What do you use your K5 for?

[Mastiff]

I've had my K5 for 30 years. My dad bought it new. I've made it pretty awesome: TBI 350, 1-tons, ORD springs, TH400, 14" travel front, and on and on. But as I get older and it gets older, I'm finding myself driving it less and less. If I'm being honest, I only want to drive it at a time and place when I'm willing to break down, and when I don't need to go over 65, and when I don't care to listen to the radio. And that's not very often. And I've never really had a group of guys I offroad with as a built-in insurance policy for breaking down on trails... Anyway, so I'm kind of curious how many K5's are something other than Sunday drivers or dedicated off-roaders that you tow to the trail? I could imagine these old K5's partitioning into beaters and collectors with not much in-between.

 

[Desert_K5]

I used to daily mine when younger but have transitioned into a trail rig only It's also used to drive to camp spots and wheeling trails. That said I'd love to find one to use as a daily nowadays. (30+ year owner)

I don't know your K5 but I can take mine wherever I want to go and cruise comfortably at 75 plus. It sounds like your ride is built with good parts, is it geared really low?

 

[centexk5]

Currently it’s used to store boxes and parts. Goal is to turn it in to a semi daily or weekend truck but we’ll see. 40 is coming up and I’m itching to get my chevelle so it might not be with me long enough to do anything with it.

 

[500$k5]

I've owned mine for about 17 years. I haven't put much of a lift on it, kept it low, with 33's. It drives pretty well on the highway with the 700r4, TBI, and air conditioning. Sometimes wish it still had a sway bar. I drive it about once a week. We use it for trips into the mountains, and to Moab a couple times a year.

 

[70jimmy]

I have had mine since 1996, and built into fairly solid all around rig. I don't own a trailer or tow rig capable of hauling it. I drive it when and where I want, including to Moab, which is 360 miles each way. As long as it's not going up steep hills 75 plus isn't a problem.

350 TBI, Turbo 400 transmission, 203/205 doubler, blah blah blah. I like it and still drive it but not daily.

 

[Big Ray]

I've had mine for 2 years now. I daily drive it. In Oct. I took a tour of the Eastern U.S., then to CO to pick up a trailer and grab my mother in laws stuff that we didn't grab last spring when we moved her in.
Truck did fine for a 44 y.o. rig. Had a fuel filter issue, and blew out both exhaust donuts at the manifolds at 70 mph 2.00 am.
Did fine otherwise.
I've always had older vehicles with a few exceptions.
Gotten so comfortable with it I never bothered fixing my Suburbans. Now with the wreck we're down to just the rental.

My Bride hates it as well as my Suburbans. Grandkids love it.
I pulled the passenger seat so my pups would be comfy on the trip. Still haven't reinstalled it lol.

Just me, my dogs, my grandkids, and my K5.
Can't imagine not having it, even though it's only been 2 years.

 

[Big Ray]

Currently it’s used to store boxes and parts. Goal is to turn it in to a semi daily or weekend truck but we’ll see. 40 is coming up and I’m itching to get my chevelle so it might not be with me long enough to do anything with it.

That's what my burbs are doing...storage containers

 

[ZooMad75]

I’m on my second since 2003. When it was running I’d drive to work with it every couple of weeks and bomb around on the weekends with it. Weekend mountain fishing runs, weeklong desert exploration in the southwest once a year and Moab in September.

Mine is running a fuel injected 8.1, 5-speed, conservative gearing for 35” tires and drives everywhere, wheels and drives back. Well, except last year at BB where I grenaded the 241. That was probably more driver line choice than mechanical anyway.

Even with the camper on the back it can fly down the interstate at posted speeds or slightly above, knocks down pretty good mileage for a big block and rides comfortably. I don’t have a problem sitting 8-10 hours behind the wheel, 12 hours gets me saddle sore and need a break.

But it’s completely driveable on/off road and gets me where I want to be. It won’t be a daily by any stretch but it suits my needs perfectly.

