My new build thread: Stage 4!

[swyfor5]

44's, eh? What you got planned for the drivetrain, axles, etc? Sounds like a plan. I got a little done today after work. Had one mirror bracket left on the drivers side, passenger side one has been gone for a long time. Had those swing away mirrors on it when I bought it, but am going back to original style arms. Couldn't get the 4 screws holding the 2 brackets to budge, so got out the grinder and took the heads off, pulled the brackets, and drilled the screws out! Problem solved. Got 2 new original style black mirror arms, inside door brackets, gaskets,screws, and the bigger rectangular heads in black ready , when doors are ready, which probably will be a while. I am trying to get at least something done every day now, so nice to have my K5 here in the yard so I can tinker with it at will!

[litebulblsc]

Probably try to find a high pinion D60 to build for the front. If money would allow, I would build a Currie 9'' up for the rear.

It is all a dream right now. To use your way, as you see it now is stage 1. Stage 2 will be the same stuff, just restored to look and perform good. Then hopefully stage 3 will be the all out and wild with the 44'' boggers.

[swyfor5]

Sweet!! Dream on bro! I am thinking you may not need the high pinion 60 frt, but I may be wrong. I guess it depends on your setup. Currently running 39.5's with 8" superlift/cut fenderwells, and it's tight. 44's are really big! I have new weld on spring perches for my corp 14 bolt rear so I can angle my pinion some, not sure on the Dana60 front yet. Might have to drop the t-case just a wee bit to help with angle. Maybe not if I can afford the cv driveshafts fore and aft! Trying to decide what to rip apart tommorrow after work!

[litebulblsc]

If you run a cv shaft, you are suppose to point the pinion of the axle right at the transfer case I believe.

My dad ran 39.5'' with a 6'' suspension and 3'' body. He had to slightly trim the fang on the front fender. This is on his 69 4x4 longbed

And I was thinking, I might not need a D60 at all. If I am dreaming, might as well dream big. Might be able to make a currie 9" front axle.

[swyfor5]

Got a little work done after work today. 4 bolts holding the old, twisted, rear step bumper on. Put the hand wrenches to them and broke 3 of the 4 bolts off! Cool! The last one was a oddball/round head bolt, couldn't get a wrench on it. Got out the trusty grinder and took care of that! Bam! bumper on ground! I can't believe the PO and the bondo on this K5, chunks of it a 1/2" thick in places. Chipped a lot of it away, kinda sad, big pile of rubble on the ground! That's ok, cause it's getting better every day! I love ripping this thing apart! Gonna go and start ordering up some parts from WES tonight.

[litebulblsc]

Cool. Can't wait to see it all stripped of paint and bondo

[swyfor5]

Got a little more done after work again today, starting to be a serious habit! Took the frt passenger seat out, and the two seatbelt bolts going thru the step-up behind the seats. Seats originally came out of a 74 Laguna car. Where real nice years ago when I installed them, swivel out and comfortable. Kinda rough now, but restorable, to the pile they go for now. I plan on running some kind of racing seats front and back, mounted to the cage. A 4 seater! Yah!

[swyfor5]

A little more done today. Took the gas tank skid plate off, 4 bolts, no problem, tank still looks pretty good so far. Oh wait a minute it was 6 bolts, counting the 2 holding my custom stainless extended brake line bracket! Also yanked the old beat up radio antenna, just checking the cowl area for rust. Looks ok so far. Got a downhome mud bog/hog roast get down close to home tommorrow, and plan on dragging the wife there! Not running my rig, but I will take the camera! Gonna help my bud, ride along in his 2&1/2 ton rockwell axelled school bus. Push up the windows kiddies!

[swyfor5]

Mud bog plans fell through. Staying home with bonfire and cookout here instead!

[swyfor5]

Bonfire good, sent payment to Wes for 2 panels! Got 2 or 3 welders lined up for floor/bed resto. Local bud say's use custom metal, I want to use Wes's stuff. Gonna stock up on Panels and have it all done at once.

[litebulblsc]

Cool, just keep going at it.

Depending on the patch needed, I would probably go with the stamped stuff over custom

[swyfor5]

Started tearing the front clip off yesterday. Grille out, headlights and buckets out, I will post up some pic's asap!

[70rs/ss]

Man I bought a trailer made out of a blazer for the bedsides and never used it, it would cover all that you need and then some (rear floor and bedsides). It is mostly rust free but it is in AZ?

[swyfor5]

Really, might be interested. Any pic's? I have never been to AZ, but my Dad goes there now and then on vacation.

[swyfor5]

Post up some pic's of yesterday's ripping!

[swyfor5]

More!

[swyfor5]

Double wall top, what are these for?

[litebulblsc]

I went and checked, and the pickup cabs have these holes too.

[swyfor5]

Ripping continues! Tore the cowl off today, that area looks real good! Ripped into the heat/box, tore it right off, pic's to follow tommorrow!

[litebulblsc]

You never gave us any engine pictures

[swyfor5]

More pic's of yesterday's ripping!

[swyfor5]

A few more!

[swyfor5]

Crossed the bridge tonight,am going to put the exterior cowl area, grille, headlights, etc, back in place, and go head strong with the 1 ton drivetrain setup! Still need to tackle the body mounts, and the torsion/rocker box replacements, etc! Thank's for the advice here guy's!

[swyfor5]

Got a little done last night. Rattle canned black the front/shroud area, so it's nice and clean before I put the grille and etc back in.

[litebulblsc]

I really want to see how the 1 ton swap goes for you. I am happy that you decided not to do it all at once.