Restomod 72 K10 "Good Memories"

[HVACMAN]

Very nice build! That blue/white combo really pops!

[Richard]

Thanks! The rear crossmember is fitted. The new shackle hangers do not look wonky now. Will work on getting the new crossmember fitted in front of the tank in the next few days. Will take some fitting to keep the tank flat as the frame curves up where it will be located. Couple of pics. In the one with the tank and skid plate you can see the new Deaver springs and the rear spring front hangers, the hangers are made by a company called Giant.

[Richard]

Originally Posted by First c10

Hey Richard, I did the same cross member as you but it came out of a 91 burb. I also have the skid plate I will need to alter a little as you did. Looking good!!!

I would guess the crossmembers would be the same. Looks like the forward crossmember fits in the c-channel of the frame at the front of the tank as it is taller there. Width looks okay as well. Will take some work to get the tank level but looks like a fun project. Been a long time since I used my mig, Getting better the more I use it. My tank is 31 gallons not sure what the Suburban's came with.

[cst204x4]

I put a blazer tank and crossmembers in my 81 shortbox about 25 yrs ago.i think I notched the front crossmember if I remember right to make it sit level.

[57taskforce]

Richard, what length springs are you converting to? The new hangers look really nice too.

[Richard]

The springs are 66" eye to eye. Front tank member is modded and clamped in place. Just need to drill mounting points. Bed brace is notched for tank. Will finish up first of the week and then start on tank modifications. Moving the fill inlet and get prepped for the new fuel pump.

[HVACMAN]

Hi Richard, you mentioned you added power windows.
If you could share which ones you went with that would be awesome!
Anyone know if PD locks are an optional retrofit on a ‘70?

[Richard]

Originally Posted by HVACMAN

Hi Richard, you mentioned you added power windows.
If you could share which ones you went with that would be awesome!
Anyone know if PD locks are an optional retrofit on a ‘70?

I used the NuRelics kit with their Nu Crank switches. Regulators fit and work well. The Nu Crank switches take a bit to get installed and for some reason the long version stuck out 1/2" from my 72 door panels. Kit was purchased from MCB a forum vendor. They took care of the problem along with NuRelics.
PDL never an option on these trucks. Real easy though. Mount a universal actuator inside the door under the lock rod. Use the hardware included to attach to the factory lock rod or drill another hole in the lock pawl.

[HVACMAN]

Thank you Sir!

[Richard]

Tank and skid plate fits. Need to get some new nuts for the tank straps. Only held in place with one right now.

[First c10]

Looks good Richard. I plan to get mine(skid plate) installed after the interior is completed.
I used locking flanged nuts for my gas tank straps.

[Richard]

Originally Posted by First c10

Looks good Richard. I plan to get mine(skid plate) installed after the interior is completed.
I used locking flanged nuts for my gas tank straps.

Picked some up today. Was lucky the DIY center had them, 7/16" seems to be an odd size for the home centers. I as well like the flange nuts and bolts. I use the fine thread ones exclusively on frame and suspension.

[Richard]

Took the rear crossmember out and shackle hangers off to plate the mounting point and solidify the 3" frame extension. Back together now and I modified the inner bumper brackets to work. Outers will have to wait until new springs are installed. I finally located the new fuel pump and it arrived. Have pretty much everything for the tank. Think I will need to replace the old sending unit as the readings are not stable from it.
Will start removing stock rear suspension on Wednesday. The joy of removing frame rivets, not really.

[57taskforce]

Great work! Frame rivets suck no doubt about it. Is that just a stock ZL1 pump?

[Richard]

Originally Posted by 57taskforce

Great work! Frame rivets suck no doubt about it. Is that just a stock ZL1 pump?

Yes that Is a ZL1 pump. Wanted to use an easy reliable fuel system. Pump will be controlled by a VaporWorx controller accessing the map sensor. With the mild motor mods I am expecting maybe 650 at the crank, was told the pump will be fine. Will be happy with anything over 500 at the rear wheels. Using the stock sending unit for fuel level and vent. I know you spend some time at the Camaro forums. Do you think there will be a problem with the pump? I can go with a CTS-V pump, supposedly good to 800+. It is more expensive though.

