1977 k10 lq9 stepside
 

I am just starting this project and I am already having trouble making decisions so I figured it was time to start a build thread. I have a 1977 c10 swb stepside, k10 swb chassy, lq9, 4l65e and a np241. I am looking to build dd/ beater k10 stepside that can occasionally tow a trailer.
http://i.minus.com/jKB3yqD0b1OBX.jpg
http://i.minus.com/jBmCaA6WC0QXV.jpg

I got a complete lq9 from a 2003 escalade with 110 thousand miles. The plan was to use Dirty Dingos 4x4 motor mounts and with the engine all the way back so I could use the stock cross member. I am considering changing cross members so I can add ac in its stock location later. I currently don’t have either driveshafts and will probably have some made so I am not worried about moving the motor back. What do you guys think?
http://i.minus.com/jbyFqlk576f65X.jpg
http://i.minus.com/jD4lnKptSjq3b.jpg

K10 is 6 lug 12 bolt and corporate 10 with 3.07 gears. It currently has a 4” lift but I want the truck to be able to fit in my garage. Garage door is under 8’. I was thinking a 1-2” lift would work. Rear is on 4” blocks but the front looks to have lift leaf springs and 7” shackles. I have ordered 4.5” shackles but don’t know if that will get it to the hight I want. Is there an easy way to identify the what lift leaf springs these are? Below is a pic
http://i.minus.com/jye6aYIfCBlu6.jpg

Re: 1977 k10 lq9 stepside
 

Nice looking build!
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Re: 1977 k10 lq9 stepside
 

I went ahead and ordered ORD's big block cross member. I am going to be switching to a h3 oil pan and this should allow me to use stock drive shafts.

I also ordered a new tank with baffles. I still need to pull the trigger on a sending unit and pump. Ac Delco sending units are pricey

Also, I ordered ORD's steering box weld on repair kit and some bushings. Hopefully everything arrives this week so I can finish cleaning up the frame.

http://i.minus.com/jh6c4C0zoKJNY.jpg

Re: 1977 k10 lq9 stepside
 

Installed ORD crossmember and finished clearing up the frame. I still need to switch to the hummer oil pan but my cracked truck pan has more clearance then I thought it would.
http://i.minus.com/jb0IUCyAJl9fxf.jpg
http://i.minus.com/jbxzf0oZnWtAOJ.jpg

Re: 1977 k10 lq9 stepside
 

It's been a while since I posted a update. I still haven't got to the engine swap.

I have been doing a lot of rust repair. Below are the pics. I have finished all of the patches but dont have any pictures with everything ground down. Ill try to post them later.

Bottom of the A pillars were rusted through.

http://i.minus.com/jPAAYrHiTeoRv.jpg
http://i.minus.com/jXr1v927VBftE.jpg
http://i.minus.com/jTGT69e8JsvIV.jpg
http://i.minus.com/jbzLtotTx6FHhl.jpg

Also had rust and debris hidden in the tip of my hood.
http://i.minus.com/jSZhREaYf4hx0.jpg

Does anyone have a good reason why I need to patch this section at the back of the cab? It is going to be covered by the bed and I dont think it serves a purpose.

http://i.minus.com/jh2UrTLoly3gW.jpg

Re: 1977 k10 lq9 stepside
 

Truck looks a little different since my last post.

http://i.minus.com/jbxsz0360yD21g.jpg

http://i.minus.com/jpRxjNrzCFLrg.jpg

Also, got the cab on the 4x4 chassy.

http://i.minus.com/jxD9o1fKJygot.jpg

Unfortunately, the rear body mounts are off by a half inch. Still not sure what I am going to do about this.

http://i.minus.com/jEPme97ag9jcm.jpg

http://i.minus.com/jMCW6BffIIMb2.jpg

I am working on modifying my trans tunnel now and hope to be putting everything back in for the final time in the next week or two.

Re: 1977 k10 lq9 stepside
 

My frame measures strait and the mounts look solid. I think I am just going to bore our the mount holes for now.

I also came across some very cheap black american racing wheels and 33" tires.

http://i.minus.com/jZ0Jvwn4BHr6z.jpg

The wheels are for newer chevy's with 4.5 back spacing and the smaller hub bore. I was hoping to get them to work though. Does anyone know the exact hub bore size of 6 lug chevy axles. I measured them at about 3.5" but I was hoping to find the exact size. The new wheels hub bore is about 3" which I think equals 78.3 mm.

Yes I have searched but all of the below links show 73-87 1/2 ton chevy's as also having 78.3 mm hub size.

http://wheelhelp.com/Chevrolet_GMC_Bolt_Patterns2.htm
http://www.roadkillcustoms.com/hot-r...#axzz2YEk6Gtwq
http://www.crawlpedia.com/bolt_patterns.htm

Re: 1977 k10 lq9 stepside
 

Engine is in, wiring is done and she runs.

Been working a lot in the engine bay the last few weeks. Installed windstar electric fans and escalade truck fuse box. Still need to get a battery and a ebay silverado cold air intake.

Wiring
http://i.minus.com/jwo7L7WAqwFzC.jpg

Fan and Radiator hose install
http://i.minus.com/jHwpXWCEACxE0.jpg

fuse box and computer mounted
http://i.minus.com/jnkJ3avbncj94.jpg

Brakes are done.
http://i.minus.com/jjrt5tCpGFsyu.jpg


I had to modify the brake pedal for power brakes.
http://i.minus.com/jb2BHJMQnSNhGR.jpg

This is how she sits today
http://i.minus.com/j7xINxfnjtrGc.jpg

I'm also waiting on a conversion u-joint and hope to take it for a test drive as soon as it comes in.

