CK5
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Swapping K5 to truck tailgate and lift glass
- Thread starter Blue85
- Start date
So...why the notches cut in the bottom corners? On my truck that's where the stock K5 bump stops go. But it looks like you're not using them? 
Otherwise it looks excellent. Makes the ArmyTruck jealous.
Otherwise it looks excellent. Makes the ArmyTruck jealous.
I think your window is narrower and taller than mine. Running the frame through a different fiberglass contour. Nice to know this works well for various window geometries.
I cut nothing in the bottom corners of the top, that's stock. There are stock rubber seals in there, which almost touch the tailgate. The K5 tailgate has those plastic fillers on both sides which touch those, but that doesn't make sense on the truck gate. I might be able to extend the glass frame mounted seal past the ends a bit to help seal this. Also need to add a seal all around the bottom and sides of the tailgate. I can see light so it definitely won't keep mosquitoes out.
Also worth noting I'm getting a metallic rattle from the truck gate. I have the truck rubber bumpers installed and the latches set so the gate doesn't move at all. It must be the latch release rod inside the gate. The V8 does sound great with the back less sealed and damped (than my stock carpeted sealed K5 gate), but obviously I need a sealing solution.
Also worth noting I'm getting a metallic rattle from the truck gate. I have the truck rubber bumpers installed and the latches set so the gate doesn't move at all. It must be the latch release rod inside the gate. The V8 does sound great with the back less sealed and damped (than my stock carpeted sealed K5 gate), but obviously I need a sealing solution.
Huh? That's...odd. I'll hafta look at it in person. It doesn't make sense for your "stock" topper to be that much different from my "stock" topper. Maybe it's just an illusion because my glass is wider and the track is hiding most of the slot?
My truck was so leaky that the change of glass made it quieter, even with the gap under the weather stripping.
that's what I assumed looking at your pics. Adding fiberglass in that area is a possibility. I just kicked that can down the road, but need to look at it soon.Maybe it's just an illusion because my glass is wider and the track is hiding most of the slot?
I am hella jealous.So...why the notches cut in the bottom corners? On my truck that's where the stock K5 bump stops go. But it looks like you're not using them?
View attachment 270890
Otherwise it looks excellent. Makes the ArmyTruck jealous.
This mod looks and functions great.
It's how they should have kept them from 1st gen onward.
The lift glass was a stupid idea implemented with left over pot metal recycled from old pin ball machines.
Looks really good but my head is like "wtf'? Not sure I can accept the change. Don't get me wrong, it's better than stock and easier to deal with, but the look is so different without the recessed glass. No mater how I "dog tilt" my head looking at it, I feel funny.
Give me a picture further away. I want to see the whole truck, ass end closest.
Give me a picture further away. I want to see the whole truck, ass end closest.
This was actually one of my biggest concerns - that it wouldn't look like a K5 anymore.
Apart from all the extra fiberglass work, the difficulty in recessing the window to the stock location is shedding water. The truck gate is thin enough that where the K5 window slot sits is where the truck gate ends. You could probably put a seal on the top of the tailgate and have the window close against that, but it still wouldn't sit quite as deep as stock. And those bottom corners will be tough.
Just wait 4 days for dunefest pictures to start as I should end up next to some stock K5s
Apart from all the extra fiberglass work, the difficulty in recessing the window to the stock location is shedding water. The truck gate is thin enough that where the K5 window slot sits is where the truck gate ends. You could probably put a seal on the top of the tailgate and have the window close against that, but it still wouldn't sit quite as deep as stock. And those bottom corners will be tough.
Just wait 4 days for dunefest pictures to start as I should end up next to some stock K5s
Why not reuse your old tailgate carpet as sound insulation?
- The truck gate has deep stamping and I'm not sure carpet would conform properly
- I got tired of it trying to peel off the old tailgate
- The old carpet is cut to fit the access panel and cut around the handle.
Didn't realize it was cut around the access panel. That would be a bit awkward.
Of course it did. It just happened to the guys riding behind you.
That truck had a definite smell to it, and sometimes also a fog trailing behind it.
I'm sure you ditched the cat at some point, but it still smelled rich. Weather stripping is a good idea.
It has nothing to do with my truck or its sense of smell. After riding behind you for several hundred miles, the smell was consistent and seemed too rich for a healthy computer-controlled engine. I assumed you're throwing unburned fuel out the pipe. Dave's non-smog truck wasn't as noticeable. Most street vehicles don't have a distinct smell, so you stand out.
T
tenderfoot
Guest
Not just you man. I've leaned mine out as far as I dare and it still stinks. Mines got a carb though.
I haven't figured it out. The plugs say the mixture is good and the fuel economy is fine. The O2 sensors say it's at stoich, except for idle, which is like 13.5. It will idle at 14.7, but a little richer and it's butter smooth. I think the cats themselves are stinky.
But what's this got to do with lift glass?
But what's this got to do with lift glass?
webb_texas
'80 K5
Awesome thread! Thanks for sharing ... here is another project that this forum saved me from attempting to undertake on my end, as I'd have failed to finish long before it was complete. For the time being, I'll continue to deal with the inconvenience of the heavy tailgate and electric window (and fear that day the motor fails).
QUESTION: Is there a thread on installing spare tire racks on the rear and/or under carriage in rear (possible with rear gas tank)? I'd like to move the spare to free up room for cargo.
John
QUESTION: Is there a thread on installing spare tire racks on the rear and/or under carriage in rear (possible with rear gas tank)? I'd like to move the spare to free up room for cargo.
John
