1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy

[pjmoreland]

More photos

[Ol Blue K20]

Getting better looking by the day

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

Getting better looking by the day

Little by little

[pjmoreland]

Did a few odds and ends this evening. I was looking at some photos of other trucks and realized I installed the shackle plates backwards, so I flipped them around.

Removed the box tubing spacers that were above the bump stops.

Removed some extra metal that was welded to the front shackle bump stop and repaired a big crack in it.

[pjmoreland]

More photos of the shackle bump stop

[pjmoreland]

Spent today working on the truck. I removed some 1" blocks from the rear axle. The axle perches are badly bent, so they will have to be replaced. I've got a set of new Perches, but I'm going to wait until the engine, transmission and transfer case are installed so I can get the pinion angle correct.

[pjmoreland]

I also removed the 3" body lift and installed new cab mounts and radiator support mounts. When I went to remove the custom long steering intermediate shaft, I discovered that it had been welded to the steering gearbox, and the gearbox shaft had its splines ground off. I was hoping I could use this gearbox, but I guess that's not happening.

The truck is finally at the final ride height other than the sag that will result from installing the engine, transmission, etc.

[1970cstblazer]

Wow, that steering box is one of the worst I have seen. That's not a place for cobble jobs.

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by 1970cstblazer

Wow, that steering box is one of the worst I have seen. That's not a place for cobble jobs.

I agree! The person who owned this truck was a menace with a stick welder. It appears that two different people did the welds I've found. Some of them are fairly decent, and the others are the worst I've ever seen.

[loudchevy]

Originally Posted by pjmoreland

When I went to remove the custom long steering intermediate shaft, I discovered that it had been welded to the steering gearbox, and the gearbox shaft had its splines ground off. I was hoping I could use this gearbox, but I guess that's not happening.

Holy cow!

[68isgreat]

Awesome find, and it's shaping up very nicely. This K10 short step is my dream truck. My 68 C10 short step frame off will be done in the spring, and I may convert it to 4x4 or sell it and get one like yours here. If you get further along with it and decide to sell or maybe trade, let me know.

Keep the posts coming!

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by 68isgreat

Awesome find, and it's shaping up very nicely. This K10 short step is my dream truck. My 68 C10 short step frame off will be done in the spring, and I may convert it to 4x4 or sell it and get one like yours here. If you get further along with it and decide to sell or maybe trade, let me know.

Keep the posts coming!

I've been looking for one of these for a while at a reasonable price, and then found this one not far from me. The lower price means it needs lots of work, but I think that's part of the fun. This one's a keeper, I'm afraid.

[68isgreat]

Originally Posted by pjmoreland

I've been looking for one of these for a while at a reasonable price, and then found this one not far from me. The lower price means it needs lots of work, but I think that's part of the fun. This one's a keeper, I'm afraid.

Awesome! Glad you found what you wanted.

[pjmoreland]

Went to a wrecking yard this evening and pulled the license plate mount off of a 1993 GMC van. This will go on a sport rear bumper I bought recently.

[pjmoreland]

Finished up some small tasks on the cab mount replacement. The rear bolts that came with the kit I bought were an inch too long (9"). I couldn't find any 8" bolts locally, so I cut more threads on them with a die, and shortened them. I also welded square nuts to the cab floor under the tank since the originals had been removed for some reason.

One of the tank mount nuts was missing, so I welded a square nut in that spot.

[pjmoreland]

I also removed the grille and started the process of removing the radiator support.

[pjmoreland]

Removed the mutilated radiator support and got the replacement bolted loosely into place. Had to add a thick washer to each of the front cab mounts to get the fender/door gap decent.

[pjmoreland]

Spent some time working out dents in the front fenders and hood. Also removed everything from the firewall. I will be welding in a patch panel to fix a mutilated clutch rod hole.

[1970cstblazer]

It is good to see this rig in the proper hands to fix all of the tomfoolery.

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by 1970cstblazer

It is good to see this rig in the proper hands to fix all of the tomfoolery.

Thank you. I am finding this to be a satisfying project.

[57taskforce]

Man I’ve been working a lot of hours at work this month and haven’t kept up with this thread as much. You’ve kicked total ass! I can’t believe that steering box. Stupid people shouldn’t be allowed to own welders. I can’t see how it didn’t leak like crazy heating the Input shaft seal up like that. Really really nice work cutting the bs on this truck!

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by 57taskforce

Man I’ve been working a lot of hours at work this month and haven’t kept up with this thread as much. You’ve kicked total ass! I can’t believe that steering box. Stupid people shouldn’t be allowed to own welders. I can’t see how it didn’t leak like crazy heating the Input shaft seal up like that. Really really nice work cutting the bs on this truck!

Thanks! This rebuilt unit should solve the problem.

[pjmoreland]

Repaired the mangled clutch rod hole in the firewall today. Had to cut the patch panel pretty small to avoid a brace that's right next to the hole. Also welded up several random holes in the firewall and in the fender over by the battery.

[pjmoreland]

A few more photos

[D.B]

You are doing a heck of a job on this ride. It is going to look great when you get through with it. Looking forward to seeing it when done.