What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

Help with a budget.

I would agree with others. Running numbers in my head, $20k seems like a good number doing the work yourself.
 
Bent77 said:
I always tell people to add 20-30% to what you actually price out.

Eventually the dumb things add up that weren’t on that list. It’s been a consistent number for inflation in most of my builds
Click to expand...
I always say just double it cause that’s what happened to me. I thought I was going to get mine running driving for 10k :rotfl:
 
Chop a burb and add the k5 topper. You dont want the factory k5 tail gate any way.
Ls3 with driver drop trans and tcase. Ford stuipid duty D60, cheaper than chevy option.
Go straight to coils in the front.
If you are going to crawl big steps a doubler and twin/triple stick should be planned for.
If you decide to latter you'll need to do drive shafts again.
You might be able to fab up a 60/40 front bench and still have pass seat tilt up forcrear passenger access.
 
Yeah as someone who that camps out of a K5 there’s no effing way I could carry 4 small kids, spouse and all the gear needed in one.

I’ve got a 4 wheel pop up camper and it’s suited for two at the most. With all the gear it’s overweight for sure.

Which gets me back to the original question of 6 in a K5 for camping. Ideally you’d put a bench up front and three kiddos in the back seat. Leaving the back cargo area open for gear storage. Even then when I think of the gear needed that cargo area is going to fill up quick. Family size tent, sleeping pads and bags for 6, cooler, camp stove, cooking gear, duffle bags for clothes, other camp gear, tools, etc is going to fill the area. Adding a roof rack while increasing the cargo capacity it’s also adding weight as high as you can get. Which speaking from experience makes things VERY interesting as you get into steep climbs and off camber stuff.

I’ve done a lot to keep my weight as low as possible, but it’s still got a heavy rear bias and as such it has a tendency to to wheelie on really steep climbs. It’s something to factor into your plan to spread it out but on a short wheelbase K5 it’s very hard to overcome. That’s where a suburban wheelbase shines you’ve spread out the load over a longer setup.


And as others have noted, the 4 kiddos are only going to be small for so long. It’s going to get almost impossible to squeeze all 6 of you in there without 100% cooperation from the kids. All parents can predict the madness that could turn into. “Stop touching me!” Along with fighting. This where you really have to take a hard look, short term and long term. You want to do it right one time. Why go through process on a blazer and then have to move to a larger burb later when the kids get bigger?

I’d try and go through a mental checklist of gear you would bring on a camping run and see how you can stash the gear and still fit the kiddos.
 
ZooMad75 said:
Yeah as someone who that camps out of a K5 there’s no effing way I could carry 4 small kids, spouse and all the gear needed in one.

I’ve got a 4 wheel pop up camper and it’s suited for two at the most. With all the gear it’s overweight for sure.

Which gets me back to the original question of 6 in a K5 for camping. Ideally you’d put a bench up front and three kiddos in the back seat. Leaving the back cargo area open for gear storage. Even then when I think of the gear needed that cargo area is going to fill up quick. Family size tent, sleeping pads and bags for 6, cooler, camp stove, cooking gear, duffle bags for clothes, other camp gear, tools, etc is going to fill the area. Adding a roof rack while increasing the cargo capacity it’s also adding weight as high as you can get. Which speaking from experience makes things VERY interesting as you get into steep climbs and off camber stuff.

I’ve done a lot to keep my weight as low as possible, but it’s still got a heavy rear bias and as such it has a tendency to to wheelie on really steep climbs. It’s something to factor into your plan to spread it out but on a short wheelbase K5 it’s very hard to overcome. That’s where a suburban wheelbase shines you’ve spread out the load over a longer setup.


And as others have noted, the 4 kiddos are only going to be small for so long. It’s going to get almost impossible to squeeze all 6 of you in there without 100% cooperation from the kids. All parents can predict the madness that could turn into. “Stop touching me!” Along with fighting. This where you really have to take a hard look, short term and long term. You want to do it right one time. Why go through process on a blazer and then have to move to a larger burb later when the kids get bigger?

I’d try and go through a mental checklist of gear you would bring on a camping run and see how you can stash the gear and still fit the kiddos.
Click to expand...
All great points to consider, which is exactly why I'm here. I'm a planner, and as you said, do it right once is my aim. I'm leaning towards keeping the trunk open for gear and keeping a roof rack as a back up. I lose the console, but get to snuggle. Camping will certainly be different, but it will be a New method (we Glamp, snow, backpack with hammocks, tent, we even camp off dirtbikes!) I just had a thought. I could do a removeable rack. So when we go camping we have more cargo space, and remove it for more serious wheeling.
We got in an '85 today to see how we all fit and I'm very encouraged!
 
You could always build a matching trailer out of pickup bed. Use that to transport camping gear and what not. Get to the camp site and unhook it and go wheel

Like this:
bringatrailer.com

No Reserve: 1983 Chevrolet K5 Blazer Silverado Diesel 4x4 w/Trailer

Bid for the chance to own a No Reserve: 1983 Chevrolet K5 Blazer Silverado Diesel 4×4 w/Trailer at auction with Bring a Trailer, the home of the best vintage and classic cars online. Lot #160,041.
bringatrailer.com bringatrailer.com

IMG_8670.jpeg
 
I know a guy who just picked up a crew cab dually mmmmm.
 
Wes Harden said:
Chop a burb and add the k5 topper. You dont want the factory k5 tail gate any way.
Ls3 with driver drop trans and tcase. Ford stuipid duty D60, cheaper than chevy option.
Go straight to coils in the front.
If you are going to crawl big steps a doubler and twin/triple stick should be planned for.
If you decide to latter you'll need to do drive shafts again.
You might be able to fab up a 60/40 front bench and still have pass seat tilt up forcrear passenger access.
Click to expand...
So there's a coilover option with K5's?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom