Introductions & Greetings

[ryoken]

Hello all! I figured I'd introduce myself. My name is Jake, and I live in Arkansas. I found this site via google, and seen that it had a lot of great info so I joined to take advantage and learn all I could. I recently bought my first K5 a couple months ago. My father had one as a toy when I was younger and I've always wanted once since the day he sold his. I finally made it happen. I bought a 1 owner 1978. It had a stock Goodwrench 350, 4 speed, brand new lift, wheels/tires, clutch, brakes, and a few other items. It's slowly getting freshened up as I have time. So far I've installed longtubes, removed the carpet to install spray in bedliner, removed exterior moldings, and fixed the few dents/dings it had. The plan is to beef the motor up some just to make it a little more fun, and clean up the interior/exterior, all while keeping it looking as original as possible.

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looks real clean.... round headlights rule....

welcome to our show...

 

[CK5]

Welcome everyone!!!

 

[82355]

Really nice looking truck. Does it have the NP203 with a part time kit, or some other transfer case? I don't know if the full time case was just an automatic thing.

A 1978 would have an NP205 behind the SM465 from the factory.

The SM465/NP203 combo was only available in 1974-1975, and only in truck ordered with a V8 engine.

Martin

 

[Scorpionking]

Hello everyone,

My name is Max and I'm from Souther California. Los Angeles to be exact. I don't yet own a K5, or any offroad vehicle for that matter, but am in the process of purchasing my very first K5. I am not sure if this is the place, but I was wondering if I could get your guys' help with this process.

While I feel Ive done my due diligence regarding what year models I should be looking at, I still lack the knowledge to be able to tell exactly what it is I am getting myself into whenever I do purchase my firs K5. I am currently looking at a 1988 K5 Blazer. The owner states it is a stock engine with 144,XXX miles on it, stock transmission (700R4), stock front axle, rear axle has been swapped to a one ton (he's not sure of the gear ratio on either axle), and that the truck runs strong and is his daily driver. I have been able to verify most of his claims through pictures and videos he's sent me. However, there is a couple issues. The K5 he is selling is registered in another state, a state that doesn't require smog apparently, and I am certain it will NOT pass smog here in California based on what he's told nor am I certain what it will cost or how to go about making sure it passes a California smog test. My second concern is that I don't know how to verify all the other claims he's made regarding the truck - stock engine, transmission, one tone rear end, etc.

Heres what he's told me regarding me getting the truck smog ready - Smog pump needs belt, catalytic converter needs to be installed (he has catalytic converter), and needs a new air rail leading into the exhaust manifold.

I have no idea what the heck any of this truly means, if this is in fact all that needs to be done, nor how to verify any of it.

Any help you guys can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
-Max

 

[ktmoutfront]

Welcome Max. Start a thread in the garage and copy this info into it. You will get a lot of help.

I'm not in California anymore, but I would be real careful spending money on a truck that is missing smog parts, and oit of state title. VIN verification will have to be done and the truck smogged before you can transfer the title. Why hasn't the seller done that?

And does it have 8 lug wheels on the back and 6 lug on the front? 1 ton rear and stock front would be this way. How much is he asking for it?

 

[Scorpionking]

Welcome Max. Start a thread in the garage and copy this info into it. You will get a lot of help.

I'm not in California anymore, but I would be real careful spending money on a truck that is missing smog parts, and oit of state title. VIN verification will have to be done and the truck smogged before you can transfer the title. Why hasn't the seller done that?

And does it have 8 lug wheels on the back and 6 lug on the front? 1 ton rear and stock front would be this way. How much is he asking for it?

Thanks for the advice. I started a thread in the garage.

That's what I'm worried about, that I won't be able to get to pass smog and transfer the title to my name. Not sure why he hasn't smog the truck yet. I believe he's in the military and recently had the vehicle shipped.

The truck has 6 lug on the front and back. He wants $2900.

 

[Phil513]

Oh I just responded in the garage. lol.

If it's 6 lug, it's not a 1 ton axle. Maybe a 3/4 ton semi floater.

 

[Wolfshark]

Hey dudes, new member from Georgia here.
1987 k5 blazer Silverado.
Crate 350 tbi
700r4
3/4 ton axels
4:11 gears
4" suspension lift
315/75r16 cooper S/T MAXX tires

Right now I'm just slowly replacing all the core parts, focusing on reliability & putting my money into maintenance, vs performance 'upgrades' & 'mods'.

Will be upgrading to premium membership soon & uploading pics.
Thanks for having me guys!

