Sacramento Area K5 Blazer owners!!

[OrngK5]

Hey all, this thread is aimed towards those in the Sacramento, CA area. I own a 78' K5 and I'm looking for a 4x4 retailer or shop that is experienced / knowledgeable about this era of trucks, I've visited a few places and got quotes, but before I make any decisions I figured I would consult the real "experts" for these beasts, and who you'd trust with your K5. Unfortunately I don't have the space, tools, or time , but I'm willing to stimulate the economy by purchasing rims, tires, and suspension installed somewhere local. I'd appreciate any opinions from you on where you recommend! Thanks in advance too!!

 

[NV_K5]

Auburn: http://wfoconcepts.com/Projects/index.html

 

[dhcomp]

Just posting to say hi, i have a place in the Davis area....but am working in teh bay area right now. Curious to see what you think of that shop recommended above.

 

[imiceman44]

Just posting to say hi, i have a place in the Davis area....but am working in teh bay area right now. Curious to see what you think of that shop recommended above.

That shop is good.
The owner is a good guy and a wheeler too.

Where in Sac are you?
Maybe we can get together and discuss what your wants and needs are from that K5 and then I could either help you or steer you in the right direction.
I do all my work myself and have the space (at least for now) but I am selling pretty much everything to stay afloat, so if you need anything I might have it.
PM me if you want to talk or meet, I rarely check in here, I usually stick to the technical forums.

 

[AUK5]

looks like they do amazing work. why does everything look so much more bad ass with a straight axle

 

[NorCalKid]

I grew up in Davis and am back there when I am not is school. There is a shop out in Elk Grove, Adam Ant Creations, that had an older k5 in it when I picked up some parts. Looked like he was putting in a saucy cage, I am pretty sure there are pics of it on the site. http://www.aa-fab.com/

I have heard good things about fishmouth fab as well http://fishmouth-fabworks.com//HOME.HTML

There is another one that someone on here used that did some good work I will find it in a bit

Edit: Looks like it was fishmouth actually, heres the thread
http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=242645

If you drive a little there is Blazen Offroad http://www.blazenoffroad.com/ up is South Lake they are a vendor on here or Pacific Fab in Morgan Hill http://www.pacificfab.net/index.html

 

[OrngK5]

That shop is good.
The owner is a good guy and a wheeler too.

Where in Sac are you?
Maybe we can get together and discuss what your wants and needs are from that K5 and then I could either help you or steer you in the right direction.
I do all my work myself and have the space (at least for now) but I am selling pretty much everything to stay afloat, so if you need anything I might have it.
PM me if you want to talk or meet, I rarely check in here, I usually stick to the technical forums.

I'm more North East of Sacramento, Roseville area. My K5 is my first hobby / project truck and frankly I bought it because I've always wanted on, to take advantage of the Cali sun, they're badass and the occasionally off road drive which you can't do in a convertible sedan .

The K5 itself, has ~25k original miles on the entire truck itself 350 small block, unfortunately I can't back it up with paper work, but the parts I have replaced so far suggest it rarely was driven since they were dried out. I pulled a sample of the gas that was in the tank, it was also showing signs that it wasn't fresh by any means. But, please don't flame me , I'm still discovering things about it as I go.

As for what I'm going for, I want to lift it for sure, but I'd like it to have the look of it's era, and preferrably suspension of course, not body. 4" lift with compensation for the "saggy butt syndrom", along with a new set of rims that are classic and functional instead of flashy. Some suggest looking at Mickey Thompson for rims, and 33" or 35" BF Goodwrench AT/KO since they are modern yet have a classic look to them, and I'd like to do this without having to regear the axles.

Next would be exhaust, I'm still debating on getting headers since the manifolds it has right now have very little rust on them, and if I am going to do headers, I would get them coated the same color as the engine block itself, GM Corporate blue! The previous owner installed a "one size fits all" exhaust system and it looks HORRIBLE and sounds weak! I can do true dual exhaust since it is bound by federal emissions standards and not lame CA standards so I'm looking to make this kitten purr and roar on occasion too!

As it is now, it's being serviced now to diagnose the numerous oil leaks, hopefully it isn't serious. The Blazer was running great, I did this purely as a precaution before I did anything. Anyways I'll stop now since that is a lot to read but I appreciate any input!!

 

[bp71k5]

33" or 35" BF Goodwrench AT/KO since they are modern yet have a classic look to them, and I'd like to do this without having to regear the axles.

