72 K10 help front suspension

[Nitis]

The old girls has always had some creekity pop but hey she is 43 years old and all but the other day when I wanted to turn right and she didn't I had to pucker a bit. now don't fret it wasn't as bad as it sounds but it felt like the steering box hit a flat spot then skipped and continued.

Anyway took it out and had pops help me look it over and low and behold the front spring perches are loos and the rivets are moving so I parked her.

Shouldn't be a huge deal bust out the rivets pop in some grade 8 bolts and away I go. But since I am going to be in there I may as well do some needed upgrades

First thing first since I am taking it apart anyway is there any place to get new spring perches? I am sure the old ones are fine but new is better right? Especially if we are only talking like $40

Next thing is the front core support mounts are totally shot no big deal order a kit and replace them was going to do it anyway when I tore it down for paint and body work

Then I need to just replace the steering box. My understanding is 78+ have a quicker ratio. Is it a straight swap?

Then finally whats you alls take on springs. I really like the stance I have now aside from it being uneven. I don't want it to be any higher. I Am running 32x11.50s and could see 33s maybe but only 9.5 or 10.5 wide or maybe eventually go to 16s and 285/75s. Are the stock springs typically re-archabe? Should I consider them scrap? And what would you opt for if you wanted a stockish height ride?

Also since you have a general idea of the section I will be deep into what else should I give attention to? This is all stuff I knew I Was going to have to do just not in this order dang it.

[First c10]

Nitis,
My friend..... I would have thought you had all this figured out already??? LOL!!!

Just do what you need to do to get it the way you want now. if not you will spend more money in the long run doing things twice.

Anyway took it out and had pops help me look it over and low and behold the front spring perches are loose and the rivets are moving so I parked her

.

Grade 8 bolts should be fine, that is what I used!

First thing first since I am taking it apart anyway is there any place to get new spring perches? I am sure the old ones are fine but new is better right? Especially if we are only talking like $40

Not sure where to get stock aftermarket perches. (Maybe ORD, Porterbuilt etc)
You can probably upgrade to a premium member and post a "Want To Buy" ad for the stock radiator/spring mount if you want stock or go after market like the ORD stuff.

Then I need to just replace the steering box. My understanding is 78+ have a quicker ratio. Is it a straight swap?

I put a 1976 up steering box which is supposed to be 3.5 turn box I got from Rockauto. Direct bolt in and still has SAE threads for the hoses (not metric like the 80's up boxes)

Then finally whats you alls take on springs. I really like the stance I have now aside from it being uneven. I don't want it to be any higher. I Am running 32x11.50s and could see 33s maybe but only 9.5 or 10.5 wide or maybe eventually go to 16s and 285/75s. Are the stock springs typically re-archabe? Should I consider them scrap? And what would you opt for if you wanted a stockish height ride?

I am not sure where to purchase stock springs but I am sure they cost more than lift springs. I have a set of stock front leaf springs from a 91 Suburban if you want to come get them. I think they are 44" long which is the same as our trucks.
Hope this helps
Scott

[Nitis]

Yeah I am trying not to do things that will have to be seriously un done down the line. My buddy keeps telling me I need to tear it apart competely and ground up but

A I don't have a place to do that and
B I don't have the funds
C what good is the truck in pieces pretty hard to drive that way

I am going to give Betts springs a call and see just how pricey they are my dad does some business with them for his big trucks so I will see what they say sounds like they can make about anything.

My thing is this is not going to be a show rig I just want to make it a nice driver so I will drive it. SO hopefully I can get this all knocked out then take it to my metal fab guy and have him chop the rust out later in the spring then maybe come fall new engine and FItech EFI!

I should be able to find it but if you have a part number handy for that steering box I would appreciate it.

[First c10]

Whatever you do update his thread.
Good luck and happy new year.

[swamp rat]

Call Wes at http://www.classicheartbeat.com/ he knows where to get stock higth springs.