Building '68 GMC K20. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Hotrod 4x4 · 05-12-2012, 01:06 PM

Hi, im new to the 4x4 world and im jumping in all at once. Im changing the axles to the later '78s dana 44 and 14 bolt. I know the dana will bolt right up and was wanting advice on the powersteering. Will the box off the '78 bolt up to my truck? And also what advice can i get on installing the 14 bolt. It looks like i need to change the spring mount on the axle. it looks to be wider on the 14 bolt or should i change to the later spring mounts and later springs?

Thanks and have a great day...

**Clyde65** · 05-12-2012, 01:18 PM

dude, you cant do that! we need pictures of your ride before we can answer any questions!

ok, thats not really true, but i would like to see picture! im no good to answer your questions though, but you will find alot of helpful folks here

**LockDoc** · 05-12-2012, 01:38 PM

-
I can't answer your 4x4 questions either but welcome to the board!! Someone on here will be able to give you the skinny on this....

LockDoc

BLAZERMAN · 05-12-2012, 01:49 PM

Welcome to the board!! As far as the steering gear box goes you can still use your original, if you want to use the 78 it will bolt up just fine but you may want to get the power steering pump from the 78 also as this was about the time they went from a flare fitting to an O ring style. On the rear your much better off just moving your spring mounts on the axle....and you will have to move shock mounts as well as they are staggered on the 73 up trucks..still a much easier job than moving springs!

One Chevy Scotty · 05-12-2012, 02:04 PM

What was wrong with the running gear under your K20? was it broke? I have a '68 K20 stepper and can't imagine wanting to remove that classic closed knuckle running gear

I did not know that PS was an option for 3/4 tons in 1968, but I learn something new every day around here.

...yup, you gotta post some pics....

Hotrod 4x4 · 05-12-2012, 04:58 PM

Well thanks guys. I will get some pics up as soon as i can. No my stock running gear is fine but im wanting to make it my daily shop truck and i would like to have the bigger brakes plus the disc up front would be a plus too. And it has the 4.56 gears that arent highway friendly. I well be saling the stock axles and the lockouts too that are i believe stock. Oh and no this one doesnt has power steering. I would just like to add it...

BLAZERMAN · 05-12-2012, 05:11 PM

Sorry I didn't notice this was for a 68. The later gear box will work but you may have to dimple the frame or make some spacers, I know some guys have used the frame reinforcing plates to mount the box, either way it's worth the work envolved. I agree nothing wrong with the stock setup but power steering and disc brakes make a Big difference on a daily driver.
Posted via Mobile Device

Hotrod 4x4 · 05-12-2012, 05:11 PM

I just did get some pics up. I would like to find out the HP rating on this. It has the 327cid with the rochester 4barrel. I have heard it was from 275hp to as much as 350hp???????

Hotrod 4x4 · 05-12-2012, 05:15 PM

Thanks Blazerman. I thought the frame was alittle diffrent bu i do have the front frame horn off the truck i parted. Ill use it for the pattern.

vectorit · 05-12-2012, 05:24 PM

Welcome to the board!

I am in the process of upgrading my old axles to D60 and open knuckle disc D44, and to put your PS gear box on you need an adapter. I don't recommend doing the torch and hammer routine on your frame, it will just weaken that area and that is a high stress part of the frame.

I plan to use an adapter from "Captainfab" for my PS steering gear.

Here is a link to some of his stuff.

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=332923

BLAZERMAN · 05-12-2012, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vectorit

Welcome to the board!

I am in the process of upgrading my old axles to D60 and open knuckle disc D44, and to put your PS gear box on you need an adapter. I don't recommend doing the torch and hammer routine on your frame, it will just weaken that area and that is a high stress part of the frame.

I plan to use an adapter from "Captainfab" for my PS steering gear.

Here is a link to some of his stuff.

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=332923

Wow! a 3 year old post and some how I've missed it all this time..I didnt know that bracket existed.. definitely looks like the way to go

Hotrod 4x4 · 05-12-2012, 05:32 PM

Thanks vectorit, I will check it out.

Hotrod 4x4 · 05-12-2012, 05:46 PM

Oh and something else im wondering about is that my rear springs are 3" wide and all im seeing are 2.5" wide on the new pad mounts. Will this be a problem?

Hotrod 4x4 · 05-12-2012, 05:49 PM

Yep it sure does. Would make it alot easier to just bolt it on and go...

**70cst** · 05-12-2012, 06:12 PM

Hey Hotrod 4x4 ...

to the forum and

from Ohio.

Glad to have you on board and yes...we luv pics !

Hotrod 4x4 · 05-12-2012, 06:26 PM

Thanks 70cst... Ill try to add more pics as i do the build...

1972RedNeck · 05-12-2012, 07:17 PM

A K20 GMC......where did you find one of those? I have never seen one before. Maybe it has the rare Corvette package?

Hotrod 4x4 · 05-12-2012, 08:56 PM

Yeah it could be. I would like to find out what it is for sure...

05-12-2012, 01:06 PM	#1
Hotrod 4x4 Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: Elwood, IN. Posts: 22	Building '68 GMC K20. Hi, im new to the 4x4 world and im jumping in all at once. Im changing the axles to the later '78s dana 44 and 14 bolt. I know the dana will bolt right up and was wanting advice on the powersteering. Will the box off the '78 bolt up to my truck? And also what advice can i get on installing the 14 bolt. It looks like i need to change the spring mount on the axle. it looks to be wider on the 14 bolt or should i change to the later spring mounts and later springs? Thanks and have a great day...

