My 1975 K5 Build Thread

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Berserker

TYF Newbie
Joined
Aug 14, 2014
Posts
24
Reaction score
0
Location
Az
This K5 needed quite a bit of work when I first got it. I traded a 1987 S-10 Blazer for it. Before I could take it home it needed a new rear axle and even after that it limped to my house on a transmission that could go past 2nd gear. After getting it to my house here are some pics of how it all looked.

1_zpsc4fb1ed7.jpg
2_zps762da5ca.jpg
3_zps2fa7ed73.jpg

Ugly rusty bumpers that would have fallen off at any random bump had to come off and on went stock bumpers and an electric tailgate.

11_zps92d5aefc.jpg

Next came the old tranny had to come out and I had to rebuild and put back in. Dirty little bastard.

4_zps016550d7.jpg
5_zps2ac8954d.jpg

After the transmission was properly tested and broken in, I had to address some safety concerns with the door...

6_zps30e171cf.jpg
7_zps08a64edc.jpg

And my redneck remedy...

8_zpsb514d91e.jpg

Then some cosmetic issues with the ugly side mirrors.

9_zps08ceb467.jpg
10_zpsc081353e.jpg

Next I had to see what she looked like *******...

12_zpsebb41219.jpg

Now the real beef... Here is the 4" rear blocks after install

13_zps68bd99f2.jpg

And after the 4" front springs are installed
14_zps3a513529.jpg

The truck really started coming together when I got the tires...

15_zps8fa42520.jpg
16_zps0011177d.jpg

Then some more cosmetic work with some badass Bowtie seats and a back seat.

17_zps107c08c0.jpg

Now here is a little eye candy for y'all after an almost finished project...

18_zpsd8ff91fb.jpg
19_zps92cf9d17.jpg20_zps71492dc5.jpg
21_zps3640c993.jpg

And here are a few picks of its maiden voyage at Crown King. Notice the angles of the front and rear axle in the first picture, now that is articulation hahaha!

22_zps864a7c2b.jpg
23_zpsedb0c7ee.jpg
24_zpsa839bb88.jpg
25_zps88069bff.jpg

Little bit of road rash from that second to last pic. ^^^^

26_zpsb0c60b83.jpg

Had to weld the seat bracket from the trip but everything else held up.

27_zpsd0f8bd0c.jpg

Another sexy pic...

28_zps5a99ab59.jpg

Couple months later, blown head gasket.

29_zps3248c312.jpg

So I decided to put in a 454, tranny and new transfer case...

30_zpsaf51f95c.jpg
31_zps51fc041a.jpg
32_zps915910c1.jpg
33_zps9244f71f.jpg

And that is where I'm at now with it. I need to finish building the exhaust, get new driveshafts made and put everything else back together. I also got some different wheels to mount those KM2's on that have a huge offset so they will be flush with those fruity fender flares. But I wont be able to finish it until I get some Christmas bonus money and possibly tax return money next year.
 

Goodinblack

I Like Tacos
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2011
Posts
22,295
Reaction score
3,037
Location
Dirty South
Nice

Always wanted a K5

Used to scour the autotrader print magazines in HS every week

Ages ago lol
 

JennaBear

Resident Ninja
Supporting Vendor
Joined
May 3, 2009
Posts
6,086
Reaction score
237
Location
San Diego, CA
Very nice!! Our 72 K5 is currently getting painted, can't wait to get it out on the trails!
 
OP
OP
Berserker

Berserker

TYF Newbie
Joined
Aug 14, 2014
Posts
24
Reaction score
0
Location
Az
Yup. I love K5's. I wish I could get my hands on a 69-72 model but I'm happy that I still have the full convertible 75.

I love K5's so much, I had to get the baby brother 95 2-door Tahoe.
 

mattluttrell

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 4, 2014
Posts
203
Reaction score
11
Love this truck.

Next time you're messing with the drive train consider sliding the axles outward a bit. It would help with your lift and those tires. You could go 2" forward in front 2" backwards in rear.

It helped my 4x4 when I lifted and added big KM2s.
 
OP
OP
Berserker

Berserker

TYF Newbie
Joined
Aug 14, 2014
Posts
24
Reaction score
0
Location
Az
Love this truck.

Next time you're messing with the drive train consider sliding the axles outward a bit. It would help with your lift and those tires. You could go 2" forward in front 2" backwards in rear.

It helped my 4x4 when I lifted and added big KM2s.

I'm not sure I follow... The axles are fixed in place in the differential, can't be moved outward. Also axles go side to side, not forward and back... Are you talking about driveshafts? I have to get new driveshafts made due to the setup I'm running. I will be taking the extra length into consideration when I get them built.
 

lovesdunes

TYF Newbie
Joined
Jun 23, 2012
Posts
3
Reaction score
2
I'm not sure I follow... The axles are fixed in place in the differential, can't be moved outward. Also axles go side to side, not forward and back... Are you talking about driveshafts? I have to get new driveshafts made due to the setup I'm running. I will be taking the extra length into consideration when I get them built.

What he means is to move the front axle forward and the rear axle rearward.

15026124691_d03e175182_b.jpg

Moving the axles and adding longer leafs will improve the ride, give you more articulation and look a bit better because you could center things up in the wheel wells...

15006189926_d25144550c_b.jpg
 

Forum statistics

Threads
128,786
Posts
1,805,411
Members
91,766
Latest member
GeorgeC
Top