K5 Jess
1/2 ton status
Say hi! 2 more times


Thanks! I've been looking for a replacement middle grill but LMC doesn't have one listed. Must not be too popular for aftermarket parts.Good looking truck andfar1, I love that work truck grill more than my quad headlight 89 ( also a GMC)
Hello! My name is Kenneth and I'm from a border town in Oregon we call Ontario. Recently purchased an '88 GMC Suburban 1/2 ton from a friend. Wasn't really in the market for such a thing but I'm a sucker for a cheap vehicle that runs and my DD Neon wasn't going to cut it for hunting/fishing/camping expeditions.
This is my first foray into 4x4 anything as well as Chevrolet products so I don't know a lot about it other than it seems somebody has swapped in 3/4 ton axles, don't know if the manual Warn hubs were original on the 3/4 tons or not but it also has those. It's badged as a 3/4 but the VIN according to DMV and my insurance company indicates it's a 1/2 ton truck. For my purposes it's still more truck than I'll ever use so it's more of a curiosity to me than a concern.
So after dumping about as much as I bought it for into getting it running properly (let the mechanic have at it, didn't want to start blasting the parts canon at it) it's streetable but still has a lot of little things that need done. After searching around the internet looking for the right online community, well here I am. If you read all that, sorry I'm a bit of a rambler...
Hello All
I've been reading Ck5 for a couple years now but haven't ever posted here. I have had several full size Chevy's and GMC's in the past, but bought a 1989 GMC K5 Jimmy project almost 2 years ago and have been slowly getting it right.
I found the Jimmy on C-list for a decent deal, rust free cold A/C and seemed solid or so I thought. It had a 350 TBI 700R4 and 3.08 gears with 32" BFG all terrains. The interior was stripped and it had the original rear seat and 2 Honda civic front seats. the front fenders had been cut by previous owner and had a large dent above right taillight.
The 700r4 was starting to slip in 4th gear so I had it rebuilt w/ shift kit and 2500 stall. I went ahead and fully rebuilt both 10 bolts front and rear w/ Yukon 4.56's and Auburn posi in rear. The old gov lock rear end had grenaded.
My ultimate goal is an off road capable truck for the dunes and desert but still with street manners for a daily driver. I plan on getting a full cage built front to rear, for my kids safety. Just recently I ordered a 4" lift springs front and rear, and have been waiting for it to show up. Paint is also in the works. This is gonna be work in progress...
You'll fit right in here. That truck very well could be a factory 3/4 ton. It's not uncommon for the DMV to not know what they are talking about. Either way the 3/4 ton axles and bigger brakes are great to have on a rig that size. Manual hubs are standard issue for 3/4 tons also, not sure if WARN was the maker or if yours were replaced at some point.
If you are handy and have a decent set of tools you can do a lot of the repairs yourself, pretty easy and cheap. Any tech questions have a look in "the garage" section. Can't find an answer then post up your Q. Lots of people here that know these rigs inside and out and backwards.
Welcome to CK5!!!
. Thanks for the welcome! Looking forward to the ensuing education.