Kommuter5

[SHINTON]

SHINTON submitted a new Build:

Kommuter5

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Once upon a time a young man in grad school decided to buy a K5 Blazer and being in the mid 1990s, he was able to buy a 1972 GMC Jimmy in reasonably good shape for about $4000 or so. He started driving it around town, and occasional off-road trips and even on the very first date with the young lady who became his wife! (I still think the 72 Jimmy was what sealed the deal though she continues to tell everyone it was ugly...)

A few years go by and during a fateful wheeling trip where there was about an inch or two of clearance or less between two very solid trees, the decision was made that it was too nice to mess up so it was restored, sold and missed dearly!!

Since that time, Jeeps, Toyotas, ATVs were all purchased, driven and sold until we come to the present day where our intrepid adventurer decides that it is time for another K5!!!

Assuming nothing blows up in the next few weeks, the deposit has been made on a 1990 K5, 172k on the clock and not much else is known except it needs some body work!!

All the story telling silliness aside, the price is cheap enough that if the truck simply starts, runs (as claimed by seller / ad) we are good enough, I can fix the body stuff.

I am hoping that by sharing the pictures here early on, I can get some feedback on parts and pieces to pre-order and help me with my journey!!

My current goal is to run 35s with 2.5" of lift (or less), maybe even enough room to fit 37s AND still fit in my normal garage door!! I will measure that, but assuming a standard 7' door, I want to make sure I can drive in and out easily so I can leave the top and doors off for the summer and park inside at night.

Based on the sellers comments of "needs body work" I think we can safely assume that the rockers are junk and I can sorta see what appears to be a hole under drivers door. The fenders over wheel wells also look distorted in the pictures so I am assuming that needs work too!

The K5 is up in Winchester VA, so 6 hours from me, won't have it in my hands until mid May or so. So I am working from the pictures of a technically challenged seller! (Anyone local want to put eyes / pics on it for me?)

Here is where we are starting! If you see something, say something, tell me what you are seeing in these pictures of interest, example I see cigerette butts so I am assuming LOTS of cleaning or maybe new carpet / seats to get rid of that smell, sigh.

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Read more about this build here...

 

[treborjm87]

Looks good so far!

Standing by...

Rob

 

[Bent77]

 

[SHINTON]

Looking at the picture of the driveshaft, it looks oily to me on the upper end near the transfer case? I think I have seen those seals mentioned in a few other threads and found some master rebuild kits. If we assume that "nothing" has been done in years should I worry about this or just add oil for now and concentrate on other things first?

The previous owner has driven it for the last 12 years out of the 27, and the engine pictures look pretty clean, perhaps a "newish" alternator? Spark plug wires looked ok, a/c system looks to be intact, don't see anything indicating that it was upgrade to the "new" freon so that maybe coming if not blowing cold now.

Hubs on the front appear to be automatic still, so will have to confirm they are working and/or replace at some point. I knew there was a reason I kept that old D44 "socket" but actually not sure if that size fits the 10 bolt axles...will have to research more.

 

[sreidmx]

Looks to be pretty clean and the engine bay pics show new plug wires and other stuff. I'd say it is probably a safe enough bet..

 

[82355]

Dana 44 and GM 10 bolt both use the same socket.

Martin

 

[SHINTON]

Not much to update yet, asking for more pictures so I can confirm the extent of rust, will order some replacements / aftermarket patch panels if I know what is coming so I can get the K5 fixed up and ready to pass the "wife inspection" asap!! I swear I was reading in a build thread about other sources for body panels outside of LMC / that were beefier, if you have that I would appreciate the intel.

I measured my garage door this weekend, it looks like I am 81-82" all told of room to the VERY top so a couple inches under the 7'. I am going to say a max of 80" just to be 'safe', will measure the K5 when I get it home but the specs here at CK5 shows that STOCK is 73.4". Assuming that is with say 30" tires or so, if I go to a 35" (BFG M/T), that will add 2.5" of lift by itself. If I do a 2.5" shackle flip lift and springs up front, call it 3", then we are looking at my MAX of 80" between them?

I will start off with stock / no lift and see how much clearance / trimming on the fenders it would take to fit the 35s, I don't think I want to go any smaller. If I am having to cut rust out around the wheel wells anyway, I will weld in the new patch a couple inches higher and wider (split in middle and add two inches or more in the center) from the start.

I have been flipping through the bazillion page thread of what lift / xx tires but not sure I have saved any that shows that combo. If you happen to have a direct link for either STOCK + 35s or 35s with 2.5" of spring/shackle lift I would love to see them. If you really want to tempt me, show me 80" or less in height with 37s!!

 

[82355]

I have a few that meet that criteria. I'll have to look for pictures.

Or you could check some of my build threads.

Martin