Mr. Clean's dune cruising 71' K5 "Oprah" beams, links, and turbo ls powwwa

[Mr.Clean]

Mr.Clean submitted a new Build:

Mr. Clean's dune cruising 71' K5 "Oprah" beams, links, and turbo ls powwwa

Well new to me 71 k5. Always wanted a first gen just never really looked at buying one cause there either too expensive or too rusty. This one is neither. So i jumped on it.
Specs

350 sbc
Th350
Np205
Ford 44 coil springs radius arms cross over steering
Rear dana 60 discs 63" springs with shackle flip
Fox 2.0 resi shocks
Caged
Carbeau buckets
5 points
33"X12.5"15"





















View attachment 230745

Read more about this build here...

 

[Mr.Clean]

As of now no 4wd because the ford axle and wrong side t case. I have a 241 drivers drop i could put in or convert everything to a chevy axle......or just put paddles on it and more skinny pedal and call it good.

Plans are to not touch it. It runs and drives and ill make improvements once needed. Meaning i broke what the p.o. built and it needs to be built better. If i learned anything on my blue truck is keep it mobile while upgrading. Because before you know it you have a whole truck in pieces in your pole barn in your way

Theres alot of little simple things i plan to do this winter such as clean up the wiring its a hack job, remake some pretty mounts and brackets( some are crude and welds are penetrated but just dont look appealing), and tie the cage thats bolted to the floor to the frame.

 

[max 02]

Sweet!!

 

[blazinzuk]

Those radius arms need some beefing up. I would do that first. They look plenty long but a little on the anemic side.

Do the drivers drop t case. It would be best to remote mount the oil filter. I am digging it man very cool

 

[Mr.Clean]

Those radius arms need some beefing up. I would do that first. They look plenty long but a little on the anemic side.

Do the drivers drop t case. It would be best to remote mount the oil filter. I am digging it man very cool

I plan on doing something with the radius arms for sure. Its 2"x.25 DOM but i dont see those lasting long term how they are now. Got a picture in my head of a gusset to build to add to them. If they dont come out ill start over from scratch and build my own.

 

[blazinzuk]

I have built several radius arm suspensions. In all seriousness 3 link it. Gusset those for now but those c bushings just suck.


I can't tell if your c bushing mounts are cast in or welded on. The cast in ones you can't cut off. I mean you can make em work but it does limit you somewhat.

Oh another thing make sure your coils are captured top and bottom. It adds some stability overall.

But that is is a good start on a bitchen ride

 

[Mr.Clean]

Idk if there cast or welded either. I've only had enough time to go pick it up and put it in the garage. Just got alot going on right now but hoping to dive into it this weekend.

Thanks for the input. Appreciated coming from someone with the knowledge you have

 

[AJMBLAZER]

I like it.

 

[Cruz89K5]

Very nice. Love first gens.

 

[76zimmer]

great beginnings Nate...did Adam put that exhaust on it?

 

[newoldscottsdale77]

nice rig, in the 2nd and 6th pic it looks like the coil spring is pulled towards the center, is that an opticle illusion or is something going on there?

 

[Blue85]

Awesome, dude. Great starting point.

 

[Deuling]

great beginnings Nate...did Adam put that exhaust on it?

I also noticed that


Friggen flex pipe.

 

[blazinzuk]

nice rig, in the 2nd and 6th pic it looks like the coil spring is pulled towards the center, is that an opticle illusion or is something going on there?

I would bet this are the deaver coils for Broncos. If you have a flat mounting surface on either the top or bottom of the coil they will do that. Ford coil springs are not designed to be mounts on a flat surface. Those are soft springs too thing probably rides nice

 

[82355]

Looks strange with such little tires and so much lift. What gears are in it?

Martin

 

[Mr.Clean]

I would bet this are the deaver coils for Broncos. If you have a flat mounting surface on either the top or bottom of the coil they will do that. Ford coil springs are not designed to be mounts on a flat surface. Those are soft springs too thing probably rides nice

You are correct sir. 7" deaver coil springs for a bronco. And yes it rode very well down the road. He also did not make his buckets exactly in line with each other so they do inboard in at the frame. Think that could pose a problem? If the spring is captured top and bottom it shouldnt ever come out. Especially once i add limit straps?

 

[Mr.Clean]

Looks strange with such little tires and so much lift. What gears are in it?

Martin

Yes it does i agree. I want to look into some shorter deaver springs to drop the front about 3-4 inches and then there is a 2" block in the rear i can remove. Its center of gravity just feels too high for a go fast truck. Idk if ill stay with 33"s if i go bigger i dont want bigger then 35"s. And gears dont know yet idk yet even if the front ans rear match. I have to check them out, more and likely a gear swap will be in the future but thats no biggie.

 

[blazinzuk]

If it were me I would line the coil buckets up. Its hard on the springs bowed like that. It will eventually wear them. May be 2 or 3 years or even longer but it will.

 

[blazinzuk]

With the stock c bushings I doubt it will flex enough to come out but captured coil springs are more stable in turns on sidehills etc. It will help in the powerslide/drifting dept.

I would try to keep those longer springs and work on just mounting the bucket higher. Will be hard cause of the steering shaft. The 4" ones don't have quite as much flex potential

 

[Mr.Clean]

If it were me I would line the coil buckets up. Its hard on the springs bowed like that. It will eventually wear them. May be 2 or 3 years or even longer but it will.

Well if i were to move the buckets that woukd give me a chance to raise them allowing me to use those same springs and drop the front end a few inches.