Expeditionary CUCV.....Now with FWC Blazer Pop-Up and a 2nd project, Colonel Mustard.

[ZooMad75]

I skipped over the fact you got it for free. That's impossible to do anymore. Glad you are saving it and putting it back to being used.

Your GF will like the fact that camping won't mean sleeping on the ground. Having a furnace when the temps drop is great.

If you have any questions about the camper Ron and I have both been through ours pretty well. Just ask.

While you got it off, plan on getting another factory Blazer top to cut the front part of it off. You'll want it to make the connection to the truck more secure. Plus it won't leak there like it would without it.

 

[0331King]

If you have any questions about the camper Ron and I have both been through ours pretty well. Just ask.

While you got it off, plan on getting another factory Blazer top to cut the front part of it off. You'll want it to make the connection to the truck more secure. Plus it won't leak there like it would without it.

I have read your build multiple times getting ready for this. I appreciate how detailed you were with it and wish that i could do the same.

I actually went out and got a spare top. My junk yard guy is about as quirky as you can get. I was in my ‘09 one day and asked if he had a top like mine in his junk yard, to which he said nope sure don’t. I saw him a few days ago and asked if he knew of any place that might have a top. He says, I got 3 but ain’t none of them like yours. All the ones I got have the sliding side windows. I was like son of a bitc........

Thanks for the offer on the help. I’ll probably need some coaching and guidance before I cut my solid window top up. It may be a bit as he is doing this in his spare time.

 

[ZooMad75]

I have read your build multiple times getting ready for this. I appreciate how detailed you were with it and wish that i could do the same.

I actually went out and got a spare top. My junk yard guy is about as quirky as you can get. I was in my ‘09 one day and asked if he had a top like mine in his junk yard, to which he said nope sure don’t. I saw him a few days ago and asked if he knew of any place that might have a top. He says, I got 3 but ain’t none of them like yours. All the ones I got have the sliding side windows. I was like son of a bitc........

Thanks for the offer on the help. I’ll probably need some coaching and guidance before I cut my solid window top up. It may be a bit as he is doing this in his spare time.

Hit me up when you get to the point. I'll be going through the process again next weekend on my buddy's FWC we picked up last month. @Capt Ron found a top to chop up for us. I'll be taking more shots of the process.

 

[0331King]

Having no good common sense and not being able to pass up a good deal when I see one I recently acquired this..... I found this on market place for a good but firm price. It’s an 82 w/ 90 front end, 14blt/Detroit, D60/ARB, ORD springs all around and a full assortment ORD goodies. 350 bored 40 with a baffled oil pan, Holley Truck Avenger and soft top.

Built not bought and all that aside even Stephen Watson has said finding a rig already started can save you alot of money........and it did.

 

[0331King]

My first outing with The Colonel proved a headache.
First the power steering pump straight failed, as in locked up. Having no phone service and being quite a distance from a paved road, I said to hell with it and drove it out with muscle and anger assisted steering.
Being unable to find a helping hand at the hour I made it to pavement I said to hell with it again and drive it home. As I pulled into my drive way I lost the ability to turn left. Oh well.

 

[0331King]

So I set to work fixing some issues.

First a new power steering pump modded to West Texas specs, new lines, a cooler, Redhead gear box and a steering shaft from a Chevy Express van.

 

[0331King]

Since I was turning wrenches anyway I decided to throw on the Bilstein shocks I had in storage along with a ORD rear shock bracing kit. I also called up ORD and got a Bilstein steering stabilizer and some new extended brake lines(not pictured)

Because the everything else was basically new I had the original steering column rebuilt by T&M Steering Column Repair in Nashville. Mike fit me in and rebuilt it while I watched. I can’t say enough about his work.

I also took this time to get the brake lights and turn signals working and tidy up some brake plumbing and wiring.

 

[0331King]

I also got some updates from my carpenter friend. Work on the camper has been slow but he is methodical. He asked me early on if I wanted quick or on his time. When I asked what the difference was he replied “On my time will cost you a couple hundred dollars max. Quick will cost you several hundred dollars minimum.”

 

[82355]

So what are you doing with the M1009?

Martin

 

[rderosier]

I'm seeing double

88 K5 Build - Colonel Mustard

Taylormade submitted a new Build: 88 K5 Build - The CAT (Cage Work Update) I am finally working the blazer again, just finished up my 6 years of service. Time to start the build. The plan for now is to throw, 1 ton axles under there then see just see what happens from there, I just need...

ck5.com

 

[0331King]

So what are you doing with the M1009?

Martin

It’s in the queue. I’ve got a passel of parts in storage. I’ve just been so swamped at work with OT details and other issues I haven’t been able to get it built. Not having an actual work space for the level of work I need to do is also a problem.

 

[ZooMad75]

Looks like a good buy.

Now the question is, which one is getting the camper?

 

[0331King]

Looks like a good buy.

Now the question is, which one is getting the camper?

Probably the CUCV. I’m a little iffy about the camper with a 6in lift. The CUCV is getting an ORD 4in and is pristine to boot and I’m looking at the camper as a long term investment. I won’t have to figure out why some thing is done some such way if I’m the builder.

 

[0331King]

I'm seeing double

88 K5 Build - Colonel Mustard

Taylormade submitted a new Build: 88 K5 Build - The CAT (Cage Work Update) I am finally working the blazer again, just finished up my 6 years of service. Time to start the build. The plan for now is to throw, 1 ton axles under there then see just see what happens from there, I just need...

ck5.com

When I bought the truck the previous owner told me his daughter named it that. When my GFs kid saw it she immediately said we should call it Colonel Mustard.

 

[ZooMad75]

Probably the CUCV. I’m a little iffy about the camper with a 6in lift. The CUCV is getting an ORD 4in and is pristine to boot and I’m looking at the camper as a long term investment. I won’t have to figure out why some thing is done some such way if I’m the builder.

4" is about as far I want to go with mine so I get you there. It's pretty steady on road and off. I'm cautious on the off camber stuff for sure but the way mine is it don't feel too different than mine was without the camper. I try to keep all the heavy stuff low to help the cg as much as I can.

 

[0331King]

Nothing much new to add. Got the ORD shock brace in and the brake lines replumbed.

 

[0331King]

Well for those that care I’m back. The last year has been an absolute train wreck. Working 3 jobs to pay for my GF of 6yrs medical school only to have her leave 10days after making the final tuition payment. That stung.
“But life has a way of making the foreseeable that which never happens, and the unforeseeable that which your life becomes……” Everett Hitch

Also during this time, while she and I were still together, we were on our way home from recovering some poor misguided overlanders when tragedy almost struck. The rod end on the crossover steering arm separated from the gear box. I know for a fact this was tightened and cotter pinned when I installed the Redhead box. I took it to an alignment shop immediately after and 2 weeks later of constant driving it happened. We crossed the median of a 4 lane divided highway in a near side was skid and hit a guard rail. I honestly think the only reason it didn’t roll was the amount of flex and articulation the ORD springs had. If that makes any sense. So it’s gone. Sold at a MASSIVE loss because I’m tired of messing with it.

My carpenter friend had a heat related cardiac issue that put him down all summer as well. He just started getting back on his feet in the late fall. All of this to say I dropped the CUCV off to yesterday and will be putting the camper on it this weekend. Hopefully he gan get the interior done in a few weeks.

 

[ZooMad75]

Damn dude. Sucks on multiple levels. My life took a major turn too, but I'm a lot better coming out the other side.

At least you survived the wreck ok, and you had a solid back up K5 laying in wait. Good to hear the camper is on track to install this weekend. Get pics!!