Re: 72 K30 Build
 

After a quick look it was pretty obvious we needed to setup the 84 K35 rear position hangers to start. This should help make up some lost pinion angle gaining about 3” of lift over the 67-72 4x or the 2wd originals. If we’re happy with this once it’s flipped over we’ll make it permanent. Good news is one of the original holes does line up you can just barely see it in the last pic.

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

I can't remember, is your longhorn frame from a 3/4 ton? My rear spring hangers between the 72 and the 87 had the same bolt pattern ... I just used the original rear holes to mount the front of the later hanger.

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

Early (1968) Longhorn 3/4 ton frame here's some pic's of the originals. Only had 4 rivets total holding the rear position hangers on (2 side & 2 bottom). Hard to see but in the last pic in the middle is both rear most hangers removed.

I did remember that from your build but at least I got one per side! :lol:

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

Oh yeah I remember now! It's the year split. Those greaseable shackles used a different bracket.

Carry on :lol:

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

This rear suspension setup did extend the wheel base a little with our front position hanger location and using the longer K35 springs it’s setting the diff back about 1-1/2”, no biggie for a flatbed build. We’ll fill the holes from the 2wd bump stops and use the K35’s bump stops.

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

Here are some pics of the lower flange holes that have gotten filled so far.

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

After grinding flush bolted on the hangers and drilled the remaining 3/8” pilots in the lower flange.

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

Made the final fit adjustments and drilled to 7/16” re-bolting one at a time. All the spring hangers have been drilled on the frame except for the front shackle frame brackets those were drilled over using a drill press. Really need to fix the spring bushings! :lol:

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

Hardware clerk:
"Yes sir, how may I help you?"

Brett:
"I'll take about a couple thousand 7/16 grade 8 bolts, nuts and washers please" :lol::lol::lol:

Looking good there Brett. Keep up the good work. Looks like a roller soon ;)

Take care,
Thomas

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

:lol: Ha, you got that right and thanks Thomas! :wave:

We’re pretty lucky in that I’ve got a nut a bolt supplier just a few miles away that will sell to me. All this shiny new hardware ran me less than $10 for mockup compared to the big box store specialty bins with the little packages and the 400-500% markup.

Working the rear hangers, pretty sure this is the setup on the rear position but want to see it flipped over with springs and axle before punching all the holes.

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

Looking good.

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

Thanks Tom.

And we have some rear springs!

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

Flipped over with the rear axle in place ain’t that a looker? Ha! :ww:

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

That first photo brings back terrible memories of trying to work on the brake lines around those spring packs :lol:

Looking good, liking the stance!

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

Thanks Jim, It does look pretty dang tight in there and I'm sure the :cuss: will be flying when that day comes. :lol:

Now it’s the front axles turn and it is finally a roller! :two: Currently it sits almost level with no weight on the front end with an extra inch or so from the dollies. Last 2 pics you can see the frame rails kinda line up with the lines in that scrap paneling.

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

Decided to move forward with the generation correct engine cross member first instead of the K35 stuff. Pretty sure it’ll do the job and I’ve got the correct oil pan to make it work. Not 100% sure on the front sway bar mount and the trans mount we will see what fits the best.

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

As far as I know, the only difference between the 10-20-30 series engine crossmembers is the height to match the different frames - if it fits, I'd say run it! Installing original style power steering brackets with the later cross members is difficult at best.

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

Nice work on the frame! It's really coming along nicely!

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

Looking good keep up the work. I think it took me about a year to get it back on the wheels.

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

Power steering pump fitment did cross my mind from your build Jim. Running this style K20 cross member does simplify things. The only con for me is the motor mount style. IMO the clam shell motor mount is a far better design but I’m hoping with better heavy duty poly mounts that we won’t have any lifting problems later.

Thanks you guys!

