[xjbraun]

So im a little late starting this build thread but have a bunch of pictures and cool things to share with you guys! There is still a lot to do on the build that I am not done with yet so I will keep adding to this as I get more stuff done to it. This was suppose to be my budget build to get me out wheeling now since my big long build is taking a while but this is turning into more than i wanted to spend....lol A little about the k5...its a 1984 Chevy K5 6.2 diesel that i got without a engine, tranny, and tcase. The k5 is rust free and has very few dings and dents thankfully! Basically all I bought it for was to use the frame and shell. Here is a ruff list of the main parts I am going to be putting in it....full roller 383 stroker engine, 93 nv4500 transmission, passenger drop np241, 14 bolt FF, chevy kingpin 60, and 37s. Here is what it looked like when I first picked it up.

 

[xjbraun]

So I wasn't able to pull this into the shop for a couple months so in the mean time I started getting the engine all done up and ready to go in. I originally had this engine in one of my other chevys but pulled it out to use in the k5. This engine has always been a very strong running engine with a lot of low end torque so I figured it was perfect for the k5. Also there is less than 10,000 miles on the build of this engine. All I did to get it ready was reseal the whole thing, paint it, new distributor, and toss on a new carb I had laying around tell I can get my fuel injection kit.

 

[xjbraun]

Got the nv4500 all clean up and ready as well. Everything looked good when i had the cover off so that's always good! I think Ive got to many of these laying around....lol

 

[MTblazer87]

I ran a 383 with TBI in a 90 Chevy, stock PCM because I wasn't too smart then but it ran pretty good right up to the point the piston skirt broke and wasted the block. I was going to try it again with better pistons and run a 454 throttle body on it with a better tune to see if I could get more out of it and stay reliable. Also is that a Ski-doo I saw hiding in the background?

 

[BigMike67]

should be a fun build!

 

[xjbraun]

I ran a 383 with TBI in a 90 Chevy, stock PCM because I wasn't too smart then but it ran pretty good right up to the point the piston skirt broke and wasted the block. I was going to try it again with better pistons and run a 454 throttle body on it with a better tune to see if I could get more out of it and stay reliable. Also is that a Ski-doo I saw hiding in the background?

Bummer deal with that piston skirt breaking :/ I plan on getting the Holley Sniper EFI kit since they are fairly reasonable on price now and self tune themselves! Yes its a 2015 ski doo summit 154 sitting in the back collecting dust haha had a late start to my riding season this year.

 

[xjbraun]

Got the k5 pulled into the shop and got the old axles all removed. Took a few before pictures of the interior to compare for later after a good cleaning....this thing was dirty! :shaking:

 

[xjbraun]

Got the engine and transmission set into the k5 after a quick clean and some paint in the engine bay. Ive done a couple of these nv4500 swaps before into squarebodies and they always fit so clean! You can also use the factory crossmember without any modifications which is nice!

 

[xjbraun]

Got the axles pulled in and the front all cleaned up and painted. Also got the rear axle brackets all stripped off and ready for mock up. Going to be running 4 inch springs in the front and a shackle flip in the rear for my lift. Working on the SYE for the tcase next so I can toss that in next to start mocking up the rear axle and setting my pinion angle.

 

[xjbraun]

Got the new leaf springs and front axle put in. For right now I am going to be running 4 inch super lift springs and then shortly down the road I will be taking them out to do the 52 swap and moving my axle forward a few inches so I can get some better clearance from the body and possibly put my 40s on. But for now the 4 inch k5 springs will work fine. If I end up getting a wild hair I might end up yarding out the 52 swap idea and just bite the bullet and 4 link the front with coil overs!:smokin:

 

[xjbraun]

Was also able to get the SYE done on the np241c this last weekend! Got the SYE kit that had the 1350 flange so I can run a front driveline from a 06 f350 super duty since it has a 1350 cv at the tcase and a 1350 ujoint at the axle. Just have to get it tossed in there then im ready for the rear axle. The np241c I was able to get ended up having a VSS sensor for the speedo rather than the gear driven one id like to have. So I may end up looking for a gear driven tail housing so I can run the factory speedo gauge or I might convert it to a electronic speedo gauge. So if any of you have a mechanical speedo tail housing for sale let me know! lol :shaking:

 

[wrencher32]

Awesome build, I am very interested in the Holley Sniper EFI and the value proposition vs going with a junk yard EFI setup (TBI, tuning, PCM, etc.). I think people with TBI trucks would be better off going with this type of setup vs a custom tune on a street/Off Road truck. I think the cost of custom tuning would far exceed the Holley Sniper.

