69 K-10 Build for Dad

[Wasted Income]

Lost motivation on this for a good while, while I got the blazer up and going again. Made one final push over the past week or two, and got it on the road this past weekend





Even did a lil "off roading" during the maiden voyage. My dad was pretty excited to drive it.

[Wasted Income]

One extreme to the other.

[mcbassin]

How cool is that? What a good son you are

[bowtieguy79]

It looks more natural as a 4x4. Nice work Jeff

[lopemaxx]

looks awesome Jeff, I am sure your pops is stocked to get it

[72 Copper C-10]

Your coming to help me with my 72 k10 right? Lol

[swamp rat]

That looks just awesome!

[Wasted Income]

Thanks guys.

[DeadheadNM]

Just read through your build. Wow - fantastic job. Congrats!

[birdistheword]

Looking real good.

[Wasted Income]

Mission accomplished.
Got all the odds and ends wrapped up, and found a window of dry roads between here and mom & dad's house...so off we go.

Since the rebuild, the truck hadn't been more than 30 miles from home...nothing like a 360 mile shakedown run...lol. Do or die.

Rollin down the interstate


Cruises nice at a good speed


Finally made it home. Got about 15 thumbs ups along the way, and even had one guy follow me off the interstate to the gas station to gawk for a bit.

[bowtieguy79]

congrats Jeff!! Glad you made it up there with it.

[Wasted Income]

Thanks Brad. Now on to the next project!

[woodwright]

What kinda mileage did you average?

[Wasted Income]

I didn't check.

[swamp rat]

Don't check it, it may bumm you out a little LOL! Nice ride!

[Wasted Income]

Yea, honestly the fuel economy doesn't make a bit of difference to me or my dad. I have several other "fuel efficient" vehicles, and my dad has a company car with all the fuel paid for. It's more about driving a sweet old truck.

If fuel economy is a big concern, this is probably the wrong hobby. lol.

[duallyjams]

Originally Posted by Wasted Income

Yea, honestly the fuel economy doesn't make a bit of difference to me or my dad. I have several other "fuel efficient" vehicles, and my dad has a company car with all the fuel paid for. It's more about driving a sweet old truck.

If fuel economy is a big concern, this is probably the wrong hobby. lol.

x2 on that, if it has gas in it, it can go

[ryanroo]

Originally Posted by Wasted Income

Yea, honestly the fuel economy doesn't make a bit of difference to me or my dad.

If fuel economy is a big concern, this is probably the wrong hobby. lol.

i have an M715, a fullsize military variant of the J-20. it is modified and rolls on 40"s. a fair bit of custom trickery on it if one cares to look. most common question i get by FAR. "what does that thing get for mileage? i bet its horrible". whiskey tango foxtrot? if i was concerned with mileage would i be driving a vehicle that has more flat front surface perpendicular to the ground than a Kenworth? would i be running a 454? i dont understand why that is so important to people.

hope the old man is enjoying his truck! it sure looks nice.

[woodwright]

The reason I asked is for my own benefit. The only way I know how to build a project is with the intention of driving it every day. I have a 70 chevy 4x4 on 37's on the backburner that currently has a 6.5 TD. I know I can get high teens to low 20s with the diesel, but if it grenades I want to know my options. I love the LS motors, and they make incredible power with a little boost and a cam. 9 mpg's with a daily driver gets old...fast. Once I get my DD's built, then I'll think about a toy. Eventually down the road I want to put a 6.0 with twins in my 64 chevy II.

[ryanroo]

i understand the curiosity for a street vehicle, in fact my jeep gets really good mileage considering, i just think its funny when people ask that question first about it. not the year, not what the drivetrain is, etc. i build mine for driving, but not necessarily economy. i would like to know what a stockish 6.0 does in a K20 myself, as i really liked the '04 i had with one.

[Wasted Income]

Originally Posted by woodwright

The reason I asked is for my own benefit. The only way I know how to build a project is with the intention of driving it every day.

I understand where you are coming from. I will probably have some better data for you next summer, after I can totally get the tune nailed down, and get some more miles on it. The numbers would have been skewed anyways right now, since it spent a lot of time idling and warming up, and I've been beating the piss out of it getting the tune sorted out. I do think it needs more gear though. Seemed to lug too much for my liking at around 70 mph on the highway in OD...and that won't help the fuel economy. I think a 4.11 would be about perfect.

Originally Posted by ryanroo

i have an M715, a fullsize military variant of the J-20. it is modified and rolls on 40"s. a fair bit of custom trickery on it if one cares to look. most common question i get by FAR. "what does that thing get for mileage? i bet its horrible". whiskey tango foxtrot? if i was concerned with mileage would i be driving a vehicle that has more flat front surface perpendicular to the ground than a Kenworth? would i be running a 454? i dont understand why that is so important to people.

hope the old man is enjoying his truck! it sure looks nice.

LOL. I know the feeling...I love the gawkers when I'm filling my boat with fuel. "How big is the tank on that thing?"

105 gallons.

"....well that must last a long time, eh?"

Nah, I'll be filling it up again next weekend.

[First c10]

Great build. You wouldn't happen to have the part numbers to the fuel tank and sending unit you used would you???

Originally Posted by Wasted Income

Got the engine all buttoned up. Gotta finish up the transmission and transfer case next so I can drop it all in the chassis.





I decided to go with a 1990 K/5 Blazer fuel tank...for a couple reasons. 1) It has a 31 gallon capacity, and since it's a lifted longbed, the extra size of the tank is a non-issue.
2) Those blazers came with TBI engines, so the tank is already baffled and set up for an in-tank pump. I am just swapping a higher output pump in place of the 12 psi TBI pump.





Took the stock sender/pump bracket and cut it and welded it last night. The 3/8" feed, i was able to use my 37* AN flare tool and flare a tube nut onto that line. The 5/16" return line was a little trickier, so I cut up a steel JIC fitting and TIG'd it to the return tube. I also welded the evap tube closed, as well as the tank vent. I was planning to rely on the vented fuel tank cap, but I might cut the plug out of the vent and run it after all.

[68 Four on the Floor]

Originally Posted by Wasted Income

Getting ready to hit this project hard. Been collecting parts and trying to figure out exactly how I want to approach this build.

Should see some real progress soon, but in the mean time, I picked up a FWD LS4 5.3 for the heads and some other goodies to complete the L33.

Ok I'm way behind on this one. I was under the impression that the l33 heads were the same as the ls4.. am I mistaken?

[Farm Shop]

Originally Posted by 68 Four on the Floor

Ok I'm way behind on this one. I was under the impression that the l33 heads were the same as the ls4.. am I mistaken?

You're right, they both use 243's, but I'm pretty sure his L33 came as a short block.