1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy

[Ol Blue K20]

Originally Posted by pjmoreland

The transmission and engine are fully bolted down now. After installing the transmission adapter bracket, I worked on drilling new holes in the frame rails for the engine crossmember. It was quite challenging to get the holes in the right places. Here's how it went:

I started by installing the crossmember in the stock holes so I could measure the distance from the engine tower holes to the motor mounts. It was right at 2".

I then put marks on the bottoms of the frame rails that were 2" forward of the stock crossmember holes. The frame rails curve inward toward the front, and the crossmember holes are not inline with each other, so taking this into account was challenging.

I started by drilling two small holes at the marks, and then I slid the crossmember forward until its holes were lined up as best as possible with the small holes. They were quite a bit off though, so I used a pick to scribe the locations of the crossmember holes on the upper surface of the lower frame rail.

I then used a carbide burr in a Dremel to open up the little holes until they were the right size and lined up with the scribed marks.

Drilling the holes for the engine towers in the tops of the frame rails was much easier because I could use the lower holes as somewhat of a guide. The holes have to scoot over 1/8" relative to the curving frame rails to be directly forward of the original holes. I drilled the top holes based on that and they came out exactly right.

All of the bolts slid into the frame holes easily.

I had some 2K epoxy paint i needed to use up, so I painted a couple of parts.

Nice job! I don't know if your bike appreciate being used to hang parts though.....

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

Nice job! I don't know if your bike appreciate being used to hang parts though.....

At least it's getting used for something

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by pjmoreland

I was busy with other things this evening, but I had a few minutes before bedtime to finish up a small task I've been working on for a while. I've been wanting a set of original '68 or older door locks for this truck because they have a small feature that was eliminated in later years. There is a subtle detent or click that stops the key in the straight position so that it can be removed easily without having to search for the right position. A friend bought a wrecked '68 recently. It was missing the key, so he got the code off one of the door locks, and I reached out to LockDoc who made a key for me along with building a glovebox lock that works with the same key (thanks, Leon!). My friend was having difficulty getting the ignition lock out, so I went over there this evening, and after lots of wiggling it popped out. It was caked up with graphite sludge.

I just got done installing the locks on the truck. I'm guessing it has been a long time since this truck had fully functioning locks. Very satisfying!

Here's a video that shows the little detent/click that the older door locks have.

https://youtube.com/shorts/cJSf-_FjHKI?feature=shared

I tried the locks on my '67 K/10 Suburban, '71 GMC K/1500 Jimmy, and '68 C/10 Stepside.
None of them had the cherry click with key at 12 O'Clock. I have probably changed the locksets in the past. Or the PO did.

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

I tried the locks on my '67 K/10 Suburban, '71 GMC K/1500 Jimmy, and '68 C/10 Stepside.
None of them had the cherry click with key at 12 O'Clock. I have probably changed the locksets in the past. Or the PO did.

Hmm. Interesting. Thanks for checking them.

[pjmoreland]

Disassembled and cleaned an original front driveshaft I've got. I'll be taking it to the driveline shop to see if they can replace the loose slip joint. Also measured the needed length for the rear driveshaft. I'll be asking them to build one from scratch.

Welded up design two of the transfer case shifter bracket. I got the shifter bolt hole in the right location this time since kwmech lent me an original NP205 adapter for taking measurements. I also made the bracket mount on two bolts instead of three. The bigger bracket was interfering with the shift linkage.

The transfer case shifter will now fit in the stock hole in the floor hump. I set the floor hump as close to in place as I could for a test, and the shifter just barely bumped the front of the opening. The floor hump was back maybe an inch from where it's supposed to be though, so it will be good when it is in the correct location. I will be altering the hole for the NV4500 shifter.

[Ol Blue K20]

Nice!

[57taskforce]

Looks awesome!! Normally I suggest loosing the side bracket for the 205 because it’s known for killing the cast iron transfer case adaptor, but in this case where you are bolted to the transmission it’s probably not as big of an issue. Really nice work!

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by 57taskforce

Looks awesome!! Normally I suggest loosing the side bracket for the 205 because it’s known for killing the cast iron transfer case adaptor, but in this case where you are bolted to the transmission it’s probably not as big of an issue. Really nice work!

Hopefully the aluminum transmission tail housing holds up.

[57taskforce]

I think you’ll be fine. There’s a lot more meat there than those itty bitty 465 and th350 adaptors. A lot of the aftermarket or sm465 and th350 adaptors are actually made from aluminum these days believe it or not.

[Ol Blue K20]

I still have mine. The trans(mission) shop said the big block might break the t350 other wise...

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

I still have mine. The trans(mission) shop said the big block might break the t350 other wise...

I'm way down on power compared to you, too.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

I still have mine. The trans(mission) shop said the big block might break the t350 other wise...

I ran a TH350/NP205 behind a 454 in my '67 K/10 Suburban, about 25 years ago. No real problems.

[pjmoreland]

Thank you, 396ci, for this rim. I owe you!

I will be using it as a spare mounted under the bed.