CK5
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The Cheap auction find
- Thread starter 78K30
- Start date
So I’m starting this thread now mainly for assisting me with keeping a timeline on this build. It’ll be boring at first but will get better with time. Back on April 21st I went to a local consignment auction in search of a disk and ended up buying the last sale of the day, for $500 I couldn’t pass it up. (Also bought the disk I wanted)
The bed floor, it’s still kinda there
Normally a guy wouldn’t look twice at a rusted out 90’s Chevy that had been a sander truck. But it does hide some goodies....
Mileage isn’t too bad, at 165,000 the 350 is dying relatively fast. Oil pressure hot at idle is right above the red marks above zero. And upon startup any poor soul walking behind it gets greeted with a nice blue cloud. After writing the check at the auction I fired it up and drove it home before what little gas that was in it leaked out through the Swiss cheese fuel tank.
The bed floor, it’s still kinda there
Normally a guy wouldn’t look twice at a rusted out 90’s Chevy that had been a sander truck. But it does hide some goodies....
Mileage isn’t too bad, at 165,000 the 350 is dying relatively fast. Oil pressure hot at idle is right above the red marks above zero. And upon startup any poor soul walking behind it gets greeted with a nice blue cloud. After writing the check at the auction I fired it up and drove it home before what little gas that was in it leaked out through the Swiss cheese fuel tank.
After getting the truck home it sat for a couple weeks until I could meet the previous owner to get his sander back to him and out of the back of the truck.
Once I got the sander out of the way it was time to get down to the basics to get this turd mobile. Ended up spending a decent chunk of change at Oreilly’s for a new tank, sending unit, pump, tank straps, strap hardware, spark plugs, cap, rotor, and oil filter base o-rings. The old tank was chopped out with my air saw and the new one painted before install.
With the new fuel tank it was on to the ignition components to try and get the engine smoothed out a little. Cylinder #4 is likely not long for this world (plug on the left). For now the new plugs have taken care of it and it runs like a top.
Another thing that bothered me with this truck was the tiny aftermarket steering wheel. The wheel wouldn’t be bad but the adapter spaces it 3” closer to the seat and being 6’6 I need all the space I can get. Out with the old
In with the new, kindly donated by my parts burb.
View attachment 265750
Once I got the sander out of the way it was time to get down to the basics to get this turd mobile. Ended up spending a decent chunk of change at Oreilly’s for a new tank, sending unit, pump, tank straps, strap hardware, spark plugs, cap, rotor, and oil filter base o-rings. The old tank was chopped out with my air saw and the new one painted before install.
With the new fuel tank it was on to the ignition components to try and get the engine smoothed out a little. Cylinder #4 is likely not long for this world (plug on the left). For now the new plugs have taken care of it and it runs like a top.
Another thing that bothered me with this truck was the tiny aftermarket steering wheel. The wheel wouldn’t be bad but the adapter spaces it 3” closer to the seat and being 6’6 I need all the space I can get. Out with the old
In with the new, kindly donated by my parts burb.
View attachment 265750
beags86
Eastbound and Down
Crazy ass Iowans, I have seen trucks in better shape then that, go no sale at consignment auctions.
I would rip that trans/transfer/ rear out and send that junk to the yard.
But if your set on keeping it, what is the power plant going to be? IH 466?
I would rip that trans/transfer/ rear out and send that junk to the yard.
But if your set on keeping it, what is the power plant going to be? IH 466?
Ever since I sold my 93 K1500 that I had NV4500 swapped years ago I’ve wanted another 92-94. And now I’ve got one so I couldn’t be happier with it.
Engine choices are up in the air. I would love some sort of big block even though @campfire would cringe at the mileage. Have a line on a 5.3 for cheap enough but I don’t want to go smaller. At this point leaning towards a 6.0, 454, or 8.1 if I can find one
I know some aren’t a fan, but i needed something to replace the mirrors and since this truck will likely end up with a topper for camping I wanted something a little bigger than factory.
So I installed these. A little shaky but not any worse than my 2016 dodge is.
Ended up wiring in the spot lights on the rear to this switch so they can be used without having to have the key on. Which this reminds me I’m going to need to track Down more of those switches at work.
So I installed these. A little shaky but not any worse than my 2016 dodge is.
Ended up wiring in the spot lights on the rear to this switch so they can be used without having to have the key on. Which this reminds me I’m going to need to track Down more of those switches at work.
After having put a few miles on the truck and not being able to find the rattle coming from the rear I finally got lucky and noticed the brake backing plate was loose. This is what I found. The previous owner had swapped in a 70’s full float and must have left the bolts loose when swapping on the 90’s backing plates.
another thing I had noticed was what the previous owner called a locker seemed to scrub the rear tires a lot on our loose gravel. With the rear end already up in the air I popped the cover off and was greeted with a Detroit! Guess I should’ve believe the previous owner when he said it had a locker. I just assumed gov-lock
If my memory is correct this 14 bolt is a ‘74 correct?
During the rear axle service the fill plug had to be removed violently. Which earned it a stainless replacement
Last update for now is the broken diff vent. Got the old nipple out by some miracle. Had to run an 1/8” NPT tap into the housing and install a barb.
So to sum up what I’ve found so far. for $500 this truck may not be much to look at but I didn’t do too bad. A good operable NV4500, rear airbags, and a Detroit locked 14 bolt with 4.10’s. Can’t be too upset with that
another thing I had noticed was what the previous owner called a locker seemed to scrub the rear tires a lot on our loose gravel. With the rear end already up in the air I popped the cover off and was greeted with a Detroit! Guess I should’ve believe the previous owner when he said it had a locker. I just assumed gov-lock
If my memory is correct this 14 bolt is a ‘74 correct?
During the rear axle service the fill plug had to be removed violently. Which earned it a stainless replacement
Last update for now is the broken diff vent. Got the old nipple out by some miracle. Had to run an 1/8” NPT tap into the housing and install a barb.
So to sum up what I’ve found so far. for $500 this truck may not be much to look at but I didn’t do too bad. A good operable NV4500, rear airbags, and a Detroit locked 14 bolt with 4.10’s. Can’t be too upset with that
That was a good catch on the backing plate, that could have been a bad failure.
Cool new project.
What did he use for spring perches?
Thanks! I failed to mention the bolts were still in place, but only about 1/2 of their diameter was left after being worn on.
I’m surprised I didn’t get more hate from you after all the troubles with your 4500
They told me they used the 70’s ones, just ground the welds and moved outwards
beags86
Eastbound and Down
Big block, maybe with a low rise manifold with some dual carbs.
You had me right up until you said carbs. The thing I hate most in this world
beags86
Eastbound and Down
. That wasn't for you. And that person knows who he is.
beags86
Eastbound and Down
you bought that?Would you like a 427 with a propane conversion for $400?
No. But I still live next to the guy selling it, and the ad is still up (in its latest rendition).
The parts market is pretty slow up here...
I actually think it will make a pretty neat project, with or without the propane.
Would you like a 427 with a propane conversion for $400?
I’m assuming tall deck correct?