It depends on what gears are in there now, but if they are 3.08's, you won't like what 35" tires will do to it. I think 35's would be ok with 3.73 or 4.10's.

I can do true dual exhaust since it is bound by federal emissions standards and not lame CA standards

Does that mean you have some way of not running a catalytic convertor when you have the smog check? I don't think there's any CA law against running dual exhaust as long as you have a cat on each pipe.

As it is now, it's being serviced now to diagnose the numerous oil leaks,

That's an easy diagnosis, it's a 31 year old chevy!

 

[OrngK5]

It depends on what gears are in there now, but if they are 3.08's, you won't like what 35" tires will do to it. I think 35's would be ok with 3.73 or 4.10's.

Does that mean you have some way of not running a catalytic convertor when you have the smog check? I don't think there's any CA law against running dual exhaust as long as you have a cat on each pipe.

That's an easy diagnosis, it's a 31 year old chevy!

I would assume 3.73, like I mentioned earlier, this thing is pretty much showroom stock from 78'. Also, it is true dual exhaust and no catalytic converters, no X pipe, just two ~2" pipes from the manifolds back to mufflers with the ends extending out past the rear fender.

UPDATE - The shop said the K5 was ready and they replaced a lot of parts that were leaking oil. Also, they pulled the valve covers and discovered there was only silicone sealing the valve covers, NO GASKETS!! Unfortunately, when I drove away from the shop, it would hold the gears, its a 3 speed auto, to about ~3500RPMs with a rough up shift. So I went back to the shop immediately and they will take care of it first thing in the morning. No biggy, but I did use this opportunity to talk to the older mechanics on what they recommend as far as aftermarket parts. Which leads me to more questions if anyone has time to answer!!

 

[dfl701]

What's the questions?

 

[OrngK5]

I was talking to the mechanic about some of the things I'd like to do down the road with it, starting with total exhaust system redo. The former owner put on some "one size fits all" type set up on there, using 2" piping from manifold to tip. It looks haphazard and and sounds horrible, my vision is to possibly do headers to true dual exhaust using larger piping and obviously different mufflers.

When I mentioned this, the mechanic, mentioned that although dual exhaust is a lot of fun and has its nostalgia, having an exhaust system starting with headers and having them combine to one roughly around the transmission area and going out to a muffler would have a louder, smoother sound. Also, if its timed right, he mentioned that the exhaust from one side exiting would pull exhaust from the other and gives more power on the lower end of accelerating. I can't remember the term he used, but he applies this logic to engines that run continuously below 9000RPMs. Above 9000 he says yes run duals. Has anyone else heard this?

 

[bp71k5]

Also, it is true dual exhaust and no catalytic converters, no X pipe, just two ~2" pipes from the manifolds back to mufflers

My questions was how you expect to get it smog certified without a catalytic converter? Unless I'm mistaken, all vehicles built after 1975 have a catalytic convertor from the factory and you won't pass the smog check without one unless you have some kind of diplomatic immunity or a good friend in a smog check shop..

 

[OrngK5]

My questions was how you expect to get it smog certified without a catalytic converter? Unless I'm mistaken, all vehicles built after 1975 have a catalytic convertor from the factory and you won't pass the smog check without one unless you have some kind of diplomatic immunity or a good friend in a smog check shop..

I bought the vehicle and shipped it from FL, since it was bought in another state and registered in another, its bound by federal emissions standards and not California's. It passed smog and everything.

 

[bp71k5]

Huh? If your primary residence is in CA, you're required to re-register the cars here to get california tags. If it passed a CA smog check recently, I'd feel lucky if I were you, cause the technician will probably find the missing cat when you have to do it again in two years.

 

[OrngK5]

It was cat-less when it was smogged, and it has its tags and everything so who knows.

 

[bp71k5]

Actually I did some digging and you may have found a loophole. It looks like you can register 49-state vehicles as long as you lived in the state when you bought the car, but it says "new" vehicle.

"If you are moving to California from another state, you may register a new federally certified vehicle in California if it was first registered by you in your home state, or for military personnel, in your last state of military service. When applying for vehicle registration in California, you must provide evidence of your vehicle's previous registration and that you were a resident of the other state when you acquired the vehicle."

Maybe you got lucky or there's just a loophole, I dunno. In any case, be careful how much money you spend on it because CA really dislikes these old trucks and seem to try anything to get rid of them. I guess you could have the exhaust done how you like and just tell them to leave a spot to put a CAT in later if they catch it at the next inspection.