64' K10 Project Long Bed

[61K10]

how wide are your front springs?

[aotte1]

The front springs are 2 1/2" wide.

[aotte1]

Just got the call today that most of all the parts, frame, body, and others are cleaned and ready to go for power coating or epoxy primer. Just need for the weather to be nice.

The rest of the parts have been cleaned and some rebuilt. The axle housings and associated parts, along with the engine accessories, were taken to be powder coated. The axles were steam cleaned and several of the engine parts were media blasted with aluminum oxide 120 grit which provides a nice finish.

Photos of them on their way.

[aotte1]

The front Dana 44 axles were rebuilt with new U-joints. In the photos below it looks like they were originally painted semi-gloss black. You can also see red inspection paint marks in places.

Have not cosmetically cleaned them yet. Also will be adding grease fittings to the U-Joints.

[_mg]

Looking forward to the pictures Les. Especially interested in the powder coated housings.

[aotte1]

MG

Should get them back soon and will post photos. Today order a lot of new parts for both the front Dana 44 and 12 bolt rear.

Les

[aotte1]

Picked up some of the power coated parts, mainly the axle housings and parts, suspension, brakes, and engine accessories. First working on the 12 bolt, reconditioning and putting it back together. Plan to start the Dana 44 next week, have the axles rebuilt. Couple of photos, the parts loaded coming home, and billet flywheel and HD pressure plate with light engaging pressure needed.

Monday going to pick up the whole truck in pieces, that has been stripped with base solution, along with electrolysis rust removal in tanks.

[61K10]

Les--ck your new open knuckle axle tube size. my 61 closed knuckle was 2-3/4" if your new one is 3" you need 2 new u-bolts? I have 3 new 3" u-bolts free, just pay for the ride. I also put a aburn posi in my ft dana and found one for $275. I cant remember who i bought it from but i can probably come up with the seller. looking good!

[aotte1]

61K10,

Thanks for the heads-up on the U-bolts size for the newer Dana 44. I will let you know on their size. Also have the rear shackles too, if you need them.

How do you like the front posi?? use it much? Wet roads? Still thinking if need one.

Les

[aotte1]

Picked up a lot of the parts from being cleaned. They were soaked to remove the paint, etc., then on to another tank with electrical current to remove all the rust. Final third tank for dip of rust proof short term coating. The metal looks like new. Found very little rust rockers all solid.

Took about 2 hours to load it all up, everything is full of part, bed of truck under the bed sides and box on trailer.

Les

[_mg]

Originally Posted by aotte1

Picked up a lot of the parts from being cleaned. They were soaked to remove the paint, etc., then on to another tank with electrical current to remove all the rust. Final third tank for dip of rust proof short term coating. The metal looks like new. Found very little rust rockers all solid.

Took about 2 hours to load it all up, everything is full of part, bed of truck under the bed sides and box on trailer.

Les

Ah, a good day.

[aotte1]

Next we went to powder coating facility about 2 hours away, and left almost all the parts to be coated. Using three different colors, and ceramic coating on rear bumper. Decided to powder coat everything as it does a much better job of putting a protective layer/coating in hard to reach areas, not accessible by regular paint process, especially the cab. Did this also as the electrolysis process removed all the rust from whole truck, and it has very solid body.

Yes, these wheels are the 15x8 three nubs from early Blazers and CUCVs, the 16x5" originals are in another part of this project, to be done later.

Also, got quart of ceramic black, to do bolts and a few parts with small springs, etc. Much thinner then powder coating film, and does not effect moving parts nearly as much. However needs to be a very controlled process to be durable coating.

Les

[aotte1]

Mg,

Yes, the smile is getting bigger on this project. It will be even bigger once have rolling frame, hopefully in next month.

Working on axles this week, 12 bolt almost done. Dana 44, have knuckle ball joints in, and working on gears and carrier bearings, also this week. Kimble will see how hard setting-up gears is, first time for Dana 44, looks to be harder then 12 bolt?

