Truck is finally done and rolling again! (Photos!)

[joeydurango]

The Big Blue Ox is rolling again after being in pieces for much of the time I've owned it (the last six months). Bought this '72 K10 Super from a very nice board member (Hi Ray!) and dove into it to bring it from good condition drive-able to better condition really-nice-drive-able. Did all the following:

Rebuilt Dana 44 (ball joints, tie rod ends, wheel bearings, spindle studs, pulled the diff apart, new axle seals, alignment)
New seals between transmission and transfer case
New Redhead steering box
New column bearings
Overhauled intermediate shaft
New tilt/column shift parts
ORD Steering Brace
Rebuilt carb
New fuel pump/carb line
New plugs, wires, belts, filters, adjusted timing/carb settings
New HEI
New heater core
New radiator
3-point seat belts
Silverstar headlights
Corrosealed all rust
Replaced rally wheels with 15x8 steelies and dogdish caps
Sewed up several splits in the original houndstooth seat cover
Installed a toolbox
Found some NOS 1972 Colorado truck plates
More stuff I can't or don't want to remember

With the exception of the HEI, 3-point belts, ORD brace, and 8" wheels, I've been trying to get the truck back to original look, something that Ray had begun with factory rams horn manifolds, air cleaner, antenna and steering wheel. I did all the work except for the carb rebuild (Lars Grimsrud) and dropping the t-case (local shop). I can say two things: After having a shop do much of the work on my last K10, this is a lot cheaper; and I have all new respect for people who put the time in to make full restorations happen. My list is short and took six months of after work and weekend days. I now understand how resto's take years.

Went to hike up a mountain today and of course had to get there in the Ox. Great day outside - we even saw some mama and cub bear tracks on the way up there!