Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy
 

I also installed a set of Bilstein shocks. The rears are for 73-up because Bilstein doesn't make a set for 67-72 K10 trucks. Had to replace the upper mounting studs with sleeves. Pressed the studs out by pressing the sleeves in on top of them. Supported the shock eyelet with an open end wrench. Also had to spread the rear axle shock brackets to get them to accept the wider lower bushings.

Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy
 

Also painted an ORD steering box brace.

Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy
 

Spent the evening wrestling with the ORD steering brace. The small front brace did not sit flush against the crossmember, so I put a double bend in the brace to jog it over to the crossmember.

Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy
 

Then I started working on the larger rear brace. It is not designed to work with the stock brake line routing, so I spent a couple of hours bending the lines so that they were sitting against the inner wall of the frame rail. I had to grind a couple of notches in the wide end of the brace to make room for the lines. I also discovered that the front crossemember was bent upward along the rear edge, so the lip was preventing the brace from sitting properly against the crossmember. I was able to straighten the crossmember with a large Crescent wrench and a couple of small steel plates. I also had to grind a radius on the top corner of the upper bolt boss so that it would fit into the upper corner of the frame rail.

Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy
 

Here are the notches I ground in the brace. I repainted the brace, and I will bolt it into place tomorrow.

Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy
 

Nice work on this brace! Could you imagine trying to do that with an engine sitting between the frame rails?

Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy
 

Thank you. That's the truth! It would have been nearly impossible to straighten the crossmember lip with the engine installed.

Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy
 

Awesome work!!!

Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy
 

Thank you, and thanks again for recommending the ORD brace. I am glad to have this vulnerable spot on the frame supported.

Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy
 

I like that brace, I probably should put one in Blue.

Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy
 

Seems like a very good upgrade considering how these frames like to crack at the steering box.

Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy
 

Yeah, I think you're right.

Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy
 

No problem! Trust me it’s an excellent upgrade. I have had to fix 2 cracked frames, the money and effort it costs now is well worth the peace of mind in not having to go down that road.

Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy
 

Which brace did you buy from ORD, seems a couple are available

Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy
 

I bought this one:

https://www.offroaddesign.com/bolt-i...IHdhdrqd1MhLZQ

https://www.offroaddesign.com/media/...u29001_3_1.jpg

Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy
 

Finished installing the steering brace.

Installed the clutch safety switch.

Installed a new parking brake release handle. The original one was broken.

Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy
 

Worked on a few smaller projects this evening.

Installed new hard fuel lines inside the cab

Replaced a torn steering column firewall seal

Installed firewall insulation. I'm missing the two unique plastic retainer clips that go in the blind holes near the gas pedal. I'm going to see if I can find a modern style clip with the release button in the middle that will work.

Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy
 

Nice work and thank you for your response, great build

Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy
 

I used these on my firewall insulation. They are rubber

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/HX8AA...H/s-l1600.webp

https://www.ebay.com/itm/35103931632...Bk9SR_zO9r2bZQ

Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy
 

Those are what I used on the holes that go all the way through the firewall. There are two holes where the two insulation pieces overlap that are in a brace and don't go all the way through the firewall. Those rubber clips are too long for that spot and leave the insulation loose and crooked. My other truck has the original clips in that spot. They look like the rubber clips, but they are shorter and made of plastic.

Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy
 

Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy
 

I tried that style too, but they are too long. They bottom out in the shallow holes before securing the insulation.

Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy
 

I bought some Dorman 963-408D GM Radiator Core Support Push Rivets, and they fit very snugly and securely in the two blind holes for the firewall insulation.

Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy
 

Installed a new dash pad this evening. All of the rust repairs on the dash are completely concealed, thankfully. It was a bit of a battle to get the front four screws to line up with the clips on the dash.

Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy
 

Dash repair come out great, I can’t see where it was welded