Restomod 72 K10 "Good Memories"

[Richard]

Made some sliding mock up shocks today. PVC outer diameter is real close to actual shocks. Shock travel is the same. Waiting on tube and tabs to get rear mounts tacked in. Planning work on lower mounts and temp driveshaft tomorrow.

[Richard]

Picked these up today! Totally stoked the local 4x4 shop located a set of 2.5" 16" travel King shocks and air bumps for me about a week ago. Hoping I get lucky with the coil overs on the front as well. Originally ordered 14" travel for the rear but will make these work to keep going. Spending time with the wife this last week instead of the truck as she took some time off. My new 42" tall jack stands that were lost in limbo finally showed up as well as the tube and tabs from RuffStuff. Should be able to finish up the back now before turning the truck around. Will get back on it this Wednesday.

[57taskforce]

Looking awesome Richard!

[First c10]

Richard looking good.
I went with the Bilstein reservoir shock. They ride nice even with stock sized leaf's. The 4 items in your picture are they some kind of stopper or bump stop????

[Richard]

Originally Posted by First c10

Richard looking good.
I went with the Bilstein reservoir shock. They ride nice even with stock sized leaf's. The 4 items in your picture are they some kind of stopper or bump stop????

Thanks to everyone checking things out. Body shop called and needed help with a boat so I tore out and rebuilt rear flooring yesterday and today. Wood and fiberglass was another change of pace. Truck getting some attention tomorrow.
Yes, those 4 pieces are hydraulic bump stops and mounting cans. You can adjust the firmness with nitrogen. Hence the term "air bumps". Gives a bit more suspension tuning ability in that last amount of travel. Probably overkill for what the truck will be mainly used for, but with the motor, 4 link front, etc. Sure, why not. The Bilstein's are great shocks. I run a set of the less expensive 5100's on my 94. They were a great upgrade from the KYB's I ran for years. I thought the KYB's were a very good shock.

[Richard]

Being pulled in a lot other directions right now so not much time to work on truck. Finally got the rear shock mounts tacked in, still need to add another brace at top mount. Did not the use the 16" shocks. Would have to go through bed to make them work and keep close to 90 degrees to travel at full bump. Did not want to cut up bed for quite a few reasons. Tracked down some 14" travel 2.5 piggyback shocks for the rear. Bonus also got the 14" coil-over shocks for the front. Did have to pony up a bit as the fronts are internal bypass shocks. Wont hurt anything just really not needed. Will start on mounting air bumps tomorrow if all goes as planned. Rear axle has just over 12" travel now. Will have my planned 14"-15" when springs are redone. Few pics for fun at full bump and full droop. (edit) Also got all new e-brake shoes, calipers, mounting brackets and pads installed on axle.

[72 tigger]

Really like what you’re doing, well thought out!

[Richard]

Originally Posted by 72 tigger

Really like what you’re doing, well thought out!

Thanks. Yes a lot of thought and unfortunately sometimes doing it more than once. A lot of hours cycling suspension and testing. Does not always go as I imagined. A lot of stuff I am using is custom or not for this truck so making it fit and work can be challenging but is the part I enjoy the most. Had a couple of pictures with the temp tires/wheels on it before shock mounting. The foam on the tire at full bump brings tire up to a 37, plenty of room and exactly centered. 40's would be tight. Will have to see how front works out with clearance.

[Richard2112]

Impressive work, Richard. Looks like a cool project.

[Richard]

Got the air bump mounts to 90%+ today. Get them on the frame, fab brace for upper shock mount and test tank. Mounting cans will stay tacked in place until final travel is determined. Then on to the front.

[Richard]

Originally Posted by Richard2112

Impressive work, Richard. Looks like a cool project.

Thanks! Wish you well with your project.

[Richard]

Bumps are on the truck. Did not get a chance to do the braces due to chatting with neighbor. I did get tank pressure tested, good to go.

[Richard]

Upper shock mount braces finished. Still hoping to have truck ready for engine/trans removal next week.

[Richard]

Worked most of the week so not much time. Truck is ready for motor and trans removal. Forgot to take pics of front clip off. Will update when out. Pics of how it sits now in back. Have new springs being made. The ones on the truck served their purpose, for mock up. Pretty much expected, should be able to sell as they will fit any 99-15 Chevy truck. Took a chance as they are production Deaver springs. New springs will be 68" long and should provide 15"-16" total travel with 1.5"- 2" additional up travel. Truck will sit approximately 3.5"- 4" higher on new springs and 37' tires. Tire clearance is only 1" to shock. They are stock Ram HPO wheels with a 33" tire. My new wheels will increase clearance to 2.5". Bottom of shocks will still be close to wheels and mostly protected as planned.

[gmc684x4]

Very nice fab work on that shock mount

Where did you get that ring for the tank ?

I plan on doing the same mod for my 68 gmc I have a new burbon tank in the shop I originally picked up for my dads 72

I have been thinking of cutting off the ring of my 03 donor truck
I have left it together as that truck is the only running and driving truck in my fleet

[Richard]

Originally Posted by gmc684x4

Very nice fab work on that shock mount

Where did you get that ring for the tank ?

I plan on doing the same mod for my 68 gmc I have a new burbon tank in the shop I originally picked up for my dads 72

I have been thinking of cutting off the ring of my 03 donor truck
I have left it together as that truck is the only running and driving truck in my fleet

Thank you. It has been a good experience. Most fun was the air bump mounts. I got the pump ring from the same place the pwm fuel pump controller came from, Vaporworx. They are about 30 minutes away from me. Carl is a great guy. Shot the s**t with him for an hour when picking my stuff up. Here is the ring on his site https://www.vaporworx.com/shop/produ...rings-weld-in/ I got it cheaper due to purchasing other stuff. Rings can be found as low as $90 if you search. Using the ring from another tank may work out. Would recommend tig for welding it in. My mig skills caused a little bit of re-welding on my tank patches. Shooting to get power train out of truck this week and fitting new engine/trans next week.

