1989 GMC K5 Jimmy SLE Daily Driver

[OutlawDrifter]

Originally Posted by buffydores

Gosh, that thing is in good shape.

Thank you!

Originally Posted by Ski-me

That's a good deal! A lot of them (including mine), came with 3.42's...

No tach, but my ears told me something wasn't correct. The seller had commented it was a 3.42 posi, and while I did verify the G80 code, I didn't pay attention to the GT4 instead of the GU6. It also had a hitch and wiring from the factory, which for some reason has been removed.

I did find out the pinstripe was brown/almond...so I will try and duplicate that with vinyl.

[OutlawDrifter]

Stereo install is 2/3rds complete.

Turns out the 'ol girl wanted to fight me every step of the way! New headunit is in, nice to be able to play cd's and listen to BT music from my phone. New front speakers and rear speakers really made a difference. Just need to finish running the wiring for the sub/amp, and I'll have it all wrapped up.

Planning on installing the iBoards on Monday, 3 day weekend on account of Columbus Day...gotta love bank/fed holidays!

[HeloCrewChief]

This is exactly what I'm looking for. My search has been going rough. I have looked at a few but, it is hard to find an honest 87-91. I would like TBI so, I'm sticking with those years. Hope to find one as nice as yours one day!

[OutlawDrifter]

Originally Posted by HeloCrewChief

This is exactly what I'm looking for. My search has been going rough. I have looked at a few but, it is hard to find an honest 87-91. I would like TBI so, I'm sticking with those years. Hope to find one as nice as yours one day!

Thanks for the kind words.

I've found quite a few, I'm very picky about interior/exterior color and certain other options. I told myself not to settle.

Plan to pony up for a good clean one. Prices have really gone up in the last 5 years.

I found a bunch that were in my price range but had the grey interior....that's an immediate no for me. White on blue is my 100% ideal unit, but any blue, maroon, or tan interior is better than...grey.

[OutlawDrifter]

In other news, finished wiring up the sub/amp. That part gave me a break, and I had all the wires ran, hooked up, and hidden in about 30min. Very pleased with the outcome!

[rideair]

"grey interior....that's an immediate no for me." (also feel the same way about black)

Agree 100%. Though many like grey/black and looks great when new, I find over time it becomes "dingy looking" and there's no way to bring back the shine.

[OutlawDrifter]

Originally Posted by rideair

"grey interior....that's an immediate no for me." (also feel the same way about black)

Agree 100%. Though many like grey/black and looks great when new, I find over time it becomes "dingy looking" and there's no way to bring back the shine.

Same reasons...I also don't care for black, too hard to keep the dust and grime at bay!

Biggest issue I had with my FX2 F150...black interior.

[OutlawDrifter]

iBoards are on, very pleased with how they turned out. Mounted to the body mounts, and a secondary location on the body crossframe.

Next projects are new u-joints in the rear driveshaft and a new overflow bottle. Current overflow is cracked, I could JB weld it shut...but they are $20 new, not worth the hassle.

[rideair]

Congrats getting the iBoards on the Jimmy! Glad to see you went with keeping them with the body line vs. sticking out, makes for a nice clean look.

Personally think the iBoards are the only way to go on the old square's. It gives the trucks a nice, clean, updated look (at a great price).

Can't tell in the pictures, but if you have any rear sag or just want a more level look, I also went with a "Zero Rate Leaf" on the Suburban. What I found out, the height of the wheel well on the rear was designed to be about 1" lower than the front, which makes most think they have rear sag (even if they don't) because you would think they would be at the same height.

Enjoy,

[OutlawDrifter]

Originally Posted by rideair

Congrats getting the iBoards on the Jimmy! Glad to see you went with keeping them with the body line vs. sticking out, makes for a nice clean look.

Personally think the iBoards are the only way to go on the old square's. It gives the trucks a nice, clean, updated look (at a great price).

Can't tell in the pictures, but if you have any rear sag or just want a more level look, I also went with a "Zero Rate Leaf" on the Suburban. What I found out, the height of the wheel well on the rear was designed to be about 1" lower than the front, which makes most think they have rear sag (even if they don't) because you would think they would be at the same height.

Enjoy,

Thanks for sharing your pictures earlier. I'm glad I went this route also, wish I would have gone with the 6" boards at this point.

There is no sag in my springs, it's sitting on an incline in the last picture. I actually like the mismatched wheel arches.

[OutlawDrifter]

Ordered up some new u-joints for the rear driveshaft this week. Some Dana/Spicer Lifetime models. I have a slight vibration and I think this is the culprit. The K5 still has the plastic factory keepers in place, and I'm sure sitting for a decade or more with no movement didn't do the grease in the joint any good.

[68Timber]

The tires look better than I thought they would, I forgot what they looked like with the original size on them. It looks correct now. I know it's parked on an incline, but does it sit level?

