CK5
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Suggestions..
- Thread starter 79jenny
- Start date
As someone that took way too long o build a project, my advice to you is to keep it drivable as much as possible. I started with a non running project and then got way too caught up trying to gather all the cool parts before assembling the various segments of the build, this slow me down for YEARS. It's much easier to stay motivated when you can hear it run and drive it.
What are your goals for your truck? Is really easy to get sucked intoa rabbit hole and end up with a garage ornament.
What follows is advise I completely ignored at my own peril:
If you are just focusing on motor and transmission: Drive the car as is while you build your new parts to the point you are ready to install them. Do the swap in 1-2 days.
Differentials can be serviced any time. If you are talking about re-gearing or rebuilding the whole drive train, then do as above. Get all the parts ready for that project while you enjoy the car. Then aim to do your work in 1-2 days.
I am currently part-way through building a new motor, swapping a transmission, adapting modern seats, re-carpeting and rust cleanup, and fixing all the electric windows. It's very hard to focus sometimes and I have yet to drive this thing. Don't do what I did.
If you are just focusing on motor and transmission: Drive the car as is while you build your new parts to the point you are ready to install them. Do the swap in 1-2 days.
Differentials can be serviced any time. If you are talking about re-gearing or rebuilding the whole drive train, then do as above. Get all the parts ready for that project while you enjoy the car. Then aim to do your work in 1-2 days.
I am currently part-way through building a new motor, swapping a transmission, adapting modern seats, re-carpeting and rust cleanup, and fixing all the electric windows. It's very hard to focus sometimes and I have yet to drive this thing. Don't do what I did.
yeah it is drivable and that's the goal just was wondering which order shud the major components be replaced in.
Want a daily and do not want ornament or get sucked into that rabbit hole..
Depends on what you are going to do with it, just a driver on stock size tires.. service axles on one weekend, an engine swap can be done in a weekend as long as all the parts are there if it needs it.
Here is my recommendation, before you buy anything, figure out what you want the vehicle to do. Then get a giant whiteboard and break it down into the functional groups; engine, transmission, axles, interior etc. then break those groups down into tasks and assign time segments. From 30 minutes, one hour, one day, one week, one month so that way when you have a spare few minutes instead of trying to figure out what you need to do, you can look at the board and say I have 35 minutes of time right now, let me knock off this task. It’s a great way to stay on target and not get overwhelmed by all the things that have to be done.
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Every drivetrain project I have ever done I started with the engine first. Not going anywhere without an engine. This is my GM Goodwrench crate engine that is in my square body now.
If it runs keep it that way …as others already said.
First in the list would be make it safe and legal. As in brakes and lights, tires. Upgrades, make sure you have all the necessary parts so it s not sitting for weeks while your looking for an obscure part. If you’re going to blow it apart to fix rust. Be prepared to not drive it for a long time!
Make sure your significant other is on board with your plans!
If your single spend all the money and time on it.
Just don’t spend 30 thousand on a truck that’s worth 5 thousand if you get the idea you want to build something else.
Speaking from experience.
First in the list would be make it safe and legal. As in brakes and lights, tires. Upgrades, make sure you have all the necessary parts so it s not sitting for weeks while your looking for an obscure part. If you’re going to blow it apart to fix rust. Be prepared to not drive it for a long time!
Make sure your significant other is on board with your plans!
If your single spend all the money and time on it.
Just don’t spend 30 thousand on a truck that’s worth 5 thousand if you get the idea you want to build something else.
Speaking from experience.
I have bought several used square bodies over the years with engines that had a lot of miles on them. I could drive them around locally, but I was never able to trust them over a long distance drive until I had a fresh new engine in them.
