64' K10 Project Long Bed

[aotte1]

Front Spring/Shackle Removed

Photos of the shackles removed, the front pins came out easy. Removed the outside nut and then unscrewed the bolt/pin. The rear pins were removed by, nuts and washers removed, side plates removed with drift and hammer (as 61K10 suggested), then the pins unscrew. Got pins out except for one that turns and then gets tight, it is on the right side.

The photos show the rear pins being removed.

Les

[aotte1]

Loaded ready to go to be soaked tomorrow. A big milestone in project.

Used the trailer winch to load frame partially on trailer, then used engine crane to move cab onto the frame sitting on trailer. Next winched both up all way onto trailer. First part of loading used dolley after front axle removed. Then moved the frame on 2x8's the rest of the way.

Dually truck bed loaded also under the bed sides, and trailer box full.

[61K10]

the stubborn pin should come out after you soaked the frame.

[_mg]

Originally Posted by aotte1

Loaded ready to go to be soaked tomorrow. A big milestone in project.

Used the trailer winch to load frame partially on trailer, then used engine crane to move cab onto the frame sitting on trailer. Next winched both up all way onto trailer. First part of loading used dolley after front axle removed. Then moved the frame on 2x8's the rest of the way.

Dually truck bed loaded also under the bed sides, and trailer box full.

Congratulations on the milestone Les!

[aotte1]

61K10, dropped off the truck parts to be soaked/dipped this morning, they use a non-acid process. Hope it does make the last front spring pin ease to remove, once I get it back. It will be their 4 to 5 weeks or maybe a little more. The process is a little slow but works great, and gets in all the dark places.

Do you know of any photos showing the rear spring pack in stock condition for a '64 K10. Pretty sure mine were modified with the addition of additional springs.

MG - thanks, I will be working on the springs and axles next few weeks.

Les

[61K10]

Les---post a pic of your spring. mine has 2 leafs added to the stock spring. will post up a pic of mine.

[aotte1]

61K10,

Thanks,

Photos of front springs.

Note: the sway bar is part of the '78 Dana 44 upgrade

Les

[aotte1]

Photo of rear springs, looks like two leafs added, and not sure about the bottom helper spring. The two springs that look added seem to be wider. The last photo shows a close-up of the top spring curling around/thru the shackle. Would like to restore the original springs if they will work.

Les

[61K10]

Les---first pic is my ft spring. the second is the rear spring. my stock springs are 6 leaf. I thank they had 5 leaf also? the 2 bottom rear leafs are a add on, like a over-load. with no weight in the bed they don't touch the stock spring pack.

[aotte1]

61K10,

Thanks for the photos of your springs front and rear. Do you have a photo of your rear spring shackle close-up, as to how the springs fit it.

thanks,
Les

[aotte1]

A few more photos of the rear spring attaching hardware and spring block.

Next step is to disassemble the axles and have them steam cleaned.

[61K10]

Les--couple of pics. Don't know if the plate on the axle pad and lift block is stock. might be able to zoom in on the frame.

[aotte1]

61K10,

Thanks, photos help.

Les

[aotte1]

Cleaning the Dana 44 Front and 12 Bolt Rear Axle

Today got around to steam cleaning the front and rear axle housings and certain parts. Mostly good news and a little worn-out news. The Dana 44 front which I thought was a '78 and looks like it is a '79 per housing code. Cleaned for a little more then an hour at about 180 degrees, lots of steam. Did a really nice job on getting the inside clean!

The 12 bolt rear axles are toast, getting new ones. The Dana 44 front axle is getting all new ball joints ( upper were good and lowers worn/loose) and axle u-joints (ok in one direction and gritty in other).

Took the ball joints out first this morning, like others have reported here, removed the nuts, and broke the knuckle loose with ball joints still installed from axle tube, by hammering on axle tube with snap-on dead blow hammer. Some came loose very easy with additional blow to ball joint end. One needed more force, allowing for F_ _ _, frustration to be released Then used ball joint press to remove them from knuckle. Pretty easy with tools needed, 15 to 20 mins.

First photos parts loaded going to area for steam cleaning, last two bad axles where bearing has damaged it.

L

[aotte1]

More Axle Cleaning and Findings.

The hub assemblies are a little worn on the bottom just in from the threads, thinking about rotating the top to the bottom to give good surface to bottom of bearing where max load is. Good idea???? First two photos are of this area on hubs. Other photos of parts cleaned.

[aotte1]

A Few More Axle Cleaning Photos - Sway Bar/Spring U-Bolt top Plate

The sway bar bushing are really dry and coming apart, need to check the inside part to see how bad that area is. Have not found a replacement rubber part, may have to go with other material. Any suggestions on what can be used? Sway bar has some of the original casting slag still on it.

[aotte1]

Front Axle Backing Plate/ Caliper Bracket

Photos of the back plate and caliper bracket, show small areas of gold cad. plating on the front and back. The photos do not show the color good of the old gold colored cadmium plating. It is also present inside the bolt holes.

Not sure about the black paint on top of cad. ??? part of axle black-out at Dana, part of truck black-out at GM, black spray paint by previous owner ( could be but does not look like it, more like a factory application). Did not look to see manufacture emblem stamping on bracket.

Note: for reference this is a '79 Dana 44, using on the '65
L

[aotte1]

More photos of axles parts later. One of axles housings back in garage.

Les

[aotte1]

Rear Spring Shackle

Working on restoring the rear springs and found one of the shackles is worn a lot. Looking to find one from the not very common rear leaf spring trucks. Researching which model trucks had them. Do know the front spring parts were used on several different models.

[aotte1]

Another photo using IPad only one photo at time

[aotte1]

Photo....

[_mg]

Originally Posted by aotte1

Cleaning the Dana 44 Front and 12 Bolt Rear Axle

Today got around to steam cleaning the front and rear axle housings and certain parts. Mostly good news and a little worn-out news. The Dana 44 front which I thought was a '78 and looks like it is a '79 per housing code. Cleaned for a little more then an hour at about 180 degrees, lots of steam. Did a really nice job on getting the inside clean!

The 12 bolt rear axles are toast, getting new ones. The Dana 44 front axle is getting all new ball joints ( upper were good and lowers worn/loose) and axle u-joints (ok in one direction and gritty in other).

Took the ball joints out first this morning, like others have reported here, removed the nuts, and broke the knuckle loose with ball joints still installed from axle tube, by hammering on axle tube with snap-on dead blow hammer. Some came loose very easy with additional blow to ball joint end. One needed more force, allowing for F_ _ _, frustration to be released Then used ball joint press to remove them from knuckle. Pretty easy with tools needed, 15 to 20 mins.

First photos parts loaded going to area for steam cleaning, last two bad axles where bearing has damaged it.

L

Hi Les, just catching up on your build. How was it to remove the front axle gear carrier?

[61K10]

I see you getting some free. LMC does have them. might buy a set as mine might be bad also.

[aotte1]

MG,

It was all pretty easy. Did both apart and parts labeled for Dana 44 and 12 bolt in a little less then 2 hours.

It was not hard, all the hubs stuff came out easy, and carrier was not hard. Used impact to get pinion nut loose. It was kind of tight, however, gave up and came loose after a bit.

Now putting Dana back together will likely take some time to get it adjusted?? Maybe lots of trial set-up, this is first Dana 44.

Les

[61K10]

Les--are you gonna use the org ring and pinion? pinion bearings? there are shims under the pinion bearing races to adj the pinion and behind the carrier bearings. put back together the same if using the org R&P. the 44 isn't fun if replacing everything.

kimble