68 K-10 SWB build thread - project Money Pit...pics galore!

[Rust Buster]

Mike,
rebuilding the steering pump isn't bad for the most part. The hardest is the reassembly of the balls that you are supposed to have a special tool for. I ended up using a piece of copper pipe that worked like a charm. I bought the rebuild kit through rockauto, and then a step by step instruction booklet from someone on this board. It took a good 3 hours or so, but most of that was cleaning parts.
Just my two cents

[msgross]

cool, i'll try it when the time comes. Even if I mount this one and it needs rebuilt/replaced later then the frame part is done since they all have the same body to them.

[sourkraut]

I finally got it. I have a good bit of work a head of me. I have already made new trailing arms and have redone the rear-end, new 3.73's and a posi. I have a stainless exhaust I am planning on fab up for it and lots of sheet metal work. I also plan on changing it to a 5 speed from an auto. I got a great deal on a set of 99' factory seats with the integrated seat belts for $75. I do a lot of leather work and plan on reupholstering them in a leather of some type.

[msgross]

If you do leather work then we need to talk...nice nide

[sourkraut]

why what do you have? if you look I have a link to my website.

[msgross]

no progress once again, planned on working on the cab today but we had a pumpkin patch carnival at the pre-school, then I decided to wash and wax the "driving" vehicles of the family. I usually try to do that in the summer and fall... At least one chevy looks better! Of course I do the outside and mama does the inside so needless to say it still looks like a soccer van on the inside (cookie crumbs, chairs, juicebox wrappers!)

I'm leaving to fly an aircraft to Texas tomorrow, should be back home Friday if all goes well. Maybe next weekend we can see some doors hung....

[msgross]

Finally got a little work done today, installed the right kick panel (man I don't like those) and hung the doors to make sure that the floor wasn't to far off. With the doors close to perfect I was able to hang the rockers and get stuff to line up fairly close...

I would like a confirmation on this back wall measurement though. I need to insure that my floor is high enough in the back... thanks

[68 short step]

looking good. i measured 18 3/8" on a 71 cab. hope this helps....but all in all, id base the position of the floor to give you the best door gaps..

[msgross]

thanks... that might be what I had, hard to get the tape in perfect position...

[thesteppenwolf]

Oks..from what I have read and your replies, you are the one who is on top of it all..I am new to the "Chevy truck" scene. I am an old Chevy small block person though. I have just got a '71 Chevy 4 x 4, automatic. Body isn't all too rough on it. Leaf springs all around. The front leaves are a bit bowed, look as if going in the wrong direction...is that a norm or are the springs worn out? (is that possible,even?)...it is great to drive it around, turn a lot of heads with it..

thank you

[msgross]

I think the front stock springs are usually flat but I have seen some pics of a slight downard bow on K-10's. If they ride nice and you don't have tire clearance issues then run with them.

Do you have two or three leaves? I have the HD spring option which came with three in the front.

Is yours a K-10?

thanks for the comments, i'm not a SME (subject matter expert), I just enjoy trucks and spend waaaay to much time researching the answers...

[thesteppenwolf]

..I have three spring stack, a slight bow, rides good (so far)..oks, chrome tab on th eside of th efender is a "C-10"....the vin number starts with a "K"...is it a C or K...this just shows what I know about trucks....it needs a grille and such, I may fab something up. The only good thing is the front bumper on that part of the truck.
I appreciate you assistance.

thank you

[thesteppenwolf]

I need to get under it to get all the numbers off the differentials and measurements off the springs...any other suggestions on what to check?

thanks..AGAIN!!

[estig70]

[QUOTE=thesteppenwolf;2937914]..I have three spring stack, a slight bow, rides good (so far)..oks, chrome tab on th eside of th efender is a "C-10"....the vin number starts with a "K"...is it a C or K...this just shows what I know about trucks....it needs a grille and such, I may fab something up. The only good thing is the front bumper on that part of the truck.
I appreciate you assistance.

thank you[/QUOTE

The "K" in the Vin code means its a 4x4 truck. I don't think they ever made a K/10 emblem for these trucks. I have a 4x4 with the C/10 badging as well.

