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Not another 1ton Project- my first K5

T

Tncumminsguy

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Joined
Apr 20, 2009
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Location
Nashville
Some backstory: I've been really wanting something I can drive hunting, take the top off in summer and do some light wheeling with since my rock crawler is so purpose built and not even close to street legal. I originally wanted another jeep but finding a cj8 is hard and they are way to small for what I want to do. So naturally I turn to one of my all time favorite vehicles.. the K5. Started looking in my price range and found plenty of stock ones, then I found one on some 3/4ton axles and that led to lets find one on 1 tons.

I know myself well enough that no matter what vehicle I own, I will always change tons of stuff on it and "overbuild". So I found a 84' on CL in Alabama with 12k miles on trans and motor, dana 60/70 combo with 4.56's and Detroits, grabbed my trailer and bought it last night. Kindof an impulse buy but the price was right at under 3k and it has a great drivetrain.

Specs
-superlift springs
- Dana 60 front
- Dana 70 rear (looks dually, very narrow:dunno:)
- 350
- 700r4
- np208
- 35's

Pulling it home



This morning




Immediate plans
- Fix steering (very loose, maybe new box)
- DIY4x4 or ORD Crossover and highsteer kit
- New exhaust
- Get driver side turnsignals working
- Register it
- Change all the fluids
- Fix front shackle angle
- Sell longtubes for block huggers


Summer plans
- Soft top
- Build bumpers
- Winch
- New headlights
- Restore interior
- Suspension seats or better seats for front
- Stereo
- fix small rust on floors
- Re-bedline interior
- 37's
 
gratz on the new money pit. :)

Looking forward to seeing what you do with it.
 
ashman said:
gratz on the new money pit. :)

Looking forward to seeing what you do with it.
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Thanks, luckily I can get almost everything on craigslist for cheap. Already found most of the stuff I need for under 200.00. Trying to keep this a more "budget" build

And I just found 6 37" BFG blue label crawlers for a steal so the budget might have just been shot
 
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carb'd, I won't even waste my money trying to EFI or build this motor. I see a 5.3 or 6.0 making its way into this next year
 
Ordered the ORD weld on frame brace kit, getting a 2wd steering box but not sure which one to get? and plan on purchasing the crossover steering so I can get this thing on the road
 
Tncumminsguy said:
Ordered the ORD weld on frame brace kit, getting a 2wd steering box but not sure which one to get? and plan on purchasing the crossover steering so I can get this thing on the road
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Youll need 80' to 87' 2wd steering box for the type of fittings your truck has. I recommend getting one from rockauto. I got mine brand new without a core for $50 because it didnt have the cardone sticker on it, which means nothing.

Also just a heads up you wont be able to use your 4wd pitman arm so youll need a new one to angle backwards for crossover. ORD sells a really nice one.
 
wetoolowdingbangow said:
Youll need 80' to 87' 2wd steering box for the type of fittings your truck has. I recommend getting one from rockauto. I got mine brand new without a core for $50 because it didnt have the cardone sticker on it, which means nothing.

Also just a heads up you wont be able to use your 4wd pitman arm so youll need a new one to angle backwards for crossover. ORD sells a really nice one.
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Thanks for the tips, really enjoying being able to actually purchase stuff and bolt it on vs custom fabricate everything like my crawler.
 
Tncumminsguy said:
Thanks for the tips, really enjoying being able to actually purchase stuff and bolt it on vs custom fabricate everything like my crawler.
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Yeah no problem!

Tell me about it! Its cool to make some changes and then be able to use it as opposed to completely rebuilding stuff. Between Ruffstuff, ORD, DIY4x and WFO theres nothing that cant be found and bolted on!
 
Just another tip on that sweet truck. The 700R4 tranny and the 208 case is that trucks two weakest links so unless you plan on a lot of highway driving I'd change the tranny to even a turbo 400. I've already had to redo mine twice in the two years I've had it because its just not a strong tranny and then to bulk up the t case I'd replace the super week 208 one with a cast iron gear driven 205 case and if you do all that along with a different engine like you were planning you will have a super rock solid trail rig for anything you want to do man. Still super jealous over the body its in great condition.
 
mr.chevy1500 said:
Just another tip on that sweet truck. The 700R4 tranny and the 208 case is that trucks two weakest links so unless you plan on a lot of highway driving I'd change the tranny to even a turbo 400. I've already had to redo mine twice in the two years I've had it because its just not a strong tranny and then to bulk up the t case I'd replace the super week 208 one with a cast iron gear driven 205 case and if you do all that along with a different engine like you were planning you will have a super rock solid trail rig for anything you want to do man. Still super jealous over the body its in great condition.
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I'm gonna keep the OD trans for highway use, I know the weak point is the 208 from my friends exploding them. Why GM ever made the 208 is way beyond me. I have a dedicated trail rig already so this will see lighter wheeling/highway use. Looking for a good deal on a 6.0LS/4l80e and I'll do a np205 swap while i'm at it, but thats way down the road
 
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Tncumminsguy said:
So ORD,Diy4x4 or WFO crossover steering kit?
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I personally bought individual parts to make up my crossover steering. I bought the arm (only passenger side arm as im not running high steer) from ruffstuff for 100 bucks and also got the studs from them. Then I got the crossover drag link from ORD...which I personally think is the best! As I mentioned I also got their pitman arm.

So far the ruff stuff arm is every bit as good as other although its not a springless set up. If you do go springless youll have to buy the driver side cap which costs more money.
 
Whatever steering arms you go with do a spring less design.

I disagree that the 700 is weak I also disagree the 208 is weak. If I was gonna change cases it would be to a 241. The 205 has a crap low range and I have seen as many of them break as 208s.
 
blazinzuk said:
Whatever steering arms you go with do a spring less design.

I disagree that the 700 is weak I also disagree the 208 is weak. If I was gonna change cases it would be to a 241. The 205 has a crap low range and I have seen as many of them break as 208s.
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If I do any transfer case swap it will be for a 203/205 combo honestly. I plan to leave the 700r4 in there till one day I do an LS swap and switch to a modern overdrive. I highly doubt I will wheel this thing hard enough to break a case like my buddy did on his truggy
 
Tncumminsguy said:
If I do any transfer case swap it will be for a 203/205 combo honestly. I plan to leave the 700r4 in there till one day I do an LS swap and switch to a modern overdrive. I highly doubt I will wheel this thing hard enough to break a case like my buddy did on his truggy
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Thats the only transfer case my 208 will come out for. Ive beat the piss out of the 700 and 208 and as long as your not launching and landing under power itll hold up fine.
 
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