What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

Should I DD my restored K-5?

You mentioned mainly driving it in town which is likely a big reason for the bad gas mileage......especially if you like to hear the exhaust:wink1:. Hot rodding around town (also short trips) will kill your mileage.

I don't see how putting lower gears would help mileage any significant amount. Maybe around town they would help a small bit but the engine is already humming pretty good on the highway with no overdrive and lower gears would just make it worse.

I also don't understand why people spend a lot of time and money fixing up a vehicle but then are afraid to drive it. Go out an enjoy it and if rust is a big concern just keep it in the garage when the weather is bad. Keep the underbody cleaned up and painted.
 
I had a '96 Ranger 4x4 with the 4.0L V6, 5 speed, and factory 3.27 gears. With 31's it was slow off the line and you were lugging it a lot. Got 11-12mpg. I put 33's on and regeared it to 4.56's and whalla, instantly started getting 15mpg around town just because I wasn't lugging the engine around all the time.

Now...the cost was worth it to me...but your results may vary.
 
Drive it! Everywhere, all the time! Dont deprive your self the joy of being behind the wheel, or the rest of the world from being able to see it for that matter!
 
y5mgisi said:
Dont deprive your self the joy of being behind the wheel, or the rest of the world from being able to see it for that matter!
Click to expand...
Granted I've never had a really "blah" vehicle but I agree. WHEN THE WEATHER IS GOOD drive the thing. I love driving my trucks for no reason other than they're a link to the past when vehicles were much less about image and comfort and more about form and function...even while being studies in classic styling.

It never fails to surprise me when I meet folks who have never seen a K5 or barely remember the days when trucks like ours were common. Kids love mine.

SO DRIVE IT!
 
definitely drive it as often as possible when the weather is good.keep your s10 beater for daily driving and drive the blazer weekends.then fuel milage wont be such a big deal,and you can still enjoy driving it and not letting it collect dust.
 
DRIVE IT AND ENJOY IT!

That is way you fixed it up.

That is that is the plane I have for mine when it is done (when it's nice out).:D
 
Salt in southern Indiana? Can't be like Michigan can it?
For as much money as you have in that thing, I would seriously consider collector car insurance too. I use Grundy, with a stated value policy on my Vette, and its half the price of what State Farm used to be. 7500mi/yr. and they required an appraisal to insure it for the stated value.
And really a garage queen, I really don't know what the point is for most cases.
Its not a ZL1 Camaro or the like. So rather than look at it now and then, drive it enjoy it, or sell it.
 
Yeah I have collector insurance on it. They have their appraisal on it but I have limitations on driving it, but not like I had on my frame-off restored 63 Impala SS.

I have decided with much thought to drive it when it isn't snowing. I am going to enjoy it like I did back in high school. I built it with the intentions of it being a like-new vehicle since it put dyna-mat extreme in the whole thing it feels really solid, and warm and quiet, except for the extremely loud MTR's that I will be getting rid of next year. I'm just gonna keep tabs on the usual rust spots and keep it clean. Enjoy it I shall!!! Thanks for bringing me back to my senses. What am I saving it for anyways?!
 
That car is freakin awesome. My grandpa had one back in the day. Red on red, but not an SS, just a 283 a powerglide and a bench seat. definatly my favorite car from the early sixties.

And a friend, hes an old timer I used to live by growing up has a 63 SS thats unrestored with alot of factory options. very nice car, its gold with a rare white canvas top. 327 and a PG though, not a 4 speed car.
 
Yeah it was pretty rough when we found it. I sold it last august before the market dropped, so it worked out pretty well. I didn't have enough garage space for all my toys so 3 out of 4 went. It was definately fun to build, and fun to drive, but it was always needing something and I was constantly having to work on the trans. The munice m-20 couldn't handle the power that was going to it even though it was totally new inside. I bent a shift fork and ate up some synchros from power shifting. I think it got went through 3 times before I sold it.
 
thats odd, I thought those tranny's were tough as hell. either way youre lucky you sold it when you did, but those cars bring lots of cash. especially when theyre as nice as that.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom