The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > General Truck Forums > All 4x4 Tech & Off Roading > 4x4 Projects and Builds

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 10-15-2016, 09:50 PM   #101
El Dorado Jim
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: El Dorado Ca
Posts: 3,374
Re: 1970 K20 Restoration

anything new done to your truck lately????
El Dorado Jim is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2016, 05:50 PM   #102
K20rookie
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: AZ
Posts: 75
Re: 1970 K20 Restoration

Quote:
Originally Posted by El Dorado Jim View Post
anything new done to your truck lately????
Unfortunately this project has been sitting on the back burner for a while. Money has been going to some projects around the house, and the baby of course. Found a shop up in Phoenix that will rebuild my dana 44 and build a 14bolt rear. Just a matter of having the funds to get it done at this point.
__________________
-Nick

1970 Chevy K20 Restoration
2001 Chevy Suburban 2500
K20rookie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-21-2016, 12:21 PM   #103
K20rookie
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: AZ
Posts: 75
Re: 1970 K20 Restoration

Ok so this project is finally getting rolling again. Dropped off my dana 44 front at AZ Differential in Phoenix yesterday. They're going to completely rebuild it, put in 3.73 gears and disc brakes. For the rear, they have a full float 14 bolt they're going to rebuild for me. Going to keep the drums on the rear, replace all brake parts/seals/bearings/etc, replace gears and add a posi.

Still looking at lift kits right now. Decided to go with a 2". I like the kits ORD puts together. I'll probably go that route with Bilstein shocks.

Sending the steering box out to Redhead Steering Gears for a rebuild and fresh coat of paint this week.

Looking forward to getting things moving on this project again. Here's a few before pics of the dana 44 and steering box.







__________________
-Nick

1970 Chevy K20 Restoration
2001 Chevy Suburban 2500
K20rookie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-22-2016, 01:55 AM   #104
El Dorado Jim
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: El Dorado Ca
Posts: 3,374
Re: 1970 K20 Restoration

Nice!!! love the big hubbed dana 44, these look so awesome on our old K20's....gmcgrim has the blue anodized aluminum hub knobs for those old hubs,I have a set of them, he has them offered in the 4x4 tech and offroading section
El Dorado Jim is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-27-2016, 02:22 PM   #105
K20rookie
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: AZ
Posts: 75
Re: 1970 K20 Restoration

Quote:
Originally Posted by El Dorado Jim View Post
Nice!!! love the big hubbed dana 44, these look so awesome on our old K20's....gmcgrim has the blue anodized aluminum hub knobs for those old hubs,I have a set of them, he has them offered in the 4x4 tech and offroading section
Thanks for the heads up. I just snagged those from him. These are really sharp looking.
__________________
-Nick

1970 Chevy K20 Restoration
2001 Chevy Suburban 2500
K20rookie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2017, 05:08 PM   #106
K20rookie
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: AZ
Posts: 75
Re: 1970 K20 Restoration

Lift kit came this week. I decided to go with the Tuff Country 2" lift with EZ ride springs. I ordered the springs through Offroad Design along with their greasable bolts/bushings. I was pretty disappointed in the condition of the springs when I received them from Tuff Country. The paint job was garbage so I went ahead and sanded them down and repainted them. Cheaper than paying for return shipping. Tuff Country dips their springs after assembly, so the paint was chipped/separated in between springs and the paint runs and drips were laughable. Oh well, easy fix.





















Much better...









__________________
-Nick

1970 Chevy K20 Restoration
2001 Chevy Suburban 2500
K20rookie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2017, 06:04 PM   #107
El Dorado Jim
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: El Dorado Ca
Posts: 3,374
Re: 1970 K20 Restoration

finally some more progress!!! sucks you had to repaint them, you pay alot for these things , they should be ready to install, but not worth the hassle of returning them, looking good.
El Dorado Jim is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2017, 07:43 PM   #108
DWilbur
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: San Jose Ca
Posts: 965
Re: 1970 K20 Restoration

Tuff country is like buying low budget off brand parts. I bought super lift springs for the front and they are short. shackle is in the wrong angle. called them and checked the dimension they said should be. Never got any where with them and will have 2 new main springs made to work with the rest of the stack.
DWilbur is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-11-2017, 10:29 AM   #109
K20rookie
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: AZ
Posts: 75
Re: 1970 K20 Restoration

Quote:
Originally Posted by El Dorado Jim View Post
finally some more progress!!! sucks you had to repaint them, you pay alot for these things , they should be ready to install, but not worth the hassle of returning them, looking good.
My thoughts exactly Jim. I considered returning them and going with a different brand, but the shipping expense would have been a hard pill to swallow. It took quite a bit of time to clean em up and paint them, but they look 100% better. If I would have know about the poor craftsmanship of these springs, I never would have even considered them. What I really find strange, is that I've never heard of anyone complain about these springs! Like you said, for the amount of money we spend on this stuff, it should be like new.
__________________
-Nick

1970 Chevy K20 Restoration
2001 Chevy Suburban 2500
K20rookie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-11-2017, 10:33 AM   #110
K20rookie
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: AZ
Posts: 75
Re: 1970 K20 Restoration

Quote:
Originally Posted by DWilbur View Post
Tuff country is like buying low budget off brand parts. I bought super lift springs for the front and they are short. shackle is in the wrong angle. called them and checked the dimension they said should be. Never got any where with them and will have 2 new main springs made to work with the rest of the stack.
Man that's bad. Can't believe they didn't make that right for you. Now I'm glad my only issue was paint. If I could do it all over again, I would go with another brand, definitely not Tuff Country. Zero pride in their quality and finish. From all the research I did on springs, I never came across anyone saying anything bad about Tuff Country. I will say this, if you buy Tuff Country springs, they will arrive at your door looking like the pics above. Something to consider for guys looking at lift springs.
__________________
-Nick

1970 Chevy K20 Restoration
2001 Chevy Suburban 2500
K20rookie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-11-2017, 04:10 PM   #111
K20rookie
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: AZ
Posts: 75
Re: 1970 K20 Restoration

Had the steering box rebuilt by Redhead Steering Gears. Extremely happy with their customer service, turnaround time, and quality of work. Bilstein shocks came in as well. Hoping to get everything installed this weekend.



__________________
-Nick

1970 Chevy K20 Restoration
2001 Chevy Suburban 2500
K20rookie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-12-2017, 03:02 AM   #112
El Dorado Jim
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: El Dorado Ca
Posts: 3,374
Re: 1970 K20 Restoration

Nice progress!! I used a skyjacker lift on my K20, springs in the front and blocks in the rear 2 1/2" lift, and bought their shocks as well, no problems with their stuff,gives a great ride
El Dorado Jim is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-12-2017, 03:30 AM   #113
swamp rat
Registered User
 
swamp rat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Spanaway
Posts: 8,451
Re: 1970 K20 Restoration

Even my high dollar BDS springs looked like that, but I didn't bother addressing it. I think your choice for the 2" is a better choice than the 4" for me, live and learn..
__________________
Mike.

Swamp Rat build thread :
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=595019

72 3/4T 4X4
4" BDS Lift
33" BFG's

Last edited by swamp rat; 01-12-2017 at 03:37 AM.
swamp rat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-12-2017, 11:32 AM   #114
K20rookie
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: AZ
Posts: 75
Re: 1970 K20 Restoration

Quote:
Originally Posted by swamp rat View Post
Even my high dollar BDS springs looked like that, but I didn't bother addressing it. I think your choice for the 2" is a better choice than the 4" for me, live and learn..
I almost went with a 4" but changed my mind last minute. What is it that has you regretting the 4", just curious. ORD actually sold me 2" front springs and 3" rear springs. Basically they said that Tuff Country advertises their lifts for the 73+ trucks. So a 4" rear spring would actually only provide 2" of lift on my 70. They said they had tested this on a blazer or suburban, but I decided to go with 3" rear springs. Not as much weight in the rear of my truck as a blazer or suburban, plus, if it's sits too low with 3" springs, I can just add a 1/2" or 1" zero rate to bring the rear up. If I had gone with the 4" springs and it was too high, not much I could have done at that point. So I figured the 3" would at least allow me to adjust it up a bit more if needed.
__________________
-Nick

1970 Chevy K20 Restoration
2001 Chevy Suburban 2500
K20rookie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-12-2017, 02:52 PM   #115
swamp rat
Registered User
 
swamp rat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Spanaway
Posts: 8,451
Re: 1970 K20 Restoration

Quote:
Originally Posted by K20rookie View Post
I almost went with a 4" but changed my mind last minute. What is it that has you regretting the 4", just curious. ORD actually sold me 2" front springs and 3" rear springs. Basically they said that Tuff Country advertises their lifts for the 73+ trucks. So a 4" rear spring would actually only provide 2" of lift on my 70. They said they had tested this on a blazer or suburban, but I decided to go with 3" rear springs. Not as much weight in the rear of my truck as a blazer or suburban, plus, if it's sits too low with 3" springs, I can just add a 1/2" or 1" zero rate to bring the rear up. If I had gone with the 4" springs and it was too high, not much I could have done at that point. So I figured the 3" would at least allow me to adjust it up a bit more if needed.
Mainly just the getting older factor and my legs aren't what they used to be. I had Rancho 4" lift (springs and blocks) on the Rat for the last 20 years so didn't give it much thought when I replaced them, the new BDS stuff made her real close to level where as the rancho stuff was noticeably higher in the back. I never took any dimensions before the first lift was installed but I know it made quite a difference in height.
__________________
Mike.

Swamp Rat build thread :
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=595019

72 3/4T 4X4
4" BDS Lift
33" BFG's
swamp rat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-03-2017, 01:23 PM   #116
K20rookie
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: AZ
Posts: 75
Re: 1970 K20 Restoration

Picked the axles up on Friday. Disc brake conversion up front on the original dana 44, kept the original locking hubs, 3.73s with posi. Rebuilt 14 bolt rear w posi. Got them home and realized the spring perches on the rear are 2" too wide. Should be 40", they're set at 42". Easy fix. Hope to have them installed under the frame in the next week or so.