 

[GWeakland620]

I’m in the same boat as you, so that’s why I have 3 K5’s.

But even more so, my “crawler” K5 was getting to the same point, so I switched directions with it and I’m getting it back to more reliable and drivable.

I also have my ‘78 that I’ve taken on 1200 mile road trips. I absolutely love it.

 

[TJ1978]

Mine keeps the cardboard under it from moving... mine runs and drives just fine, fun as hell to drive as well. but I don't off-road for few reasons.

I've had my k5 for 5 years

1. I don't know anyone in Arizona who does, if they (a couple guys here I know through this site) are in az they aren't close.
2. I don't daily because when I drive I have to fix something on occasion not that I mind doing that, I enjoy it, it's more a money thing right now. So, I drive sparingly but often enough to warrant keeping it. Plus I love this truck.
3. I don't mind not off-roading it because , I spent so much to get it nice. i don't feel like breaking shit. I don't have extra cash to keep that kind of repair, destroy ,repair cycle afloat.
4. Im not a real mechanic, I usually get it done with help from the guys here, I can manage a lot. But being stranded on a trail and not being that experienced, makes me more of liability than a travel bro out there..

 

[muddybuddy]

I can daily mine, stock ‘87 with 6k miles on tbi crate motor. Best driving squarebody I’ve ever driven or rode in. Will do 80mph with no hands on the wheel, brakes straight. I only drive it on sunny days (not in rain) weekdays to work or weekend. My 2yo loves riding with soft top rolled up.

 

[nvrenuf]

Mine is 100% a shop ornament.

My Blazer usually runs but I’m too A.D.D. with mods to leave it alone.

 

[ktmoutfront]

Mine is doing a great job of holding the concrete down. But I have used the crap out of it doing more than it was built for. Time for a massive makeover.

 

[formercruiserhead]

When I was a kid our family vehicle was a 74 k5 no AC vinyl lowback buckets no side panels and rubber floor. We went everywhere in it. So when I drive my 89 with AC and power windows, carpet, center console ect I think it is way more plush. Had it on the road about 3yrs owned it about 5yrs. Put over 15k miles on it. I don't drive it everyday due to 40 mile commute and gas prices, (snow and Detroit rear is scary) but will do 75mph no issues. Although I am ready to drive something automatic, no Detroit in the rear after 3-4 days of driving it. To answer the question, camping, hauling boat to the lake, this summer 4 wheeling, getting ice cream with the family and getting wet anytime the top is off.

 

[tarussell]

I owned my 85 K-5 for almost fifteen years and it was a great extra vehicle for a few years and then I lifted it and installed 1-Tons 4.56’s & D/L I rear & 36” Swamper TSL SX’s in hopes of getting ready to wheel it a lot but sadly it remained just an extra vehicle for most of the time.
Drove it at interstate speeds daily for a few years with no issues.
I loved driving it though - I found lots of enjoyment from it even if it wasn’t going off road like intended.
Too much rust is what finally did it in - I miss driving it.

 

[imiceman44]

I have owned several k5's starting in 1986.
They were always do everything vehicles, daily driving, camping, hunting, and off road trips as well as going to the mountains in the snow.
In 2004 I started acquiring multiple vehicles so driving the k5 went into a rotation with the rest of the vehicles until I destroyed it on multiple trips on the Rubicon and local trails in California and parted it out in 2006.
At that point I upgraded to suburban and crew cab for more space, and now own a few Suburbans of different varieties and generations.
I did get a built k5 in 2017, took it to Moab on a trailer because I didn't know if it was reliable enough for the trip one week after I bought it.
I upgraded the transmission to OD then I sold it within a year.
I always like to drive to and from. I only own a trailer to bring new projects home

 

[SPLATT]

I've owned two K5s over the years. My 77 I bought in 93 and used it for my daily/wheeler/camping/hunting rig until I got rid of it in 05. My current rig I bought in 2020 as a secondary project vehicle. Since I bought it I've been fixing little things here and there with a couple mods but for the most part its been a lawn/garage ornament. My planned use for it is a dirt road cruiser light-medium duty wheeler.

