1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy

['68OrangeSunshine]

Pat, Was your '71 K/10 Stepside originally an Air Force truck? The darker metallic blue suggests that to me. But internet colors get distorted.

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

Pat, Was your '71 K/10 Stepside originally an Air Force truck? The darker metallic blue suggests that to me. But internet colors get distorted.

Unfortunately I know next to nothing about the history of this truck. The original paint was dark olive, and now it's covered in gray primer. One bed fender and the interior are still green.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by pjmoreland

Unfortunately I know next to nothing about the history of this truck. The original paint was dark olive, and now it's covered in gray primer. One bed fender and the interior are still green.

Quick reply! I was about to edit, since I backtracked and pulled up the SPID. While the OEM color was Olive, the SPID looks commercial, as Gov't trucks had a government property placque riveted inside the Glove Box and often no SPID.
And the Air Force never ''borrows'' trucks from the Army.
[Only the Marine Corps has a 'tradition' of assimilating vehicles from other branches -- usually when they ain't looking.]

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

Quick reply! I was about to edit, since I backtracked and pulled up the SPID. Whie the OEM color was Olive, the SPID looks commercial, as Gov't trucks had a government property placque rivited inside the Glove Box and often no SPID.
And the Air Force never ''borrows'' trucks from the Army.
[Only the Marine Corps has a 'tradition' of assimilating vehicles from other branches -- usually when they ain't looking.]

Interesting stuff. I've seen a few retired military 67-72 trucks for sale on eBay. Mime is definitely commercial.

[pjmoreland]

I disassembled the front hubs today with the intention of replacing the bearings and seals. Unfortunately, one of the hubs needs to be replaced because at some point a bearing spun in it and wore a groove. I have a lead on a replacement.

I did go ahead with installation of the axle shafts, spindles and dust shields. I also installed new axle vent hoses and vent caps. Filled the differentials with fluid. Also worked on a large crease in the passenger side front fender and adjusted the hood so that it latches now.

[pjmoreland]

Here's the hub that got damaged by a spun bearing.

[pjmoreland]

More photos

[CUSTOM/10]

Hey Patrick, there are 2 different style hubs & spindles . Large bearing and small bearing. I believe yours look to be small bearing. You can use either but they have to be used as pairs, ( spindle & hub ) both large or both small. The outer bearings are the same, the inner bearing ( the one you spun ) is the difference. So keep that in mind when your sourcing parts.
If you run into trouble l have some small bearing hubs & spindles.
Gary

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by CUSTOM/10

Hey Patrick, there are 2 different style hubs & spindles . Large bearing and small bearing. I believe yours look to be small bearing. You can use either but they have to be used as pairs, ( spindle & hub ) both large or both small. The outer bearings are the same, the inner bearing ( the one you spun ) is the difference. So keep that in mind when your sourcing parts.
If you run into trouble l have some small bearing hubs & spindles.
Gary

Thank you for the heads up!

[pjmoreland]

The spindle measures 1.779" at the inner bearing location.

The inner bearing O.D. is 3.063".

[1970cstblazer]

Here is info right from the parts book:

Note: 1971 & 1972 would be the same as 1973-77 1st design.

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by 1970cstblazer

Here is info right from the parts book:

Note: 1971 & 1972 would be the same as 1973-77 1st design.

Thank you. So a 2" spindle diameter would indicate 2nd design

[CUSTOM/10]

Go by the measurements, you never know what may have been swapped in there by a previous owner. I have also seen left over prior year parts use on the next year.

[CUSTOM/10]

1970cstblazer is correct on the bearing years, it was the axle shaft size that changed in 72.

[pjmoreland]

Did some rust repair on the passenger side inner fender. The driver side inner fender had been mutilated to make room for the misaligned steering column because of the body lift, so I bought a replacement for that side. I chopped a piece off of the mutilated one and welded it into the passenger side. It isn't pretty, but it is functional, and it will be hidden behind the battery.

[1970cstblazer]

Nice save!

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by 1970cstblazer

Well, I was incorrect on this issue after doing some research.

Here is the factory paperwork from the NOS GM 361098 drag link kit I used on my 1970 Blazer. When I bought it 3 years ago, the instruction sheet was missing, and I copied what was already there on the Blazer..



Note that it states the the steering rod must be assembled with long end forward.

Board member IronCanine's current 1970 K20:



Looks like I will be correcting that this afternoon...

I keep thinking about this issue of the swapped drag link tie rod ends. One thing I just noticed is that Moog lists the longer one as the rear and the shorter as the front.