Attempting my first build 72 K5

[dutchmanz]

I'm so jealous of the underside of your Blazer. If I did that to mine I would probably see the inside. One day maybe....

[sockalaminski]

If you're not going to paint or undercoat until next year, You should epoxy or etch prime and seal that underside. The raw steel will have a nice layer of surface rust on it otherwise.

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

@Dutchmanz - haha.. I definitely lucked out on this K5. Before this one, I had a 70 K5 that was rusted from the back of the truck bed to front and also above the windshield. I had it in high school and then when I went off to college, my junior year, my younger brother just got his license and within 2 weeks of driving he totaled my blazer. He crashed into a light pole and pretty much destroyed the whole front chassis to where it was un-repairable.

I managed to get 8K from the insurance and the truck back for $300. I parted it out for another 4K. After I graduated, I wanted to get another K5 and I found this one.

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Originally Posted by sockalaminski

If you're not going to paint or undercoat until next year, You should epoxy or etch prime and seal that underside. The raw steel will have a nice layer of surface rust on it otherwise.

That's a good idea. So I have a question... Has anyone ever used a Air Needle Scaler?

I'm going to be painting my axles using Master Series AG111. I want to get it to bare metal, but I don't have the option of using a sand blaster.

[sockalaminski]

Originally Posted by 72K5CSTDarkOlive

That's a good idea. So I have a question... Has anyone ever used a Air Needle Scaler?

I'm going to be painting my axles using Master Series AG111. I want to get it to bare metal, but I don't have the option of using a sand blaster.

That's how I cleaned the underside of my '71. Also why I was jealous to see the result of steam cleaning. I spent a good 40 hours under the cab before I got it all off. The needles will leave little impressions if you use too much pressure but should give a good result.

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

I'm really struggling to remove the rear drag link from the axle. I was able to remove the long steering rod (not sure if that's the correct name) with no problems.

Is there a special tool for removing this? I tried the BFH and the socket over the nut, but it wont budge.. I'm trying to remove each individual piece from axle so I can prep them for paint.

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

ok, so I was able to remove the rear drag link from the pitman arm.. I went to Carquest and rented a Spindle Nut removal tool, for FREE! All you have to do is put a deposit down and when you return it they refund your money.. pretty cool, oh and I can use for up to 30 days..

So I removed everything on the axle except for the ball joint knuckles. I was kind of over removing ball joints at that point. It did make it a little more challenging for sanding but I think I was able to hand sand in and around those tight areas..

When I was at Carquest, I picked up about 7 different size steel wheel wires for an electric drill. It worked pretty good, but next time i will haul the axle somewhere and pay someone to sandblast it.. I think I spent a total of 16 hours prepping this axle.. It had a ton of grease, rust, corrosion.

Here's a pic before the first coat of primer and one with the first coat of primer. I'm going to put one more silver primer coat and then finish with a top coat of chassis black gloss.. I used MasterCoat .

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Got home from work and painted the front axle.. The paint has a foul odor... Good thing my neighbors didn't come outside while I was painting. I didn't noticed the smell until I removed my respirator.

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

I used a bench vice to remove the center bolt from the leaf springs. I'm taking them down to the same place that's doing a lot of my powder coating to have them sand blast, along with my drive shafts, skid plate bar, steering rod, drag links, etc..

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

I dont know why my picture keeping posting sideways. I certainly didn't save them to my computer like that.

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

So this weekend I stepped it up and used the angle grinder with a 6 in wire wheel and just went to town on the frame.. The got it down to bare medal as best I could. Then I used this Medal prep from Master Coatings which then leaves this zinc phosphate coating. I let that sit for a couple hours and then I did 2 coats of the silver rust preventive primer followed by 1 top coat of the gloss black. Pics are from before and after with each step.

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Hopefully these pics show right side up this time

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Doing an update here with lot's pictures.. I've been busy cleaning, sanding, and painting. The Master Coat series http://www.masterseriescoatings.com/index/
is a long process. After all the parts are cleaned you start with the metal prep that they provide in their kit.. you can wipe or brush it on. After you do a couple coats of that you let sit for 2-3 hours. This leaves a zinc phosphate coating and cleans the parts really well.

The next step is to apply the silver rust preventive primer..requires 2 coats with 3 hours minimum between each coat. The final coat is the gloss black top coat.. I used a brush for everything. I think if I had a spray gun it would be much faster and easier to apply, but I think the results came out pretty good. I'm satisfied with it.

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Updating with more pics

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Zinc Phosphate coating

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

First coat of Silver primer

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Black top coast

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

I took a bunch of parts to be powder coated. I used BR+F Spray in Santa Clara. I'm really happy with how they turned out.

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Had the Transmission rebuilt. I cleaned it up and painted it using spray can aluminum paint.. I put a couple coats of primer on first.

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Cleaned up the hubs

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Engine arrived from MotorWerks . I went with their Stage 2 350. The crate it came in was wrapped up really nice and they delivered it directly to my house.

[mx289]

Truck looks great.
Making good progress.


(Side note.)
How do you like the ktm ?
I have really been considering one.

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Originally Posted by mx289

Truck looks great.
Making good progress.


(Side note.)
How do you like the ktm ?
I have really been considering one.

Thanks, mx289.. I love the new KTM 2 strokes. What kind of riding do you do?

I've ridden Yamaha's and Honda's prior to switching to the Orange side. If you ride mostly trails I'd go with the XC model, but if you're like me and ride mostly track than the SX is the way to go. My only complaint and it's not really that bad, but the first thing I would change on my KTM is having the suspension re-valved and sprung for your correct weight. I haven't done mine yet, but it my first upgrade I will do. In stock form it beats the crap out of me sometimes.. Through the woop sections is feels very march mellow, like.

[sockalaminski]

You're making great progress. Keep up the steam, because once you slow down, it's hard to kick back into high gear. You'll be driving in no time.

[72blaz]

Following along.. really nice!!!