05-12-2012, 01:18 PM	#2
Clyde65 1965 Chevy C10, 2005 4.8L/4l60 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 8,547	Re: Building '68 GMC K20. dude, you cant do that! we need pictures of your ride before we can answer any questions! ok, thats not really true, but i would like to see picture! im no good to answer your questions though, but you will find alot of helpful folks here __________________ Clyde65 Rebuild of Clyde http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...84#post8338184 69 Aristocrat Lo Liner build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...84#post7561684 *support our troops!*

05-12-2012, 01:38 PM	#3
LockDoc The Older Generation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Posts: 25,873	Re: Building '68 GMC K20. - I can't answer your 4x4 questions either but welcome to the board!! Someone on here will be able to give you the skinny on this.... LockDoc __________________ Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 -

05-12-2012, 01:49 PM	#4
BLAZERMAN Currently Blazerless Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: St. Joseph Mo. Posts: 4,829	Re: Building '68 GMC K20. Welcome to the board!! As far as the steering gear box goes you can still use your original, if you want to use the 78 it will bolt up just fine but you may want to get the power steering pump from the 78 also as this was about the time they went from a flare fitting to an O ring style. On the rear your much better off just moving your spring mounts on the axle....and you will have to move shock mounts as well as they are staggered on the 73 up trucks..still a much easier job than moving springs! __________________ 1972 C/30 133" W.B. C&C 1970 GMC 3500 157" W.B. single wheel C&C

05-12-2012, 02:04 PM	#5
One Chevy Scotty Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 117	Re: Building '68 GMC K20. What was wrong with the running gear under your K20? was it broke? I have a '68 K20 stepper and can't imagine wanting to remove that classic closed knuckle running gear I did not know that PS was an option for 3/4 tons in 1968, but I learn something new every day around here. ...yup, you gotta post some pics....

05-12-2012, 04:58 PM	#6
Hotrod 4x4 Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: Elwood, IN. Posts: 22	Re: Building '68 GMC K20. Well thanks guys. I will get some pics up as soon as i can. No my stock running gear is fine but im wanting to make it my daily shop truck and i would like to have the bigger brakes plus the disc up front would be a plus too. And it has the 4.56 gears that arent highway friendly. I well be saling the stock axles and the lockouts too that are i believe stock. Oh and no this one doesnt has power steering. I would just like to add it...

05-12-2012, 05:11 PM	#7
BLAZERMAN Currently Blazerless Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: St. Joseph Mo. Posts: 4,829	Re: Building '68 GMC K20. Sorry I didn't notice this was for a 68. The later gear box will work but you may have to dimple the frame or make some spacers, I know some guys have used the frame reinforcing plates to mount the box, either way it's worth the work envolved. I agree nothing wrong with the stock setup but power steering and disc brakes make a Big difference on a daily driver. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1972 C/30 133" W.B. C&C 1970 GMC 3500 157" W.B. single wheel C&C

05-12-2012, 05:11 PM	#8
Hotrod 4x4 Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: Elwood, IN. Posts: 22	Re: Building '68 GMC K20. I just did get some pics up. I would like to find out the HP rating on this. It has the 327cid with the rochester 4barrel. I have heard it was from 275hp to as much as 350hp???????

05-12-2012, 05:15 PM	#9
Hotrod 4x4 Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: Elwood, IN. Posts: 22	Re: Building '68 GMC K20. Thanks Blazerman. I thought the frame was alittle diffrent bu i do have the front frame horn off the truck i parted. Ill use it for the pattern.

05-12-2012, 05:24 PM	#10
vectorit What? Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,617	Re: Building '68 GMC K20. Welcome to the board! I am in the process of upgrading my old axles to D60 and open knuckle disc D44, and to put your PS gear box on you need an adapter. I don't recommend doing the torch and hammer routine on your frame, it will just weaken that area and that is a high stress part of the frame. I plan to use an adapter from "Captainfab" for my PS steering gear. Here is a link to some of his stuff. http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=332923 __________________ Chris 1968 K20 Suburban 1972 K10 LWB PU

05-12-2012, 05:32 PM	#12
Hotrod 4x4 Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: Elwood, IN. Posts: 22	Re: Building '68 GMC K20. Thanks vectorit, I will check it out.

05-12-2012, 05:46 PM	#13
Hotrod 4x4 Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: Elwood, IN. Posts: 22	Re: Building '68 GMC K20. Oh and something else im wondering about is that my rear springs are 3" wide and all im seeing are 2.5" wide on the new pad mounts. Will this be a problem?

05-12-2012, 05:49 PM	#14
Hotrod 4x4 Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: Elwood, IN. Posts: 22	Re: Building '68 GMC K20. Yep it sure does. Would make it alot easier to just bolt it on and go...

05-12-2012, 06:12 PM	#15
70cst Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: New Madison, Ohio Posts: 21,375	Re: Building '68 GMC K20. Hey Hotrod 4x4 ... to the forum and from Ohio. Glad to have you on board and yes...we luv pics ! __________________ A husband can be right...or...A husband can be happy. 67-72 Chevy and GMC Trucks...The Classic Truck for the Classic Folk. 1970 CST Two tone green, 402BB, 400 Automatic, Tach, Buckets, AC, AM-FM, Tilt, GM CB, GM 8 Tract, LWB, etc JOHN 17:3...The better side of "LIFE" Remember: Everyday is a good day...Some are just gooder!

05-12-2012, 06:26 PM	#16
Hotrod 4x4 Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: Elwood, IN. Posts: 22	Re: Building '68 GMC K20. Thanks 70cst... Ill try to add more pics as i do the build...



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05-12-2012, 08:56 PM	#18
Hotrod 4x4 Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: Elwood, IN. Posts: 22	Re: Building '68 GMC K20. Yeah it could be. I would like to find out what it is for sure...

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