My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble

[rgunlock]

Working on the pedal assemblies now. Cleaned up and painted with Rustoleum hammered black, just because that's what I had. Anyone know where the piece in the last 2 pictures comes from? A couple years ago when I disassembled this I just labeled it "fell out of the pedal assembly". If anyone has a picture of it in place it would help tremendously.

[rgunlock]

Also trying to figure out what to do with my steering column. While its out, I'd like to replace anything worn or likely to break. I've found a number of threads about fixing this or that in the column, but have not found any about rebuilding the column. I know I want to replace the boot on the shaft coupler, as well as the rag joint. Anyone know if this pin is supposed to come out so I can put a new boot on? Tried hammering and pressing out in vise but it doesn't budge. Any links to column rebuilds would be appreciated.

[Greenlee]

Nice work! I'm really impressed with your build.

I don't recognize that bracket. My guess would be that it has something to do with the clutch. Looks like it has a hole for a spring?

Is that a non-tilt column? Most rebuild threads I have seen have to do with tightening up a loose tilt column. Fortunately, mine was tight. I just painted it, replaced the wiper stalk and put it back in.

[rgunlock]

Thanks Greenlee. Yes, it is a non-tilt column. I was considering using a tilt column that I have from a '93, but it wasn't a close enough match that I wanted to bother with it.

[swamp rat]

Clutch or brake light switch spring bracket? I'd hit Ebay and search this...... "73 87 Chevy Truck Clutch Pedal" ....... and start scanning pic's. Or is there a chance it was bolted elsewhere in the truck and a spring runs from the brake or clutch pedal to the bracket?

Not much help with the steering column..

[rgunlock]

Been making some piddly progress. Got my passenger fender cut & buffed (2nd picture), but I really should have taken a warning from swamp rat's hood mishap. Saturday I'd been in the shop like 5 minutes and hear a big crash. Gust of wind had knocked over the driver side fender that I'd already finished (but not mounted). It fell flat onto the concrete. I don't think it dented or dinged, but not sure that this will buff out. This may just be the excuse I need to figure out spot repairs on the paint.

[rgunlock]

Also got some pedals hung, and mounted my new brake booster. I still have a couple brackets that go in there somewhere. I've got a factory assembly manual for 82 c/k trucks coming that will hopefully show where they go. New pedal rubber from LMC - fit just fine.

[rgunlock]

Also got a pair of door bumpers from LMC so I don't have worry about metal on metal when I close the doors. Made a gasket to mount the fuel filler tubes. Cut new filler and vent hoses to size. Another little project DONE! I like this phase of the build where some things are finally done

[y5mgisi]

Nice!

[cmabolt]

Oh hell yeah! Looking great Rick. This is the fun part. Before you know it, it will be done. It did slow down for me though at this stage as all the little stuff needed to be ordered. I tried in vane to do a list and still came across a ton of stuff I didn't even think about. Assembly was fun though because I was totally motivated after each piece went back together.

Have fun!
Chris

[7dee2]

When I was doing some research on my 84 3+3 donor I found some of the other forums dedicated to 3rd gen trucks had parts manuals in the archives you could reference and download. We were able to get both parts & service manuals for that truck for free. Point being the parts illustrations may get you the location of our pedal assembly brackets and service manuals may help with servicing the column. The AIM's are great but these other resources can help out also.

I hope your fender buffs out and your truck is looking great!

[rgunlock]

Originally Posted by y5mgisi

Nice!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by cmabolt

Oh hell yeah! Looking great Rick. This is the fun part. Before you know it, it will be done. It did slow down for me though at this stage as all the little stuff needed to be ordered. I tried in vane to do a list and still came across a ton of stuff I didn't even think about. Assembly was fun though because I was totally motivated after each piece went back together.

Have fun!
Chris

Thanks Chris. I'm finding that I'm also spending a lot of time cleaning up and painting all the little parts that I just bagged when I did disassembly. But you are totally correct about how you get stoked knowing you are putting something back on for the last time.

