Restomod 72 K10 "Good Memories"

[Richard]

Originally Posted by 57taskforce

Looking good Richard! Interesting to that yours has the pinion dampener, neither of my disk 14 bolts had the dampener.

Cannot say for sure, but maybe yours are/were 10.5's. My axle is an 11.5. More like a D70/80 from what I understand. I am trying to find out if the pinion damper is absolutely necessary. The axle is really heavy!

[Richard]

Truck is now sitting on the 8 lug axle. Wheels and tires are just rollers I purchased for the swap. Tires are low, been stored a while. They will not be used. Truck is squatting almost 2" because I stored a bunch of parts in the bed. Springs have no load capacity.
Set pinion angle to existing transfercase. Just tacked spring perches as they may need to be moved once new powertrain is in. Should get started on that in the next two weeks. I am beat, time to get some rest.

[Richard]

Fun little project today. Installed rear bumper to fab the outer bumper brackets. Outer brackets originally tie in to the frame right where my shackle hangers are. I needed to go around them and tie into the forward bumper bracket bolt. Had two sets of reproduction brackets to work with. Did not have the heart to chop up my hard to find original SWB 4x4 brackets. Been cycling and measuring at rear suspension. Ordered my 2.5 King shocks for the front and rear today as well as the ORD 4 link kit for the front. Brackets and tubing should be here in a couple of weeks. Unfortunately the shocks are 6+ months out (hoping I may get lucky as King is only an hour away), evidently the same with Fox. While I still have a bit to do installing the power train before front suspension, will most likely have to make a shock jig for the front to keep moving forward.

[Richard]

Made some sliding mock up shocks today. PVC outer diameter is real close to actual shocks. Shock travel is the same. Waiting on tube and tabs to get rear mounts tacked in. Planning work on lower mounts and temp driveshaft tomorrow.

[Richard]

Picked these up today! Totally stoked the local 4x4 shop located a set of 2.5" 16" travel King shocks and air bumps for me about a week ago. Hoping I get lucky with the coil overs on the front as well. Originally ordered 14" travel for the rear but will make these work to keep going. Spending time with the wife this last week instead of the truck as she took some time off. My new 42" tall jack stands that were lost in limbo finally showed up as well as the tube and tabs from RuffStuff. Should be able to finish up the back now before turning the truck around. Will get back on it this Wednesday.

[57taskforce]

Looking awesome Richard!

[First c10]

Richard looking good.
I went with the Bilstein reservoir shock. They ride nice even with stock sized leaf's. The 4 items in your picture are they some kind of stopper or bump stop????

[Richard]

Originally Posted by First c10

Richard looking good.
I went with the Bilstein reservoir shock. They ride nice even with stock sized leaf's. The 4 items in your picture are they some kind of stopper or bump stop????

Thanks to everyone checking things out. Body shop called and needed help with a boat so I tore out and rebuilt rear flooring yesterday and today. Wood and fiberglass was another change of pace. Truck getting some attention tomorrow.
Yes, those 4 pieces are hydraulic bump stops and mounting cans. You can adjust the firmness with nitrogen. Hence the term "air bumps". Gives a bit more suspension tuning ability in that last amount of travel. Probably overkill for what the truck will be mainly used for, but with the motor, 4 link front, etc. Sure, why not. The Bilstein's are great shocks. I run a set of the less expensive 5100's on my 94. They were a great upgrade from the KYB's I ran for years. I thought the KYB's were a very good shock.

[Richard]

Being pulled in a lot other directions right now so not much time to work on truck. Finally got the rear shock mounts tacked in, still need to add another brace at top mount. Did not the use the 16" shocks. Would have to go through bed to make them work and keep close to 90 degrees to travel at full bump. Did not want to cut up bed for quite a few reasons. Tracked down some 14" travel 2.5 piggyback shocks for the rear. Bonus also got the 14" coil-over shocks for the front. Did have to pony up a bit as the fronts are internal bypass shocks. Wont hurt anything just really not needed. Will start on mounting air bumps tomorrow if all goes as planned. Rear axle has just over 12" travel now. Will have my planned 14"-15" when springs are redone. Few pics for fun at full bump and full droop. (edit) Also got all new e-brake shoes, calipers, mounting brackets and pads installed on axle.

[72 tigger]

Really like what you’re doing, well thought out!

[Richard]

Originally Posted by 72 tigger

Really like what you’re doing, well thought out!

Thanks. Yes a lot of thought and unfortunately sometimes doing it more than once. A lot of hours cycling suspension and testing. Does not always go as I imagined. A lot of stuff I am using is custom or not for this truck so making it fit and work can be challenging but is the part I enjoy the most. Had a couple of pictures with the temp tires/wheels on it before shock mounting. The foam on the tire at full bump brings tire up to a 37, plenty of room and exactly centered. 40's would be tight. Will have to see how front works out with clearance.

[Richard2112]

Impressive work, Richard. Looks like a cool project.

[Richard]

Originally Posted by Richard2112

Impressive work, Richard. Looks like a cool project.

Thanks! Wish you well with your project.

[Richard]

Got the air bump mounts to 90%+ today. Get them on the frame, fab brace for upper shock mount and test tank. Mounting cans will stay tacked in place until final travel is determined. Then on to the front.

[Richard]

Bumps are on the truck. Did not get a chance to do the braces due to chatting with neighbor. I did get tank pressure tested, good to go.

[Richard]

Upper shock mount braces finished. Still hoping to have truck ready for engine/trans removal next week.

