84 K10 Custom Deluxe 5.3 build

[whitels1]

I got her out on the trail yesterday, she did well, I wasn't disappointed. I could use lower gears but it had plenty of power to climb everything, it sounds like I was really on the throttle because it is so loud but I wasn't, just letting the converter work. Here is the video of a trail locally known as copper cache.

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You guys believe in EVP?. Yesterday while editing video I heard a strange voice on one of my videos that I did by an old mine shaft. You can clearly hear it over my truck, you can hear the guys I was with having a casual conversation before and after the voice like nothing happened. I didn't hear the voice while I was on the trail, and you can see in the video I didn't look around just keep on. If I or the guys I was there with heard yelling like this we would have all be like WTF, does someone need help etc. You let me know what you think, it gave me the creeps.

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Here it is forward vs reverse.

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[whitels1]

Ran a local trail called Devils Peak yesterday and the K10 did great. It's rated at about a 4 out of 5 and definitely lived up to that. It was slick out there, all of the rigs were on 35 or larger tires and we all had to work for it. I dented up my rear driveline and had to be towed home by a big Chuck Norris van but she is in the garage ready for me to work on! I think I broke an axle shaft or something up front trying to drive in FWD to get back into town but I will see when I tear it down this week. In addition the auto made life much easier but the 4.11's have got to go, either that or a doubler....


The Highlight reel, full video to come.

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one of the K10 on the first obsacle.

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[whitels1]

How about a few more videos.

The second obstacle, coming up with some slo-mo, man that thing takes a beating.

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The whole group coming up.

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Figured out what was going on with the front axle.

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[whitels1]

The K10 was back in action for some wheelin on Saturday. It was my 4x4 clubs annual marathon, 4 trails, 18 hours, it was awesome. Did the K10 hold up, check out the video...!

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[COS399]

I see a Arctic Blaze II coming soon. Thanks for sharing. Love to see the pickup running with the Jeeps.

[MTCK]

Big truck and (comparatively) little tires! Way to hang.

[whitels1]

Originally Posted by COS399

I see a Arctic Blaze II coming soon. Thanks for sharing. Love to see the pickup running with the Jeeps.

Changes are coming soon, 5.3 is going away, dove nose, flat bed, frame shortining...

Originally Posted by MTCK

Big truck and (comparatively) little tires! Way to hang.

Thanks man, I have been having a great time wheelin lately! Good job on your big beast, you have been putting in some work!

[daddyjeep]

Looks like that was an awesome day on the trails. I really like that lone YJ in the group.

I am looking forward to the proposed transformation for your truck. It sounds like all the right mods for the way you use it.

[Jstock85]

Originally Posted by daddyjeep

Looks like that was an awesome day on the trails. I really like that lone YJ in the group.

I am looking forward to the proposed transformation for your truck. It sounds like all the right mods for the way you use it.

2nd! That looks like a lot of fun!! no terrain like that down in the deep south...

[whitels1]

Thanks guys, I will post up progress soon!

[whitels1]

The changes are coming, an intro video!

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[whitels1]

I cut my truck in half. Because Wheelin! Took 10 inches out, should make things better all around. I didn't exactly drop dimes but the welds will hold. Still have to add a fish plate / box plate and then I think it will be plenty strong. Next step is the flatbed build and mocking up the fuel tank cradle. Some pics and a video

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[MTCK]

Originally Posted by whitels1

I cut my truck in half.

Yes you did! Can't wait to see the flat bed.

[daddyjeep]

It's always a little scary cutting a truck in half. 10" should help a lot on the trail. If you had gone 14" you could have used a short bed drive shaft.

[NewType72]

Definitely doin some big boy work with the crawler! Love the videos, can't wait for more!

[whitels1]

Originally Posted by MTCK

Yes you did! Can't wait to see the flat bed.

Thanks! Got a few more things to do before I can start working on it, but it's gonna be fun!

Originally Posted by daddyjeep

It's always a little scary cutting a truck in half. 10" should help a lot on the trail. If you had gone 14" you could have used a short bed drive shaft.

It was a bit concerning but I feel like I had researched enough to make it happen. You make a good point on the driveline! As cheap as I am, wonder why I didn't think of that lol

Originally Posted by NewType72

Definitely doin some big boy work with the crawler! Love the videos, can't wait for more!

Thanks, I appreciate it!

I have been making slow progress the last few weeks but at least it's progress.

Frame welded up with fish plates, still have to cut and weld in the frame boxing plates for that area.





Swapped the shackle flip and installed some 1/2 ton burb 56" springs. I will wait to see how it sits with the flatbed and tank cradle, but will probably take at least 1 leaf out for now.

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Got bored thinking about installing extended brake cables and cutting frame boxing plates so I moved onto mounting the fuel tank. Decided to make a cradle so it and the tank can be removed as one piece with an engine hoist. I am also planning to hang my shocks off the side but still brainstorming how that will work out. 1/4" angle and 2x4 .120 wall square tube, I feel like it should hold up.

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[daddyjeep]

No...your gas tank cradle isn't overbuilt at all. Why do you ask?

As far as the drive shaft goes, It really isn't difficult to shorten your existing one. Just make sure the yokes are phased the same after shortening. I shortened mine and have absolutely zero vibrations at 70 mph. I may have gotten lucky, but I like to think I did a good job.

[whitels1]

Originally Posted by daddyjeep

No...your gas tank cradle isn't overbuilt at all. Why do you ask?

As far as the drive shaft goes, It really isn't difficult to shorten your existing one. Just make sure the yokes are phased the same after shortening. I shortened mine and have absolutely zero vibrations at 70 mph. I may have gotten lucky, but I like to think I did a good job.

I like to get feedback from people who know what they're doing

I might just cut the shaft down and give it a shot. I'm tired of loosing money to the driveline shop.

[whitels1]

More progress, got the shocks mocked up, still have to add some, supports, gussets, and and a cross bar, then I think it will be nice and strong.

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[whitels1]

Little more progress!

[whitels1]

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Added some gussets.





Figured out how to mount my cover.







Next is mounting my fuel fill and this sucker will be ready for final welding and paint.

[whitels1]

The last piece of the puzzle, tank fill neck holder. Welding, paint and this sucker is done! The tank cradle anyways...

[whitels1]

I finally got the tank cradle / shock mount / cross member / frame stiffener thing done, and frame painted. Now I can move onto fuel lines, extended park brake cables, and cam swap!

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[whitels1]

I finally got the tank cradle done and fuel lines hooked up

[MTCK]

That turned out great. Wheeling by this weekend???