Originally Posted by 7dee2

When I was doing some research on my 84 3+3 donor I found some of the other forums dedicated to 3rd gen trucks had parts manuals in the archives you could reference and download. We were able to get both parts & service manuals for that truck for free. Point being the parts illustrations may get you the location of our pedal assembly brackets and service manuals may help with servicing the column. The AIM's are great but these other resources can help out also.

I hope your fender buffs out and your truck is looking great!

Thanks for the tip Brett. A member on this forum going by hatzie actually has assembled a collection of many GM service and overhaul manuals, scanned them and posted a link in his signature. I've downloaded and skimmed through them. TONs of useful information there, but so far I haven't found the picture I need. He's also the one that pointed me to the factory assembly manual that I've got heading my way.

[rgunlock]

Uh-oh, I think I'm committed on this steering column now!

[MTCK]

Hahaha no going back!

[boynton]

Originally Posted by MTCK

Hahaha no going back!

Hahaha it better go back

[swamp rat]

A Jig saw puzzle!

[dug224]

Rick: Took a year (+) off from all the truck stuff. Finally caught up on your thread. Great testimony for staying after it. I'm partial to this body style since I had three of them while in High School. Paint turned out great! Looking forward to the "59 Chevy SWB Stepside (next in line)". dug

[BossH0G]

Good job it's a nice looking truck so far. As far as steering columns go if they ain't broke don't fix em.

[y5mgisi]

Is that a non tilt column? Might be better off to start with tilt.

[7dee2]

Holy Moly! Just kidding I'm sure it'll be like new in no time.

[rgunlock]

Originally Posted by MTCK

Hahaha no going back!

Well, I may have to be more sober to get it back together than I was taking it apart

Originally Posted by boynton

Hahaha it better go back

Sure hope so!

Originally Posted by swamp rat

A Jig saw puzzle!

Took a LOT of pictures while disassembling - I'm finally learning If all else fails, there is a guy name milkcrate82 that has a great series of videos rebuilding his C10 column that I'm sure I'll be referring back to a couple of times. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2W4Ly0m01LE

Originally Posted by dug224

Rick: Took a year (+) off from all the truck stuff. Finally caught up on your thread. Great testimony for staying after it. I'm partial to this body style since I had three of them while in High School. Paint turned out great! Looking forward to the "59 Chevy SWB Stepside (next in line)". dug

Thanks dug! I can't wait to start on the 59 but I'm afraid I'll have a lot of wife projects to catch up on after finishing this truck. Her patience will only go just so far being put on the back burner for her stuff You need to get back to work on yours!

Originally Posted by BossH0G

Good job it's a nice looking truck so far. As far as steering columns go if they ain't broke don't fix em.

Thanks BossH0G! You know, I always thought that I subscribed to that philosophy, but this whole project tells me I've been wrong about that. Its that whole "while its out of the truck anyway..." problem I have.

Originally Posted by y5mgisi

Is that a non tilt column? Might be better off to start with tilt.

Yep, its a non-tilt. Too late now to start with tilt - this one is already fairly well started

Originally Posted by 7dee2

Holy Moly! Just kidding I'm sure it'll be like new in no time.

Thanks Brett, just need to order a few things for it "while its apart anyway".

[rgunlock]

Ordered a factory assembly manual for 1982 C-K Models Pickup Blazer and Suburban that just showed up. Thing has to be 4 inches thick, and it is printed double-sided. Tons of great illustrations, but you can't read the index. I'm hoping it will help me figure out where some of the mysterious small parts go that I took off years ago, but its going to take some time to find what I need

[mjensen]

Good luck Rick! You'll get this!

[7dee2]

Wow Rick, that things a phone book! We've had AIM hard copies from earlier projects (1955 & several 1966) and they are all less than half that size. I'm thinking in this case bigger is way better because they didn't always cover everything.

[rgunlock]

Bunch of new parts showed up for the steering column. New ignition cylinder, turn signal switch, ignition switch, lower column bearing kit, and ragjoint.