Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

When I got the axles done, I hadn't decided between 33" and 35" tires. The guy at the drivetrain shop recommended the 4.10's and I assumed they should work pretty well with either size. I'll do a little more homework before swapping them in.

The suspension issue I feel from in the cab is more of a "bang bang" rather than "boing boing" if that makes sense. Like the springs aren't compressing or the shocks aren't letting them, rather than being too springy. Is that the issue you had, and are you now happy with your ride with the Bilstien's?

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

My 98 Dodge with 6" lift drove like it had no springs very stiff harsh ride. I switch the shocks to the bilstien's and made it way better like night and day.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Excellent news on the confidence factor! My last alignment guy said 9 degrees caster is a majac number. :uhmk:

Thinking you do need a tach so the ear doesn’t play tricks, Blue has a noisy direct style fan that makes you feel like it’s twisting to the moon but in reality, it’s just a noisy direct fan. Big changes, you’d think with 3.07’s it’d be a freeway flyer but 4.10’s and OD would be a really sweet combo best of both worlds.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Thanks DWilber. I will likely give these a try. Do you recall whether you used 5100's or 5125's or something else? Seems like most of what I read regarding to switching to Bilstiens are folks that are looking for a firmer ride, less body roll, etc. My ride is plenty firm and its good to hear that these helped you out with a problem similar to mine.

I added 2 degree shims with starting caster of 6.7 and 6.9 so I guess I'm already at the magic number. I agree that I need to get a tach. Gear ratio calculators say that I'm out of my mind thinking the truck is straining to do highway speed. It may just be that my 4-speed is a little noisy and I'm getting a lot of noise from the speedo at speed.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Not much to report. My wife backed into my daughter's car so I've spent the last couple weekends fixing that.

I did get to spend some quality time with the truck's electrical system yesterday before the Superbowl party. Something drained the battery while it sat over the weekend a couple weeks ago. Read a bunch of threads here on tracking that down. After recharging the battery, I pulled the positive cable off the battery and read 12.6V from the positive battery post to the end of the positive battery cable which I understand means something is closing the circuit and draining the battery. I pulled every fuse out of the fuseblock one at a time and no change. Pulled every inline fuse for aftermarket stuff I've added and no change. Read that sometimes the alternator is the culprit so pulled all cables from it and still no change. I wasn't putting anything back, just continuing to remove while doing this testing. Now I'm at the head-scratching phase. Maybe something going on with the bus-bar I installed off the battery, or maybe starter...

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

It's always something! :confused:

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Yeah, it seems like it is always something. But... had a productive weekend. Figured out the electrical gremlin draining my battery. Something went wrong with the battery disconnect I'd installed from AAW. It was apparently grounding through where I'd mounted it on my fender and pulling enough current to light my test light - brightly! Removed and bypassed it for now.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

And, I got me a tachometer from gmsports.com/trucks. It's a combined tach and fuel gauge that replaces the 5" OE fuel guage. Price is reasonable and is a nice looking piece. I got lucky in that the AAW wiring harness I installed had everything set up for a tach - and I'd made all the connections earlier. Had to sacrifice the brake warning and seat belt warning lights, and do some carving on the cluster housing but I think it looks like it could have come this way from the factory. Tested running at fast idle and checked against the tach on my timing light and it looks right on. Happy with this upgrade!

Pictures are before and after.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Good looking tach. Looks like it could have come that way. Glad you're on the road.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Yea i'd take the tach too.. :)

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Love the truck, just read through the whole build the paint looks great!

I can offer some advice for the rough ride. On my 81, I had the 4" rancho springs with dual rancho 5000 shocks. I took the dual shock setup off and installed a set of procomp mx6 adjustable shocks. This made a huge difference in the ride. Also, I ordered off road designs swaybar disconnect/correction kit. I will admit the shocks are expensive, but very well worth it if you drive the truck a lot. But overall, it rides awesome for what it is. But it is still a leaf sprung truck.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Thanks Marcus. On the road on and off at least. At the moment its back in the shop until I figure out the choke and fast idle. Doesn't seem to behave the same two mornings in a row. This morning it started off racing at over 1500rpm (ask me how I know :lol: ) and wouldn't come off it. Vapor cloud from cold covered the truck and smelled of a lot of unburnt fuel.

Not sure how it would look in your '72 Mike!

Thanks for looking over my build Matt Man. I haven't pulled the trigger on different shocks yet. So far, I'd been advised to go with Bilstiens but I'll take a look at the procomp as well. Did the swaybar disconnect/correction kit actually help your on-road handling? Not sure how that works - what's the "correction" part of it do?

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Never mind on the question MattMan. I reread your post and noticed you'd mentioned the brand. They actually explain on the website.

"The swaybar correction/disconnect kit corrects by raising the back of the swaybar two inches to help compensate for a lift and also by adding a pivot point to keep your swaybar from binding up the front suspension."