Les

[61K10]

yes they are harder than a 12B as the shims are under the bearing races. start with the same shims that were stock. I have new bearings that i have clearanced to slide off and on the pinion and carrier for set-up. the big problem is the shims under the pinion bearing races. google is your friend here lol! Let me know if you need anything i might have. you're welcome to the slip-fit bearings if you need them. I am not an expert by any means lol. Being retired with my income, i have to do it my-self (would anyway)

kimble

[61K10]

are you going to run a power brake booster? I have a 9" single diafram new---let me know as i have some extra parts----

[aotte1]

Kimble,

Yes, on using a power brake booster, have one from truck. Will post photo of it. Needs to be repaired. Will post more details soon.

Thanks,
Les

[Classic v6 GMC's]

Nice build!! What color is the truck going to be?

[pimpston65]

first off awesome staging area, second great base to start the rebuild, and lastly i hate you!!! ps better prime the fancy raw skin so no rust sneaks back in...

[aotte1]

Classic V6 GMC,

It is deluxe two tone, white and light green. Thanks for complement.

Pimpston65,

Thanks for the complement too, it is all getting coated now.

Les

[DPowers]

Great to see your progress.

[aotte1]

Rear 12 bolt Refurbished

The rear 12 bolt axle was rebuilt with new axles, bearings and seals, along with new Eaton posi and 3.73 gears. The axle tube powder coated gloss black, not original color, but just like it that way. The backing plates are semi-gloss black powder.

The original axles were pitted some what bad at the bearing surfaces, so replaced them with new Moser original size, 6 lug. Wheel studs are 7/16 by 20. The backing plates are newer 12 bolt ones that have larger brake shoes/ drums, and they fit original axle length . The originals are saved!! These backing plates are from a '77 12 bolt, thanks Karl, they were also used on newer 12 bolts too, into the 80s, with HD brakes. (Note: their is a more detailed post on this brake upgrade under "12 bolt drum brake upgrade") This was done as mentioned in earlier posts to match the '79 Dana 44 front axle upgrade with disk brakes. This will keep the whole brake system, the JB5 heavy duty option, GM offered in the 70s and 80s. The GM specs on this HD brake package are listed in earlier post number 211.


Will finish dressing it out soon, first need to look at emergency brake cables to see if they need any R/R before reinstalling them.

Photos below, last one shows putting a little synthetic grease on the outer bearings to protect them when first used.

Using non-synthetic lube to protect clutches in posi.

Will save the wheel studs from original axles, as they are in great shape for later use. Wish had used on new axles, did not thinks about that soon enough.

Les

[_mg]

Originally Posted by aotte1

Rear 12 bolt Refurbished

The rear 12 bolt axle was rebuilt with new axles, bearings and seals, along with new Eaton posi and 3.73 gears. The axle tube powder coated gloss black, not original color, but just like it that way. The backing plates are semi-gloss black powder.

The original axles were pitted some what bad at the bearing surfaces, so replaced them with new Moser original size, 6 lug. Wheel studs are 7/16 by 20. The backing plates are newer 12 bolt ones that have larger brake shoes/ drums, and they fit original axle length . The originals are saved!! These backing plates are from a '77 12 bolt, they were also used on newer 12 bolts too into the 80s, with HD brakes. This was done as mentioned in earlier posts to match the '79 Dana 44 front axle upgrade with disk brakes. This will keep the whole brake system, the JB5 heavy duty option, GM offered in the 70s and 80s.


Will finish dressing it out soon, first need to look at emergency brake cables to see if they need any R/R before reinstalling them.

Photos below, last one shows putting a little synthetic grease on the outer bearings to protect them when first used.

Using non-synthetic lube to protect clutches in posi.

Les

Very nice Les, looking great!

[aotte1]

DP and MG,

Thank you for the encouragement/complements.

Les

[Captainfab]

Looks great Les

There's nothing quite like a nice rear end

[aotte1]

John,

Thanks for the complement and comment " There's nothing quite like a nice rear end". Especially Chevy truck ones, feel the same way. Just like mine shinny.

Les