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CK5
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I have been without a square body for too long. Various boring reasons, but enough is enough.
I have been kinda half assed looking for another square for a while. We no longer have little kids so my need for a K5 is almost zero now. I have always loved the look of a mildly lifted long bed, especially the earlier years. Round eyed trucks are just sexy!
Anyways, my buddy Dean ( @max 02 ) got involved in the hunt and very quickly found this 77 K20 not far from his place. I'm clearly not into pretty trucks, at least not owning pretty trucks. This one had been off the road for a while and had almost become a parts truck.
So a few weeks ago we went to Deans place, hooked up my trailer and went to look at this rig. It was -24 C ( -12 F) so to be honest we didn't stand around too long. I asked the dude if it ran and he fired it up for us. Started on the first rev of the starter, ran smooth as silk. I offered him $1400 for it and the deal was done. 15 minute later we had it loaded up and gone! Not only did it run, but moves under its own power and has brakes too.
Tires were shit, but it did already have a 4" lift kit, which is all spring. It also has pretty new dual exhaust right out to behind the tires.
Naturally I couldn't leve it looking like that so I ordered up some tires and rims the next day. I found some 16x 7" steelies in Ford gray but brand new, and then had some 315-75R16 Yokokama AT's mounted up. I took the time to paint the rims the right color too.
I have been kinda half assed looking for another square for a while. We no longer have little kids so my need for a K5 is almost zero now. I have always loved the look of a mildly lifted long bed, especially the earlier years. Round eyed trucks are just sexy!
Anyways, my buddy Dean ( @max 02 ) got involved in the hunt and very quickly found this 77 K20 not far from his place. I'm clearly not into pretty trucks, at least not owning pretty trucks. This one had been off the road for a while and had almost become a parts truck.
So a few weeks ago we went to Deans place, hooked up my trailer and went to look at this rig. It was -24 C ( -12 F) so to be honest we didn't stand around too long. I asked the dude if it ran and he fired it up for us. Started on the first rev of the starter, ran smooth as silk. I offered him $1400 for it and the deal was done. 15 minute later we had it loaded up and gone! Not only did it run, but moves under its own power and has brakes too.
Tires were shit, but it did already have a 4" lift kit, which is all spring. It also has pretty new dual exhaust right out to behind the tires.
Naturally I couldn't leve it looking like that so I ordered up some tires and rims the next day. I found some 16x 7" steelies in Ford gray but brand new, and then had some 315-75R16 Yokokama AT's mounted up. I took the time to paint the rims the right color too.
After three weeks in the deep freeze the weather finally turned warmer here, so yesterday we went out to Dean's place to work on Clifford a little, at the very least get a better look at it.
I brought the 35's with. Even a POS can look a ton better with good tires and rims on it...so step one was get it off the trailer and into Dean's nice shop.
We were able to get a better look at things, and get the tires mounted. The lift I think is pretty new. Not shiny, but things up front are not how they would be if this saw and real use after it was installed. Brake lines need relocating, or longer ones, needs a raised steering arm, and the shocks are not attached because they're stock and too short. All minor.
Most everything under the truck looks good though. Trans pan leaks. Again not a big issue.
Dean generously dove into his stash and hooked me up with a bunch of stuff. A pair of good front fenders, also red ironically. Some inner fenders, battery tray, tail lights, a front signal light lens, passenger mirror, and an alternator after I broke the adjuster bolt off in the one it had.
Overall made a bit of progress, and it's already looking a lot better.
I brought the 35's with. Even a POS can look a ton better with good tires and rims on it...so step one was get it off the trailer and into Dean's nice shop.
We were able to get a better look at things, and get the tires mounted. The lift I think is pretty new. Not shiny, but things up front are not how they would be if this saw and real use after it was installed. Brake lines need relocating, or longer ones, needs a raised steering arm, and the shocks are not attached because they're stock and too short. All minor.
Most everything under the truck looks good though. Trans pan leaks. Again not a big issue.
Dean generously dove into his stash and hooked me up with a bunch of stuff. A pair of good front fenders, also red ironically. Some inner fenders, battery tray, tail lights, a front signal light lens, passenger mirror, and an alternator after I broke the adjuster bolt off in the one it had.
Overall made a bit of progress, and it's already looking a lot better.
Not into pretty trucks… Drags it home with his 2018 Denali. 
Not exactly the drive train you wanted but after seeing the add and the video the seller posted of it running I figured we would both like it.
Pluses included the asking price, running, lifted and only 20 minutes away from my place.
Talking to the PO he was also willing to take offers on it and held it for us till Rene was able to make the drive from his place to mine.
After getting it in the shop for a good look at it I believe it to be a very good project, nothing is hacked, even the electronics are all original and for the most part everything works.
The new wheels and tires gave it that look that we all appreciate!
I think Rene is in love!
Not exactly the drive train you wanted but after seeing the add and the video the seller posted of it running I figured we would both like it.
Pluses included the asking price, running, lifted and only 20 minutes away from my place.
Talking to the PO he was also willing to take offers on it and held it for us till Rene was able to make the drive from his place to mine.
After getting it in the shop for a good look at it I believe it to be a very good project, nothing is hacked, even the electronics are all original and for the most part everything works.
The new wheels and tires gave it that look that we all appreciate!
I think Rene is in love!
The name reminds me of this guy Eric (@87GMCSierra) I wheeled with once. https://ck5.com/forums/threads/clif...the-badlands-lots-of-pics.215429/post-2720728
I was pretty sure I wasn't the first person to use that name for a red truck...lol
So, what are some decent shocks for up front anymore? I'm thinking the length has to be something over 10"?
Bilsteins are my choice for shocks. ORD does a better job of giving you options for the right length vs buying from other online sources.
I like it!
ORD used to say that they have different valving than off of the shelf offerings for Bilstiens.
They call them 5125 instead of 5100 series as well.
Bilstein Shocks for '67-91 GM trucks
Bilstein 5100 and 5125 monotube shocks These shocks use a standard mounting width of 1.5" with a 1/2" bolt. Please purchase the correct bushings for your application here: 1968-1991 GM/Chevy Full-Size Shock Mounting
www.offroaddesign.com
Awesome score!
Looks 100% better with the new wheels and tires!
@tarussell
Looks like no over/under crossmember, or support rods for the T-case in 77...or at least this particular 77.
Yeah, I’ve been looking into what years things like that were introduced ( or I should say confirming ) for a while now and it appears that 78 seems to be the beginning of the side braces and torque converter cover to motor mount support bars for auto trans applications ( manual ones were a little later ).
I appreciate y’all checking for me !
Thanks, Tom
My 78 has the 400/203 with TC cover with braces and the support rod to the t case.
