Possible to make my '85 K5 into a '74? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

3QTRTONS · 11-30-2011, 11:58 AM

I just scored doors, top, and windshield top section of a '74 K5. (Already got a '74 nose clip)What do I NEED to know to pull off transforming my '85. My guess is there's gonna be SOMETHING that'll 'ball it up'....
Thanks in advance

Berg · 11-30-2011, 02:23 PM

Since you got the nose already done there are still some outside differences. The aluminum panel on the tailgate is different and so is the lettering if you didn't have the panel. Emblems are different and you could always get the factory aluminum molding for the 2 tone paint scheme to finish it off. I assume you already changed the front bumper with the nose swap so you may as well swap the rear bumper to the 73-80 style. I'd leave the fact that the 85 has a fuel door instead of the cap in the side of the quarter panel. For the interior, the console and dash pad and bezels are different and I think the early K5's used low back bucket seats. The Legal end of things could be different in your state. You may have to retain your shoulder straps for your seat belts and run a roll bar to affix the top tab to. Of course the inner floor structure is different but I wouldn't go crazy changing the carpet from cut pile to loop pile or anything like that. I think that stuff would be a good start.

RandyP · 11-30-2011, 02:28 PM

Pretty sure the full convertible K5's had extra stiffeners in the rocker and possibly floor pan, to help compensate for no roof strength.

3QTRTONS · 11-30-2011, 07:22 PM

I got the Roll bar too... I'm not against attaching some stiffeners to the underside to make it right. Not everything has to be Factory or OE though.I have this K5 registered as an "Antique Vehicle" which means it is exempt from the otherwise mandatory annual State Inspection here. There isn't any Emissions Testing involved, either.

RandyP · 11-30-2011, 08:15 PM

Nothing else really comes to mind on it. Other than the windshield posts/header, doors, top and then the issue with the tops of the quarters/bedsides.... that's about it I think.

3QTRTONS · 11-30-2011, 08:42 PM

What do I need to look out for with the quarters & bedsides?

Jonboy · 12-01-2011, 08:04 PM

The top on your '84 has a built in roll bar in it. It is a bugger to cut through. You will have to make some caps for the tops of the quarters, too. The 73-5's also have thick steel rocker boxes to keep the truck from flexing, especially with the roof off. You will NEED to do some kind of bracing to the rocker panels, or the body will flex. I had a cut down '77, and you could see the flex between the doors and quarters when driving on pavement. I could only imagine what would happen to it off road without soem bracing.

11-30-2011, 11:58 AM	#1
3QTRTONS Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Warren, ME. Posts: 233	Possible to make my '85 K5 into a '74? I just scored doors, top, and windshield top section of a '74 K5. (Already got a '74 nose clip)What do I NEED to know to pull off transforming my '85. My guess is there's gonna be SOMETHING that'll 'ball it up'.... Thanks in advance __________________ 1994 C1500 rclb 1988 C1500 rclb 1969 ES5500 B E A S T 1983 C10 'farm truck' 1976 K20 Suburban 1984 K10 Suburban 1981 Jeep CJ5/350 Vortec 1941 Dodge WC18 Ambulance 2000 GMC Bus (parts warehouse)

11-30-2011, 02:23 PM	#2
Berg Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 84	Re: Possible to make my '85 K5 into a '74? Since you got the nose already done there are still some outside differences. The aluminum panel on the tailgate is different and so is the lettering if you didn't have the panel. Emblems are different and you could always get the factory aluminum molding for the 2 tone paint scheme to finish it off. I assume you already changed the front bumper with the nose swap so you may as well swap the rear bumper to the 73-80 style. I'd leave the fact that the 85 has a fuel door instead of the cap in the side of the quarter panel. For the interior, the console and dash pad and bezels are different and I think the early K5's used low back bucket seats. The Legal end of things could be different in your state. You may have to retain your shoulder straps for your seat belts and run a roll bar to affix the top tab to. Of course the inner floor structure is different but I wouldn't go crazy changing the carpet from cut pile to loop pile or anything like that. I think that stuff would be a good start. __________________ 1970 Chevelle SS396 1984 K5 Blazer -First Truck! 1999 Big Block K2500 'Burb

11-30-2011, 02:28 PM	#3
RandyP Getting Old; Going Broke Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Owasso OK Posts: 2,764	Re: Possible to make my '85 K5 into a '74? Pretty sure the full convertible K5's had extra stiffeners in the rocker and possibly floor pan, to help compensate for no roof strength. __________________ *Why is every used 350 sbc out of a corvette?* There's only two things that excite a man, expensive toys and real expensive toys. *VEGETARIAN: That's an old Indian word meaning "I don't hunt so good."* When the going gets tough, switch to power tools.

11-30-2011, 07:22 PM	#4
3QTRTONS Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Warren, ME. Posts: 233	Re: Possible to make my '85 K5 into a '74? I got the Roll bar too... I'm not against attaching some stiffeners to the underside to make it right. Not everything has to be Factory or OE though.I have this K5 registered as an "Antique Vehicle" which means it is exempt from the otherwise mandatory annual State Inspection here. There isn't any Emissions Testing involved, either. __________________ 1994 C1500 rclb 1988 C1500 rclb 1969 ES5500 B E A S T 1983 C10 'farm truck' 1976 K20 Suburban 1984 K10 Suburban 1981 Jeep CJ5/350 Vortec 1941 Dodge WC18 Ambulance 2000 GMC Bus (parts warehouse)

11-30-2011, 08:15 PM	#5
RandyP Getting Old; Going Broke Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Owasso OK Posts: 2,764	Re: Possible to make my '85 K5 into a '74? Nothing else really comes to mind on it. Other than the windshield posts/header, doors, top and then the issue with the tops of the quarters/bedsides.... that's about it I think. __________________ *Why is every used 350 sbc out of a corvette?* There's only two things that excite a man, expensive toys and real expensive toys. *VEGETARIAN: That's an old Indian word meaning "I don't hunt so good."* When the going gets tough, switch to power tools.

11-30-2011, 08:42 PM	#6
3QTRTONS Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Warren, ME. Posts: 233	Re: Possible to make my '85 K5 into a '74? What do I need to look out for with the quarters & bedsides? __________________ 1994 C1500 rclb 1988 C1500 rclb 1969 ES5500 B E A S T 1983 C10 'farm truck' 1976 K20 Suburban 1984 K10 Suburban 1981 Jeep CJ5/350 Vortec 1941 Dodge WC18 Ambulance 2000 GMC Bus (parts warehouse)

12-01-2011, 08:04 PM	#7
Jonboy Slots go on anything! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 5,957	Re: Possible to make my '85 K5 into a '74? The top on your '84 has a built in roll bar in it. It is a bugger to cut through. You will have to make some caps for the tops of the quarters, too. The 73-5's also have thick steel rocker boxes to keep the truck from flexing, especially with the roof off. You will NEED to do some kind of bracing to the rocker panels, or the body will flex. I had a cut down '77, and you could see the flex between the doors and quarters when driving on pavement. I could only imagine what would happen to it off road without soem bracing. __________________ 1974 Jimmy- 5.3/4L80e/NP241



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