K5 Camper. My offroad home away from home.

zoomad75

K5 Camper guy
Little update. Had a lot of changes happen in my life but I’m coming out the other side ok. Those changes didn’t allow for much time to play with the truck or work on it. But one of the glaring issues coming from the work we did to swap in the new drivetrain was the core support, grille and lights. The plan was to move from the factory 4 headlight Silverado setup and move to the 2 headlight version used on the cheaper Cheyenne trucks. The main thrust behind making the change was the much wider availability of better headlights over the oddball rarely used factory 4 headlight setup.

Unfortunately the core support I had found was not for a 89-91 but for an ‘88. We of course did not discover until we were wrapping up the final assembly. ‘88 headlights mount higher on the core support and as we found the 89-91 single headlight bezels would not fit correctly. Same went for the turn signal/marker light housings. Which is the reason why I’ve been running around without any bezels at all for the last year.

Finding the correct core support was a challenge. But I did last summer and took time to clean it up and paint it. Came out way too glossy and stuff started getting in the way to fix it.

With some help from Larry we reshot it and got the core support installed. Over the last weekend I put the rest of the parts on it to complete the face of the Blazer.

The 89-91 single headlight setup is one of the lesser used and more unique than the more common 4 headlight setup. I really like the look. Plus having much better options for headlights is huge as I like to be able to see at night. The 4 headlight setup even with an aftermarket relay system to get full power to the lights still sucked for light output. Now running bigger lights with projector beam lenses and LED bulbs is way better on light output.
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Ouiwee

Observer
There are some good options for the 4x6" size headlamp (Morimoto or JW Speaker). However, they are not cheap by any means. I have the Morimoto and they are just great. I also added separately fused larger gauged wire and relays to lessen current draw on the factory light circuit.

The K5 is looking good!
 

plumber mike

Adventurer
I picked up some cheaper Osram 4x6’s off of Amazon to try before dropping real $$$ on the JW speaker or Truck Lite. I haven’t felt the need to buy the more expensive models in the 2 years I’ve had them.
Glad to see an update on one of my faves. Hopefully all is well with you!
 

zoomad75

K5 Camper guy
Got some work to do to the home on wheels. The used nv4500 decided to start hurting itself on the trip to AZ. I need to replace it as it growls like running rocks through a blender. So while I need to do that I've got some other things to do while it's laid up.

My front springs are coming out, to be replaced with Superlift soft ride springs. The 15+ year old Rough country springs have served the purpose, but ultimately even with Bilstien 5100's, they are too stiff. Larry's been running the Superlift springs on both his trucks for quite some time and I have gone out in both I know the ride quality is more of what I'm looking for. They come without bushings so I ordered up the Kevlar units from ORD with greaseable bolts to help maintain them. While I'm on the front I sprung for the ORD Shackles and upper spring hanger bushings too. While I'm there I need to replace the leaking steering box and fix the cracks in the frame.

Out back I've got to drop the fuel tank to replace a broken fuel level sensor. That will allow me to finish the installation of the evap canister to help with fuel odor on long pulls and help make it emissions legal.

While on the ORD page I bought a set of rear shock mount support brackets to fix another common weak spot on these trucks where the rear upper shock mounts are normally in single sheer. These brackets tie back to the frame and make the mount double sheer and will keep the mount from cracking the frame.

I need to tidy up some of my wiring for the camper and I've got new latches for the roof to replace the existing ones that aren't always staying locked.

Parts are in hand and it's about time to get started. I've got a couple things happening this weekend but the truck may get put into its spot and start getting into it.
 

toddz69

Explorer
Truck is looking good with the new lights! I've had other friends with the same reported noises in their 4500s after years of use. Southeastern AZ?

Todd Z.
 

zoomad75

K5 Camper guy
Truck is looking good with the new lights! I've had other friends with the same reported noises in their 4500s after years of use. Southeastern AZ?

Todd Z.
Thanks!


The truck the trans came from was high mileage unit that had a rollback wrecker body on it. It was from the mountains in the northwest part of Colorado. So it didn’t have an easy life.

We were actually in western az north and south of Quartzsite. Fun area
 

toddz69

Explorer
Thanks!


The truck the trans came from was high mileage unit that had a rollback wrecker body on it. It was from the mountains in the northwest part of Colorado. So it didn’t have an easy life.

We were actually in western az north and south of Quartzsite. Fun area

Fumble fingers - I meant southwestern AZ - that terrain looks like the KoFa refuge area to me. A friend sent me your thread over on WTW later this morning so I looked through all your photos and text there as well - saw you met up with our mutual friend Nick at Bouse. Glad the AZ visit was just what the doctor ordered for you.

Todd Z.
 

zoomad75

K5 Camper guy
Fumble fingers - I meant southwestern AZ - that terrain looks like the KoFa refuge area to me. A friend sent me your thread over on WTW later this morning so I looked through all your photos and text there as well - saw you met up with our mutual friend Nick at Bouse. Glad the AZ visit was just what the doctor ordered for you.

Todd Z.
Yep we were running around Kofa. Nick and his son were out guides for the area since they have been there a lot.

It was a good trip that was just what the doctor ordered.
 

zoomad75

K5 Camper guy
Well boys and girls, my suspicion about the trans problem was confirmed today. My buddy Ron (fellow K5 Camper owner too) came over this morning to help yank the trans out of the truck. A couple of hours later it was on the driveway and the secrets showed themselves.
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The input bearing to the nv4500 is shot. The shaft itself can wobble 1/4" in any direction. Which does not help an integrated slave/release bearing at all. It got chewed up. Shiny bits of metal flake all over. It's toast.
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Integral release bearing is fubar.

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Thankfully the Centerforce clutch fingers were not damaged in the failure.
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I'm still going to replace the pilot bushing as a precaution. The fresh trans will be ready for pickup from a local rebuilder.
 

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