[Richard]

Worked most of the week so not much time. Truck is ready for motor and trans removal. Forgot to take pics of front clip off. Will update when out. Pics of how it sits now in back. Have new springs being made. The ones on the truck served their purpose, for mock up. Pretty much expected, should be able to sell as they will fit any 99-15 Chevy truck. Took a chance as they are production Deaver springs. New springs will be 68" long and should provide 15"-16" total travel with 1.5"- 2" additional up travel. Truck will sit approximately 3.5"- 4" higher on new springs and 37' tires. Tire clearance is only 1" to shock. They are stock Ram HPO wheels with a 33" tire. My new wheels will increase clearance to 2.5". Bottom of shocks will still be close to wheels and mostly protected as planned.

[gmc684x4]

Very nice fab work on that shock mount

Where did you get that ring for the tank ?

I plan on doing the same mod for my 68 gmc I have a new burbon tank in the shop I originally picked up for my dads 72

I have been thinking of cutting off the ring of my 03 donor truck
I have left it together as that truck is the only running and driving truck in my fleet

[Richard]

Originally Posted by gmc684x4

Very nice fab work on that shock mount

Where did you get that ring for the tank ?

I plan on doing the same mod for my 68 gmc I have a new burbon tank in the shop I originally picked up for my dads 72

I have been thinking of cutting off the ring of my 03 donor truck
I have left it together as that truck is the only running and driving truck in my fleet

Thank you. It has been a good experience. Most fun was the air bump mounts. I got the pump ring from the same place the pwm fuel pump controller came from, Vaporworx. They are about 30 minutes away from me. Carl is a great guy. Shot the s**t with him for an hour when picking my stuff up. Here is the ring on his site https://www.vaporworx.com/shop/produ...rings-weld-in/ I got it cheaper due to purchasing other stuff. Rings can be found as low as $90 if you search. Using the ring from another tank may work out. Would recommend tig for welding it in. My mig skills caused a little bit of re-welding on my tank patches. Shooting to get power train out of truck this week and fitting new engine/trans next week.

[57taskforce]

Awesome work Richard, can’t wait to see that LSA in its new home!

[Richard]

More side work keeps popping up. Small update. Exhaust, T-case and a few other odds and ends out today. Removing rad and core support in AM. Motor and trans coming out! If I have time will throw the PacFab crossmember in and test fit motor for the first time. I took a vid of a cold start on motor as well before the disassembly. Hoping to sell off in the future (not for sale now). Sorry not original motor. Running numbers on block it comes up as a 74 van motor IIRC. 165hp? Maybe 4 bolt main. Looking forward to tomorrow.

[Richard]

Another small update, was not going to post but it will be a few days before update. Motor and trans is out. Huge step forward for me. The trans crossmember will be moved back. Upon removal I found a lot of crud built up on it and the forward frame members. Decided to do an initial cleaning prior to test fit of new power plant. Started the cleanup. Weekend time is normally dedicated to family so it will be next week before I get back on it. Wife parks in the garage 99% of the time. Have some cleanup to do tomorrow as I worked a bit late.

[57taskforce]

Hell yea! Your gonna love hydroboost, that and the hydraulic clutch are the two best things I’ve done to mine to date. With stock D44 front disks and the 13” 14 bolt drums it stops right here, right now. Not always straight, but it stops fast I can’t wait to see it with that LSA in it. My dad came out to visit last year and I did a couple panic stops to show it off, he loved it so much he went and added it to his 72 K20.

[Richard]

Originally Posted by 57taskforce

Hell yea! Your gonna love hydroboost, that and the hydraulic clutch are the two best things I’ve done to mine to date. With stock D44 front disks and the 13” 14 bolt drums it stops right here, right now. Not always straight, but it stops fast I can’t wait to see it with that LSA in it. My dad came out to visit last year and I did a couple panic stops to show it off, he loved it so much he went and added it to his 72 K20.

I hope I like the brakes. Heard that the hydroboost can be a bit touchy and takes some getting used to. The unit was purchased from Vanco. From what I understand they are supposed to be educated on porting the units for ram steering and high flow power steering pumps both of which I will be using. Did not like where my brake pedal sat with the provided fixed rod (what I preferred). Did some welding on the brake pedal arm today and made another hole. Sits like stock pedal now. Going to ditch the CPP master provided by them and use a GM master cylinder from same year as my rear axle. Want to limit dealing with aftermarket products as much as possible. Have read a lot of bad stuff about CPP. If all goes as planned first motor fit tomorrow.

[57taskforce]

Originally Posted by Richard

I hope I like the brakes. Heard that the hydroboost can be a bit touchy and takes some getting used to. The unit was purchased from Vanco. From what I understand they are supposed to be educated on porting the units for ram steering and high flow power steering pumps both of which I will be using. Did not like where my brake pedal sat with the provided fixed rod (what I preferred). Did some welding on the brake pedal arm today and made another hole. Sits like stock pedal now. Going to ditch the CPP master provided by them and use a GM master cylinder from same year as my rear axle. Want to limit dealing with aftermarket products as much as possible. Have read a lot of bad stuff about CPP. If all goes as planned first motor fit tomorrow.

I adapted a unit from an 08 2500HD and used a new Napa master cylinder for a 72 K20 and had no trouble at all getting used to it. Pedal feel is pretty much same as it was with the vacuum booster it just stops a lot harder the deeper into the pedal you get.