Results will vet my theory out, keep us posted.

 

[xjbraun]

Awesome build, I am very interested in the Holley Sniper EFI and the value proposition vs going with a junk yard EFI setup (TBI, tuning, PCM, etc.). I think people with TBI trucks would be better off going with this type of setup vs a custom tune on a street/Off Road truck. I think the cost of custom tuning would far exceed the Holley Sniper.

Results will vet my theory out, keep us posted.

Thanks! Im thinking for the price of the new holley sniper EFI and the ease of the self tuning it will be worth it. Ive been around some other builds where people have used a factory tbi system retro fitted into one that never had it and it seemed like an awful lot of work vs getting a system like holley has. But to be honest I didnt really consider this route tell they came out with there new system for $999. Im hoping to get it shortly after I have the thing running and driving and I will probably sorce a different fuel system vs theres just to save a little extra money. I put a powerjection iii system on my mustang about a year ago and absolutely love it so I am very excited to do one on this engine. I just recently changed it so the timing is controlled by the computer and it made a huge difference so I will definitely be doing that to this engine as well!

 

[wrencher32]

I sprung for the Sniper EFI system...

My motor is from an 84 (carb) truck. The body/frame is a 90 with TBI injection. With the cam, intake manifold, port/polish, bore, No EGR, etc. the ECU would not run the motor correctly. The only options are to install a carb ($1K), custom tune the old worn OEM TBI ($500+) or install aftermarket EFI ($1K).

 

[xjbraun]

I sprung for the Sniper EFI system...

My motor is from an 84 (carb) truck. The body/frame is a 90 with TBI injection. With the cam, intake manifold, port/polish, bore, No EGR, etc. the ECU would not run the motor correctly. The only options are to install a carb ($1K), custom tune the old worn OEM TBI ($500+) or install aftermarket EFI ($1K).

$1k for a carb is a bit spendy! I see good used ones for around $100 around here. The sniper EFI will be sweet though!

 

[xjbraun]

Since im waiting on my shackle flip brackets to come in I figured I would start working on the clutch pedal setup. So ive done several other nv4500 swaps into square bodies and used the factory clutch pedal assemblies from a square body and done a custom line setup between the slave and master but they are getting a lot harder to find so I figured id try a different route with this one to save a little money. For this setup I plan to use the factory clutch bracket from the 93 chevy since it is fairly compact and is a separate bracket from the brake bracket. Using this bracket will also allow me to use the master, slave, and line from the 93 making it nice for getting parts since you can get them in a already preblead kit. Its also nice to not have to worry about doing a custom line in case theres ever a failure of the line I can just go to the parts store and get a line from a 93. :grinpimp: First I started by making a template of the clutch bracket so I could cut out the hole for the master and the bolt holes. Once I got the holes cut I started cutting up the bracket and fitting it into place. So far everything is fitting well and the bracket is clearing fairly well. I am very happy that this is working out good since the bracket from a 93 I picked up for $10 vs the $300 ive paid in the past for a hydraulic pedal assembly from a square body. Heres a few pics of the bracket i using and what ive done so far. I will have to get some pictures of the bracket after i got done modifying it.

 

[xjbraun]

The new preblead master and slave from a 93. Pedal is looking good in the position its in so far. All I did to the brake pedal was trim it down a bit to match the clutch pedal.

 

[xjbraun]

The only part of the clutch I have had to modify is the actual bracket but I may end up having to modify the clutch arm to get it all aligned perfectly.

 

[kayjef]

Liking the build... keep it coming

 

[xjbraun]

Liking the build... keep it coming

Thanks! Will have another update soon