 

[82355]

The V series trucks are my favorites.

Martin

 

[shish]

Hey everybody,

I've been trolling this forum for some time but only recently joined. I figured I'd wait until I had a clean specimen to show off but it looks like my project might keep me busy until the day I die. I live in Central/Southern California and my first car (over 25 years ago) was a 72 K5 CST passed down through the family. I wrecked that truck when I was 17 and have never lived down the shame and personal guilt. Since then, I often would have recurring dreams about driving a large 4x4 and knew that someday I would own another. That day finally came in December 2014 when, after looking all over the country, I found a project in good shape a mere 45 minutes from my house. As I said, I wanted to show off a super clean build to you all but to tell you the truth, this thing is not even halfway done and I could not be happier, prouder or more in love with this truck. It is literally a 20+ year dream come true. It's a 73 K5 with a 4" lift, 35" BFGs, 5.7L 350, TH400 trans and NP 203 case. It has lots of new stuff put on over the last 18 months; up next it's getting a new steering box, roll bar, and hopefully a 700r transmission with a NP205 case (something is wrong with the 4wd). As said many times above, I plan to join the premium forum for real and post pics but for now I want to say hello and what a great resource this is. Thank you!

Josh

 

[Bent77]

Josh

Welcome aboard!
Please start a thread in "the driveway" to document your progress, we would love to see

 

[82355]

Yep, make a build thread.

I prefer the in progress pictures to finished pictures.

Martin

 

[Jay74]

Hey people, my name is Jason and I'm new to all of the forum type stuff. I recently picked up a 74 k5 with a 14" lift on 44's. My goal is to get some knowledge when it comes to turning this thing into a capable rig.

 

[Phil513]

Hey people, my name is Jason and I'm new to all of the forum type stuff. I recently picked up a 74 k5 with a 14" lift on 44's. My goal is to get some knowledge when it comes to turning this thing into a capable rig.

good lord. Thats huge.

Welcome! Lets see some pics, and get some further specs!

 

[Jay74]

Well as soon as I figure out how to post pics, I will. As for Further specs. It has a 454 with a th400 behind it. 14bolt rear, 10 bolt front. 44" ground hogs and cross over steering. The truck will need a lot of work to become a dependable rig.

 

[Lito]

Another nebbie, just what you needed, right?
I'm a long-time Chevy guy, from a family of Ford owners. I just got tired of working on 'em. No worries though-my current "daily-driver" is a Ford Focus. I use to brag I could hear a Ford run, and tell you what's wrong with it....that was a long time ago, when I had not much else to do.
I've owned a few rigs since then, with three being a GMC Jimmy-'77, a K5 Blazer-'77, and currently an '87 K5. All had 350's with various Tranny's. Funny, I can't forget the time I had all three jacked up in the garage & driveway, greasing the bearings.
Hope to be some help to some folks, and pick the minds of many!
Take Care All!
lito

 

[GWeakland620]

Welcome!

 

[Meangreen1]

Hello,

I just picked up a 1970 2WD Blazer. Has good bones with the rockers and cowl work complete. I am going to put an LS3 with a TR6060 trans.

Sold my 70 LS2 Chevelle And the Blazer was the family compromise.

 

[GWeakland620]

Very nice! Make sure to make a build thread in the "Driveway".

 

[B.barket]

Hey all.. I just acquired a nice 84 Jimmy with the 6.2L Diesel.. I've been searching for a decent K5 for some time now and it's been eye opening as to how rare good examples of these trucks are these days.. At least up here in Canada that is.. I'm in my 40's now and had two of these 20 years ago.. A 76' and a 78'.. Both 350 4x4's and loved them.. Since then my focus was of course building a career and a family.. I honestly hadn't given these wonderful trucks much thought in the last 20 years.. Except when I'd see one and say under my breath that "I gotta get another one of those some day".. Sadly.. Harsh winters and road salt have done most of them in from what I've seen so lots of junk out there. Rusted out units that are good for nothing but muddling or never leaving the farm.. From there it seems that anything with a decent body has a lift and 37"+ tires.. No offence to the lift & big tire crowd.. They are beautiful rigs (some are borderline works of art!) and I admire them.. Just not what I wanted.. Then there are of course the trailer queens that cost $30 grand that you can't use for fear of damage.. I just wanted a good running truck that I could tinker with, pull a 3500lb trailer with once in a while and enjoy.. Took me a year to find one.. Great info on this site and it was instrumental in helping me to find this truck.. So thanks for your help everyone!