New guy Mike, checking in (camper questions)

[Atl-atl]

I dont have a K5 yet but have begun my search. Im specifically looking for a Blazer or Jimmy with a Four Wheel Camper. Research has shown they are quite difficult to find ha! Im no stranger to FWCs, Ive rebuilt 3 so far, the latest one being the most extensive. Im considering modifying a non-blazer camper to fit if I cant find one. If anyone knows of a K5 FWC for sale, regardless of condition, Im planning to do a complete restoration. Here are some before/afters of my latest FWC Fleet that I shortened 20" and basically made into a modern day Swift.

It was as much of a "frame off resto" as I think you can get with a camper. Complete gut and rebuild, shortened 20", entire reworking of all the systems. Completely new interior and exterior. The only thing I didnt do was replace the canvas because I got an offer for it I couldn't refuse before getting around to new canvas. I did all of the work myself including upholstery, the only exception being welding the aluminum frame back together after I shortened it. This time around I will be doing any necessary welding also because Im now equipped to do so.

 

[Bent77]

Moved ya to the garage and edited the title so the camper heads will find you...

@Larry @ZooMad75 @Capt Ron @whoeverImissed

 

[Atl-atl]

Moved ya to the garage and edited the title so the camper heads will find you...

Thank you!

 

[sweetk30]

and also @a77blazerchalet he is the gurru for blazer/jimmeys with factory chalet campers . and finds others in his search he would be a good one to talk with .

 

[tenderfoot]

Are unregistered members allowed access to the classifieds? Because this has been for sale for a while and might interest you.
https://ck5.com/forums/threads/1975-k5-with-camper-for-sale.336096/

 

[Capt Ron]

I dont have a K5 yet but have begun my search. Im specifically looking for a Blazer or Jimmy with a Four Wheel Camper. Research has shown they are quite difficult to find ha! Im no stranger to FWCs, Ive rebuilt 3 so far, the latest one being the most extensive. Im considering modifying a non-blazer camper to fit if I cant find one. If anyone knows of a K5 FWC for sale, regardless of condition, Im planning to do a complete restoration. Here are some before/afters of my latest FWC Fleet that I shortened 20" and basically made into a modern day Swift.

It was as much of a "frame off resto" as I think you can get with a camper. Complete gut and rebuild, shortened 20", entire reworking of all the systems. Completely new interior and exterior. The only thing I didn't do was replace the canvas because I got an offer for it I couldn't refuse before getting around to new canvas. I did all of the work myself including upholstery, the only exception being welding the aluminum frame back together after I shortened it. This time around I will be doing any necessary welding also because Im now equipped to do so.

Wow, you have got some serious skills and dedication. Being as deep as you have been in the rebuilding process of these things I gotta wonder if you would be better off just building one from scratch?

 

[tenderfoot]

Yeah that is some nice work. How long did it take?

 

[ZooMad75]

Are unregistered members allowed access to the classifieds? Because this has been for sale for a while and might interest you.
https://ck5.com/forums/threads/1975-k5-with-camper-for-sale.336096/

That's a Hallmark camper despite what the guys says on the ad. Just so you know.

I've got a pretty extensive record of what I've been through on my FWC Blazer camper. Just look at my build thread here.

They are out there, but you have to act quick when they come up. Search Craigslist in Denver and surrounding areas. There are more around here by the fact they were built in Denver before the company was sold and moved to California. There was one for sale up to a couple of weeks ago in Denver. I want to say it was a 77 K5.

I've seen your thread on your FWC rebuild on expo portal. Nice work. These are a bit easier to work with as there is no lower section to the camper. Just bolts the the tub like a stock K5 top except in one distinct area. The roof section at the back of the cab lacks bolts in most. Captron's had been bolted but his is rare in that fact. The camper only sealed to the back of the cab with camper tape exposing the channel where the factory top and seals come together. I used a section of a top to graft onto the camper, locate the holes for the bolts and added the six bolts that they should have used in the first place. Plus it seals the channel up and does not leak.

When you get one don't hesitate to ask any questions. Ron and I have been deep into ours.

 

[Bent77]

That's a Hallmark camper despite what the guys says on the ad. Just so you know.

I've got a pretty extensive record of what I've been through on my FWC Blazer camper. Just look at my build thread here.

