My First K5

[Chip Cross]

Well I am going to pick up my first K5 tomorrow down in south Florida today. I am going to use the thread to show my build progress. This thing is a sleeper and what I mean by that is thing built up very well are ready.

It has a 454, Dana 60 front 14 bolt rear, F/R lockers, 4:56 gears, Th400 trans and a Np 205 transfer case. But is look like a plain old 1976 Jimmy on 35 from the side. Every sine I was a child the paint scheme on this Jimmy is my favorite GM paint scheme. My other favorite paint scheme is the mint green and dark metallic which was on my 1976 High Sierra man I miss that thing but anyway moving on.

Info from the previous owner....

Hedman ceramic coated headers w/ 2-1/2" dual exhaust to rear w/ turbo mufflers.( FACTORY DUAL EXHAUST TRUCK, SO NEVER ANY EMISSIONS!) 1986 military CUCV diesel TH-400 transmission and convertor, B & M Trans-Pak shift kit, adjustable modulator, factory GM deep sump pan w/drain plug. 1986 NP 205 gear driven transfer case w/ bolt on yokes, skid plate and new GM one piece mount. 1986 military CUCV Dana 60 front end w/ 4:56 gears, Lock-Rite locker, welded 1/4" heavy duty steel cover, new brakes, kingpins, springs, bushings, bearings, races, seals, tie-rods, adjusting sleeves, dropped pitman arm & drag links. 1986 military CUCV 14 bolt full floating rear-end w/ 4:56 gears, Detroit locker, welded 1/4" heavy duty steel cover, yoke guard, new axle bearings, races, seals, rear disc brake conversion with all new parts. New custom made rear driveshaft and u-joints. 4" BDS suspension lift kit with new military wrapped springs, polygraphite bushings and matching shocks. ESP polyurethane extended bump stops. Off-Road Design greasable polygraphite bushings, front and rear heavy duty shackles, steering box brace, rear u-bolt reversal kit, extended stainless steel brake lines, and sway bar disconnect kit. Military only front frame braces by firewall and motor mount. Extra cross-member added to frame for rigidity. B & M external oil cooler, transmission cooler, and power steering cooler. Rear disc brake conversion consists of: 1986 military CUCV hydro boost with a new pump, CNC machined brackets (no spacers), '78 Ford 3/4 ton 4x4 front rotors, '76 Chevy 3/4 ton 4x4 front calipers, '79 Pontiac Trans-Am WS-6 proportioning valve and hard lines, '91 Chevy motor-home (P30) master cylinder. Ford 16" x 7" steel wheels w/ original GMC stainless steel hubcaps( fronts are custom cut to clear the locking hubs). Dual Unity cop car spotlights, dual batteries with 1/0 welding cables. 4xArmor(?) rear bumper w/ 8" drop hitch. Military CUCV brush guard with KC lights, along with military front and rear clevises. 31 gallon fuel tank w/ factory skid plate. All new door hinges, hood hinges and springs. Bench seat ( has stiching coming undone), tight tilt steering column, new dash pad with all Auto-Meter sport comp gauges including tach, speedo, oil pressure (with stainless steel braided line), oil temp, transmission temp, water temp, volts, and fuel level. LED lights for turn signals and high beams. Line-X' d from firewall to tailgate ( no carpet), custom diamond plate aluminum storage box mounted behind seat, custom Craftsman toolbox mounted in rear. Factory aluminum radiator and new heater core. 315/75/16 (35's) Wild Country radial RVT mudders have less than 1000 mi on them. Military running gear had 28k miles when I purchased the complete running vehicle in 2006. Vector 3000 watt power inverter with 1/0 welding cables is mounted under the seat and will run most household appliances.

I know both rocker panels need replacing which is no biggie, but other then that the tub is a rust free Arizona truck. I have a fresh 454 from my K30 or I could sale the K30 and put a 5.3 Chevy in it, I am not 100% at this time. My K30 is built up so I hate to tare into it and rob parts. I am going to the ORD crossover high steer for sure and put my new Warn 8274 50 on the front of this truck.

 

[Chip Cross]

Here is some pictures if my K5.

 

[gotblazers]

gratz man. looking forward to your progress and thats quite a start with the axle swaps already done

 

[Chip Cross]

gratz man. looking forward to your progress and thats quite a start with the axle swaps already done

After talking with the current owner for the last few days I am finding out this thing is built like a brick poop house. I am going back with a 454 or if my K30 will sell I am going to put a 6.0 in it.

 

[POORBOYK5]

I think there's a classified ad for that on here... He's done quite a bit to it.. Nice score

 

[Chip Cross]

I think there's a classified ad for that on here... He's done quite a bit to it.. Nice score

Yes sir, it was a thread for it in the classifieds. I am embarrassed to say it but when I saw the truck on Fleabay for sale I got a woodie and sold all my RC rock crawling stuff to buy the truck.

 

[tRustyK5]

I think most of us got wood looking at that K5 in the ads here...i know i had a pic of it as my desktop for a couple of weeks. Did you buy it with or without the engine?

i recall the ad saying his preference was to sell it without the engine.

