Hammer's K5 rebirth!

[hammermachine]

Yesterday began the complete rebuild/Resurrection/restoration of my K5. I transported the truck down to a mechanic I trust to fix the smoking engine, and jacked up suspension. This was a major step for me, a massive investment of cash and commitment to this truck. But like many here we are all infected by these old vehicles. Day by day they are becoming rarer and rarer. So I also decided once the work is done I will retire the truck from off road beater to asphalt driver. I will post the rebuild as it goes. Oh by the way I have little mechanic skills and some sheet metal know how so bear with me. Thanks.

 

[PhredzK512]

Hey Hammer; my 87 K5 Silverado is pretty much in the same situation,...I figure the only way I can get my money back on it is to invest abit more into it than I initially planned. So, first the tranny has to be redone some, a 6" lift for 35's and nice wheels and a paint job,...there isn't too much to mess with in body work so I figure it'll be worth the investment. The stock 350 could be changed out to something beefier...now that I know how much that costed me in a engine swap on my other K5. But good luck...n wish me luck too.

 

[hammermachine]

K5

Yeah its kinda crazy. If you don't have skills or a place to work on it you have to farm the work out. The guy whose doing the engine work is a real gearhead and loves small blocks. I have a good idea of what I plan on doing to the truck once I get her back.

1) replacement of worn out roof gasket
2) repair/replace rot and Gopher holes in the floor and bed.
3) rust coat and rubber coat the underbody
4) rubbercoat the interior and get a new carpet
5) either newer seats or replace "80's" era seat covers


More to come...

 

[Deuling]

Subscribed. I love a rig that will be brought back to life to not be banged up to $hit

 

[hammermachine]

Progress

I stopped by my mechanic's today to see how far he's gotten. Which includes new tires (old were dry rotted), and Moog parts.

 

[swettysblazer]

Lookin good man!

 

[hammermachine]

Saturday

Small update on the truck's progress. Knew parts arrived, Hooker headers, upgraded cam shaft, and other show parts. The engine is out and once everything is cleaned, rebuilt and replaced it will be better than it ever was.

 

[y5mgisi]

Subscribed.

 

[hammermachine]

New pic

My mechanic sent me this pic!

 

[hammermachine]

Its almost done

Stopped by to get a friend's tire replaced. Saw my rebuilt engine, new lifters, springs, push rods, upgraded cam shaft, new timing chain, and water pump. A lot of go-fast goodies. Truck bay powerwashed, now just waiting for install. A couple of days ago I ordered a new Lincoln Mig welder. The cheap Firepower I owned feed arm broke so I didn't want to use it for the body work. I will start ordering replacement floor parts once I get the truck back and pull up the carpets. The first order of business will be replacing the worn out rubber roof gasket. Which means removing the top (which I've never done before).

 

[82355]

There are two screws that go into the fiberglass top, from the bottom up, near the rear of the bed rails. Some times people put them back in for some reason. If they are still there, you won't get the top off, and you'll scratch your head trying to figure out why.

Martin

 

[livid4dirt]

Seeing progress being made must have you chomping at the bit, i bet you can't wait to get behind the wheel again. Looking good, hope all turns out good for ya!

 

[hammermachine]

Goodie!

Thanks guys, yeah its really re-sparked my interests in the K5. The last few years were hard and the cash or interest were not there. Look what arrived today!!!! MUMMMMM...MIG!

 

[hammermachine]

Parts

Today I ordered some needed parts. LMC rear bumper and license panel, Goodmark; Bed floor patch,Raybuck auto; One gallon of Zero Rust, and The Rust Store; One gallon Rust converter.

I priced out a fender and passenger door from Rockauto, (the shipping was more than the cost of the parts), so I decided to put that off until I fix the other trouble spots. My K5 took a hit by a angry tree the last time I off roaded her right where the passenger door meets the fender. (Got to outlaw those trees). Its more cosmetic than needed. The other part that was just outrageously priced was the cab floor part under the seats. The lowest I found was $93. I might just have to patch with sheet metal once I pull the carpet. I'll have to wait to see just how jacked up those spots are.

 

[hammermachine]

Parts

I got the LMC bumper, license plate mount, and the cab floor from Goodmark. The other day the Zero Rust and Rust converter arrived. So most of the ordered parts are in. Now I just need the truck back.

 

[hammermachine]

Update!

Oh by the way I lost my job on Monday so this project might hit a wall very soon.

 

[Smokinthehippies]

Looking awesome. I've been wanting to do a clean street blazer lately myself.

 

[Smokinthehippies]

Wow that post was not there when I posted. Hope everything works out

 

[hammermachine]

New pics!

Well the rebuilt engine fired up! I screwed up the video on my Iphone (sorry). I will be picking her up this week and soon start the body work, and repairs (that I can do).

 

[livid4dirt]

Awesome dude getting closer!