"Many aftermarket leaf springs are built with the dimensions a little different from factory for various reasons. This is usually not a problem until you try to use factory parts like the swaybar that require the exact factory geometry to function properly. Most lift springs in the four inch and up range are a little longer that stock which causes the swaybar to try (it’s a solid bar) to stretch and compress. This translates into extra wear on the bushings, loosening of the U-bolts, and in extreme cases, the metal swaybar bushing brackets can be bent. Our kit’s swinging link design takes all the bind out of the system giving you a softer ride and eliminates bushing damage."

This makes sense, and isn't that bad an investment to give it a shot. Thanks!

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Gotta say thanks one more time to Matt Man. Just finished installing the Offroad Designs swaybar correction/disconnect system. Took my wife for a test drive over some of the roughest roads we have around here. I quote her "I'd go on a road trip in this". I think this may be the best $110.00 I've spent on this truck!

You still feel every bump, but I'm no longer clenching both my gut and my teeth to keep from chipping them. I'm even still using the same shocks. I think that I am finally over the hump going from "I'm satisfied to be finally at least driving this" to "this is actually getting fun to drive". Still think I need to get the 5-speed in though:lol:

Did some more carb tuning also over the last couple weekends, and it seems to be pretty good now. Of course its 76* here today so not a big challenge as far as getting it warmed up.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

I’m glad you are figuring it out! I’m going to be starting on a 72 k5 and will be stealing all of your good ideas!

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

That’s awesome! I never did a stand alone Pepsi challenge with the disconnects, but they were part of the setup on my K10 along with the ez ride springs and 5100 bilstiens. Overdrive is nice. My truck was a different animal with 4.10 gears (originally 3.08) in a good way.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

I just perused the whole thread, sharp looking truck, you did a mighty fine job bringing her back!

I hope mine looks anywhere close to that good when I am done with it!

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Can't wait to see your k5 build. Based on the others you've done it will be outstanding! Need to plan a meetup soon, I still haven't seen the green truck in person.

I'd heard of the disconnects, but thought they were just for articulation in offroading. Had no idea they could improve road manners this much.

Thanks MrBeast, I appreciate the kind words. I looked over the thread you started and was wondering how's he going to do a build in a marina? :lol: Just be warned these builds are a slippery slope. You get something looking new, then the thing next to it looks like crap, and...

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

I gotta say Im not (usually) a "late model" fan, but I decided to check out your build thread one day. And I have to say, man what an excellent job you have done! And what a great looking truck, I would be proud to say I owned that one. I swear I get converted all the time on this board lol.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

True'er words were never spoken!

waiting to see what happens with the rental garage up in town here, also I have a new business started that once it is making better money I will have much more of a budget to play with the truck.

It is always a balancing act between desire and finance isn't it! :waah:

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Thank you CG. I surely appreciate your comments. I am proud of this truck, and frankly of myself for plowing through a project like this.

Good luck with the workspace and the new business MrBeast. At least in my case, the project stretched out long enough that there weren't too many really big hits to the budget, just very regular hits :lol:

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Must be talkin about Garage Plus 😎

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Well, I've been driving this truck as my daily for a month now. It has been doing well, no new surprises that are too much of a concern. I think my reman power steering pump may have a leak, and it seems like fuel is draining out of the carb and fuel line when the truck sits. Have to start it a couple times before it stays running with plenty of pumping each time, but once warmed up a bit it has not died on me.

I did replace my shocks this weekend with Bilstein 5100's. They seem to have improved my ride a little, but not enough really to justify the cost and effort. The sway bar disconnect/adjustment brackets made a more noticeable difference, but every little bit helps. Overall, pretty dang happy with this truck!

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

I had a reman ps pump with a leak. Took a while to find it. In the end it was a barely visible hairline crack in the female pump thread. Possibly your issue.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Truck is doing some work to earn its keep. Hauling off metal scrap to make some room, and bringing home supplies for the next project - finishing out the interior of my shop.

Actually, the big box in the bed was a little present for Hazel. You can just see in the first picture that she got a low profile tool box.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Awesome. Nothing better than putting them to work!

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Good to see her earning her keep! :metal:

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Are you beyond the don’t scratch it stage? ��

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Thanks guys. Yep Mike, its already got its first scratches. Also, I have been driving it every day for at least 2 months and it hasn't had a bath in that time. I do feel a little guilty about that and might wash it this weekend.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Hey Rick! Good to see your enjoying the truck. they are supposed to be driven after all.
I WISH I had more time to get mine out. I am about to embark on motor work so perhaps the end of this summer.

Chris

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Hi Chris, good to hear from you. It's been a while. What's up with the engine that you need the summer to get driveable again?

