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Looking to buy 1974 K5

GoAWOL

GoAWOL

1/2 ton status
Joined
Oct 4, 2012
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Location
Colorado
I've always loved the full convertible K5 look and now have the funds and wife's permission to buy. I'm looking at this 1974 K5 and have a few questions;

- Does anyone recognize this truck, know any background? Has a big 'R U TATTOED sticker in the rear window.
- What should I be looking for before purchase? I've reviewed the post about things to look for when buying a used vehicle but I was hoping for some model/year specific info.
- How difficult would it be to repair/replace the rear bedside fenders?
- Where can I buy a roll bar?

Appreciate any feedback.
edit: guess I have to have more posts or cough up $25 before I can attach photos...
 
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74's were known for rust on rocker panels, lower parts of door and just in front and behind door. Above rear wheel openings, windshield frame, and definitely look on the interior of the tub near the rear of the fenders and where the bed meets the tailgate.

most of the 74's came with full time hubs, to convert to part time you can change hubs then there is a modification to the transfer case to get real part time.

Mine came with a 400 small block, 400 turbo and an NP203 transfer case which is chain driven. Also it had points but it is an easy swap to HEI ignition and if you want not too tough to upgrade to fuel injection.

Roll bars can be made my a shop pretty easy but there are a few companies that make roll bars but most would require some modification. I think its S & W racing is one. A search on here for roll cages should yield some results.
 
70jimmy said:
74's were known for rust on rocker panels, lower parts of door and just in front and behind door. Above rear wheel openings, windshield frame, and definitely look on the interior of the tub near the rear of the fenders and where the bed meets the tailgate.
Click to expand...

Appreciate the feedback, that helps. I did a decent once over of the truck, pulled up the carpet in places. There is rust on both rear fenders but I didn't see much anywhere's else.
 
70jimmy said:
most of the 74's came with full time hubs, to convert to part time you can change hubs then there is a modification to the transfer case to get real part time.
Click to expand...

That's interesting..didn't know that. So the truck is always in 4x4? No wonder the owner complained about the gas mileage.
 
70jimmy said:
Mine came with a 400 small block, 400 turbo and an NP203 transfer case which is chain driven. Also it had points but it is an easy swap to HEI ignition and if you want not too tough to upgrade to fuel injection.
Click to expand...

This one has a 350 with an Edelbrock carb. I take it you recommend the fuel injection. Yup, points will have to go...
 
70jimmy said:
Roll bars can be made my a shop pretty easy but there are a few companies that make roll bars but most would require some modification. I think its S & W racing is one. A search on here for roll cages should yield some results.
Click to expand...

I'll look again for any info on the site. Was hoping to find some online but I suppose I can look at a local shop. Thanks again.
 
I'm learning the hard way that shopping for these full convertible trucks is rough going. Be sure to post pics up here and get feedback from those that have rebuilt these trucks before. There have been more than a few i almost pulled the trigger on but i have likely avoided a heck of a headache by listening to the feedback on here.

beware fresh paint or bedliner.

rust on these trucks is common in the...

windshield frame
A-pillars
floorpans
rocker panels
rocker boxes (many trucks ive seen dont even have these structural members anymore)
lower edges of the doors
wheel wells
quarter panels
tailgate hinges
 
Appreciate the feedback. Not sure at what point I'll be able to post pics, the web site is defeating me.

Went and gave the truck a really good once over today. Once I jumped it, repaired a leaking fuel line, and pumped up a tire I gave it a test drive. It's certainly a project but not in a 'frame off' restore sense. The only rust is in the rear quarter panels around the wheel well. The steering was all over and there were lots of nit picky items wrong (driver window wouldn't roll down, missing screws in dash, etc.) I made an offer, we'll see if the owner accepts tomorrow afternoon.

Thanks again for the helpful responses.
 
I've been looking for a full vert off and on for years... I looked at a 75 today that was extremely rotted in usual spots, and yep it had fresh paint... It's getting harder to find them in decent shape, even over here in the pnw... I may end up just buying a nice 87 and putting the full vert windshield hoop I have on it...
 