They are out there, but you have to act quick when they come up. Search Craigslist in Denver and surrounding areas. There are more around here by the fact they were built in Denver before the company was sold and moved to California. There was one for sale up to a couple of weeks ago in Denver. I want to say it was a 77 K5.

I've seen your thread on your FWC rebuild on expo portal. Nice work. These are a bit easier to work with as there is no lower section to the camper. Just bolts the the tub like a stock K5 top except in one distinct area. The roof section at the back of the cab lacks bolts in most. Captron's had been bolted but his is rare in that fact. The camper only sealed to the back of the cab with camper tape exposing the channel where the factory top and seals come together. I used a section of a top to graft onto the camper, locate the holes for the bolts and added the six bolts that they should have used in the first place. Plus it seals the channel up and does not leak.

When you get one don't hesitate to ask any questions. Ron and I have been deep into ours.

this build

https://ck5.com/forums/threads/91-k5-camper-rear-bumper-completed.322351/

 

[Desert_K5]

Nice work for sure! I just picked up a short wheel base palomino for my super duty. So I'm following along for the experience.

 

[ZooMad75]

So I tend to pull the photos from any for sale ad I find of a Blazer FWC camper. Here's the one I was thinking of. Turns out it was a '79 but it's the one. It's not currently on Craigslist right now, but I'd bet it shows up again in a week or two.

This one was for sale in Las Vegas in the last couple of months and I've seen it resurface on IG using the hashtag #K5Camper I started using on my camper pics.

I still keep my eye out online for them, not so much that I want to buy another one, but to crib the pics for my little collection. I'll post up if anything "pops-up".

 

[Atl-atl]

and also @a77blazerchalet he is the gurru for blazer/jimmeys with factory chalet campers . and finds others in his search he would be a good one to talk with .

I came across his posts over the last few days. He definitely seems to be the knowledge base for Chalets. There is one for sale locally that I might go check out but I dont think its what Im looking for. I want to be able to wheel pretty hard and like as low of a center of gravity as possible.

Are unregistered members allowed access to the classifieds? Because this has been for sale for a while and might interest you.
https://ck5.com/forums/threads/1975-k5-with-camper-for-sale.336096/

I can look at the classifieds but that truck seems to be sold.

Wow, you have got some serious skills and dedication. Being as deep as you have been in the rebuilding process of these things I gotta wonder if you would be better off just building one from scratch?

Thank you. Starting from scratch is intriguing but Id rather start with a camper at this point.

Yeah that is some nice work. How long did it take?

Thank you, that one had about 500 hours of labor into it.

 

[Atl-atl]

That's a Hallmark camper despite what the guys says on the ad. Just so you know.

I've got a pretty extensive record of what I've been through on my FWC Blazer camper. Just look at my build thread here.

They are out there, but you have to act quick when they come up. Search Craigslist in Denver and surrounding areas. There are more around here by the fact they were built in Denver before the company was sold and moved to California. There was one for sale up to a couple of weeks ago in Denver. I want to say it was a 77 K5.

I've seen your thread on your FWC rebuild on expo portal. Nice work. These are a bit easier to work with as there is no lower section to the camper. Just bolts the the tub like a stock K5 top except in one distinct area. The roof section at the back of the cab lacks bolts in most. Captron's had been bolted but his is rare in that fact. The camper only sealed to the back of the cab with camper tape exposing the channel where the factory top and seals come together. I used a section of a top to graft onto the camper, locate the holes for the bolts and added the six bolts that they should have used in the first place. Plus it seals the channel up and does not leak.

When you get one don't hesitate to ask any questions. Ron and I have been deep into ours.

Thank you for the compliments. I will definitely be asking you lots of questions in the future!

So I tend to pull the photos from any for sale ad I find of a Blazer FWC camper. Here's the one I was thinking of. Turns out it was a '79 but it's the one. It's not currently on Craigslist right now, but I'd bet it shows up again in a week or two.

This one was for sale in Las Vegas in the last couple of months and I've seen it resurface on IG using the hashtag #K5Camper I started using on my camper pics.

I still keep my eye out online for them, not so much that I want to buy another one, but to crib the pics for my little collection. I'll post up if anything "pops-up".

Thank you, I will definitely be looking for these to "pop-up" again, even if I have to buy one just for the camper. Id rather start with a nicer truck but Ill take what I can get, a nice truck is the easy part to find.

