Wanting to rig out chevy k1500 4x4(newbie)

admin

I'm a welders helper, I have a 1990 4x4 k1500, I don't have cash for a rig but I'm getting about $2000 in insurance money. I was trying to decide between a tailblazer 302 or older sa200...I think I got my mind set on the 200 but it looks like I'm going to haveto at least up grade my leafsprings or perhaps install some air bangs?  not sure if a 4x4 would be considered "heavy-duty"..does anyone have any experience with putting a sa200 on a 1990 4x4 k1500 short bed? Thanks everyone in advanced excuse my rambling.
Reply:Up here it is illegal to load more than 1/2 ton in a 1/2-ton and run it on the roads.  You can put all the extra leafs you want in it and it still remains too small for an SA-200 sitting in the bed.Gordie -- "I believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant."
Reply:I'm from California, I've seen several k1500 rigs but none with a sa200 all trailblazers...what is the difference between a k1500 & a 2500 or 3500 besides the leaf springs?
Reply:Tires, wheels, lug nuts/studs, brakes, axles, frame are all "designed" for heavier loads on 3/4-tons, 1-tons, etc.Add all the leafs you want and your truck is still legally a 1/2-ton with a 1350 lb. welder in it.  Add the weight of the leads, tools, torch and cylinders (you see where I am going with this?)Gordie -- "I believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant."
Reply:Even the trailblazer willbe a full load once you get it tooled up. It will handle the weight for sure, but I wouldn't have it set up permanently in a half ton. The SA200 would be out of the question as a load, but if you can pick one up for a good price, you could consider building a trailer for it. That would give you welding experience, and you will have a lot more options as far as how you can set it up.  Good luck!
Reply:I have a f450 rated for 16000 pounds or 8 tons. My current weight is 14874 lbs. I have a complete rig for pipe welding. Truck weight was 8785lbs when I started. Pretty easy math. Just over 6000 lbs or 3 tons. I don't think want to be in front of you at a stop light. Plus you'll probably get 3mpg.. And most sites require diesel welder and truck.. NO GASOLINESA 250 1380(dry)Bottles of o/a 165lbs each Leeds 200ft.  200lbsFew cans of rod 150lbs.....already at a ton and don't have a single tool yet I ran a 1ton for 10+ years and always faught the weight issue.. I can't imagine trying with a 1/2 ton. Get a sa200 and a 1 ton truck. You'll save your self in the long haul. Trucks are cheaper now than they have ever been. Don't buy a fleet rig. Buy a former rv hauler or similiar type rig.Last edited by JONESee; 04-10-2011 at 12:56 AM.Equipment:06 F-450Classic IIInvertec V205-T AC/DCLN-25 PROPro-Cut 80Milwaukee Power Tools
Reply:Originally Posted by JLGaeta1985what is the difference between a k1500 & a 2500 or 3500 besides the leaf springs?
Reply:Yep. And if you've got commercial tags on your truck DOT will be happy to slap a fine on you for being overweight. They don't care what modifications you've made. Whatever the original manufactured specs are, will be all they care about. It's all about the money now.Pickups tend to get overlooked, but is it worth the potential fine, the excessive wear to the truck, the danger to the general public and the liability that goes with it should something happen?Not really in my mind, when all of those potential negative consequences can be eliminated with a trailer. Trailers can suck, but IMO, it's that or a bigger truck.
Reply:I vote build a trailer. A 1/2 ton can pull way more than it can hold.[Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:I've always told anyone who wanted to rig up to get a dually. Not just because overloading a 1/2 or 3/4 ton will get you a fine but for safety's sake. My buddies bro-in-law had a 3/4 ton 4x4 rigged out with a sa200 and all the other things like bottles,tools,toolboxes, etc. He was traveling back home at highway speed blew one of his rear tires and rolled the truck. This man didn't survive the crash. So for petes sake if your gonna rig up get you a 1 ton dually
Reply:I am going to jump in here as well and say you need a 1 ton dually minimum, and you want a DieselYou can buy a early 90's dodge with a Cummins for 2500 bucks and have a good running truck. For temporary use while I am rebuilding my K30 I have my Ranger GXT 250 mounted up in a 2500 Chevy, and I have a light load of tools in the truck, it is very loaded down. I am right at the limit of what the truck can do, at this point I could not pull a trailer with it. If it wasnt a temporary setup for the next couple of months, I wouldnt be doing it. If you really want a welding machine right now, buy one and mount it on a trailer, ensure the trailer has its own brakes. The brakes on your 1/2 ton are not sufficant for moving that kind of weight around, neither is the suspension frame or tires. You will find out that if you do it the truck wears out very quickly and costs you a lot of money.
Reply:Consider very carefully if you shouldn't leave that money in the bank instead, while working to become a more experienced welder and moving into making more money."How fast will it pay you back?" is the question.It's tempting to spend it, but that can be a safety net for when you are on the road building up your cash reserves. Buying gear before it will make you money is like a new trucker going into debt for a shiny rig then busting his tail attempting to pay it off. They all meet the scrapyard anyway, so always think "money". Save that cash and you can buy gear you won't have to dump for heavier-duty equipment.
Reply:Originally Posted by JLGaeta1985I'm a welders helper, I have a 1990 4x4 k1500, I don't have cash for a rig but I'm getting about $2000 in insurance money. I was trying to decide between a tailblazer 302 or older sa200...I think I got my mind set on the 200 but it looks like I'm going to haveto at least up grade my leafsprings or perhaps install some air bangs?  not sure if a 4x4 would be considered "heavy-duty"..does anyone have any experience with putting a sa200 on a 1990 4x4 k1500 short bed? Thanks everyone in advanced excuse my rambling.
Reply:Stickman has a point, if you are not going to be pipelining, go with a tb/ranger setup on a trailer. I have a ranger/boxes/bottles/overhead rack on my sierra 3/4 hd for repair/construction and it is a pain to remove when you need just your truck(also everything is alum to save weight). We have gone with enclosed trailers (7x14) and they are the cats *** for what we do (definitely not for pipeline) and I will be switching soon(cable theft is a prob right now). Plus they can be pulled by any fullsize truck. Realisticly you need more than a 1ton dually to carry all the weight of a big welder, deck and boxes.Just my 2 bits.
Reply:Thanks for all the replies guys, doesnt make sense to put a sa200. I don't like the trailer option although I will consider. I might play it by ear with a 302, the truck sits in the back yard once its rigged out if I feel its to heavy maybe I will run a truck till I can buy me a older 1 ton dulley. One of our welders has a V6 diesel dodge dulley with a 302 on it fully rigged out. We do oil field pipelines 2"-36" my main reason for machine is to pass xray.
Reply:Good luck.  By the way it ain't the machine that passes x-ray. Its all between the shoulder and the holder. You said you were a welders helper right. Ask your welder what he thinks about the situation. I've always had an open ear to any of the helpers I've had. Maybe he can point you in right direction.
Reply:Thanks guys, I'm getting more money than  expected ($6000) I been looking at 90's duallys & sa-200's I will start a new thread...once again thanks alot.