I've decided to go with a different set of differential covers if anyone is interested in these. They should be up on the classifieds section soon.











__________________
-Nick

1970 Chevy K20 Restoration
2001 Chevy Suburban 2500
K20rookie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-27-2017, 03:42 PM   #117
K20rookie
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: AZ
Posts: 75
Re: 1970 K20 Restoration

More progress...rebuilt hubs and installed new anodized aluminum hub dials, installed shocks and frame bump stops. Also replaced diff covers with the G2 Brute. Still waiting on the cover for the d44. The rear spring perches and shock mounts still need relocated, but I've decided to wait until the drivetrain is installed before I adjust pinion angle.









__________________
-Nick

1970 Chevy K20 Restoration
2001 Chevy Suburban 2500
K20rookie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-29-2017, 10:00 PM   #118
quadzero
Registered User
 
quadzero's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Red Lake, ON
Posts: 106
Re: 1970 K20 Restoration

Both sets of diff covers look excellent. Great work here and very nice well lit shop. Very impressed with the quality of the frame. I would have been disappointed with those leafs too considering how top notch the frame is.
quadzero is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2019, 02:34 PM   #119
K20rookie
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: AZ
Posts: 75
Re: 1970 K20 Restoration

Been a while since I posted any updates, but the project is slowly coming along. Took the SM465 and NP205 down to a transmission shop to have them rebuilt, and ran into a bit of a snag. The countershaft is cracked and needs to be replaced, but the mechanic told me he can't find the same countershaft that's in my SM465.

Basically he said the countershaft that's in there has some sort of rubber bushing and he can't find a replacement. I'll be going down there to look at what he's talking about, but it sounds like early SM465s (68-70) used a rubber damper.

My question is, can he just replace the countershaft with a newer style that doesn't have this rubber piece?
__________________
-Nick

1970 Chevy K20 Restoration
2001 Chevy Suburban 2500
K20rookie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2019, 04:44 PM   #120
D.PASSMORE
One of the First
 
D.PASSMORE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: St. Augustine,FL.
Posts: 4,054
Re: 1970 K20 Restoration

Make sure its not a SM420, also you can find a SM465 in a lot of junkyards. Might be cheaper to replace whole unit. Try NOVAK for tranny parts, they sell good replacement parts.
__________________
DAVID PASSMORE
ST AUGUSTINE ,FL
ZIP 32084

'71 SWB K/10 CUSTOM DELUXE (Chili)
'72 BLAZER K/5 Muscle Truck (Mule)
'72 LWB K/20 CHEYENNE (Blackie)
D.PASSMORE is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2019, 03:16 PM   #121
K20rookie
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: AZ
Posts: 75
Re: 1970 K20 Restoration

Yeah it's definitely a 465. I think I'll snag the NOVAK rebuild kit and have another shop rebuild it. Definitely going to be more expensive than replacing it, but I'd like to keep the original in there if I can. Appreciate the advice.
__________________
-Nick

1970 Chevy K20 Restoration
2001 Chevy Suburban 2500
K20rookie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2022, 01:12 AM   #122
K20rookie
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: AZ
Posts: 75
Re: 1970 K20 Restoration

Getting closer. Started this restoration 7 years and still chipping away at it.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/kSY1KogRCvqU7WHd9
__________________
-Nick

1970 Chevy K20 Restoration
2001 Chevy Suburban 2500
K20rookie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2022, 06:08 AM   #123
LostChord
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: Tallahassee
Posts: 60
Re: 1970 K20 Restoration

Wow...looks great!
LostChord is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2022, 09:34 PM   #124
BASE
Registered User
 
BASE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: St Louis, MO
Posts: 194
Re: 1970 K20 Restoration

Quote:
Originally Posted by K20rookie View Post
Been a while since I posted any updates, but the project is slowly coming along. Took the SM465 and NP205 down to a transmission shop to have them rebuilt, and ran into a bit of a snag. The countershaft is cracked and needs to be replaced, but the mechanic told me he can't find the same countershaft that's in my SM465.

Basically he said the countershaft that's in there has some sort of rubber bushing and he can't find a replacement. I'll be going down there to look at what he's talking about, but it sounds like early SM465s (68-70) used a rubber damper.

My question is, can he just replace the countershaft with a newer style that doesn't have this rubber piece?
I can't remember what all goes into it, but there is a way to replace that rubber stuff I think. Seems like when I rebuilt mine I got a kit that put a solid spacer in there. I ended up having to replace a bunch of stuff for other reasons though.

I wish I could remember what the guys name is but he has a youtube video on rebuilding these and he addresses that somewhere in there. I just remember him being pretty adamant it shouldn't go back together without replacing that rubber damper.
__________________
__________________

'68 K10 496/465/205
BASE is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-05-2022, 07:41 AM   #125
52napco
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: upstate sc
Posts: 2,095
Re: 1970 K20 Restoration

If it's not to late put a NV4500 best money you'll ever spend.. you need overdrive with 4.10 gears
52napco is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:36 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com