So I borrowed an early style motor mount from a friend who only had one. A block of wood was subbed for the other side this is some high tech stuff here! With the K35 trans mount just set inside the frame rails and no TC mounts we got pretty close to carb level just messing around. Left exhaust manifold is touching the cross member but I think the new poly mounts are thicker.

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

The poly mounts are built with travel limiters in them, so they don't have the same lift/breakage issue as the old style ones. That's a good call! I actually hate the clamshells, the short/wide style is my preference when I can use them.

Do you have SBC or BBC motor mount stands?

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

If the poly mount isn't tall enough, you could always shim the engine up if you had to to clear the cross member.

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

That's what I keep hearing on these newer design early style mounts so they should be OK for what we'll need.

Both the 73 K5 and the 84 K35 stands we have are for a small block, the motor mount take 3 bolts to mount to the stands not 4 like the big block version. I'm thinking ours are the short/wide you describe and have noticed that our later K35 version does seem to be a little heavier duty with extra mounting provisions to the frame and cross member but are still pretty much the same overall dimensions.

Good suggestion DW! I’ve had to use spacers before and that works really well when you just need a little more room/height, pretty sure that GM did the same on some applications.


While waiting for the new motor mounts to show up we’ll get the crossmember mounted and start to figure out how we will mount the sway bar. Really want to run the original front cross member if possible and these later sway mounts are not helping that goal as much as I’d like. So, so close but no cigar! :splat:

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

You know I was never really happy with the way I got that to fit on my truck. What about something like was done here?
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=140216
Food for thought ;)

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

Great minds do think alike Jim, I saw that thread and thought wow! :lol: Here’s another one closer to what we'll end up with http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=4935792 . Forum member snj8198 did a great job so all credit for this design goes to him. We lucked into some scrap 2x4 tubing a buddy had laying around and it was just perfect.

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

Hey, I've got some of that 2x4 tubing laying around ... maybe I should get a wild hair and put some sway bar mounts on my K10???

:lol:

Nice progress!

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

That is a good idea for mounting the sway bar. I just might have to do something like that.

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

That is a great idea. I may have to alter the tube a lot due to my front cross members being modified for inline 6's.

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

It's a pretty easy setup go for it! Thanks, but your progress on the Red Herring is outstanding!

That's what I thought when I saw the thread. Ha, easy peasy you know. :gi:

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

Here's another reason I wanted to stick with the original front cross member. I’ll tell you what these blazer steering box supports don’t fit the 133” or 157” frames real great. But with a little trimming it’s going to work out just fine, still need to add an upper shim to complete the fitting but you get the idea.

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

Our new poly mounts and bushings are here. First thing the rear spring bushings were swapped for the correct ones, way better fit. Not too excited with the washers that came with the new motor mounts though (wimpy). Pretty sure I've got the correct (beefy) old style ones in my nut, bolt & washer collection.

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

The later K35 trans/tc cross member is going to be the cleanest and easiest to install by far. Here are some pics of prepping and installing ours it had a small chunk missing from an earlier driveline failure as well as needing some straightening.

The original 67-72 style member would have required a pedestal to fit the larger longhorn frame section. It could be done but I felt it would always be a battle to work with and not worth the extra effort.

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

Some more pics installed.

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

With the new motor & trans/tc mounts installed made the carb level get even better. In addition the exhaust manifolds clear now.

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

It's looking nice! It's nice to see the manifolds clear now too!

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

Thanks DW!

It's time to install the tc and side mount. Couldn't locate the exact right length (they are really, really short) bolts from bracket to case so we just cut off the extra to make ours, no problemo. :ito:

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

Our rear pinion angles look close enough for me, tc 2.5 down & diff 1.5-1.75ish up, roughly 1 degree or less off the same plane. With the angles that good and we like the overall stance the rear most hangers did get bolted. Went ahead and finished mounting the sway bar to the new mounts. Sway bar looks pretty flat with the motor/trans/tc weight in place.

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

Nice work! It's getting closer!

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

Looking good!

Re: 72 K30 Build
 

Real nice progress!