[Richard]

Not much done yesterday. Had some fun today. Axle is loose, right side spring and hangers removed. Rivet removal not so bad. Had to cut u-bolts and shackle bolts rusted to spring bushing sleeves. Nothing a cutoff wheel cannot handle. Will finish up left side tomorrow, clean up frame a bit and maybe start on new front hangers. Last pic is old vs new springs.

[Richard]

Springs are on the truck. Will throw the stock axle under it one more time just to verify fitment compared to stock. Looks like it would be possible to pull 15" or more travel with the springs. Granted the tires fit into the wheel wells. Which they will not. Definitely going to need some spring tuning. Maybe an extra leaf or two. That is where Deaver can really help. Going to start shedding the new axle of old perches and un-needed brackets. Really want to do the gears and locker before I put it under the truck, but do not want to spend the money right now. So it will probably wait.

[Richard]

Been busy doing electrical work for a neighbor. Still made some time for the truck. Tank is patched and filler neck moved. Taking to a welder to TIG the new fuel pump ring in place This coming week. It is stainless and my welding skills still need improvement. Back of truck sits about 9" higher on the stock axle. May need to adjust axle position a bit, but it can be done at the spring pads. Springs are very compliant. Expecting a good ride from them. Might even go down to a 37" tire. Should be able to get 15" suspension travel if I do.

[Richard]

Originally Posted by best view

Richard you can work part time if paying u more money and work on truck part time don’t let the clock run out on u

While a factor money is not necessarily the problem. Waited years to start this and I will not let this turn into a multi year never ending build that sits in the garage taken apart unfinished. One of the reasons I did not do a full frame off. Paint did take a lot longer than expected. My goal at this point is to have it running and driving (or finished) by the end of the year. Suppliers are are slow due to this more dangerous flu nonsense but I am going to still try and meet that goal.

[Richard]

Tank is hopefully done. Still need to pressure test and throw some paint on it. Also got the ZL1 fuel pump re-configured to work with the Blazer tank. IDK, may flatten the stiffening rib on the bottom of the tank under the pump so it is all the way down.

[Richard]

Replacement axle is stripped of brackets and ready for fitment. Able to salvage the lower shock brackets. Think they may work well with the outboard shocks. I did have to cut and weld one to make it a mirror image.

[57taskforce]

Looking good Richard! Interesting to that yours has the pinion dampener, neither of my disk 14 bolts had the dampener.

[Richard]

Originally Posted by 57taskforce

Looking good Richard! Interesting to that yours has the pinion dampener, neither of my disk 14 bolts had the dampener.

Cannot say for sure, but maybe yours are/were 10.5's. My axle is an 11.5. More like a D70/80 from what I understand. I am trying to find out if the pinion damper is absolutely necessary. The axle is really heavy!

[Richard]

Truck is now sitting on the 8 lug axle. Wheels and tires are just rollers I purchased for the swap. Tires are low, been stored a while. They will not be used. Truck is squatting almost 2" because I stored a bunch of parts in the bed. Springs have no load capacity.
Set pinion angle to existing transfercase. Just tacked spring perches as they may need to be moved once new powertrain is in. Should get started on that in the next two weeks. I am beat, time to get some rest.

[Richard]

Fun little project today. Installed rear bumper to fab the outer bumper brackets. Outer brackets originally tie in to the frame right where my shackle hangers are. I needed to go around them and tie into the forward bumper bracket bolt. Had two sets of reproduction brackets to work with. Did not have the heart to chop up my hard to find original SWB 4x4 brackets. Been cycling and measuring at rear suspension. Ordered my 2.5 King shocks for the front and rear today as well as the ORD 4 link kit for the front. Brackets and tubing should be here in a couple of weeks. Unfortunately the shocks are 6+ months out (hoping I may get lucky as King is only an hour away), evidently the same with Fox. While I still have a bit to do installing the power train before front suspension, will most likely have to make a shock jig for the front to keep moving forward.