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One K5 From Two

GalDemSuga

1/2 ton status
Joined
Nov 2, 2008
Posts
590
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Location
ATLANTA, GA
On July 17, I wrecked my 89 K5 blazer (pics attahed). On the 18th, I bought another 89 K5 blazer (pics attached).

My plan is to make one from both. But I'm intimidated by this project. It is alot of stuff to do and no help available. Has anyone done this before on their own?

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I've been swapping parts from a '79 parts K5 to my '73 for over a year now, and 90-95% of the work is by myself. It's totally possible, but slower than if you have another set of hands. On Thursday I reinstalled my 31gal fuel tank and skid w/o help. I got it done, but it's slow..slow..slow. haha. work on one area at a time, be it swapping sheetmetal or wiring, or interior pieces. turn this big project into a list of smaller, more manageable ones.
 
I've been swapping parts from a '79 parts K5 to my '73 for over a year now, and 90-95% of the work is by myself. It's totally possible, but slower than if you have another set of hands. On Thursday I reinstalled my 31gal fuel tank and skid w/o help. I got it done, but it's slow..slow..slow. haha. work on one area at a time, be it swapping sheetmetal or wiring, or interior pieces. turn this big project into a list of smaller, more manageable ones.

Great advice. I have to have her ready for the winter. Plus my time is limited because I work away from home. I'm currently working on having the wrecked truck sent home to GA.
I still have to get home and pick up the other one from sellor. Man I'm stressing alreay:doah:
 
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No worries man just keep plugging away at it. I am currently undertaking putting 3 different trucks together to make one. Well a 73 C&C a 90 burb an 89 blazer and a 73 blazer. Oh I guess thats 4 oh well whos counting.

Just keep on working on it and you will be done before you know it
 
No worries man just keep plugging away at it. I am currently undertaking putting 3 different trucks together to make one. Well a 73 C&C a 90 burb an 89 blazer and a 73 blazer. Oh I guess thats 4 oh well whos counting.

Just keep on working on it and you will be done before you know it
Thanks for the encouragement. I will make up a solid game plan and move forth.
 
Ouch, looks like that hurt. Good luck with the project.

Actually,I felt nothing. I've always felt safe when driving my K5. I ran over a few deer and didn't damage the truck. So when I ran over a 2002 Dodge Caravan last Friday and walked away without a scratch, I had to get another K5.

So the next day I found one on CL and called my wife to go buy it for me.
 
Having done this (1 truck from 2), including a body swap. I'll throw in my 2c here.

Go through both trucks, and decide (at least for major assemblies) what is going to be used from which truck

Plan ahead. Don't strip axles out before you're ready to replace them, as working on 2 trucks takes a lot of space, and being able to move them helps a LOT

If you're moving bodies or front end sheetmetal around, try and do as much mechanical work with the body and sheetmetal off as possible. it's a LOT easier, and a LOT faster.

Similarly, if you're going to be doing any modifications, do them when you have access

Be prepared to walk away and do something else. May be for 10 minutes, may be for a week. That said, also be prepared to work into the wee hours of the morning for days and days in a row. When you get a good groove going, take advantage of it.

Don't give up. It WILL get finished. try and space out major accomplishments, as each one is a huge boost in drive to keep working.

Don't put off getting it to run until its ready to drive, then you only have one accomplishment. if you get it to start, then you'll find you have new energy to work towards getting it driving.

When it comes down to it, its all about a little bit for foresight and planning, and a LOT of plain old work ethic.
 
Yea, its totally doable. My best advice is that if you aren't super mechanically inclined like me, mark everything and take lots of digital pictures! You end up with two trucks worth of parts lying around it sure helps when you are putting them back together. Freezer bags come in really handy for marking where nuts and bolts come from.
 
Update

My build is shaping up nicely.
Yesterday I popped off the rear axle cover and found alot of metal in the axle. I cleaned it up and all the large gears are in great condition, except for a small gear with small teeth. It is located on the left of the axle.

How important is this damaged gear. Can I get by without replacing it for now? I will be using the 4X4 regularly.
 
thinking your talking about your spider gears if so there pretty easy to swap out just gotta rotate the diff around till u see a small bolt to un bolt then then they should fall out with a little movement
 
thinking your talking about your spider gears if so there pretty easy to swap out just gotta rotate the diff around till u see a small bolt to un bolt then then they should fall out with a little movement

No. This is not the spider gear but rather a single sprocket/gear behind the left spider gear. It has very small teeth. I beileve it may be the limited slip but I'm unsure as this is new to me:D
 
sounds like a gov lock diff.if theres mettel in there the diff is about to die.time for a new diff.
 
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