The purpose of this post is more to solicit advice than anything else (at this point). I will keep it updated though with pics etc.
In the mid 90s I bought a 75 k5 and put it away in 2008. I just got it out of storage in April got it running and in the last two weeks had the tires stolen. Super Swamper TSl 38x14.5
Last year my family and I moved to a farm on the Arkansas Missouri Oklahoma border. the truck will be a truck farm. We live on the Ozark Mountains' Springfield Plateau in a holler. My land is mostly woods and almost all hill (different directions lots of hills). The truck will be mostly for the next couple years in the woods cutting deadfall and clearing drive paths by all my fence lines, fixing fence, etc.
I've researched the below for a long time and come up with conflicting information a lot and sometimes no answers. Any advice is appreciated.
1. Tires and Wheels
I had 38x14.5 super swamper tsl and black wagon wheel rims on it.
I am going to replace them with something very similar. I think I got the tires cheap last time because of the odd size (14.5). I probably need to get something a little more standard this time like 15s. Any comment?
Any advice on where to buy?
2. Soft Top
After the hard top being off for several years it warped. I was planning on putting it on this winter and periodically tightening it with c clamps until it fit better (its not a real bad fit now) but also was planning on getting a soft top for it which I think doesnt leave the ahrd top as an option.
(Has anyone made a hardtop option for our trucks that doesnt weigh a ton?)
The last I looked there was only an option or two for softops. One was in jc whitney which I cant find now. But they both required the ribs to stay on the bed even when the top was off I think. Is this right?
((Not good in the woods)
I had a bikini top made that was great until it rotted and will probably get another one made unless the soft top ones out have a bikini. The last I looked the tops could be converted to bikini, or no overhead but top over the bed, or all over or all down.
Ive searched this through the years and Ive seen where people ask about Soft tops but companies come and go and if anyone wants to update the latest on soft top availability here I would appreciate it.
3. Seats
I think the seats in it now are old firebird seats. They are mold sponges now. I am planning on getting these original high back poly seats from hunsaker.
http://hunsakerusa.com/c-366499-seats-polybucket-seats-original-hi-back.html
I have a swivel base for a captains chair out of a van, I'd like to fab a quick release for and put in the passenger rear of the bed and also a bench for the back for my workers. Ive seen jeep rear benches that had storage under the seat I assume those (or any ) can be welded to fit with quick release slides.
Any comments on the above seat ideas?
4. Bumper
I would like to build a ranch hand type (step in ) front bumper possibly with a cotter pin held folding platform for a big tool box or trunk (like a lot of the original HMMWVs used to have). And a place for a winch. And maybe a big pipe rear bumper and seal it in with an air valve so I can have some compressed air.
Something like this must have been done many times before. Has anyone blueprints or seen them anywhere?
5. Step /side tube
Why do some prefer one over the other? A step has less area to bump into something?
6 Doors -
I need to convert the ones on it to quick release like the how to on the colorado k5 website. But I would also like some tube doors made.
misc
The rocker panels are rusted out and it really needs new floorboards. Now it has some metal squares a previous owner had welded in but other than that its in good shape.
I realize it may be more cost effective to buy a ranch hand bumper and modify and maybe some of the other things above.
I know who stole the tires. I am out on bail for attempted murder right now and so my options for dealing with him are limited at the moment. My plan is to offer him a repayment plan of twice what he stole from me. Some of that I will take in the form of labor/parts for the above stuff. He is reputed to be an excellent welder. He's also an excellent mechanic.
So thanks for any ideas.
In the mid 90s I bought a 75 k5 and put it away in 2008. I just got it out of storage in April got it running and in the last two weeks had the tires stolen. Super Swamper TSl 38x14.5
Last year my family and I moved to a farm on the Arkansas Missouri Oklahoma border. the truck will be a truck farm. We live on the Ozark Mountains' Springfield Plateau in a holler. My land is mostly woods and almost all hill (different directions lots of hills). The truck will be mostly for the next couple years in the woods cutting deadfall and clearing drive paths by all my fence lines, fixing fence, etc.
I've researched the below for a long time and come up with conflicting information a lot and sometimes no answers. Any advice is appreciated.
1. Tires and Wheels
I had 38x14.5 super swamper tsl and black wagon wheel rims on it.
I am going to replace them with something very similar. I think I got the tires cheap last time because of the odd size (14.5). I probably need to get something a little more standard this time like 15s. Any comment?
Any advice on where to buy?
2. Soft Top
After the hard top being off for several years it warped. I was planning on putting it on this winter and periodically tightening it with c clamps until it fit better (its not a real bad fit now) but also was planning on getting a soft top for it which I think doesnt leave the ahrd top as an option.
(Has anyone made a hardtop option for our trucks that doesnt weigh a ton?)
The last I looked there was only an option or two for softops. One was in jc whitney which I cant find now. But they both required the ribs to stay on the bed even when the top was off I think. Is this right?
((Not good in the woods)
I had a bikini top made that was great until it rotted and will probably get another one made unless the soft top ones out have a bikini. The last I looked the tops could be converted to bikini, or no overhead but top over the bed, or all over or all down.
Ive searched this through the years and Ive seen where people ask about Soft tops but companies come and go and if anyone wants to update the latest on soft top availability here I would appreciate it.
3. Seats
I think the seats in it now are old firebird seats. They are mold sponges now. I am planning on getting these original high back poly seats from hunsaker.
http://hunsakerusa.com/c-366499-seats-polybucket-seats-original-hi-back.html
I have a swivel base for a captains chair out of a van, I'd like to fab a quick release for and put in the passenger rear of the bed and also a bench for the back for my workers. Ive seen jeep rear benches that had storage under the seat I assume those (or any ) can be welded to fit with quick release slides.
Any comments on the above seat ideas?
4. Bumper
I would like to build a ranch hand type (step in ) front bumper possibly with a cotter pin held folding platform for a big tool box or trunk (like a lot of the original HMMWVs used to have). And a place for a winch. And maybe a big pipe rear bumper and seal it in with an air valve so I can have some compressed air.
Something like this must have been done many times before. Has anyone blueprints or seen them anywhere?
5. Step /side tube
Why do some prefer one over the other? A step has less area to bump into something?
6 Doors -
I need to convert the ones on it to quick release like the how to on the colorado k5 website. But I would also like some tube doors made.
misc
The rocker panels are rusted out and it really needs new floorboards. Now it has some metal squares a previous owner had welded in but other than that its in good shape.
I realize it may be more cost effective to buy a ranch hand bumper and modify and maybe some of the other things above.
I know who stole the tires. I am out on bail for attempted murder right now and so my options for dealing with him are limited at the moment. My plan is to offer him a repayment plan of twice what he stole from me. Some of that I will take in the form of labor/parts for the above stuff. He is reputed to be an excellent welder. He's also an excellent mechanic.
So thanks for any ideas.