Looking good ms.

Eric

[glimmertwin01]

Mike
you Da Man! Im glad im single! I just bought another project a 70 K5 ..now if i could just got to workin on the 67 K20.. the project looks awesome!
Dan

[msgross]

started working a little on the floor today.. wife says that she needs to park in the garage soon so I need to get this back on the frame very soon. decided to fab a piece of metal to fill the firewall rot that I had...

Should get to some welding this afternoon...

[msgross]

Need to make a decision on the rust in the A-pillar as well...thoughts?

I think I might sacrifice my cheap garden sprayer and shoot some rust sealer up into that area, and inside the doors...

[msgross]

Got a few more hours in today...

I thought the A-pillar cam out ok except for when I put the rocker back on, noticed it needs to move back 1/4" or so... not sure how this will affect the final fit...

I can't really see how it needs to move back though...

I'm not real happy with how these A-pillar patches fit. There was no way that all four cab support bolts were going to fit onto it...

[Jtrux]

I have read the whole build but can't quite remember, are you going back to factory with it or is this more of a restomod?

[msgross]

Kinda 50/50 I guess..

adding tilt, power brakes, power steering, NOS bed wood, trailer hitch, rubber floor, buddy buckets. all original equipment for a 72 not a 68...

Then do the Rancho in cab adjustable air shocks, posi rear, chrome bed strips, hidden CD/IPOD controls in glovebox, nice speakers, rear aluminum gas tank, MT classic II rims and BFG 33"AT's with an add-aleaf in the rear for a 1.5" lift.

I'm thinking newer chevy green mettalic paint (2008 ish) with an almond nose and tailgate letters...

So I guess you could say it's slightly modified while paying respect to the original truck. Heck it was a one owner work horse with all paperwork and factory tach 327 fleetside, only 1,400 made like this I think...

What do you think it needs? I'm open to ideas..

[Palf70Step]

Sounds like a good plan to me!

[jaros44sr]

Originally Posted by msgross

Got a few more hours in today...

I thought the A-pillar cam out ok except for when I put the rocker back on, noticed it needs to move back 1/4" or so... not sure how this will affect the final fit...

I can't really see how it needs to move back though...

I'm not real happy with how these A-pillar patches fit. There was no way that all four cab support bolts were going to fit onto it...

Mike, work looks great, nice progress! Sorry, bin away fishing for a week, looks like ya have it under control.

To answer your question on the "A" post, you can change the lenght or shortness by changing the angle of matching up to the upper "A" post, depends on how you cut it. Sometimes I had to put a slot instead of a hole on the flange of the "A", talked to Jon about it, he said he was going to try to have the flange cut bigger, not that it helps you now

Just a little advice, not meant as critism, but if you just tack the parts in, makes it alot easier to take apart if its wrong, don't ask me how I know

Are your door hinges in good shape, if the pins wobble, it can mess you up in the final fitment!

Comin' along, keep at it...I'm going' backwards on mine lol

[msgross]

Well, the floor is in!

I think a little tweaking with the rockers and the A-pillar issue won't matter. Got both sides done and the firewall patch done... Should have used a little thicker sheetmetal, but it's in for now...

[msgross]

So as you can tell i'm no welding pro... but I think it will all hold for the next 40 years...

I love these pliers though, bought them at TSC for $6. They have two forks on them with 90 degree forks on the backside. Really pulls the metal tight for plug welding this floor back in...

I drilled some small holes in the floor to insure that I got penetration with by plug welds...

Checked out the underside and it looks good to me...

Little grinding and she'll be good as new.

Now time to lure my neighbors over with some Yuengling to help put this sucker back on the frame for winter...

On to cab corners and B-pillars then...

[Chevyman63]

Good job Mike...it's good to see someone getting something done.

Great progress!