1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy - Page 17 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**pjmoreland** · 02-02-2025, 08:54 PM

I also installed a set of Bilstein shocks. The rears are for 73-up because Bilstein doesn't make a set for 67-72 K10 trucks. Had to replace the upper mounting studs with sleeves. Pressed the studs out by pressing the sleeves in on top of them. Supported the shock eyelet with an open end wrench. Also had to spread the rear axle shock brackets to get them to accept the wider lower bushings.

**pjmoreland** · 02-02-2025, 08:57 PM

Also painted an ORD steering box brace.

**pjmoreland** · Today, 03:00 AM

Spent the evening wrestling with the ORD steering brace. The small front brace did not sit flush against the crossmember, so I put a double bend in the brace to jog it over to the crossmember.

**pjmoreland** · Today, 03:14 AM

Then I started working on the larger rear brace. It is not designed to work with the stock brake line routing, so I spent a couple of hours bending the lines so that they were sitting against the inner wall of the frame rail. I had to grind a couple of notches in the wide end of the brace to make room for the lines. I also discovered that the front crossemember was bent upward along the rear edge, so the lip was preventing the brace from sitting properly against the crossmember. I was able to straighten the crossmember with a large Crescent wrench and a couple of small steel plates. I also had to grind a radius on the top corner of the upper bolt boss so that it would fit into the upper corner of the frame rail.

**pjmoreland** · Today, 03:15 AM

Here are the notches I ground in the brace. I repainted the brace, and I will bolt it into place tomorrow.

**loudchevy** · Today, 09:56 AM

Nice work on this brace! Could you imagine trying to do that with an engine sitting between the frame rails?

**pjmoreland** · Today, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loudchevy

Nice work on this brace! Could you imagine trying to do that with an engine sitting between the frame rails?

Thank you. That's the truth! It would have been nearly impossible to straighten the crossmember lip with the engine installed.

**57taskforce** · Today, 11:49 AM

Awesome work!!!

**pjmoreland** · Today, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 57taskforce

Awesome work!!!

Thank you, and thanks again for recommending the ORD brace. I am glad to have this vulnerable spot on the frame supported.

02-02-2025, 08:54 PM	#401
pjmoreland Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: CA Posts: 6,094	Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy I also installed a set of Bilstein shocks. The rears are for 73-up because Bilstein doesn't make a set for 67-72 K10 trucks. Had to replace the upper mounting studs with sleeves. Pressed the studs out by pressing the sleeves in on top of them. Supported the shock eyelet with an open end wrench. Also had to spread the rear axle shock brackets to get them to accept the wider lower bushings. Attached Images

02-02-2025, 08:57 PM	#402
pjmoreland Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: CA Posts: 6,094	Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy Also painted an ORD steering box brace. Attached Images

Today, 03:00 AM	#403
pjmoreland Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: CA Posts: 6,094	Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy Spent the evening wrestling with the ORD steering brace. The small front brace did not sit flush against the crossmember, so I put a double bend in the brace to jog it over to the crossmember. Attached Images Last edited by pjmoreland; Today at 03:05 AM.

Today, 03:14 AM	#404
pjmoreland Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: CA Posts: 6,094	Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy Then I started working on the larger rear brace. It is not designed to work with the stock brake line routing, so I spent a couple of hours bending the lines so that they were sitting against the inner wall of the frame rail. I had to grind a couple of notches in the wide end of the brace to make room for the lines. I also discovered that the front crossemember was bent upward along the rear edge, so the lip was preventing the brace from sitting properly against the crossmember. I was able to straighten the crossmember with a large Crescent wrench and a couple of small steel plates. I also had to grind a radius on the top corner of the upper bolt boss so that it would fit into the upper corner of the frame rail. Attached Images

Today, 03:15 AM	#405
pjmoreland Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: CA Posts: 6,094	Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy Here are the notches I ground in the brace. I repainted the brace, and I will bolt it into place tomorrow. Attached Images

Today, 09:56 AM	#406
loudchevy Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Phx, AZ Posts: 352	Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy Nice work on this brace! Could you imagine trying to do that with an engine sitting between the frame rails? __________________ Scott 1970 C10 LWB-->SWB Under Construction https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=847605 2014 2500HD DirtyMax\|Daily Driver\|Stock 2003 Tahoe Stock 1985 K5 5.3LS/4L60E\|8Lug 4:56\|3/4 Ton Front\|14BFF Rear\|Roll Cage\|Dove-tailed & Bobbed

Today, 11:49 AM	#408
57taskforce All about them K’s Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Entrapment Posts: 6,541	Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy Awesome work!!! __________________ Tyler '57 3100 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=813888 '72 K20 Cheyenne: 5” lift, 35’s, front dana 60 blah blah blah… http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=662879 ‘69 K10 SWB: 4” lift 33”s… in a million pieces http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=805206 '98 Silverado LT K2500HD ECLB Vortec 454/4l80E: 6" lift 35x12.5x20’s



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