Hey all,

Looking for opinions from those who have done more than I have here. I have a 90 K5 that is a DD/weekend wheeler. Loaned it to my GF to go home early from my birthday party and she center punched a tree on some ice. Happy Birthday. She is ok, but the truck has seen some better days, my newly built winch plate/ bumper, and winch took the majority of the damage. The real bad part here is the frame horns took a bunch too. They are bent to the passenger side at about a 35* angle all the way back to the first cross member. Enough to dogleg the truck down the road since the front axle is about 4-6" further back on the passenger side than the drivers. I do have pics if anyone is interested.

What are my options here?

Try to get the frame straightened and pray.
Tube chassis the front and retire it as a DD.
Section in a new piece and burn up tires in a hurry if its off in the slightest.
Replace the frame completely.

I'm leaning towards replace the frame completely and going from there. I was thinking about getting a frame from a K30 since IIRC its thicker but do not know if this will be shaped right to hold up the body without major fab work. Otherwise I will get another blazer frame and box it in.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

-Dane

That really sucks but at least you gf is ok, that's what really matters the most. I would say get another k5 on the cheap side and replace the frame. Having bent the frame on my 04 dodge ram and having it fixed by a shop, it still doesn't drive right. I'd check the frame for straightness and box it for strength as needed. That's just my opinion though. Good luck.

X2, there's one in the vehicle section of the classified here for $500.00
without motor, $1000.00 complete, Pic looks clean

P.s. Glad she's OK

i have a spare k5 frame i just ripped the body off ill let you have if you want its in perfect shape let me know. ill trade for a np205

Where are you located? I've got a buddy with three of these things he may want to part with one kinda cheap if your around central texas.

Thanks for all the replies, I do appreciate it. Yes, She is Okay and that is the very most important thing, despite what she seems to think. It does suck that my truck is insurancewise totalled, but I wouldn't trade her for every rig on this board.

I do appreciate the offer for the frame offers, but I don't think I could make it work out cheaper than I could buy one locally. The local u pull u pay has a 85 Diesel blazer, and an 84 SRW K30 and their frames are available for sale for about 150 ea, plus a $20 core.

Can anyone confirm if the K30 frame is thicker than a K5 frame? I already had a blazer with a bent frame once and if this would work as an upgrade that would be cool. Both of these have good steering box areas too.

I'm not afraid to try to fab up some things to make the K30 frame fit, and that's what I'm leaning toward. Anyone have some insight about what I am getting myself into that I might be overlooking?

Thanks again guys, I really appreciate all the input. Keep the replies coming!

-Dane

I say do the complete frame swap. When you start hacking up the frame to replace bent sections things are just not right or at least the the one I bought wasn't. I ended up wrecking it again and did a complete frame swap which was a very long process doing everything by myself. The final result is better and you know you installed every bolt and nut in it, and it was done correctly.

i wouldn't bother with the k30 frame.replace with k5 its all nuts and bolts no fab necessary use a steering box brace,and don't let your girl drive it again:D

i wouldn't bother with the k30 frame.replace with k5 its all nuts and bolts no fab necessary use a steering box brace,and don't let your girl drive it again:D

:laughing: No, let her. Maybe she'll buy the next one.

( just make sure to put a 4-point harness in first ):D