70jimmy said:
Mine came with a 400 small block, 400 turbo and an NP203 transfer case which is chain driven.
Click to expand...

I believe the only Blazers that ever got a TH400 from the factory were the CUCV models.

Martin
 
blazer74 said:
400 SBC got the 400 trans in Blazers
Click to expand...

Eh, no. Lots of mid-70's Blazers were 400SBC with a TH350. Had me a '77 like that, and that was a Chalet to boot (i.e. was fat and heavy and GM still gave it the TH350.)

Another vote for the only TH400's in a half-ton being the M1009 CUCV. Had me one of those too.

-- A
 
the only half tons I have ever seen with a th400 was a 84 c10 with a 4.3 and a 88 k1500 with a 4.3 and a 400. I think the c10 MAY have been a swap but the K1500 was ordered by my gramps that didn't want a 700r4.
 
Here she is ...test pic

IMG_0392_zps5c8eeaf0.jpg


More pics to follow this weekend. Took a bit longer than I thought to make the deal. As you can see, there is rust in the rear bedside panel. The night I got her home I took out the seats and all carpet to really give her the once over. No rust issues some of these trucks have other than the rear panels. The truck appears to be unmolested by PO's. There's no lift, no after market upgrades. Appears to be stock for the most part.

First impressions:

-The steering was all over the place. I believe the tires may have something to do with that since they're worn. Doing research on replacing suspension service components...looks like that will be interesting on a 40+ yr old truck.
-There is a Goodwrench crate engine in it but for a 350 it felt underpowered. Planning on doing a basic service; plugs,oil,filters, etc.
-It has an exhaust leak
-The frame isn't cracked at the steering gear box but there is no extra bracing there. Might have to look at doing the ORD brace there.

Outside of these general mechanical checks...anything else I should focus on?
 
Your doors are sagging. May need new bushings for the hinges or new hinges. I just found out that the bushing from factory was nylon. When I tried to change mine, the pins wore through the bushing into the hinge. I going to have to go through whatever hinges I have to see if I can make a good set.

Check to see if there is any cracks on the door where the hinges mount.
The striker post have a tendency to crack also when the striker post bushing wears out.
 
JDNobodi said:
Your doors are sagging. May need new bushings for the hinges or new hinges. I just found out that the bushing from factory was nylon. When I tried to change mine, the pins wore through the bushing into the hinge. I going to have to go through whatever hinges I have to see if I can make a good set.

Check to see if there is any cracks on the door where the hinges mount.
The striker post have a tendency to crack also when the striker post bushing wears out.
Click to expand...

Interesting that you can see that just by looking at this photo.:bow: I believe you though. I'll look at that first thing this evening.

edit: went ahead and reserved two kits at my local autozone. Thanks for the feedback.
 
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What gears are in it? Any engine will feel doggy if it severely under geared.

Martin
 
Looks like a nice truck. Are you local to the Denver area? I am on the east side of Parker. Currently working on the second build of my 74 k5. My old S&W cage has been sitting in my front yard for over a year, and it will not be going back in my k5. Let me know if you have any interest in the cage.

GoAWOL said:
IMG_0392_zps5c8eeaf0.jpg


More pics to follow this weekend. Took a bit longer than I thought to make the deal. As you can see, there is rust in the rear bedside panel. The night I got her home I took out the seats and all carpet to really give her the once over. No rust issues some of these trucks have other than the rear panels. The truck appears to be unmolested by PO's. There's no lift, no after market upgrades. Appears to be stock for the most part.

First impressions:

-The steering was all over the place. I believe the tires may have something to do with that since they're worn. Doing research on replacing suspension service components...looks like that will be interesting on a 40+ yr old truck.
-There is a Goodwrench crate engine in it but for a 350 it felt underpowered. Planning on doing a basic service; plugs,oil,filters, etc.
-It has an exhaust leak
-The frame isn't cracked at the steering gear box but there is no extra bracing there. Might have to look at doing the ORD brace there.

Outside of these general mechanical checks...anything else I should focus on?
Click to expand...
 
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