[57taskforce]

Awesome work Richard, can’t wait to see that LSA in its new home!

[Richard]

More side work keeps popping up. Small update. Exhaust, T-case and a few other odds and ends out today. Removing rad and core support in AM. Motor and trans coming out! If I have time will throw the PacFab crossmember in and test fit motor for the first time. I took a vid of a cold start on motor as well before the disassembly. Hoping to sell off in the future (not for sale now). Sorry not original motor. Running numbers on block it comes up as a 74 van motor IIRC. 165hp? Maybe 4 bolt main. Looking forward to tomorrow.

[Richard]

Another small update, was not going to post but it will be a few days before update. Motor and trans is out. Huge step forward for me. The trans crossmember will be moved back. Upon removal I found a lot of crud built up on it and the forward frame members. Decided to do an initial cleaning prior to test fit of new power plant. Started the cleanup. Weekend time is normally dedicated to family so it will be next week before I get back on it. Wife parks in the garage 99% of the time. Have some cleanup to do tomorrow as I worked a bit late.

[MDFarms]

Originally Posted by 86454k30

Nice plans for your truck.

Blue and white always a great option.

Love that truck! I wish I was as bold as you are in color! Love your choice in blue but I have always been a "Original Paint color guy" So I will probably have to go with Medium blue! But then again who knows! I have considered the white in center but hate thought of drilling all the holes correctly and not sure on quality of new trim! Does anyone have a trim hole template?

[Richard]

Originally Posted by MDFarms

Love that truck! I wish I was as bold as you are in color! Love your choice in blue but I have always been a "Original Paint color guy" So I will probably have to go with Medium blue! But then again who knows! I have considered the white in center but hate thought of drilling all the holes correctly and not sure on quality of new trim! Does anyone have a trim hole template?

Thanks for checking the build! While the med blue was okay and would have been fine. I wanted something a bit more modern. The newer Corvette blue fit the bill.
Have some relatives visiting so spending time with them now and through the next week. A lot of clean-up done. Paint is here for the firewall. Removed 99% of the old brake and fuel lines. PacFab crossmember fitted. Initial measurements show engine and headers should fit in farthest back position. Should test fit this week. May have to clearance the firewall on passenger side a bit. Hydroboost and new master fitted. New high pinion Dana 60 for the front is being fabbed and 4 link front suspension components are in transit. Moving forward.

[57taskforce]

Hell yea! Your gonna love hydroboost, that and the hydraulic clutch are the two best things I’ve done to mine to date. With stock D44 front disks and the 13” 14 bolt drums it stops right here, right now. Not always straight, but it stops fast I can’t wait to see it with that LSA in it. My dad came out to visit last year and I did a couple panic stops to show it off, he loved it so much he went and added it to his 72 K20.

[Richard]

Originally Posted by 57taskforce

Hell yea! Your gonna love hydroboost, that and the hydraulic clutch are the two best things I’ve done to mine to date. With stock D44 front disks and the 13” 14 bolt drums it stops right here, right now. Not always straight, but it stops fast I can’t wait to see it with that LSA in it. My dad came out to visit last year and I did a couple panic stops to show it off, he loved it so much he went and added it to his 72 K20.

I hope I like the brakes. Heard that the hydroboost can be a bit touchy and takes some getting used to. The unit was purchased from Vanco. From what I understand they are supposed to be educated on porting the units for ram steering and high flow power steering pumps both of which I will be using. Did not like where my brake pedal sat with the provided fixed rod (what I preferred). Did some welding on the brake pedal arm today and made another hole. Sits like stock pedal now. Going to ditch the CPP master provided by them and use a GM master cylinder from same year as my rear axle. Want to limit dealing with aftermarket products as much as possible. Have read a lot of bad stuff about CPP. If all goes as planned first motor fit tomorrow.

[Richard]

Wish I had some pics of the motor setting in the truck. As always seems to happen with custom stuff- motor does not fit with the ZL1 pan. I questioned fitment to Tilden when I purchased the crossmember and again after looking things over as it did not look like it would work. The oil pan is all kinds of in the way. Keeping with my OEM when possible strategy I am ordering A GM Muscle car pan. Some complaints that it is to deep for lowered car applications. Do not think pan depth is a worry for me, LOL I saw a comment that it is actually a Hummer pan. When pan shows up I will give it another try.

[57taskforce]

Originally Posted by Richard

I hope I like the brakes. Heard that the hydroboost can be a bit touchy and takes some getting used to. The unit was purchased from Vanco. From what I understand they are supposed to be educated on porting the units for ram steering and high flow power steering pumps both of which I will be using. Did not like where my brake pedal sat with the provided fixed rod (what I preferred). Did some welding on the brake pedal arm today and made another hole. Sits like stock pedal now. Going to ditch the CPP master provided by them and use a GM master cylinder from same year as my rear axle. Want to limit dealing with aftermarket products as much as possible. Have read a lot of bad stuff about CPP. If all goes as planned first motor fit tomorrow.

I adapted a unit from an 08 2500HD and used a new Napa master cylinder for a 72 K20 and had no trouble at all getting used to it. Pedal feel is pretty much same as it was with the vacuum booster it just stops a lot harder the deeper into the pedal you get.