Letting go of my k5

[Stu2z0031]

Aliright guys so i just graduated high school and i should have some money coming in within the next couple of weeks, but on decision im faced with is either keeping my k5 and fixing all of the problems or selling it and hopefully get a mid 90's suburban.

now some of the work that the k5 needs is either a new engine or a complete rebuild, transfer case, an entirely new suspension setup, paint, and the interior is just about gone.

now taking this into consideration and the fact that i can grab a pretty good used suburban around here for around 4000 should i just go for the suburban?

any suggestions are welcome.

 

[RIPPEDK5]

Why do you need a new suspension set-up? whats wrong with it? Does the motor run? do you just want a swap a new motor in? or is the motor just tired?

whats wrong with the t-case?

interiors not that important unless you like the luxury..line the inside and your good.

you make no mention of body panels or rust

 

[82355]

What do you want to do with it? A mid 90's Suburban will have IFS.

Martin

 

[Jessie James]

Post some pics to help us out.

From what you're saying though, you have a pile of work, and I've almost always found it is cheaper and easier to start with a better truck. $4k should get you a damn clean truck.

 

[big pappa b]

Just remember, you may get rid of your K5 and whatever problems it has but someone else is selling theirs for maybe the same reason. Now you have to deal with all of the past owner problems.

 

[Stu2z0031]

Why do you need a new suspension set-up? whats wrong with it? Does the motor run? do you just want a swap a new motor in? or is the motor just tired?

whats wrong with the t-case?

interiors not that important unless you like the luxury..line the inside and your good.

you make no mention of body panels or rust

The motor does run, but it is getting tired. i was looking into swapping a used 350 form a newer truck.
for the suspension i need new leafs all around. if i do keep it im looking at a 4 inch lift.
I say transfer case because when i put it into reverse it makes a clunk sound. my parents suburban did the same thing a few years ago and after doing it for a while it went out.
The body is in good shape no big dents and a minute amount of rust.


I will post pics later.

 

[BoondocK5]

The clunk could be a number of things.
The most prominent being a bad rear U-joint, Then a sloppy ring and pinion in the rear differential.

 

[shady]

Even if it is a bad t case they are cheap enough to rebuild inthe garage at home. 4 inch lift and some replacement rears with a flip kit (All of which can be found in the forsale section currently here at ck5) So far thats about $1000-$1200. Plus if wanted for $4-500 you can replace all the Ujoints, ball joints, wheel bearings/seals. That leaves you a little over $2000 to come up with a good motor and tie up any loose ends you can think of

I like a good burb myself (any year), but if you like what you got you could easily fix the it up for less than the 4g's for a burb.

$4000 would buy a NICE burb though

 

[Stu2z0031]

Alright so I've made my decision.

I am going to be selling my blazer and buying either a suburban or a Tahoe (preferably suburban) one of the main reasons being that I am very active in my church and I've always been one to go and pick up kids for our youth group. I also transport them up to our youth camp every year.
I figure It's a vehicle I like, I need the extra space, and I still want to stay in tr Chevy family.

Have no worries though. There will be another k5 in my future.

 

[Russell]

I know this isn't something a lot of folks consider -- But don't forget the liabilities of carrying other people's kids around in your vehicle. We had a camp leader up here that used to carry kids around in his truck all the time (just like I used to) until he had an accident with a kid in the truck with him. It wasn't even his fault, but the family of the kids sued him and financially devastated him for many years to come...

I know it sucks that we have to consider such things, but keep it in the back of your mind!

That said, I vote a newer Tahoe. The Suburban carries more people and gear, but it is a heavy pig and isn't nearly as nice to drive. I have a 95 Tahoe 2dr and I love the thing to death (sometimes literally, lol)

 

[Stu2z0031]

Oh trust me that's been in the back of my mind since our camp last year when a lady passed out going over the grapevine. She crossed over four lanes of traffic and slammed right into the side of my parents suburban. Luckily no one was hurt and I was able to keep the truck and trailer On the road. But the insurance company sadly totaled the suburban I grew up in and learned to drive in.
Since then I always get verbal consent or even better written consent from the parents to allow their kids to ride in the vehicle with me.

 

[Burbdood 74]

If it were me, I would be looking for a good 91 3/4 ton Suburban. First year for the OD in 3/4 tons and the last year for the square body.

The added bonus is that they're old enough to be cheap to fix and new enough to have all the bells and whistles you want and need.