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I'm worried about my first k5 purchase

Salvage was 11 years and 30K miles ago? I wouldn't sweat it either but it's easy to title and register things here in NE.

When I titled my V8 Miata after I finished the conversion I just told the clerk that it's silver instead of black and, oh, by the way it has 8 cylinders, not 4. No inspection. Nothing at all.

"Here's your title. That will be $76.50".
 
I bought it and it made it home some 200 miles in 100 degree heat thru the CA desert without issue!

Runs great, shifts great and drives straight. I double checked the frame. No damage. The steering seems a bit loose but I think it's either normal for a lifted k5 or fixable isn't it? I saw someone mention a steering mod, perhaps that's the ticket.

I paid the 1400 but got an extra set of 16.5 rims with some rather dry 33's that have lots of tread left that I can roll as spares or swap out for 37's. The 35's currently on it are pretty worn, but with 8 wheels/tires I can roll with, I can save up for some tires.

I am pumped. Gotta get these windows down though! That was a hot ride. Luckily the back window is gone and the top has sliders!
 
Congrats, now get us some pics up.

theres tons of info on steering mods on here, from crossover steering to xj steering shaft conversion. Steering is sketchy on lifted trucks with no steering mods.

I drove mine from NC to NY and I'm glad my wife was sleeping most of the time because I'm pretty sure I would have given here a heart attack lol. Nobody in the mountains in PA would even get next to me with the wind pushing me around and steering torturing me.
 
yeah, I was wandering a bit in my lane for sure. I kept it around 55mph and got the hang of it.

I will switch over to the intro section and get my membership and get some pics up.

Thanks you all for the feedback.
 
It's even worse on 8" springs and 37's doing 65-70 on the interstate, fun part is the bridges.

Looking forward to it seeing it, what are your plans?
 
wheel it!

I can offroad right from my house here in the desert. washes, rocky trails etc. There are dunes too, but not sure it'll be cut out for that.

I was doing some searching about the steering. I have the "cockeyed" steering wheel. Sounds like I need to look at the steering box, drag link, rag joint etc. The steering column was messed with at some point so I've got some detective work to do.
 
I didn't know initially that it already had the salvage title assigned to it, maybe I misread something, either way, since it's already assigned, you shouldn't have any problems there in Arizona with it really.

I think they do require it be notarized though, so I hope at least that was done when the guy signed off on the title.
 
Luckily it doesn't need to be notarized. I learned that finally. There's not much online that helps sort that out and the DVM isn't open on the weekends. Anyway, it's all about the requirements in the state it's titled in. If it's got an AZ title (notary state), then it needs to be notarized regardless of where the buyer plans to title it. Since this is a CA title (non-notary state), no notary is required even when I am going to title in AZ. Very confusing and it's unbelievable that CA has any rule that's LESS stringent than some other states.
 
After closer inspection it does have a weld repair on the frame at the steering box. Oh well, not a deal breaker for a $1400 ride. I'll get to diagnosing the steering slop and cockeyed steering wheel....

Good news is not a drop of anything on the driveway this morning.
 
Check with DMV for sure, obviously you are, but be prepared now, last time I dealt with out of state vehicles, they required a thing they called an "out of state inspection" It was just a quick goin' over to make sure the VIN was correct and a few other minor checks to the vehicle before you were given an Arizona title.

They actually did that to my Burb when I originally moved to Indiana, Indiana BMV (Bureau of Motor Vehicles) had to inspect this info on my truck before acquiring an Indiana title coming from Arizona.
 
bjr34bass said:
wheel it!

I can offroad right from my house here in the desert. washes, rocky trails etc. There are dunes too, but not sure it'll be cut out for that.

I was doing some searching about the steering. I have the "cockeyed" steering wheel. Sounds like I need to look at the steering box, drag link, rag joint etc. The steering column was messed with at some point so I've got some detective work to do.
Click to expand...


Fortunately steering is not too difficult on these trucks as long as you keep the lift manageable. You can fix the cockeyed wheel with steering correction (drop pitman arm or raised steering arm) and by adjusting the length of the drag link. Rag joint kits or XJ shafts are cheap, so are tie rod ends. The only pricey item really is the steering gearbox.
 
Title issues don't really worry me too much any more. Used to be a big deal, no title or bad title was a deal breaker. Now I just use it as leverage to get a better price.

Recently went and looked at a truck that was in decent shape but no motor or title and was asking $1000. Ended up getting the truck with a re-ring 305 for $600. Filled out some paper work and 3 weeks and $75 later and Ive got a new title in my name.

Rebuilt or salvage title is a little different. Id be looking for damage from a wreck. Bent frame rails etc. but if no damage, no problem. But I don't ever buy anything with intentions of selling. Every vehicle Ive ever sold I parted out or scrapped.

For $1400 for a decent running/driving blazer Id say you got a decent deal. My rule for buying these trucks is no more than $800 if I have to haul it and no more than $1500 if it needs immediate attention.
 
Sounds like you'll be ok if it's already been registered after the salvage title was issued. 1400 and it drives and is not rotted out you are doing pretty good. Also:
:sign6:
 
When I bought my '89 F250 new, there were only two tire companies that made 12.50-33s in mud grips for 16"+ wheels, and they only made them for 16.5 rims. So, I bought some steel rims and have used them ever since.

They are starting to show their age. I have had to have a couple of cracks welded. I was needing some new tires, and went to my friend's tire store.
I figured I could get one more set of tires before wheel replacement. According to my friend, no one makes 16.5 tires anymore.
There are still a lot in the pipeline, but no more are being made.

Also, half size rims have a different bead shape than regular rims. They are a gradual slope rather than a hard seal.
They will break the bead at a higher pressure than a regular rim, and I have had the tires rotate on the rims at full pressure with no leaks.
Which makes balancing them a problem.

Until I got enough wear and rust on the bead area, I had to put glue on the bead with each new set of tires to stop them from slipping.

So, if you are going to use the 16.5 rims, you might want to look into getting tires for them soon before they get scarce.

I switched to 17 inch Ion rims. I wanted plain steel rims, but they are hard to find.
 
As for the crooked steering wheel, can you turn sharper in one direction more than the other? It's possible the draglink wasn't adjusted properly (or at all) after the 4" lift was installed.
 
Actually I think that is the case. I'll check tonight, but on the drive home (stopping for gas etc) I seem to remember thinking that it would turn a tighter radius one way than the other.
 
I just became a full member :waytogo: Here's one "stock" photo from the original CL ad. I'll add more tonight. Started in on the power window troubleshooting. ugh.

I should just take the dang doors off and be done!

calimesa blazer.jpg
 
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