My new build thread: Stage 4!

[swyfor5]

Got a sneak peak at the passenger side rocker area tonight. Looks so awesome. Stout metal, behind outer rocker panel, all welded in. Slider areas addressed in this area are going to be so cool looking but so functional also. Can't wait to see more work done by this amazing friend! He has my passenger door gaps at 3/16 in", it's all good so far! Pic's to follow when I get back out there! So happy!

[swyfor5]

Well no pic's of the K5 progress yet. Craig did give me this cool signature sign to kinda tide me over for now. Handmade by the man himself, out of stainless steel. Just a teaser for now, can't wait for the overhaulin finish. Here's the pic's of where it hangs in my pole barn!

[71meangreenc10]

Nice sign.

Smitty

[swyfor5]

My project is at a breaking point again. Nothing will stop me from moving forward, but life happens in between. K5 is still at Mayhem Garage--Damn I want to move forward on this soon! Thank's for following my slow thread!

[Chulisohombre]

It took me almost ten years to get mine back to road worthy. Time and money were hard to come by with a divorce in between. It'll get done. Don't worry about time. That first drive is a great feeling though.

[swyfor5]

Thank's Chuli!

[Chulisohombre]

No problemo. Everything gets done when it gets done. It is hard to look at a project as it sits and waits on you. But it's worth it in the end.

[48cj2a]

Originally Posted by Chulisohombre

It is hard to look at a project as it sits and waits on you. But it's worth it in the end.

I've had a Willys Jeep Project in a similar situation for over 10 years as life and lack of funds does get in the way. But we will eventually get to it and get it done.

You are making good progress and the end result will be bittersweet!

[swyfor5]

Right on Brothers!

[swyfor5]

Well, it has been since 6-24-2017 that any work has been done on my project. Mayhem garage just has had too many other projects coming in to support the shop.Talked to Craig on the 26th and he say's the K5 is going back in soon! Ready to bring in 2018 right and get some progress done. Have a HAPPY NEW YEAR everybody!

[1mrtimk]

Originally Posted by swyfor5

Bought these years ago, genuine GM. Also, found these in the glove box this weekend when I broke the K5 out of storage. Rear seat hold down brackets and one front seat bracket. Cleaned them up and painted them. Pic's of my new pitman arm for the high steer. All painted up! Can't believe the price of the outer rocker assemblies, now and then, less then $20 back in the day and these still have GM stickers on them!

. Is the Camaro in the picture on the wall the one that was rebuilt on Gas Monkey Garage?

[Chulisohombre]

Been awhile. But that front bumper and front end looks real nice. Any progress is good progress.
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[Chulisohombre]

Originally Posted by 1mrtimk

. Is the Camaro in the picture on the wall the one that was rebuilt on Gas Monkey Garage?

That is pretty cool looking trar. My friends neighbor has one but it’s a third gen Camero on a blazer frame.
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[swyfor5]

Yes, it has been quite a while. The camero was a local build that I sponsered when I was in the auto parts store business. My K5 still sits outside at Mayhem Garage waiting. Really getting upset about it. Still dealing with my wifes cancer treatments, keeps me busy. I am trying to contact Mayhem, and get him going on it again. Thank's for checking on my progress guys.

[CHEVY_DUDE]

I've been off and on this site for the past 11 years. This build always brings me back. Hope all is well on your end. Can't wait to see more progress pics. Keeps me motivated.

[swyfor5]

I made it out to Mayhem Garage sunday night just as Craig was shutting the doors.His first words were-I haven't forgot about you. We talked about just finishing up the rocker areas and getting the front floors done. Sure hope he has time soon to get that much done.

[swyfor5]

Stopped in to Mayhem Garage today, and chatted with Craig for a few. Hopefully time is opening up to get the K5 back in the shop. I am going to concentrate on ordering up the front seats so we can use them to mock up the front of the roll cage.

