I'm probably a little over $18k in mine and it still needs a doubler crossmember, front driveshaft, paint, rear half of the roll cage, finish the dash, blah, blah, blah... 
CK5
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Just how much money have you dumped into that GM Truck?
- Thread starter K5_Fla
- Start date
Maybe 13k as it sits. Scored the entire 1 ton drivetrain for 1500 bucks which really helped keep the cost down. Still needs some rust repair and a front bumper, but I've had it for almost 8 years, so not a bad investment I guess.
Quickest answer -- WAY too much 
Probably sitting at around 30k by now, but I have changed directions with the build several times. I started with a 1980 2wd 3/4 ton that I was going to restore, then got the idea to switch it over to a 4x4, so I did a frame swap with 3/4 ton axles that I rebuilt from the ground up. Since my old 2wd TH400 wasn't gonna work anymore, I swapped over to a SM465 / NP241 rebuilt from the ground up. I then tried to do a TPI swap on the old 355, but couldn't get it running right because the engine simply wasn't built to work with EFI. I gave up on that and decided to install a 6.2L diesel engine, which as you might guess, I rebuilt from the ground up / turbocharged. Then I decided to do a 5 speed swap without even driving the truck once and swapped to an NV4500 which I rebuilt from the ground up.
At this point, I drove the truck for a while rolling on 35" super swampers, 4.56 geared / locked 3/4 ton axles and the 6.2L / NV4500. I was happy with it as is, but found that it wasn't working as well as I wanted for wheeling. So, I found myself a K5 tub with a frame that was in OK shape to build up.
I pulled the axles, engine, transmission and transfer case out of the K25 and put them into the K5 and went wheeling with it. I was much happier! But, I upgraded to 37" tires and started destroying the 10 bolt, so I fixed it and sold both axles as a pair and bought a set of 1 tons to swap in. Added crossover steering, and decided that I was not happy with the NV4500's spacing. So, I swapped in an NV3500, and that is where I sit right now.! Of course, I have not included replacing body panels almost every winter, changing front clips due to flop / tree damage, and other small changes / additions like OBA, tach, electric speedometer etc.
So, here I sit on 37" boggers, 4.10 geared / locked 1 tons, turbo 6.2L / NV3500 / NP241. Crossover, CB / HAM radios, OBA etc. I am hoping to rebuild my suspension, re-gear and get new drive shafts in for my run to Blazer Bash in September
Probably sitting at around 30k by now, but I have changed directions with the build several times. I started with a 1980 2wd 3/4 ton that I was going to restore, then got the idea to switch it over to a 4x4, so I did a frame swap with 3/4 ton axles that I rebuilt from the ground up. Since my old 2wd TH400 wasn't gonna work anymore, I swapped over to a SM465 / NP241 rebuilt from the ground up. I then tried to do a TPI swap on the old 355, but couldn't get it running right because the engine simply wasn't built to work with EFI. I gave up on that and decided to install a 6.2L diesel engine, which as you might guess, I rebuilt from the ground up / turbocharged. Then I decided to do a 5 speed swap without even driving the truck once and swapped to an NV4500 which I rebuilt from the ground up.
At this point, I drove the truck for a while rolling on 35" super swampers, 4.56 geared / locked 3/4 ton axles and the 6.2L / NV4500. I was happy with it as is, but found that it wasn't working as well as I wanted for wheeling. So, I found myself a K5 tub with a frame that was in OK shape to build up.
I pulled the axles, engine, transmission and transfer case out of the K25 and put them into the K5 and went wheeling with it. I was much happier! But, I upgraded to 37" tires and started destroying the 10 bolt, so I fixed it and sold both axles as a pair and bought a set of 1 tons to swap in. Added crossover steering, and decided that I was not happy with the NV4500's spacing. So, I swapped in an NV3500, and that is where I sit right now.! Of course, I have not included replacing body panels almost every winter, changing front clips due to flop / tree damage, and other small changes / additions like OBA, tach, electric speedometer etc.
So, here I sit on 37" boggers, 4.10 geared / locked 1 tons, turbo 6.2L / NV3500 / NP241. Crossover, CB / HAM radios, OBA etc. I am hoping to rebuild my suspension, re-gear and get new drive shafts in for my run to Blazer Bash in September
You guys are nuts (or have much more understanding wives than I do!), I'm anticipating a grand total bill of $5000 when I'm done... of course I've built this out of three separate trucks and pieced it together and never anticipate a show truck.
(with that being said, I want to dump a Cummins in it so maybe it'll be closer to $10k! Ha, OK maybe I'm nuts too!)
(with that being said, I want to dump a Cummins in it so maybe it'll be closer to $10k! Ha, OK maybe I'm nuts too!
)
supersize75k5
OrganDonorRacing.com
The problem is not when you have 1 project... but several at a time and many over just a 10 year span.
Do we get to count all the parts we continue to replace? I just lost reverse and OD is slipping.. thats number 10 iirc
I have a figure in my head for the 07 but with the nickel and diming I surely would not want to ever know the real number. People who know it down to the cent are nuts!