[OutlawDrifter]

Originally Posted by 68Timber

The tires look better than I thought they would, I forgot what they looked like with the original size on them. It looks correct now. I know it's parked on an incline, but does it sit level?

Thanks, John! It took a little getting used to, but I enjoy seeing it everyday looking like a brochure unit.

That picture makes it look like the tail is sagging. The main difference is in the wheel well cutouts. It sits "level".

[OutlawDrifter]

Rear driveshaft u-joints installed last week. No change in vibration. Dropped the front shaft, no change in vibration, but that front u-joint was looking tough when I pulled a cap.

I've got a set of manual lockouts, receiver hitch, and a new front u-joint ordered. When auto-locking hubs work, they work great. When they don't work, you walk home.

I'm sensitive to vibrations and drone. This vibration has me scratching my head. Comes on about 35mph and then again around 65mph. Everything around those speeds is clean. Dropped it from OD to direct @ 65mph and the vibration is still there, so it isn't RPM derived. Maybe the rear driveshaft is just enough out of balance?

[rideair]

The old vibration issue!

I guess one question would be, is it in the wheel or on your backside (butt)? You can always try swapping the tires around (front to rear)to see if it's in the tires even though they are new (if in the wheel).

Would also suggest rolling all the windows down, get up to about 35mph, put it in "N", and turn if off and let it slow roll to a stop and listen very carefully. You could have a bad wheel bearing or a brake caliper.

Years ago, I had the same issue on a Landcruiser, took it into the shop told them I needed the drivers wheel bearing replaced. Was told after their test drive "It's not bad". After putting it up on the rack and using a scope to listen, they hear the bad spot in the bearing. No more vibration!

[OutlawDrifter]

Originally Posted by rideair

The old vibration issue!

I guess one question would be, is it in the wheel or on your backside (butt)? You can always try swapping the tires around (front to rear)to see if it's in the tires even though they are new (if in the wheel).

Would also suggest rolling all the windows down, get up to about 35mph, put it in "N", and turn if off and let it slow roll to a stop and listen very carefully. You could have a bad wheel bearing or a brake caliper.

Years ago, I had the same issue on a Landcruiser, took it into the shop told them I needed the drivers wheel bearing replaced. Was told after their test drive "It's not bad". After putting it up on the rack and using a scope to listen, they hear the bad spot in the bearing. No more vibration!

Definitely a "butt" vibration. Nothing in the steering wheel. Vibration has been there since I drove it home. Very well could be in the rearend itself.

[Nomadicflyer]

Outlaw, that rig is amazing! I can see why you're jazzed about it.

Have you done anything lately? How'd the exhaust work out, now that it's been a few months? I'm having transmission overheating issues on my 91 K5 5.7. Let me know if you end up having the same.

Nice pics!

Nomad

[OutlawDrifter]

Originally Posted by Nomadicflyer

Outlaw, that rig is amazing! I can see why you're jazzed about it.

Have you done anything lately? How'd the exhaust work out, now that it's been a few months? I'm having transmission overheating issues on my 91 K5 5.7. Let me know if you end up having the same.

Nice pics!

Nomad

Exhaust is what I was looking for, nice and tame inside. The other muffler sounded "better" just couldn't handle the drone.

No overheating issues, sounds like your cooler might be plugged or you've got other issues. They key to a 700R4 is keeping them cool and having the TV cable set properly.

[OutlawDrifter]

Well so ends another chapter in my DD sagas!

A gentleman and his wife came along and wanted this thing FAR MORE than I did. Here are the last pictures...also I did find the elusive passenger seat hinge cover in the correct shade before it changed hands...

[rideair]

Didn't see that one coming.

[OutlawDrifter]

Originally Posted by rideair

Didn't see that one coming.

That makes 2 of us.

When the question came down to "how much do you want for it"...apparently my unrealistic number, wasn't.

[Ski-me]

Well....congrats I guess. How much did you get for it?

[SBTork]

Originally Posted by OutlawDrifter

That makes 2 of us.

When the question came down to "how much do you want for it"...apparently my unrealistic number, wasn't.

Wow! Crazy to hear you sold it, that one was beyond clean!!

Do you by chance have any pictures of exactly how you mounted the iBoards? I'm looking into getting a set for my '83 and I'm sure I can fabricate something like you did, I'm just more curious as to how you did it.

[OutlawDrifter]

Originally Posted by SBTork

Wow! Crazy to hear you sold it, that one was beyond clean!!

Do you by chance have any pictures of exactly how you mounted the iBoards? I'm looking into getting a set for my '83 and I'm sure I can fabricate something like you did, I'm just more curious as to how you did it.

Super easy to make. 3x3 angle iron, 2x1 rectangle tubing, and the cut offs of the manufacturer step brackets.

The perpendicular flats attached with 3 self tappers to ad some strength.

[68Timber]

Wow. I missed this update. Are you looking for another one, or done with them for now?