Great score by the way...that rig is a beauty and I also love that color! Kind of weird seeing so much clean sheet metal and then seeing the rockers were needing replacing though. I couldn't see any other rust though.

Rene

 

[Chip Cross]

I think most of us got wood looking at that K5 in the ads here...i know i had a pic of it as my desktop for a couple of weeks. Did you buy it with or without the engine?

i recall the ad saying his preference was to sell it without the engine.

Great score by the way...that rig is a beauty and I also love that color! Kind of weird seeing so much clean sheet metal and then seeing the rockers were needing replacing though. I couldn't see any other rust though.

Rene

I picked it up without a motor. I have a new 454 in my K30 I am going to pull the motor out of it or sell the whole truck and do a 6.0 or 6.2 conversion on this truck. The sheet metal is very clean, sucks about the rockers but the rockers are an easy fix.

 

[munepit]

Wow, there has been a lot of work to that rig. Looks sweet. Love that color scheme. Looking forward to the build. Shouldn't be to much to do. Well, I shouldn't have said that. Your never done! Good luck. Can't wait to see the progress!

 

[K85 Octane]

wow
lol

 

[str8axle55]

Congrats man, that is a sweet looking rig. Lots of good stuff done to it, and a nice body to boot.

 

[Chip Cross]

Congrats man, that is a sweet looking rig. Lots of good stuff done to it, and a nice body to boot.

Thanks man, I got down to South Florida last night to look at this thing and can I tell you it is sick. It is the kinda rig I have dreams about. The 34 year old tub is perect it just has a little cancer on the rockers and passenger door. I must say it was well worth the 900 mile drive down here.

 

[Chip Cross]

I just realized I never post the finished product...

I just finished up a GM 5.3 swap into the truck and I replaced everything from the fuel tank to the fuel rail on the motor with new parts. The fuel system is all plumbed in -06 Aeroquip socketless hose and -06 socketless fittings. I replaced the tank with a brand new tank and sending unit for a 1991 Jimmy and put the pump in the tank. I used a Holley/Walbro 255 LPH in tank pump and a regulator/filter from a 99 to 03 Vette. I am the 4th owner of this truck and this truck is an original Arizona truck so there is very little rust on it at all.

Specs :

Dana 60 front
Lock Right
1/4 Diff Cover
4:56 gears
New rotors, calipers and studs
New Wheel bearings
King Pins reworked
2.5 inch BDS front springs
ORD HD grease able shackles
ORD sway bar dico
ORD Steering box brace

14 Bolt rear
Detroit locker
4:56 gears
1/4 Diff cover
U joint / yoke rock guard
Rear disc conversion
New bearings and seals
shock mounts moved
axle perches moved
4 inch BDS rear springs
ORD HD grease able shackles

Built TH400
6 bolt round adapter
6 bolt round NP 205
New bearings, gaskets and seals in the NP 205

New 17X9 Pro Comp 1069 wheels with new 36X13.50X17 Irok bias tires. The tires have 27 miles on them and measure out the same as a 37x14.00X17 Irok which is 36.8 inches.

Hydoboost brakes

The inside of the tub has been Line X'ed

3000 watt continuous 6000 watt max inverter

New 31 gallon fuel tank with skid and very nice rear offroad bumper

Coated Street and Performance headers for a 5.3 swap into a 1973 to 87 GM Truck with a single Dynomax x flow muffler and no cats. The truck sounds great

New Taylor 10.4 wires, Taylor plug boots and with Bosch Platinum plugs

Flushed out the engine when we swapped it in and all I have ever ran in the motor is 5W20 Royal Purple oil.

 

[Chip Cross]

Here is a few pictures from when we dropped in the motor.

Picking up the motor from the dock...

The Jimmy getting ready for the 5.3 swap.

Pulled out the old tank and put in a new 31 gallon EFI tank with a sump and a in the tank fuel pump. The pump I used is a Holly 255LPH which was dumb on my part because it is nothing but a $100.00 in the tank Walbro pump I guess you live and learn. I also replaced the old fuel sending unit with a new EFI sending unit. All the fuel plumbing is going to be done in -06 Aeroquip Socketless hoes and -06 fittings. I am also using a Vette regulator and filter comb from Pace Performance with -06 fittings as well. I replace all the old straps to hold the tank in the truck and put on new anti squeak material.

We trashed all the old exhaust and I will be going with some mid length headers and a Magnaflow x pipe muffler.

My buddies 7 year and the head mechanic on this job. :

New home for the 5.3

Checking all the clearance

And it is in...

 

[K85 Octane]

way nice
did that come from TurnKey or where?

 

[Chip Cross]

way nice
did that come from TurnKey or where?

Pacific Fabrication

 

[Chip Cross]

Started up grading the radiator and replacing some junk...

I know I keep harping on this but Vortec power in old school iron is just sweet.:

Just a few pictures of the old radiator, tranny cooler and oil cooler.

New radiator with e fan and shroud.

front side with power steering cooler still waiting on my tranny cooler.

Taylor boots for the Taylor 10.4 wires.