In contrast one of my favorite builds was a simple 86, scored it for 600 or so and the guy delivered it!
By the time I swapped 3/4, used tires and wheels, shackle flip and cheap front springs I was only into it for a few hundred after selling off the stock parts! Loved it.. then sold it for 2 or 3 grand
Do we get to count all the parts we continue to replace? I just lost reverse and OD is slipping.. thats number 10 iirc
I have a figure in my head for the 07 but with the nickel and diming I surely would not want to ever know the real number. People who know it down to the cent are nuts!
In contrast one of my favorite builds was a simple 86, scored it for 600 or so and the guy delivered it!
By the time I swapped 3/4, used tires and wheels, shackle flip and cheap front springs I was only into it for a few hundred after selling off the stock parts! Loved it.. then sold it for 2 or 3 grand
$13.69 per day
.....every day
.....for the last 10 years.
.....every day
.....for the last 10 years.
$13.69 per day
.....every day
.....for the last 10 years.
Let's see... start/programs/accessories/calculator/
I've owned my 89 for 15 1/2 years. Bought it rust free, garage kept with street tires and 44K miles for $5K.
I have 32K on the Crate roller motor, still rust free but I painted it 3 years ago when I redid the carpet, etc., Auburn Pro's at both ends, went thru the TC 2 years ago, new gears in the rear 12B in Oct, 3" Skyjacker w/Bilsteins, 700r has about 100K since it was gone thru with the good stuff...I like the Stock Rallys...I run AT's on the 8" and MT's on the 10"...I wish I hadn't spent the money on the 10" Rallys and I thought about doing a 14sf when I broke the ring gear this last time, but didn't want to mess with it with all I got going on. I wish I hadn't sold the one I had, but was made an offer too good to pass up.
I probably left out some stuff like stereo...I figured up that I am still below $15K with a rust free, low mileage, hard loaded 89 .
I have 32K on the Crate roller motor, still rust free but I painted it 3 years ago when I redid the carpet, etc., Auburn Pro's at both ends, went thru the TC 2 years ago, new gears in the rear 12B in Oct, 3" Skyjacker w/Bilsteins, 700r has about 100K since it was gone thru with the good stuff...I like the Stock Rallys...I run AT's on the 8" and MT's on the 10"...I wish I hadn't spent the money on the 10" Rallys and I thought about doing a 14sf when I broke the ring gear this last time, but didn't want to mess with it with all I got going on. I wish I hadn't sold the one I had, but was made an offer too good to pass up.
I probably left out some stuff like stereo...I figured up that I am still below $15K with a rust free, low mileage, hard loaded 89 .
SUPER'BURB
1/2 ton status
$12k - $13k and getting ready to do some real work to her!
Used to be nice............. I gave it cancer!!!!!!
Used to be nice............. I gave it cancer
!!!!!!
k20
3/4 ton status
I have ~25k in it.....and in a yr or two the whole thing is coming apart frame off (not a resto) but trying to decide what I want to do drivetrain. Do I stay big block or do I do a dmax...my new dually is playing hell with me.....if I stay big block do I stick w/ automatic or go manual......ah decisions.......
1BEATK5
1/2 ton status
spending too much
is there such a thing? everybody has their one thing that they spend their extra money on... some people collect stamps, others on mototcycles, others save theirs for retirement..... 
spending too much
I wish I could control myself to one thing
I paid $2700 for the Blazer.....and about $7000 for engine, transmission, exhaust, lift kit, 2 rims, 4 tires, Dana 60, 14bff w/detroit, rear disc conversion kit, NP241, manuals, tools (including 180 mig welder), autodarkening helmet, bandaids. And soon to add $? for crossover steering, weld in brace, bolt in brace, new driveshafts, sye, 5.13 gears for D60 and 14bff, 4 rims, 4 tires, extended brakelines, misc tools, and more bandaids (vinyl tape and wipes). And before I die, homemade bumpers, and a winch. Maybe a paint job if my wheelchair can manuver that fast. 
Good thing the wifey doesn't read this.
wheels
Good thing the wifey doesn't read this.
wheels
mattman4x4
1/2 ton status
All I can say is wow. My wife loves blazers, but would kill me if I spent that kind of money on the beast.
as it sits now (not running), 2K for the truck and another 1K in parts. Projected total when finished less than 10k
as it sits now (not running), 2K for the truck and another 1K in parts. Projected total when finished less than 10k
conman585
Registered Member
$15,000 or so after my new axles are installed soon.
OH Yeah tires and rims I guess a little more.
OH Yeah tires and rims I guess a little more.
I'm about 6k total right now including purchase price of 700 bucks. But I will be ordering a Doubler, and 150 or so feet in tube in the next two weeks
mattman4x4
1/2 ton status
hey a guy can have a goal 
I did not say what kind of rig I am building.
I did not say what kind of rig I am building.
look at it this way, it would cost about 30k or more for a new 4x4 truck.....and i still like my 89 jimmy better!
