Functional, yet inexpensive mod's - List

[reddog64]

what are some of the functional yet inexpensive mod's you've done? I'm not talking bottom of the barrel cheap, yet, what have you done using common parts to better your k5's ability? Things like the f-150 springs, make your own rear shackles, ford windstar fan mod etc...
Things the every day person with basic tools and a few good local parts yards can do...

All my mods were on my last K5 so i'm starting all over...

 

[Stomis]

PVC snorkel - PVC pipe plus an 80's camaro intake

Extended breathers on the diffs/tranny/tcase. Keep the water out.

I'd like to here some more. I heard something about doing a shackle flip with the stocker brackets by flipping them and switching them.

 

[reddog64]

great idea... i never hear of using the camaro intake!

It would be nice to see a big list of easy cheap mods!

 

[NorCalKid]

swapping in a XJ steering shaft does wonders for steering slop and are only about 10$ at a junkyard

 

[kennyw]

Shackle flip using stock 56" rear springs and stock rear spring front hanger. You can also use the stock shackle but I opted for the 7" long DIY4X shackle at ~$70.

 

[mr250twostroke]

Heres a easy one thats not so much performance. It will help you and your passengers see much better at night though. Also gets rid of that little rect. burnt yellow cracked lense. Cheap and all over junkyards. Light cutting required. Mines out of an older eclipse (got the seats too).
Great thread, subscribed,
Dustin

 

[reddog64]

Almost forgot...
The ford starter relay mod!

Uses a ford remote starter relay to keep your's up and out of the way of mud/water/oil etc...

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

PVC snorkel - PVC pipe plus an 80's camaro intake

Extended breathers on the diffs/tranny/tcase. Keep the water out.

I'd like to here some more. I heard something about doing a shackle flip with the stocker brackets by flipping them and switching them.

If you are considering a snorkel on your rig, realize that everything electrical that may touch water needs to be sealed. This requires WAY more effort than just putting a PVC snorkel on your intake.

Turning the stock air cleaner upside down made a big difference for me.

Welding the spider gears is practically free if you have a welder (though it can be hard on tires)

You can do a shackle flip with the stock bracket (for next to nothing) if you reinforce it correctly. Search on here and/or post up pics of what you are doing to make sure its safe.

 

[Stomis]

Yeah I realise that about the electrical but it also is for alot of splish splash protection.

 

[kennyw]

You can do a shackle flip with the stock bracket (for next to nothing) if you reinforce it correctly.

It may be cheap, but its not a very good mod. Shackle angle sucks with that meathod.

 

[Stomis]

You can always move the brackets forward/back to fix the angle.

 

[kennyw]

Not with cutting a hole in the bottom of the stock bracket... you don't have enough room for the shackle to move compared to the meathod I posted pic up above. Plus if your going to go thru that much work why use an inferior design?

 

[habitatxskate]

transmission temperature gauge and transmission cooler since big tires put a strain on it and you can always check vitals. i like to have a few gauges to show the vitals like i said.

 

[buefchris]

Ford F250 shock towers in the front, [ If your running a soft top] switching out the tailgate for a truck tailgate, saves about 50lbs.......thats all I can thinkof right now.

 

[3/4 Ton Blazer]

If it hasn't already been mentioned: Remove the front sway bar. I have noticed virtually no on-road ill-effects, yet it greatly improved my front articulation.

 

[Drey]

i tore up the carpet and sound deadener in my K10 and put down some bedliner. Couldnt of been happier with the results.

Also if you have a crappy headliner just pull it out. The top of ur cab will have some nice painted sheetmetal if someone didnt screw peices of wood tothe cab to hold the head liner up like on my...freakin Previous Owners

 

[AZ79K5Project]

Rewired the headlights with relays and then new brighter headlights. HUGE difference. If you have a welder, making brackets and lockable carriers/racks for ammo boxes, tool boxes and hi-lift jack. Less likely to get stolen with the top off.

 

[AZ79K5Project]

Here's a tool mod for free. I got tired of trying to replicate the cuts for a couple of tool racks I built for the truck. This is a free way to get the exact length cut over and over...

4x4 block of wood
2 small 90 degree brackets
small piece of wood for the stop

 

[79BRUISER]

I am going to use the chop saw idea tomorrow. Thanks.

 

[pennsylvaniaboy]

It may be cheap, but its not a very good mod. Shackle angle sucks with that meathod.

yeh if you make it that way....