Holy cow...Pickens has a build thread!

[jonrpick]

Yep...finally. I don't know how long it's going to take, or where it will lead. But I figure I'll get in on the build thread action too.

So yesterday I got the K5 home after a year of it sitting in TN. Today I started pulling all the crap out of it and removed the rear seat and spare tire. I then pulled up the rear rubber floor mat and insulation to see what the damage was. I didn't suspect very much. I was wrong...

So here it is...

Back seat and spare tire removed...

Here you can see a little rust poking through... No idea when that got there.



Here's where it starts getting bad...

...and this is the front edge of the rear floor...



So... I'm not sure which way to proceed. My plan was simple, replace or rebuild the rear axle, regear the front, replace the t-case and cam and DD for a while. But now with the rust, I'm not so sure.

Should I go ahead and replace the floor while the rear axle and gas tank is out? (From full to empty is like 16-18 gallons, so I assume the sending unit needs to be replaced, plus I don't want to weld while it's in there)

Mostly, I learn by doing. But is mig-welding something I should leave to a pro, or at least someone with more experience?

I have yet to remove the front seat and pull up the mat to see if it's equally bad up there. Something tells me it will be. I do realize that it could be much worse, and I've seen it. It's just not something I was expecting to tackle on my own truck.

I anxiously await input from you all!

 

[Chevy305]

Don't be intimedated by a little rust...

Also I can guarentee you that behind your rocker panels is a total mess... Although it hasn't shown through yet.

 

[jonrpick]

Don't be intimedated by a little rust...

Also I can guarentee you that behind your rocker panels is a total mess... Although it hasn't shown through yet.

I was afraid someone would say that

I just need to figure the best way to approach it, that is, whether to attempt it myself or "seek professional help"

 

[jonrpick]

Don't be intimedated by a little rust...

Also I can guarentee you that behind your rocker panels is a total mess... Although it hasn't shown through yet.

If I had the means to transport it to GA, I'd just get this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Full-Size-Blazer-Jimmy-Body-Tub-RUST-FREE-From-Texas_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33649QQihZ005QQitemZ150144527414QQrdZ1

By the way, I see you fought the cancer as well...and won! Nice job. I'm already looking for a welder.

 

[Chevy305]

If I had the means to transport it to GA, I'd just get this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Full-Size-Blazer-Jimmy-Body-Tub-RUST-FREE-From-Texas_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33649QQihZ005QQitemZ150144527414QQrdZ1

By the way, I see you fought the cancer as well...and won! Nice job. I'm already looking for a welder.

But if I'm not careful, it'll come back!

 

[mudboggink5]

that doesnt look to bad, CHOP off all the rust, and weld some patches. put some POR-15 and then some Herculiner, and youll be ready to go.

 

[jonrpick]

that doesnt look to bad, CHOP off all the rust, and weld some patches. put some POR-15 and then some Herculiner, and youll be ready to go.

That's what I'm hoping for... It looks better in pics though, I must say. There's also some cracks in the paint around the wheel wells that have me concerned. The part in the rear goes all the way through, down into the tail pan, so I'm wondering if the whole pan is shot.

I may be overreacting, because I didn't expect it and haven't ever tried to tackle this sort of thing before. Still, I wish I knew how to MIG weld. I may end up learning before this project is done.

But heck, it's only day 2

 

[gmc4cw]

that rust is nothing. you can still see the original shape of the metal. MIG welding is the easiest to learn. squeeze the trigger and go.

 

[Randy92782]

i second that MIG is the easiest. from what little rust i can see it'd be a dream if mine was anything like that. mine's horrible. probably the worst i have ever seen. MIGging is easy to learn. could probably find a site to teach you.

 

[jonrpick]

i second that MIG is the easiest. from what little rust i can see it'd be a dream if mine was anything like that. mine's horrible. probably the worst i have ever seen. MIGging is easy to learn. could probably find a site to teach you.

I've actually been reading up at work since it's been so slow today.

I'm glad to know that my rust isn't considered bad by the others. Like I said, I haven't had to deal with it before.

 

[Randy92782]

well you never really find out how bad it is until you tear into it. it's always worse from the inside. sorry to be the bearer of badnews