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

The motor is working fine. I decided to add a little power. I am putting on some new heads, a cam and some larger injectors. All for the sake of getting this thing from zero to cruise a little bit faster. Not necessary, but I try to keep improving the truck when time and funds are available. Only issues I have had are an endless pwr steering leak. I am on my third saginaw pump and this thing keeps urinating own my floor. I have tried everything. Since I'ts an LS, I am thinking about switching to the type 2 pump. I am told it uses less hp than the older styles. Just mo-money. I have been so busy lately I haven't been able to drive it much. I did get her out and had new mufflers put on and changed exhaust a little. I switched from flow master super 44 to the 50 series. I also dumped the exhaust just before rear exle as the tailpipes coming straight out the rear never looked right on the truck. The sound is exactly what I have been wanting. The 44's were very glass pack-poppy. Not my thing really. Hope to hit more shows this year but looking like it will be later this summer.

looks like you got that carb thing figured out?
Chris

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Chris I am not an expert so take what I am saying for what it’s worth. I have been told that the newer power steering pump make to much pressure and you have to reduce it. I know there is a fitting that some guys are putting on the pressure hose to lower the pressure I just have no idea what the part number is. It would be worth a google search.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

I guess there is always something that is tough to nail down. Mine is the damn guage cluster fuse keeps blowing within minutes of putting in a new one. This weekend I pulled the dash apart and tested each guage - put in a new fuse, pull out a guage, start truck, pop fuse. I was on my last guage when I made the connection that the fuse was popping when I let out the clutch (truck in neutral). So I jumpered across the connection for the clutch neutral safety switch and everything seemed good. Not sure what the connection is between clutch neutral safety switch and guages??? Thought I was in good shape but the fuse blew again this morning going to work after a few miles. Arg!

I saw a thread just a few weeks back talking about a device to reduce PS fluid pressure to the box. I believe that it was used to get more resistance in the steering wheel, but I'll see if I can find the thread.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Update on the build that never ends:lol: I did figure out the gauge fuse issue. My clutch pedal has a long swing and is right next to the fuse block where a lot of the wiring comes in. Apparently the pedal was shoving into some wiring causing the problem. I never actually found any damaged wires, but tied them back further out of the way and haven't blown a fuse in a couple of weeks now.

I've also started the drivetrain upgrades I've spoken about. Spent the weekend - a damn hot weekend - swapping out the rear axle from the 3.08 to 4.10 with limited slip differential. What a chore!

Good news is that I now leave two marks on the driveway, and I do have the correct gears for sharp curves and right turns. Flip side is that since I'm still running the SM465 I am generally running at higher RPMs for everything. This pointed out that my old driveshaft needs to be balanced. Initially with the new axle, it was vibrating pretty hard once I got up to about 20MPH. Took it loose and turned it 180 and now its much better but I still notice the vibration up around 2500 RPM.

I definitely need to follow up with the NV4500 upgrade to get the overdrive. Right now, in 4th I'm pretty sure at 2500 RPM I'm only doing maybe a little over 50, although the gear calculators say it should be doing 60. Something is wrong there, but I need to use the GPS to figure out what speed I'm really doing - this morning was my first drive in 4th and I didn't have the GPS with me.

Any case, getting closer to DONE! I've got a fun weekend coming to swap out the front axle, then another for the actual NV4500 swap and it should all be downhill from there. Note that I'm being pretty optimistic about those 2 chores only taking a weekend apiece - this old guy don't move around so fast in the heat anymore :lol:

EDIT: The GPS tells me I'm only doing 48MPH at 2500 RPM in 4th gear. Something's not right. Thought it might be the parking brake dragging but I've loosened up the cable with no improvement.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

That’s awesome, glad you leave proper black marks. I made the same swap on my ‘77 that I daily drove a few years. 3.08 open to 4.10 limited slip. What a difference. I never did the overdrive swap and just had to get used to spinning 3000 rpm on the highway. These motors do it all the time in jet boats!

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Well, I had time to pull the rear cover today and count gear teeth. Turns out that the drivetrain shop installed 4.10s in the front, but installed 4.56s in the rear. That just isn't going to work out!

Figure I'll give the drivetrain shop a chance to make things right, but since it has been at least 6 years since the work was done I expect I'll be finding another shop to install 4.10s in this rear axle:devil:

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Wow, look at you go! :metal: Glad to see you using your truck sir!

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Been using it for relatively light duty stuff at least. It's been sitting for the last week though. I called the drivetrain shop that did the original work on these "4.10" axles but got the "I'm slammed this week, call me next week" response. Been there done that with this guy, so took it to a different shop and got 4.10 installed in the rear. They also discovered that the "tangs" on the pinion yoke had one side sheared off so they replaced it. That was allowing the u-joint to move enough to cause the vibration from the drivetrain. First shop never noticed or mentioned that. Any more work I need done - maybe driveshafts after NV4500 swap - I'll be going back to Northwest Drivetrain.

Now the aggravating part. On the trip to the shop I noticed I had no turn signals. Dammit, another electrical gremlin! This weekend I tracked it down to the cluster circuit sheet where the leads going to the left turn indicator were fairly mangled and apparently shorting, blowing the fuse whenever I used the left turn signal. Cut that section out and reinstalled the cluster for probably the 20th time. Turn signals work now, but I have no indicator in the cluster for left turns. I'll live with that for now, but I have ordered a new circuit sheet. Was going to install the new front axle this weekend, but troubleshooting the turn signals took too long.

I'm excited I'll be driving Hazel again this week. My backup vehicle is a '96 Mazda Miata (my go-cart:lol:). While the Miata is fun to drive, at my age and size its much easier climbing up into the truck than trying to drop down into a seat literally about 8" off the pavement:lol:

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Ha. It’s really fun to drive with two dudes and the top down. Ask me how I know. I’m glad you are getting it worked out!