 

[ZooMad75]

Thank you for the compliments. I will definitely be asking you lots of questions in the future!



Thank you, I will definitely be looking for these to "pop-up" again, even if I have to buy one just for the camper. Id rather start with a nicer truck but Ill take what I can get, a nice truck is the easy part to find.

I love to help if it means one more of these unique campers gets back on the trail.

You do need to be prepared for the idea of buying a complete combo when they come up. I got extremely lucky when I found mine that the guy was willing to split it up. That was the gamechanger for me as my K5 was built, ready to go and was not going to start over on another one. I nailed that dude with emails trying to set up a time to check it out and thankfully was the first one he responded too. I was going to negotiate but I got the "there is another guy coming in an hour to look at it" speech so I dropped the cash on him then.

I know of a couple that have come up regularly, go away and get reposted later. The hallmark painted like Tony the tiger is still for sale on craigslist. It's probably rarer than the FWC Blazers due to a smaller production run. The hallmark does have a much larger cab-over section as you can see compared to mine or the ones in the above pics. They are similarly setup to the FWC type but do have a better roof lifting mechanism compared to the FWC setup.
https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/d/boulder-1975-k5-blazer-with-pop-up/6828746196.html

 

[ZooMad75]

I came across his posts over the last few days. He definitely seems to be the knowledge base for Chalets. There is one for sale locally that I might go check out but I dont think its what Im looking for. I want to be able to wheel pretty hard and like as low of a center of gravity as possible.

I have to agree on the center of gravity on the Chalet. Plus the added height and overhang makes them tough to wheel in tight places. It's bad enough with one of these on there, but at least it's not a few inches taller, heavier and 18" more to the rear for a horrible departure angle.

I wheeled mine with the camper all last summer from Mojave road in CA to the AZ strip at the north rim of the grand canyon and multiple mountain trips in Colorado. While the Mojave and AZ strip were fairly tame where I might have pulled the t-case out of 2wd twice all week, the mountain runs were much more technical and tight.

Honestly outside of the added height mine wheels pretty close to what it did prior to the camper install. I've made sure that all the heavy stuff stays at the floor. I did delete the 3way fridge, water tank, sink and stove in mine though.

Watching out in tight trees is the nerve wracking part. But if you've wheeled with a fwc on another truck you know what I'm talking about. I do have to redo my window screens this spring since the pine tree limbs peeled most of mine off on the last couple of trips though.

Still done right mine really isn't any less capable than it was before off road. On road, it needs more power. Wind drag is the hardest thing to overcome. You need torque. Ron and I are both swapping to big blocks for that reason. We are following what Larry has done with his K10 and Phoenix camper combo you can see here and is well known on expo portal too. I'm running a 5.3 and it is lacking in winds and steep grades. Hence the 8.1 swap.

I do have to say though the ability to take off hit a trail and camp where most people can't get a regular hard side camper is worth the trade offs for sure.

 

[Atl-atl]

I love to help if it means one more of these unique campers gets back on the trail.

You do need to be prepared for the idea of buying a complete combo when they come up. I got extremely lucky when I found mine that the guy was willing to split it up. That was the gamechanger for me as my K5 was built, ready to go and was not going to start over on another one. I nailed that dude with emails trying to set up a time to check it out and thankfully was the first one he responded too. I was going to negotiate but I got the "there is another guy coming in an hour to look at it" speech so I dropped the cash on him then.

I know of a couple that have come up regularly, go away and get reposted later. The hallmark painted like Tony the tiger is still for sale on craigslist. It's probably rarer than the FWC Blazers due to a smaller production run. The hallmark does have a much larger cab-over section as you can see compared to mine or the ones in the above pics. They are similarly setup to the FWC type but do have a better roof lifting mechanism compared to the FWC setup.
https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/d/boulder-1975-k5-blazer-with-pop-up/6828746196.html

I have to agree on the center of gravity on the Chalet. Plus the added height and overhang makes them tough to wheel in tight places. It's bad enough with one of these on there, but at least it's not a few inches taller, heavier and 18" more to the rear for a horrible departure angle.

I wheeled mine with the camper all last summer from Mojave road in CA to the AZ strip at the north rim of the grand canyon and multiple mountain trips in Colorado. While the Mojave and AZ strip were fairly tame where I might have pulled the t-case out of 2wd twice all week, the mountain runs were much more technical and tight.

