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

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Nice build thread..

[GREASEMONKEY72]

some good progress there

[msgross]

The progress so far has been over a 9 month period.... I'm actually further than that, just trying to catch up on the thread... thanks for the compliments....

[msgross]

Here's a close pic of my SPID label, things to note: 327 cid, HD springs, tow hooks, tach, HD cooling system,

Here are some closer pics of the frame after my sandblasting, the big companies can do it faster & more thorough, not to mention the mess that you make!

[msgross]

Special-K (Tim) and I were at Carlisle car show and found this product called Master Series Chassis Coating by PM Industries (www.nomorerust.com) They actually have pics of my frame on their site now. It's a urethane based system (like POR15 maybe?) that requires their sealer/primer then the top coat. Both items were $25/quart and so far I have done two coats of both on everything and only used 1.5 quarts of each. All this was done with a foam brush too! I now wish that I would have used their topcoat system (UV protection) and done a satin finish but it's to late for that. Very durable finish that is similar to powdercoat though....

[msgross]

two coats of primer followed by two coats of paint with 24 hours between coats.

[msgross]

more pics

[msgross]

upgrading from closed knuckle dana44 to 1982 Corporate 10 with discs and 12 bolt posi in the rear.

[msgross]

Frame is now off the rotisserie and crossmembers are being bolted back in...

The final pic shows the progression of the frame. This part was hidden under the support on the rotisserie so it now needs attention. You see rusty frame, then undercoating, then sealer and finally paint.

[msgross]

more pics tonight, springs are goin on and new energy suspension bushings as well....

[Hart_Rod]

Your chassis looks great Mike!

[msgross]

thanks... only invested $75 in paint and $50 in sand blasting plus about 50 hours of sweat equity.

[msgross]

ok, so I opted for the ORD HD shackles instead of reaplacing the stock one's. My local spring shop wanted $40 for four special shackle bolts, or pay ORD $44 plus shipping for their 3/8" HD shackles. I already had my energy bushings so I didn't need the greasable one's that ORD has.

[msgross]

After the front springs were added I was ready to bolt in the Corp10 front axle. I had a nice Dana44 but it had 3.08's and I needed 3.73's. Instead of paying $200+ to set up my old gears I found a corp10 from an 82 K-10 from a local board member and only paid $20 (thanks 67 dually). Little did I know the differences between the dana and corp axles. If you search my threads I have a detailed post on the differences.

So today I picked up a seal for the front diff and got the cover bolted down. I still need to pick up some new needle bearings and seals for the spindles. Need to install new U-joints in the axle shafts (since dana's don't work!) and its ready for the ceramic break pads and new calipers...

We are now at the present build even though I skipped a lot of my parts hunting expeditions. You will see those as I start installing them....

My goal is to have the rolling chassis out of my rented shop by the end of the month. I need to clean up the engine, tranny and TC then weld by axle perches and start moving everything back home...

[72 Super]

Mike, all your hard work is paying off your frame looks great

Ray

[Rust Buster]

Mike, great thread! You're making better progress than I am.
Couple of questions.

1. Any rubbing with 33's and no lift?
2. How did you get the front spring bushings out of the frame?
3. The ORD front shackles came with new bolts? How much extra lift did you get from them?
4. What did you do for rear shackles?
Thanks!
-Tim

[msgross]

Originally Posted by Rust Buster

Mike, great thread! You're making better progress than I am.
Couple of questions.

1. Any rubbing with 33's and no lift?
2. How did you get the front spring bushings out of the frame?
3. The ORD front shackles came with new bolts? How much extra lift did you get from them?
4. What did you do for rear shackles?
Thanks!
-Tim

well....
1. My 33's are only 10.5" wide and they fit fine, no lift. I tried 12.5's and they would have been close. I have the HD spring package though so it might give it a little extra boost. You might be able to do 12.5's with the right backspacing or an add-a-leaf in the front.
2. I had to use a torch on all the bushings, then air chisel the inner sleeve out, WHAT A PAIN! ORD offers the entire front bushings upgrade which replaces the stock mount in the frame (rear of front spring) which would be nice.
3. If you get the ORD greasable bushings then they come with special bolts and grease zirks. I just used the Energy Suspension package and basic grade 8 bolts from Tractor Supply. Only problem is that they don't carry 9/16" in bulk, which is what all of your other bushings need.
4. I still used the stock rear shackles and did an add-a-leaf which appears to gain about 1.5" in the rear.

Are you looking to lift or stay stock? I wouldn't say that I am making that good of progress, this has been 6 months in the making...

[msgross]

Originally Posted by 72 Super

Mike, all your hard work is paying off your frame looks great

Ray

Thanks Ray... My wife is tired of it but she'll live...

[Rust Buster]

Thanks for the info!
I'm looking to stay as stock as possible, but no more than 2" lift.

[msgross]

The ORD shackles were .5" longer but that won't net much lift. New springs and/or rear blocks will get you there. Add-a-leaf is the cheapest but stiffens the ride a lot...

[1969k10stepside]

Chassis is looking good,but I thought you were planning to do this in February? Just messin with you. That corp. front axle looks big sitting under the chassis.Did you decide to go with the 2wd rear axle with posi and weld the perches on that axle?

[msgross]

Originally Posted by 1969k10stepside

Chassis is looking good,but I thought you were planning to do this in February? Just messin with you. That corp. front axle looks big sitting under the chassis.Did you decide to go with the 2wd rear axle with posi and weld the perches on that axle?

Yep, the corp 10 has some monster gussets on it doesn't it? Also going with the 2WD with posi that I found in the JY. Need to weld spring perches and shock mounts on. Still easier and cheaper than setting up my old 12 bolt with the posi.... If it doesn't run well then i'll rebuild it....

As for February well, at least I have pics to prove my progress Dustin...

[RACINJASON22]

This thread and your progress pic's make me want to go start working on my truck right now at 2:30 in the morning. GR8 discription and pic explanation in all posts.

Wish my back would let me get some sleep and get some work done

Chassis looks awesome Mike, Looks like you should make your goal of getting out of the rented space and back home close to the wife by the end of the month.

RJ22...

[CrashEd]

I am in the same boat would love to have my frame looking like that but with my back like it is sleep is at odd hours and when i am up half the time i can't bend over to pick a wrench up. Sure dose look nice though.
Ed

[vtblazer]

So is this where you expected to go with your truck when you got it?
Or did it kinda morph on ya? (like they always do)