64' K10 Project Long Bed

[aotte1]

Lower shackle pin removal photos. Used the same drift and hammer in the above photo. While apart will also clean out old and some what dried grease.


Last two photos show rear spring bottom out bumper.

[aotte1]

Rear Shock Frame support bushings, two of them fit inside the frame. Upper shock bolt goes through them, along with frame.

[61K10]

Les-- I just replied to your questions on my build. where your rear pins and bushings warn bad? Have not replaced mine. Should have done it with the bare frame like you lol!

[aotte1]

61K10,

The bushings seem good. Will do a more detailed review once all cleaned up.
Thanks for help on removing front spring rear shackle plates.

Les

[aotte1]

CaptainFab's Power Steering Adapter Plate Welded

Photos of the adapter plate welded to frame. Earlier posts give more detail on where it is located on the frame. (Will provide report on how it drives in awhile)

Les

[aotte1]

Front Sway Bar Brackets from '78 K10 Mounted to Frame Crossmember

The brackets that attach the front sway bar to the frame crossmember were welded to the frame. This is part of installing the Dana 44 axle with attached sway bar, power steering gear box, and steering linkage all from a '78 K10. Think all these parts are pretty much the same from '73 to '87, know they are from '78 to '83. Axles changed from Dana 44 to 10 Bolt but fit the same.

The photos show the brackets welded, will do a little finish grinding and they will blend into the frame once painted.

Note: The new Miller 180 Diversion TIG welder is working really well, like it a lot. The welding above did not push it at all. Could weld several inches at a time.

Les

[61K10]

I didn't weld my Capt's plate to the frame, don't know if i should have? about the shackle pins, on the one that didn't want to come out i tried to get some rust solve stuff in there and put some heat on the pin and bushing. double nutted nuts on the pin and worked back an forth. finally got it to un-screw with some effort. cleaned out the threads greased and put the new pins in. seems to be no slop in the old bushing. have fun-------

[_mg]

Originally Posted by 61K10

I didn't weld my Capt's plate to the frame, don't know if i should have? about the shackle pins, on the one that didn't want to come out i tried to get some rust solve stuff in there and put some heat on the pin and bushing. double nutted nuts on the pin and worked back an forth. finally got it to un-screw with some effort. cleaned out the threads greased and put the new pins in. seems to be no slop in the old bushing. have fun-------

61K10, do you have pictures of your Captain power steering plate mounted to your truck?

[aotte1]

Agree that the Captains PS Plate does not likely need to be welded as much. How much welding depends likely on how much force is placed on steering from how driven and which wheels/tires.

Les

[aotte1]

Front Spring/Shackle Removed

Photos of the shackles removed, the front pins came out easy. Removed the outside nut and then unscrewed the bolt/pin. The rear pins were removed by, nuts and washers removed, side plates removed with drift and hammer (as 61K10 suggested), then the pins unscrew. Got pins out except for one that turns and then gets tight, it is on the right side.

The photos show the rear pins being removed.

Les

[aotte1]

Loaded ready to go to be soaked tomorrow. A big milestone in project.

Used the trailer winch to load frame partially on trailer, then used engine crane to move cab onto the frame sitting on trailer. Next winched both up all way onto trailer. First part of loading used dolley after front axle removed. Then moved the frame on 2x8's the rest of the way.

Dually truck bed loaded also under the bed sides, and trailer box full.

[61K10]

the stubborn pin should come out after you soaked the frame.

[61K10]

Les---post a pic of your spring. mine has 2 leafs added to the stock spring. will post up a pic of mine.

[aotte1]

61K10,

Thanks,

Photos of front springs.

Note: the sway bar is part of the '78 Dana 44 upgrade

Les

[aotte1]

Photo of rear springs, looks like two leafs added, and not sure about the bottom helper spring. The two springs that look added seem to be wider. The last photo shows a close-up of the top spring curling around/thru the shackle. Would like to restore the original springs if they will work.

Les

[61K10]

Les---first pic is my ft spring. the second is the rear spring. my stock springs are 6 leaf. I thank they had 5 leaf also? the 2 bottom rear leafs are a add on, like a over-load. with no weight in the bed they don't touch the stock spring pack.

[aotte1]

61K10,

Thanks for the photos of your springs front and rear. Do you have a photo of your rear spring shackle close-up, as to how the springs fit it.

thanks,
Les

[aotte1]

A few more photos of the rear spring attaching hardware and spring block.

Next step is to disassemble the axles and have them steam cleaned.

[61K10]

Les--couple of pics. Don't know if the plate on the axle pad and lift block is stock. might be able to zoom in on the frame.

[aotte1]

61K10,

Thanks, photos help.

Les

[aotte1]

Cleaning the Dana 44 Front and 12 Bolt Rear Axle

Today got around to steam cleaning the front and rear axle housings and certain parts. Mostly good news and a little worn-out news. The Dana 44 front which I thought was a '78 and looks like it is a '79 per housing code. Cleaned for a little more then an hour at about 180 degrees, lots of steam. Did a really nice job on getting the inside clean!

The 12 bolt rear axles are toast, getting new ones. The Dana 44 front axle is getting all new ball joints ( upper were good and lowers worn/loose) and axle u-joints (ok in one direction and gritty in other).

Took the ball joints out first this morning, like others have reported here, removed the nuts, and broke the knuckle loose with ball joints still installed from axle tube, by hammering on axle tube with snap-on dead blow hammer. Some came loose very easy with additional blow to ball joint end. One needed more force, allowing for F_ _ _, frustration to be released Then used ball joint press to remove them from knuckle. Pretty easy with tools needed, 15 to 20 mins.

First photos parts loaded going to area for steam cleaning, last two bad axles where bearing has damaged it.

L

[aotte1]

More Axle Cleaning and Findings.

The hub assemblies are a little worn on the bottom just in from the threads, thinking about rotating the top to the bottom to give good surface to bottom of bearing where max load is. Good idea???? First two photos are of this area on hubs. Other photos of parts cleaned.

[aotte1]

A Few More Axle Cleaning Photos - Sway Bar/Spring U-Bolt top Plate

The sway bar bushing are really dry and coming apart, need to check the inside part to see how bad that area is. Have not found a replacement rubber part, may have to go with other material. Any suggestions on what can be used? Sway bar has some of the original casting slag still on it.

[_mg]

Originally Posted by aotte1

Cleaning the Dana 44 Front and 12 Bolt Rear Axle

Today got around to steam cleaning the front and rear axle housings and certain parts. Mostly good news and a little worn-out news. The Dana 44 front which I thought was a '78 and looks like it is a '79 per housing code. Cleaned for a little more then an hour at about 180 degrees, lots of steam. Did a really nice job on getting the inside clean!

The 12 bolt rear axles are toast, getting new ones. The Dana 44 front axle is getting all new ball joints ( upper were good and lowers worn/loose) and axle u-joints (ok in one direction and gritty in other).

Took the ball joints out first this morning, like others have reported here, removed the nuts, and broke the knuckle loose with ball joints still installed from axle tube, by hammering on axle tube with snap-on dead blow hammer. Some came loose very easy with additional blow to ball joint end. One needed more force, allowing for F_ _ _, frustration to be released Then used ball joint press to remove them from knuckle. Pretty easy with tools needed, 15 to 20 mins.

First photos parts loaded going to area for steam cleaning, last two bad axles where bearing has damaged it.

L

Hi Les, just catching up on your build. How was it to remove the front axle gear carrier?

[61K10]

I see you getting some free. LMC does have them. might buy a set as mine might be bad also.