Honestly outside of the added height mine wheels pretty close to what it did prior to the camper install. I've made sure that all the heavy stuff stays at the floor. I did delete the 3way fridge, water tank, sink and stove in mine though.

Watching out in tight trees is the nerve wracking part. But if you've wheeled with a fwc on another truck you know what I'm talking about. I do have to redo my window screens this spring since the pine tree limbs peeled most of mine off on the last couple of trips though.

Still done right mine really isn't any less capable than it was before off road. On road, it needs more power. Wind drag is the hardest thing to overcome. You need torque. Ron and I are both swapping to big blocks for that reason. We are following what Larry has done with his K10 and Phoenix camper combo you can see here and is well known on expo portal too. I'm running a 5.3 and it is lacking in winds and steep grades. Hence the 8.1 swap.

I do have to say though the ability to take off hit a trail and camp where most people can't get a regular hard side camper is worth the trade offs for sure.

Im definitely prepared to buy a whole vehicle just for the camper. Its gotta be a FWC though, the Chalet's cabover isnt even a bed which is super odd, I dont want to have to rearrange the whole interior every time I want to sleep. Thats interesting to hear about the 5.3 not being powerful enough. Ill be driving all over the mountain west so I need plenty of power. My previous Dodge with a 340 horse 5.7 and an FWC in it seemed plenty powerful with 37s. I guess I need to just buy one and start using it to see how much is enough, if there is such a thing hahaha.

 

[Bent77]

Im definitely prepared to buy a whole vehicle just for the camper. Its gotta be a FWC though, the Chalet's cabover isnt even a bed which is super odd, I dont want to have to rearrange the whole interior every time I want to sleep. Thats interesting to hear about the 5.3 not being powerful enough. Ill be driving all over the mountain west so I need plenty of power. My previous Dodge with a 340 horse 5.7 and an FWC in it seemed plenty powerful with 37s. I guess I need to just buy one and start using it to see how much is enough, if there is such a thing hahaha.

The 5.3 guys have mostly stated the need to use the Revs, since the low end isn't able to support pushing a 6K pound vehicle uphill in the upper gear
Problem being amplified by the drastic lack of oxygen and super awesome 5 and 8 mile long hills at 11,000'

 

[ZooMad75]

Im definitely prepared to buy a whole vehicle just for the camper. Its gotta be a FWC though, the Chalet's cabover isnt even a bed which is super odd, I dont want to have to rearrange the whole interior every time I want to sleep. Thats interesting to hear about the 5.3 not being powerful enough. Ill be driving all over the mountain west so I need plenty of power. My previous Dodge with a 340 horse 5.7 and an FWC in it seemed plenty powerful with 37s. I guess I need to just buy one and start using it to see how much is enough, if there is such a thing hahaha.

The 5.3 guys have mostly stated the need to use the Revs, since the low end isn't able to support pushing a 6K pound vehicle uphill in the upper gear
Problem being amplified by the drastic lack of oxygen and super awesome 5 and 8 mile long hills at 11,000'

Bent's got it right. It's not that the 5.3 don't make the power, but that you have to spin it like mad to get the power you need. Climbing Monarch or Wolf Creek passes has mine digging deep in 2nd gear at 4-5,000 rpms. Not that it can't handle the rev's but just don't want to have to do it that way. I did find that if stayed in it longer and carried momentum into the climb it did better. But these dang mountain passes aren't always straight so hauling tail to carry momentum only works until you have to make some of the sharp turns at the switchbacks. Then it's back to 2nd gear and putting the pedal on the floor again. I'm used to it, but after following Larry's truck everywhere and seeing it done without breaking a sweat, it's what I want. Admittedly I could have jumped the gearing up to 4.56 or 4.88's to keep the engine in it's power curve better, but where's the fun in that when I could throw a big block in right?

 

[Desert_K5]

The guy above with the grey blazer / FWC was actually in AZ just across the dam. He wanted $3000 just for the camper last I messaged him.

 

[Atl-atl]

The guy above with the grey blazer / FWC was actually in AZ just across the dam. He wanted $3000 just for the camper last I messaged him.

I just moved to AZ in June so Im not quite familiar with local terminology yet ha, "just across the dam" means across from Las Vegas? How did you message the guy? Can you share the contact info?

Thanks!