[swyfor5]

Well, it has been a while. The wife gave me a notice today. Pull the K5 from Mayhem Garage and bring it back to the pole barn. Craig has been too busy to work it back in, and WE are tired of waiting. I have almost run the gambit with this family of fabricaters-but I have one chance left. My soon to be son-in-law Johnnie Jr. I will go get the K5 soon and all the metal parts and bring them home and regroup before the weather changes here again! I will include Craig in the plan for the rocker elimination plan, even if he does not do the welding. I just need to get this going again, funds are becoming available again, and it's just been too long!!!

[Chulisohombre]

Sometimes you just gotta do it yourself. I have forbthe most part. And while it’s not as good as professional, at least it’s together and I can drive it. Good luck.

[swyfor5]

Yep, yet to have a chat with Craig. But our plans at this point are- If he can't finish the rocker/sliders/front floors before the snow flies, we are bringing it back to the pole barn for the winter.Pretty sure my son in law can finish it up underneath. I do have a real CUSTOM TRUCK shop just up the road that I'm going to talk to about finishing the floor pans and some exterior bodywork. That will cost me a lot of extra money, but maybe it will be worth it to get it done. After that I will have Craig build the cage and mount up the new seats! I am getting very tired of waiting to be able to drive this K5 again!

[swyfor5]

Well, here is where I am at right now. Getting ready to order the new front seats and need to do some measuring. Want them to be the right height, but have to figure in the way the k5 floor is lower in the front, and will have to mount to the roll cage tubing. So I do not want them to be too short or too tall. My old seats were out of a chevy laguna and worked good, but were a bit tall for the passengers in the back.I will need to get out to Mayhem Garage this weekend and really have a chat with Craig. The weather is starting to change here and I am running out of time before the snow flies again! Going to go with Corbeau seats, and asking if anyone else is running them in a first gen K5?

[swyfor5]

Well, here it is. I talked to Craig tonight and he is so booked up with big projects trying to raise money for his new shop building. We decided to bring the K5 back to my pole barn for the winter. I am happy with that, as I do not want it setting outside any longer. He say's he will be able to work me back in sometime in the spring. I am ok with that, at least I will have it here and inside. It would be different if I was paying him big bucks for his time, but he is basically doing this work for free. He does such good fab work that I really want him to do this for me. I am going to try and drive it home this weekend and get it back inside my pole barn for the winter months. Kind of a bittersweet moment at this point of my build, but it is what it is. I will get some pic's of the relocation, and post them up. I have waited this long, I guess I can wait a little longer. At least I will have it home where I can touch it!

[Chulisohombre]

It’s tough to have to wait on someone else but when the professional help is free it’s tough to turn down. I did most if the work myself in mine but eventually I’d like to have it more pro done as my work is decent but I’m no expert. I know it was done as well as I could do it and the work is functional. But I see the flaws no one else cares about that I’d like to have done better at some point. It took nearly ten years to get Mine put back together mostly because life and money issues kept pushing it to the back burner. It’s tough to let it sit and not be able to drive it so I did little by little until it was road worthy again. You will get there. And knowing it was done correctly you will probably enjoy it more than just throwing it together. It’s good you’re getting it out of the elements. At least it can’t get rained or snowed on then.

[swyfor5]

So right Chuli. I went and got it this morning. Drove it the 3&1/2 miles home. Felt good to drive it again, if only for a few minutes! Now it is here, just have to do a little cleaning in the barn to get it inside for the winter. SO, SO HAPPY to have it back home again! Got a few pic's.

[Chulisohombre]

Looks good. I just got tired of sitting around waiting to have the money to do it pro so I just dismantled it and did the best I could. Pro wanted 300 to do the rockets but it was only 40 for the panel. I figured I’d try it and see how it went. Wasn’t as bad as I thought. But the more I cut out the more rust I found. Had to fab a couple panels myself from blank steel too. But it got done and is drivable again at least. Slapped a ciatvof paintbin and she still turns heads no matter where I’m at.