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Frame off resto underway - Dial-up beware

Tough call indeed. But i don't think you can beat the snot out of a well built K5 when it comes to back country adventure.

Perhaps continueing forward and finding another for a full resto for DD duties?
Something that is only modified in the drivetrain and electronics relm...

DW
 
AussieK5 said:
Its probably a bit blasphamous to mention this around here, but as the project has taken shape I've become more and more attached to it and really dont want to beat on it when its done. I have a high degree of mechanical sympathy, but hard wear and damage will ultimately be unavoidable.
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I'm exactly the same about mine now it's nearly done. All the work I've done has been angled towards it being used as a trail rig as I have my Ram for DD use, even put a cage in it! But now I'd hate to beat on it too much.
I've got a big wheelin' trip in January which is going to be a bit extreme so we'll see what happens there. If it gets beat up then I guess that's my decission made for me!!:D
 
mr.smartass said:
makes me a little teary eyed just thinking about it, I want to give you a big man hug.
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I don't think that's allowed in the "Man Laws"
 
I think you've got the right idea. I bought my '80 with the intention of wheeling it til it died, but it's just too clean for me to do that with. I plan on doing a resto of sorts, with some improvements (lift, etc.) and then enjoying it wherever I can, from DD duty, to wheeling, to towing. I'll find a worn K5 when I'm ready to build a offroad only machine.
 
exactly what i have planned

bowtiepower00 said:
I think you've got the right idea. I bought my '80 with the intention of wheeling it til it died, but it's just too clean for me to do that with. I plan on doing a resto of sorts, with some improvements (lift, etc.) and then enjoying it wherever I can, from DD duty, to wheeling, to towing. I'll find a worn K5 when I'm ready :doah: to build a offroad only machine.
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i own 2 1980 k-5's that are unmolested, need to be taken apart interior panels cleaned up with some mean green, new carpet put down,new door weatherstripping,window rubber including the windshild and back glass. pressure wash the underside and get it spotless and shoot it with super-thane, paint it, and put it together with new poly bushings and have a super rare chevy, cause the '80 IS A UNIQUE vehicle. the only year both round and rectangular headlights where available! not as rare as a right hand drive tho!!
1st year of silverado package, they got the rectangular lights and all lower ordered packages have the round headlights(identical to a '79), late '79's have the raised bodiy line on the hood from the rib on the hood splitting and 1 runs one way the other runs the other way on the vertical face of the hood, runs out to the edge and turns down.
if you will knowtice '78 doesn't have that, and the '80 is the last year the front end and hood and stuff dips in on the outer edges over the headlights, '81 up flat across the front and they have a cowl!The '80 model was last year that the hood went all the way to the windshield(chevy fixed the problem of the hood bending when you close it)
anyway about it, a cherry '80 is going to be a collector's item almost on pair with the 69 or the 72 or the 73 or 87....the 80 will be there as a key date also!!! ...man i sure wish i could find a super 73 to clean up and tool around in!
 
My '80 is a bare bones Custom Deluxe, but it has the '80 unique square headlights. The PO had it for over 7 years, and he bought it from a friend of his. The truck is practically rust free and original to the best of my knowledge. Maybe the grille has been changed?:confused: I know '80 was the only year where the NP205 was standard. (end hijack...)
 
AussieK5 said:
Its probably a bit blasphamous to mention this around here, but as the project has taken shape I've become more and more attached to it and really dont want to beat on it when its done.....
the alternative being much more of a factory look and feel with its end use not being anywhere near as extreme.

This of course means I get another 4x4 for expedition use in lieu of the K5, a vehicle not as valuable in non-monetary terms to me. The wife agrees :eek1: and is pretty keen to have the K5 'restored' and updated rather than turned into our long range all-terrain camping rig. Some would agree with this, some wont I'm sure. :D
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Join the dark side my son! Welcome main force units to three day angel patrol! Yea one factory one Military and one beater :D Remember the Sheila is right mate! :bow:
 
Its been set in stone now, the K5 will be a litttle less focused towards the outback and a wee bit better to doodle around in....you know stereo, carpets, a nice 383 :D Both the wife and I are in complete agreement.

Tough call indeed. But i don't think you can beat the snot out of a well built K5 when it comes to back country adventure.
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Very true.....the wheelbase, load capacity and power are all fanatastic, but my needs may be a little unique due to the remoteness of our outback. When you get into the real back country you really can travel 1000km in any direction and still be in a bloody great expanse of nuthin. See exhibit A!



Its not always like this though, around the northern coast its tropical and you get plenty of practice pushing through the scrub.

With a different rig we will be better off for the HD longer trips. Even N/A 6.2 will drink a bit too much for serious remote area travel. There are plenty of places that you can only go if you pre-stage fuel caches. I'm going to go with a combination more suited to local environment. Parts supplies are also a consideration for me, there isnt a parts store in Australia that knowingly carries any spares for a diesel K5.

The 79 will still walk the walk, just not as far.:wink1:
 
I have one here in Australia

I am building one here in Australia. I am building it strictly for the street as parts are hard to find here. I have the 400ci in mine. It has been a long build sofar and will be ready in afew months:doah:

I am doing the off chassis resto and have come across chassis problems here. I am looking for a right hand rail and front cross brace as i can get a new steering box here to mount on the original holes keeping the conversion clean, safe and strong, unlike the modifications that were carried out for the conversion by the importers back in the 80's.
 
Ello any updates? Are we there yet????
 
Metro,

Shot you a PM, well actually a long overdue reply to your PM. I'm 'back' into my trucks again so I'll update this thread shortly....though theres not to much to say.

Jas
 
Good to see you again you have lots of people who like what you were doing. Cheers mate!
 
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