I'm one of you guys now

[COMP]

Originally Posted by joe231

thanks Dino,
it runs good, believe it has a newer 305 in it. that'll have to change one of these days
i'm replacing front brake hoses and calipers today, the drivers side hose was bad and not letting the caliper release, so it jumped to the right when you hit the breaks
found out the wheel bearings on both sides were loose, looks like some one re-packed 'em and didn't get them tight enough.
i'm very excited about this truck, can't wait to slam it

how did you find the loose bearings ???

[joe231]

Originally Posted by COMP

how did you find the loose bearings ???

I shook down the front end, felt some slop so I had my son wiggle the tire back and forth while I watched the steering and suspension components. you could see the wheel moving in relation to the spindle
also found a bad inner tie rod using the same procedure

Originally Posted by andresco50

Hey nice truck!!

Thanks!

[andresco50]

Hey nice truck!!

[joe231]

so her is a little update,
the brakes were horrid as I have stated above, the driver's side caliper was hanging up and braking was a white knuckle affair
got new hoses, calipers and pads on the front, it is much nicer to drive now
here something else I found







while I was greasing the ball joints, I was having my son turn the wheels for me to make it easier to get to the joints, saw and heard the front bumper pop and move so I crawled under the truck and had him turn the wheels back and forth, i noticed the frame was twisting while the wheels were moving. the rivet that holds that cross member to the bottom of the frame had sheared and was allowing the frame to flex. the 2 parts of the rivet knocked out surprisingly easy. I put a grade 8 bolt in it, thinking about welding it so there is no chance of the bolt loosening and the frame moving around.
guess I will drive it for awhile and see how it does.

[joe231]

after I got the brakes all taken care of, we went to the car wash and cleaned her up a bit.
looks like the power steering had been leaking. it has a new pressure hose on it, but the frame and front suspension was filthy. I took care of that, just wish I would have done it before I worked on it
gonna have to rebuild the front end soon, so it will be clean for next time
anyway here are some pics of it after. This is my normal truck picture taking spot.
enjoy!!

[joe231]

few more









oh and Dino, these are just for you so you can see that big-ol' back window that is just screaming for a Chevy Only decal

[scotts62]

Dang Joe my nose is bleeding just looking at it...
When are we going to drop it?

[oldwagon]

By the way, the rake looks good too.

[joe231]

hardy-har-har
i was gonna pull out the overloads in the rear, but i forgot the cordless impact at work, and i'm a wuss
i soaked the u bolts with pb and i'm gonna try to lower the rear after work one night.

[ca180]

DUDE!!! I want that bench seat!

[joe231]

i have one out of a '86 that i might part with....
haven't decided yet....

[killthewabbit]

I have the same frame flex problem..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSEnHBrqMvo

I just got a steering box reinforcement kit and frame brace from OffRoadDesign.com on Thursday, so it's not installed yet. My power steering has the same leak. I hope the bolts work for you.

[scotts62]

Man thats crazy how they move like that

[joe231]

Originally Posted by killthewabbit

I have the same frame flex problem..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSEnHBrqMvo

I just got a steering box reinforcement kit and frame brace from OffRoadDesign.com on Thursday, so it's not installed yet. My power steering has the same leak. I hope the bolts work for you.

looks like you have a sheared rivet also. have you watched underneath it?

[killthewabbit]

I had a sheared rivet, but replaced it with a grade 8 bolt about two years ago. The bolt is still there and tight. It's just gotten that bad again here lately, so it's time for the steering box reinforcement and the frame brace.

[joe231]

gotcha

[joe231]

got another question for you guys.....
can i bolt in power windows and locks from a newer truck into my manual doors?
is there certain years that will work better than others?
(i realize i would have to use different door panels)
thanks for all the help!!

Edit: I believe if I am reading correctly, I found a thread stating that the '77-up power window and lock stuff will bolt in my '80...is this correct?

[joe231]

check out the rake

[joe231]

wow, i need some updated pics on here
guess i don't have any good pics after i lowered it.
i'll try to get some in the next couple days
in the mean time.......





ashtray....we don't need no stinkin' ashtray

[joe231]

got some 6x9 brackets from bigblock73, here is a LINKY
scotts62 powder coated them black for me, thanks Scott!









I highly recommend them!!

[87Lowrider]

Joe,

Love the truck man!!


Kenny

[scotts62]

No problem man they look good

[joe231]

thanks Kenny!!

[Thumpin455]

I still wish I could find one that clean. I could build something presentable with that much good metal!

The drop looks good man, well worth the effort.

[87Lowrider]

Originally Posted by Thumpin455

I still wish I could find one that clean. I could build something presentable with that much good metal!

The drop looks good man, well worth the effort.

Sell ya mine!!!



- Wife would kill me! -