 

[dyeager535]

Mine isn't a daily, but gets driven when I go to the mountains, or when I need to haul my utility trailer. It doesn't get "wheeled" per se, just terrible logging roads in the winter, sometimes in snow. I've got a 55 gallon diesel fuel dispenser and 100 gallon gas dispenser on the trailer so I tend to refuel my vehicles at home, plus have fresh generator gas on hand in the odd case of a bad storm. The truck normally gets driven at least once a month getting that fuel. Except now, since I ripped the hitch partially off the truck, which needs to be fixed.

I've done hundreds of miles at a stretch with it, mechanical reliability at this stage is pretty solid, but as all the parts are different ages, things constantly need fixed to keep it functioning enough to be useful. It will run, but when the tailgate or brakes don't work, the drivetrain working isn't enough. If I had to list out everything I've fixed even in the last 9 months, and what needs fixed, I'd probably be discouraged. All said however, even with two engines, and building it from the ground up, I have less than $15,000 into the truck over 23(?) years. One of the guys I hunt with just blew the engine in his not even ten year old F350...$25K replacement.

It's not overly saturated with uber complex computer systems, so modifications for cool stuff (injection, rear view camera, touch screen, etc) are comparatively easy to do, and with the ease of getting around the thing (don't need to jack it up to change oil, plenty of space under the dash and hood to route things and maneuver your body) it's far easier to work on than more modern vehicles. Even my dads 2008 Sierra needs jacked up to change the oil.

All my mods have generally been geared towards trying to increase longevity and reduce failures that will leave me stranded.

Anymore cost of gas/mileage weighs heavily into my decision not to drive it. My car, which is a smoother, quieter ride, with far less maintenance requirements, easily halves my fuel cost and is all around easier and more comfortable to drive. I can then dump that fuel savings into truck parts. lol

The frustration of buying ~$1000 tires that get maybe 15000 miles on them before they need replacing is also getting to the point of ridiculousness, coupled with $100+ fillups.

 

[swettysblazer]

I got my 91 when I was 17 in 2007. Drove it every day in high school up until I went away to college. Got it pretty much stock, lifted it the summer after my senior year and put 35's on it. Took it one year to college and after that it stayed home. I've driven it to Michigan 3 times, and put a lot of miles on it. When the K5 body was finally roached after rust and bouncing it off of trees wheeling the East Coast, I put a pickup cab on it. Still street legal at that point, on 37's, 8 lug swapped. Shortly after that I did a one ton swap and now its on beadlocks, 39's, roll cage, etc and pretty much a trail only rig. I can drive it on the street but it's been almost two years since I did anything with it. Right now it sits in my driveway with a dead battery.

My 78 I have had for about six years now. I got it as a shell. Put a small block, 4 speed, and axles from the trazer in it. Had about a 6 inch body lift (no joke) and 8 inch springs in it. Thing was huge. I took the body lift out and it clears my 37's no problem. No interior, no frills. I have been buying parts for it. I have carpet, stereo, sound deadening, etc. to go in it right now. I also want to lower it and put 35's on it so I can take the wife and kid places in it and make it easier to get in and out. Hopefully by this summer I can drive it more than once a month.

 

[obijuank5]

I would daily the hell out of a k5. I have had mine coming up on twenty years now and I did daily it for about eight years. It’s a dedicated wheeler now but that’s another story.

I daily a crew cab but almost none of my daily duty of a vehicle requires that many doors or an 8 foot bed. I have a dedicated service truck for all the heavy lifting. The square is just a flex right now to be honest.

A k5 is so versatile. I just can’t see me not being satisfied by having one as a primary.

Also a stock k5 is gaaaayyyyy. They need literally everything done to them.