Re: 1977 k10 lq9 stepside
 

Sorry for not keeping this updated. Ill try to get this thread back up to speed.


I found a passenger drop shifter and was able to make it work with the little room I have.
http://i.minus.com/jzgTwZWyWyqDC.jpg
http://i.minus.com/jyvlEDDxJsF0G.jpg
http://i.minus.com/jbskmn8HuPM9zQ.jpg
http://i.minus.com/jdSXueGEDTxNS.jpg
http://i.minus.com/jyJkxyUJt2XBl.jpg

Re: 1977 k10 lq9 stepside
 

I made sure I cleaned all of my vinyl real well and used duplicolor black vinyl dye/ paint.

http://i.minus.com/jpyE9ByQzEvRi.jpghttp://i.minus.com/junHeqX7xye39.jpg
http://i.minus.com/jvE2UXWil5lkS.jpg

I also found a good condition 80-87 dash pad on craigslist. I would have rather had the early 73-80 version but this one worked out ok.

http://i.minus.com/jmRz8vso79sW7.jpg
http://i.minus.com/jdALWD0Da7PcQ.jpg

Re: 1977 k10 lq9 stepside
 

I sprayed the bed, wood strips and grill with raptor liner. This stuff was awesome.

http://i.minus.com/jbj2KpkpxiSzLY.jpg
http://i.minus.com/jj4JQLEIt0niu.jpg

I didn't like the way the el camino bumper fit and looked but was able to find someone parting out a stepside and now have a stock bumper and taillights.

http://i.minus.com/jfRiFQwM0Tpeh.jpg
http://i.minus.com/jFC0QlPPMKjim.jpg
This is where I also picked up the wood and wood strips for my bed. The wood needed some sanding but should turn out ok.

http://i.minus.com/jvyvHjZ13tZBx.jpg
http://i.minus.com/jFHYxhCQTcYlL.jpg
http://i.minus.com/jmgnYv24oBcuS.jpg

Re: 1977 k10 lq9 stepside
 

I also cleaned up the engine bay some. The engine cover isn't the correct HO or Vortec Max cover but it works. I really like the way the fuse box turned out. The computer is hidden behind the fusebox on the back of the inner fender.

http://i.minus.com/j6jPyFZTAkZMK.jpg

I took it for a quick test drive today and hope to finish up most things up this weekend. I need to finish wiring the rear brakes. Setup the parking brake. Mount my trailer hitch and a bunch of other small things. I hope to get it registered an maybe inspected next week. I haven't decided on how I'm going to register it yet.

As it looks like I am going to stick with bigger tires (34's or 35's) I definitely need new axles with higher gears. I am going to start looking for a 88-98 14bsf 6 lug with 4:10's and a dana44 with 4:10s. I think I want the dana44 for high steer. I already have a 2wd steering box. I think all dana44's with 4:10's are 8 lug but can't I use my corp10 outers?
http://i.minus.com/j91KZqrW7TeeS.jpg

Re: 1977 k10 lq9 stepside
 

I have driven the truck a few times now and all has gone well. I still need to figure out a few wiring issues though. My front right blinker doesnt work but it works when the flashers are on. All my other blinkers work including rear right so I dont think its the blinker relay. The rear lights also go crazy when my headlights are on. Hopefully I can figure this out this week.

My Dikota Digital gauges speedo and fuel level are also off. I need to calibrate the speedo and it looks like something is wrong with my wiring for the fuel level. Once I figure this stuff out, ill install my cluster bevel and take more pictures of my interior.

I also installed my grill and front end trim peaces. The grill is an aftermarket grill I bed lined.
http://i.minus.com/jbfp1na3ZPEuVj.jpg

I also started bolting down the wood bed.

http://i.minus.com/jbtRQcjCVw5zVW.jpg

I am going to use L track for the side strips. I need to fab up l brackets to bolt it down.

http://i.minus.com/jWUPmrk2ynKO7.jpg

I know my shifter came from a np208 truck but I thought the same shifter was used for the 90-91 k5's and suburbans with 241c's. I have been running the truck with the shifter all the way forward. I thought this was 2hi but after looking into it more tonight I might be wrong. Can anyone confirm this? Do np241c passenger drops go 4HI - 2HI - N - 4L?

Re: 1977 k10 lq9 stepside
 

http://i.minus.com/jvbYnPIUUAaZq.jpg

http://i.minus.com/j4VRUIIDFTQVf.jpg

http://i.minus.com/jEy4Yl5yBjzNs.jpg

Re: 1977 k10 lq9 stepside
 

The truck is now inspected and being driven almost daily.

http://i.minus.com/jR8wb4372fOVS.jpg

My new desktop background.

http://i.minus.com/jbwotZ8OZnCgu4.jpg

I'll try to upload a video later this weekend.

Re: 1977 k10 lq9 stepside
 

What still needs to be done.

I am still running 3:07 gears but have a 6 lug dana44 4:10 front and i'm looking for a 88-98 6 lug 14sf 4:10 for the rear.

I am also going to setup crossover steering when I switch axles.

My back sliding glass is missing the middle division peace that has the lock on it. I found a new kenco replacement rear glass listed for $50 near me. Has anyone had any experience with these? Should I give it a try or go with a used gm back glass for cheaper?

I'm also bought silverado fender emblems. Does anyone know a easy way to put these emblems on or will I need to take the fender off?

Re: 1977 k10 lq9 stepside
 

Subscribed! Great build man. Sorry I'm of no help with your recent questions. I'm building an 82' K10 with an LS6 and have similar goals of what I want out of my truck when she's all buttoned up.

Any new pics of the ORD X-member with the H3 pan? I've got clearance issues as well.

Thanks. Looking forward to seeing your progress.