ex-Navy 68 K10 build thread

[eedgell]

I am no millitary man, but I appreciate you who are. With out you guys, we are all done! My wife is ex-Navy though, stationed at miramar VF 124 [house of pain]. We will be watching your build. Nice score, and good luck.

[kyoung]

Progress pictures from the weekend 7/10/07

Got the engine removed..

[kyoung]

Couple frame shots, also put the wheels back on and rolled her outside for pressure washing...

[kyoung]

After the washing I rolled her back into the shop to finish the tear-down. The easy work is over, time to start bringing her back to life.

[msgross]

lookin good, I take it that the engine isn't original (spin-on oil filter?) and what is this part? Did someone add a some reinforcement to the frame?

[kyoung]

Originally Posted by msgross

lookin good, I take it that the engine isn't original (spin-on oil filter?) and what is this part? Did someone add a some reinforcement to the frame?

Correct on the engine...it originally had a six cylinder and someone in the past put in the sb 350.

I'm not sure what is up with that frame support. When I got the truck it had a big homemade wench type bumper on it. I wonder if the support was put on there for that reason. I looked over the front part of the frame and have not found any cracks.

I bought some of the primer and chassis paint you recommended. I am cleaning the frame now and will apply it soon.

[msgross]

that primer sticks best when it's been sandblasted...

good luck

[71tahoe]

Originally Posted by msgross

lookin good, I take it that the engine isn't original (spin-on oil filter?) and what is this part? Did someone add a some reinforcement to the frame?

Since it is only on the driver's side it looks like reinforcement for the steering sector part of the frame. Any retired military mechanics on the board? Know of any MWOs for this?

[Bishops Trucks]

Your rolling right along!

[RedZ71]

i like that blue... reminds me of F4U Corsairs

[Spanky_Pete]

Looking good. I appreciate all of you guys that are documenting your tear down/rebuilds. It will help me out a lot as I start to dig into my newly acquired '68 4x4.

[kyoung]

Originally Posted by Spanky_Pete

Looking good. I appreciate all of you guys that are documenting your tear down/rebuilds. It will help me out a lot as I start to dig into my newly acquired '68 4x4.

My build thread will be around for a LONG time! The tear down was pretty quick but I believe the rebuild will be rather lengthly, depending on available funds!!!

Congratulations on the '68 4x4, I'll keep an eye out for your build thread

[screamin_eagle]

what else do you have laying around that shop you can lift with that cherrie picker. nice progress way to be gung ho swaby.

[Palf70Step]

Nice work on the disassembly. Truck looks real good for a project.

So how long did the shop last before you christened the floor with motor drippins?

I think mine lasted about an hour

[kyoung]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Nice work on the disassembly. Truck looks real good for a project.

So how long did the shop last before you christened the floor with motor drippins?

I think mine lasted about an hour

It went from nice to nasty as soon as I rolled in the truck, it was leaking every possible fluid it could.

[RedZ71]

Originally Posted by kyoung

My build thread will be around for a LONG time! The tear down was pretty quick but I believe the rebuild will be rather lengthly, depending on available funds!!!

Congratulations on the '68 4x4, I'll keep an eye out for your build thread

haha yeah, tear downs seem to be significantly less expensive than the build-ups!

[kyoung]

Originally Posted by 71tahoe

Since it is only on the driver's side it looks like reinforcement for the steering sector part of the frame. Any retired military mechanics on the board? Know of any MWOs for this?

71tahoe, you were correct about the brace being for reinforcement of the steering sector of the frame. While prepping the frame for primer last night I saw there are some minor cracks around the mounting holes for the power steering. I believe I can weld these up and it'll be OK. I think I'll leave the angle iron braces on the frame anyway.

[71tahoe]

I know the 4X4s are subjected to a lot more stress and this can happen. I thought it would be neat if this was done as a modification work order before the Navy got rid of it but it was probably one of the subsequent POs.

[msgross]

Are you adding power steering? If so then you might want to look into ORD's weld-on steering brace. With a little modification it will also fix the no "dimple" issue and no "raised pads" that us 68 K-10 owners have to tackle. A newer power steering box won't bolt up to that frame without spacers.

Are you keeping the front axle or adding a newer one with discs? (highly recommend, it bolts right in)

[kyoung]

Originally Posted by msgross

Are you adding power steering? If so then you might want to look into ORD's weld-on steering brace. With a little modification it will also fix the no "dimple" issue and no "raised pads" that us 68 K-10 owners have to tackle. A newer power steering box won't bolt up to that frame without spacers.

Are you keeping the front axle or adding a newer one with discs? (highly recommend, it bolts right in)

The truck already has power steering but it leaks really bad and will have to be replaced or can these units be rebuilt?


Yes, I am swapping the front axle for one with discs.

[msgross]

I would find the leak and replace that part... Don't know about rebuilding but you can buy good used one's for pretty low prices.. Do you have a closer pic of the steering box installed on your frame? That was more than likely added when the engine was and thus resulted on your cracking. They probably used spacers....

[kyoung]

Originally Posted by msgross

I would find the leak and replace that part... Don't know about rebuilding but you can buy good used one's for pretty low prices.. Do you have a closer pic of the steering box installed on your frame? That was more than likely added when the engine was and thus resulted on your cracking. They probably used spacers....

I remember taking the steering box off and it DID have spacers. So I guess this power steering WAS NOT factory?
I looked at the ORD bracket you mentioned earlier and this might be an option.

[68GMC454]

i was stationed at millington for a school, then off to norfolk...i should have stayed in,,would be over 18 years now...oh well...anyway cool truck...man your cherry picker got a work out on tear down...cant wait to see the finished truck

[kyoung]

Originally Posted by 68GMC454

i was stationed at millington for a school, then off to norfolk...i should have stayed in,,would be over 18 years now...oh well...anyway cool truck...man your cherry picker got a work out on tear down...cant wait to see the finished truck

Oh yeah, the cherry picker was necessary. For the money, one of the better shop purchases I have made.

I'm not sure if Millington is even a Naval base anymore. I was there in 1981 and I believe at that time it was the largest inland Navy base.

[msgross]

I don't believe that power steering was an option for a 68 4x4. 2WD had a ram assist power steering option that you see every once in awhile. Those types of steering boxes can be found all day long on any 70's truck. The frames had rasied pads (instead of spacers) and a dimple in the frame rail to accept the box. There was still an issue with frame cracking so now you see the bolt-on and weld-on patches....