[DandyDick]

I have this 83 K-10 that is a GROSS POLLUTER ( I bought it that way)
2.8 is out and now one of my mechanics (we run a School Bus Garage)
and I want to build a CHEAP toy to do some crawling and playing.
We have a strong 350 V8 with auto and I have a non-married transfere case.
We know it will be off road reg. but should not be a problem. Working with School Buses, safety is the highest importance, so a solid cage
is a must.
My question is what steps can be taken, cheap, and still have fun???
We really enjoyed the rigs CaptainInsano and his buddie had and hope
to build something similar on a real budget!!

Thanks for any information,
DandyDick

[motorhead]

Do you have any full size axles laying around? You're gonna want to get a solid front axle under it for sure. Leaf springs will be the easiest and should be cheaper than coils.

[DandyDick]

motorhead, on Oct 7 2005, 06:18 PM, said:

Do you have any full size axles laying around? You're gonna want to get a solid front axle under it for sure. Leaf springs will be the easiest and should be cheaper than coils.

Thanks for the info.
At this time we are planning the "THING"
Not real sure how far we are going to go with it
but I do know what you are saying.
I am concerned just how far we have to go to
get a solid cage in it.
Thanks again for the info,

DandyDick

[CaptainInsano]

DandyDick, on Oct 11 2005, 05:05 AM, said:

Thanks for the info.
At this time we are planning the "THING"
Not real sure how far we are going to go with it
but I do know what you are saying.
I am concerned just how far we have to go to
get a solid cage in it.
Thanks again for the info,

DandyDick 'style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif

I'm back!

So you want to build a crawler out of a K10 huh. Should have solid axles already correct?

There are a couple ways you can go. Depends on how much crawlin you want, and how much to spend. For about a grand you can setup the suspension good.

Get yourself some 4" Tuff Country EZ-Ride leafs for the front, and an ORD 4" shackle flip for the rear.

www.offroaddesign.com Stephen at ORD can hook you up with all this stuff. This will give a nice flexy ride. Shocks I'd go with something like Rancho RS 5012s or 9012s and inboard the rears (custom bracket or buy the bolt in one. You'll need the steering box brace kit too.

Take a sawzall and cut the back of the truck off right behind the spring hanger. Then reinforce the bedsides.

Get a cage built...expensive...or buy the prebent weld in one from Jegs. About 300 bucks.

You'll need a rear locker minimum, just weld it up. Can do the same for the front too for even more crawlin fun. I did. :P

Put minimum 35" swampers, IROKs or TSLs and wheel the hell out of it.

Total cost guestimate = 3000 bucks.







oh, and I know a guy here in the bay area that will build a killer cage for about 700-800 bucks if you decide to go that route.

[dino]

do you have any pic of the rig

[Predator]

dino, on Feb 22 2007, 12:53 AM, said:

do you have any pic of the rig

Probably not, that guys hasn't been on here in a long time