a manual.
 
Bigb55 said:
Looks like a good truck! 8-20k is The going rate for in very good condition K5s Depending on the state. Southwest seems to fetch higher prices. Here in Cali, you can add 3-6k just for anything Smog exempt lol.

Enjoy! They're very easy to wrench on. They were one of the last vehicles designed for owner maintenance. Most anything can be fixed at home with simple tools and a manual.
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Awesome thanks man!

yeah it seems like everything is really accessible which is gonna be a breath of fresh air. It’s gonna be a fun ride. Take Care brother
 
ZooMad75 said:
Looks clean for sure. As much as I hate to admit it, what you paid is the going rate for clean unmolested K5 is getting now.

Looks like it's got an aftermarket intake on it, valve covers are orange. Tells me someone might have been through the engine or swapped in a crate engine. Hard to tell.

I'd get the feeling from your mechanic how it checks out for the safety items. Steering, suspension, brakes, tires. Get a state of health on the engine/trans and fluid checks on the diffs and t-case.

From that point you should have a pretty good idea of what needs to come next. Once all the safety and maintenance items are caught up then it would be the right time to look into the upgrades. Lift/tires, ect. Be cautious though. It's a mighty deep rabbit hole to go down.

Getting bigger tires looks cool but how big you go will dictate other required mods. Might need gearing, bigger lift or cutting sheet metal to fit. Then more items will follow because of those modifications. All our trucks started out stock in the beginning, but most of them around here are far from stock.

I'd drive it once you get it mechanically sound. Figure out what YOU want to do with it. Then look at what needs to be done to suit the purpose.
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dgillette.az said:
Wow incredible feedback thank you man

used to have the 305.... the previous owner dropped in the 350. Repainted exterior a few years back “which is a bit busted but works for now” and interior is newer.

the way my brain works. I love seeing original stock parts. Somethin about it!

Completely agree! Going to start off by getting caught up on all the must needs off the bat, to keep her goin strong. Then go from there

I’ve driven her about 20 miles so far. Other than the RPM’s heading below 3 when idle .... and me needing to just add a pinch of gas so it doesn’t stall.... everything is great
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I'm betting based on the valve covers and the badge on the passenger dash it was a "Corevette" 350.

In your shoes I would run 32" tires, ARB lockers in both axles, Doubler or Magnum transfercase, winch, EFI, and call it good. No body mods and no suspension lift. The most lift I would consider is maybe a 1" body lift so you could clear 33" tires and it gives you little extra room around the bell housing area of the engine/trans/distributor. Kinda modeled after @500$k5's K5. He can do some pretty impressive stuff in his K5 on the trail rides I've done with him.

But it's your truck, do with it whatever makes you happy. That's what really matters. :thumb:
 
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