My new build thread: Stage 4!

[turp mcspray]

I had the same problem after a spring rebuild with new center pins. Just shave down the diameter on a bench grinder, untill they fit in the holes.

[swyfor5]

Thank's Turp. I knew I could make them fit, as they are real close to fitting . Am thinking it is the holes in the weld on perches that are a little too small. I know it doesn't take much paint or etc to close the tolerances. Just needed some advice from the great bunch of members here! Thank's again.

[swyfor5]

Just got a e-mail from WES, panels have been shipped! Waiting on the Diy4x Dana60 drivers side weld on spring perch! Also just ordered up a new digital camera to be able to post up more pic's!

[mcmlxix]

Originally Posted by swyfor5

Just got a e-mail from WES, panels have been shipped! Waiting on the Diy4x Dana60 drivers side weld on spring perch! Also just ordered up a new digital camera to be able to post up more pic's!

Yeah... you're not allowed to post anymore till we get some pictures....

[swyfor5]

Well, sorry guy's, no new pic's as of yet. I did get the quarter panels from WES,and the drivers side dana60 weld on spring perch. Nice quarter patch panels, but are made in R.O.C as most of the rest of the keyparts I have bought from WES. Also got the new digital camera, so will try and get ya some new pic's of the parts pile soon!

[swyfor5]

Ok, again no new pic's. Really looking at the TrailReady HD17x8-1/2" beadlock wheels. Just wondering about the back spacing. Going with the Dana60 front, and the 14 bolt rear-w/disc conversion, will the 3.5" back space clear? Don't want to order up these wheels and find out they wont clear the calipers and etc? Anybody got advice here?

[swyfor5]

Ordered up a bunch of new parts from WES, and some more digital camera stuff, pic's to follow! Organizing all my inventory so far, and it will take some time! A lot of stuff to go through, sorry for the slow progress on this thread. Been working on my rear hatch replacement setup,and it is a major resto! Redone most of the parts for the resto, pic's soon!

[mcmlxix]

Originally Posted by swyfor5

Ok, again no new pic's. Really looking at the TrailReady HD17x8-1/2" beadlock wheels. Just wondering about the back spacing. Going with the Dana60 front, and the 14 bolt rear-w/disc conversion, will the 3.5" back space clear? Don't want to order up these wheels and find out they wont clear the calipers and etc? Anybody got advice here?

Caliper clearance will not be an issue with a 17" wheel... back spacing is part preference... Although with crossover steering the new arm needs the clear the wheel you should probably have the axle assembled and take measurements before ordering wheels...

[swyfor5]

Thank's MCM. I like that wheel a lot, but might go with a black outer ring to go along with my mostly "black out" look.

[swyfor5]

Been working on restoring all the parts I have collected for the rear hatch redo. Cleaned, painted, labeled, organized. Hinges,covers, bolts, screws,hinge seals, new handle w/GM keys, etc. Almost got the new camera ready to go, so new pic's soon!

[swyfor5]

Got outer lower door and inner bottom door skins for both sides today from WES. Decided I want to keep these original doors and just rebuild them. Makes quite a list of new metal to be welded in soon. Working on a list of all parts, and will snap some pic's soon!

[swyfor5]

Weather is warm here so started ripping into the K5 again last night. Started to remove the rear top hatch, what a piss poor setup GM had in mind in 68-69. Design a fiberglass top for a convertible truck with bolts w/welded nuts inside the top. Like they are not go to corrode and never come out. Talking about my 1970 double wall top that I thought was in not so bad condition. Started to pull the rear top holddown strikers w/ the bumpstops off, and broke 1 bolt off in the top, and broke the passenger side striker. Worked on the driver side and top bolt came out of the striker,but bottom welded nut broke loose.Got out the sawzall and went through the hole provided and cut off the welded nut on the inside of the top.Moving on into tuesday night now, Checked rest of bolts and screws into hatch, all corroded, would not budge. Have a decent replacement hatch that needs rework, so took out the 1" hole saw and bored holes in the top rear next to the bolts and screws so I could get in there with the sawazall and cut off the welded nuts to get the bolts and screws out. I think I can rework the bolt and screw holes in the top to bolt,screw, up another hatch, and patch up this area, so I can get into it in the future.Will post up some pic's asap.Can you say neversieze!

[swyfor5]

Ok, again no new pics yet. Working 7 days a week again. Have been cleaning, painting and organizing all the rear hatch resto parts and almost am ready for the pic's! These tops/hatches are a real pain to restore! I will have quite a few extra hatch parts for sale when I finish this setup!

[swyfor5]

Oh yeah! Been slacking on the posts lately, because I have been so busy at work. Almost ready to fire the K5 up and get started on the shackle flip, front winch bumper redo, and the rear bumper fab. Collected a lot of needed stuff over the winter and am ready to go! Gonna work on the new pole barn, and get ready to rip & tear! Also cleaned and painted almost all my restoration stuff for my rear hatch, will try and take some pic's soon!

[swyfor5]

Ok, talked to my friend John last night and looks like I'm almost ready to take the K5 to the shop. He has to wrap up a customers project truck called the "twinkie", but after that, might be my turn. I think it is time to really get ripping on the upgrades for stage 4!

[swyfor5]

Checked in with John again tonight, and welding up the swaybar mounts & the bumpstops with the welded tabs for the limiting straps, comma, comma, comma! THE BIG TWINWINKIE truck will be done soon! I am ready to get started on stage 4 of this project, and think I have a few funds banked to get things ripping soon! I will get some pic's of Twinkie for ya"ll before it leaves the shop! It has 5 ton rockwell axles and huge tractor tires, custom link suspention, frt,and rear! CHAOS OFF ROAD!

[swyfor5]

Got after it a little this weekend. Dug out the Kennesaw Mtn Frt bumper and took the sawzall to the outer tubes and cut them off! Gotta do some grinding and clean it up, and have the new tubes welded on the way I want them. Also got out some parts to send off to the sandblaster this week. Get them cleaned up, have all the extra holes welded up, and primered and ready for install. Here's some more pic's!

[swyfor5]

Rest of pic's!

[swyfor5]

Yep, more!

[swyfor5]

Here's two more pic's! Will take more when stuff comes back from blaster!

[swyfor5]

Oh man, Happy Easter to everybody! I got bored today and went for a walk back to an old abandond dump site out in the country. I have found a few interesting items there before, but look what I found. Can't belive I never saw it before!

[swyfor5]

Amazing, one man's garbage, another man's treasure! Couple more pic's!

[VA72C10]

cool, looks like the frame and brackets are in good shape! Might need a LITTLE foam work

[swyfor5]

Yes, pretty solid except for the top tubes under the armrests, holes rusted thru. Cleaned it all up of old foam and fabric, threw most of it in the bonfire but saved a few pieces with the scrooling because it is so cool it still survives! Still can't belive someone thru this away, and I will be parting this out if anyone is looking.

[swyfor5]

Allright! John is finishing up one of his latest customer projects and making room in the shop. Hope to get mine fired back up soon and put in there and start on the frt and rear bumpers. Remake of the Kennewsaw mtn bumper I bought way back, and a custom rear from Chaos Off Road! Here's some pic's of the Twinkie out on the trailer for the next step!