1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy

[pjmoreland]

The lower bearing of the steering column was held in place with bailing wire. The original spring and washer were gone. The bearing was rusted onto the steering shaft, so I had to use a torch to get it loose. I soaked the bearing in vinegar overnight, and it cleaned up pretty nicely. There was a bunch of crud floating on the top of the vinegar. Packed it with grease, and it is fairly smooth.

[pjmoreland]

Removed the steering gear box and welded up a crack in the frame.

Installed a new filler neck grommet. Also removed the sender from the fuel tank and peered inside. There is a bunch of black sludge in the bottom. I'm planning on taking the tank to the car wash to blast it out. I bought some Heet water rwmover this evening to use afterward.

[pjmoreland]

Worked on steering today. Installed a new gearbox. Disassembled the steering column to replace the turn signal switch. The threads on the top end of the upper shaft were stripped, so I replaced the shaft with one out of another column I had. Installed a replacement rag joint and intermediate shaft. It is satisfying to have all of the correct parts in place.

[57taskforce]

Nice work. I did the signal switch in my K20 several years back, it’s kind of a pain in the butt. It’s got to be satisfying knowing that everything is back to the way it should be, as well as knowing it’s a million times safer.

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by 57taskforce

Nice work. I did the signal switch in my K20 several years back, it’s kind of a pain in the butt. It’s got to be satisfying knowing that everything is back to the way it should be, as well as knowing it’s a million times safer.

For sure. There's an extremely invasive brake & light safety inspection that I'll have to pass in order to get this truck back on the road, so I've got to make sure everything functions well.

By the way, I decided not to weld that reinforcement plate onto the outside of the frame rail for now since it already has the factory reinforcement plate on the inside. Plus, someone already welded a second reinforcement plate to the inside of the frame rail right where that crack was located. I will be getting the ORD brace you recommended though once my finances rebound a little.

You should see the list of parts I've already acquired for this truck. It's crazy. I have an equally long list of parts that I still need to acquire, and it keeps growing each time I work on the truck. For example, last night I was doing a little organizing of my parts stockpile, and I realized it would be a good idea to test the horn. It didn't work, of course. A friend of mine has one though, so I'll be picking it up from him today.

[pjmoreland]

Did a couple of little things. Replaced the clips for the headlight adjusters, and replaced the fuel cap. I plan on reinstalling all of the EEC equipment, so I got a non-vented cap.

[pjmoreland]

I had a little daylight this evening to work on my truck. The drag link tie rod end boots were torn, so I replaced the tie rod ends. I also Welded up a crack in the frame near the front shackle stop.

[pjmoreland]

Took the gas tank to the car wash and cleaned out the black sludge that was in the bottom of it. Blew it out with compressed air afterward, and then dumped a couple bottles of Heet in it, sloshed it around, and then dumped it out (recommended by LockDoc). Looks decently clean enough now.

Also reinstalled the shackle stop.

[pjmoreland]

Replaced the disintegrated fuel sender sock.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Nice project. I do love them Stepsides.

[1970cstblazer]

In addition to the rotten boots, it appeared that the drag link was installed backwards.

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by 1970cstblazer

In addition to the rotten boots, it appeared that the drag link was installed backwards.

I did a little searching on that subject and couldn't find anything conclusive. I didn't like how close the sleeve and clamps came to the knuckle arm when mounted the other way, so I flipped it around.

[1970cstblazer]

Originally Posted by pjmoreland

I did a little searching on that subject and couldn't find anything conclusive. I didn't like how close the sleeve and clamps came to the knuckle arm when mounted the other way, so I flipped it around.

Well, I was incorrect on this issue after doing some research.

Here is the factory paperwork from the NOS GM 361098 drag link kit I used on my 1970 Blazer. When I bought it 3 years ago, the instruction sheet was missing, and I copied what was already there on the Blazer..



Note that it states the the steering rod must be assembled with long end forward.

Board member IronCanine's current 1970 K20:



Looks like I will be correcting that this afternoon...

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

Nice project. I do love them Stepsides.

Thanks. Someone was making a yard sale out of it, unfortunately.

[pjmoreland]

Oh, well. I'd end up trashing the new boots if I removed it now.

[pjmoreland]

I like it better with the short tie rod end forward. I tested it through the full range of steering, and there is more clearance this way between the arm and the adjusting sleeve.

[pjmoreland]

Reinstalled the fuel tank and replaced the vent line hoses.

[pjmoreland]

Disassembled the front axle. The driver side locking hub did not want to come apart, so I had to make a puller. A couple of parts will need to be replaced. The differential had some water in it. Fortunately, the gears aren't rusty. I will replace the bearings and seals.

[pjmoreland]

More photos

[pjmoreland]

And some more

[pjmoreland]

Last few photos

[CUSTOM/10]

Hey Patrick,
Nice work 👏...
Looks like your infor a complete front-end rebuild.
Just finished mine. Dana 44 front-ends are no fun to rebuild.
Getting the gears setup is a pita. Contract me via pm if you need some pointers.
Gary

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by CUSTOM/10

Hey Patrick,
Nice work 👏...
Looks like your infor a complete front-end rebuild.
Just finished mine. Dana 44 front-ends are no fun to rebuild.
Getting the gears setup is a pita. Contract me via pm if you need some pointers.
Gary

Yep! Will do.

[pjmoreland]

I'm waiting for parts to arrive for the front axle, so I worked on the rear axle today. I disassembled it, gave it a quick cleaning with a wire wheel, and sprayed some paint on it. I will be replacing the perches later, so I left that portion unpainted.

Someone did some crazy shimming on this axle at some point. The pinion and carrier shims were mangled. It appears that they enlarged the bearing IDs so that they'd be a slip fit.

I installed new bearings and started the process of setting up the gears. I had to start from scratch on the shims. I did one pattern, and the pinion was too deep, so I adjusted the pinion shim and did another pattern. It still needs some refinement.

[loudchevy]

Originally Posted by pjmoreland

Someone did some crazy shimming on this axle at some point. The pinion and carrier shims were mangled. It appears that they enlarged the bearing IDs so that they'd be a slip fit.

Maybe the same someone that welded all the things on the rest of the truck

Great progress.