Rebuilding ol' whitey

[CodyWorks]

So I've embarked on an adventure to rebuild this ol' Chevy I recently purchased. I'll start out by showing you guys what I'm starting with. Bear with me throughout this build as I (like most common people) have limited income. Also, with this being my first real build, I'm not exactly a master mechanic... Or a mechanic of any kind.

SOO, starting out, it's an 87 V10. Which as you guys probably know, the V10 means it's the 4x4. 5.7 TBI. 6" pro-comp lift. Mickey Thompson Classic 3s w/ 35 inch tires.
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[CodyWorks]

So, I wanted to clean up under the hood a little. I bought some of that fancy foam cleaner stuff you see on TV. It doesn't seem like it did a lot for it but oh well.

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[CodyWorks]

While driving, I noticed that it has a lot of play in the steering. Either the truck was really wanting to go off road, or something was loose in the steering. So I decided to dig into it.

As I expected, here's some power steering fluid.
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So, OFF WITH THE WHEEL!!! Holy wheel spacers!!! Seems like there's barely any threads holding these things on. I guess that's why they have these fancy lug nuts on there?
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[CodyWorks]

So, I replaced one of the tie rod ends... Mainly because it was right there in front of me when I pulled the tire off. That, and I just happened to have a new one.
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Next off was the pitman arm. And I learned in the "restoring rusty" thread from Gregski that if you clean your parts, you might find some treasures. Like parts numbers.
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THERE THEY ARE!!! Gregski was right!!!

[CodyWorks]

While I was struggling with the pitman arm, I saw what I was pretty sure was a big problem. Frame damage... which is apparently pretty common in these trucks.

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[CodyWorks]

I was right. After a lengthy, non-photo documented struggle with the steering gear box, I had access to the frame and holy poo... There's definitely some crackage going on.
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[CodyWorks]

Fortunately, I have a background in structural welding. And a welder. What I don't have today, is a roof over that truck, and/or dry sunny weather. I'm definitely not welding in the rain. The truck can marinate for a few days til I'm off work again. My uncle always told me "Son!! You can fix anything with a torch and a welder!" It's held true so far. Hopefully it'll hold true on this frame.

Anyways, in case someone as OCD as Gregski reads this. I did clean up the pitman arm while I had it out.
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[Gregski]

Originally Posted by CodyWorks

And I learned in the "restoring rusty" thread from Gregski that if you clean your parts, you might find some treasures. Like parts numbers... THERE THEY ARE!!! Gregski was right!!!

Imagine that! Nice looking truck

[CodyWorks]

Thank you. She's got a long road ahead of her.

[Gregski]

Originally Posted by CodyWorks

My uncle always told me "Son!! You can fix anything with a torch and a welder!" It's held true so far.

Swing by after supper my wife's laptop is acting up again, bring the torch and welder, hee hee

On a serious note, structural welder, well heck bro it's all down hill from here, nothing else should skier you den.

[CodyWorks]

Well.... I was a welder for the rail road, shortening rail cars. Not exactly structural welder as a job title... but there was a lot of structural welding involved. And wouldn't you know, the rain stopped just in time for the sun to go down and not have any light. So the welding job will have to wait til Thursday for sure.

[Gregski]

Originally Posted by CodyWorks

.. So the welding job will have to wait til Thursday for sure.

Cody it looks like there was already one failed attempt made to weld that so I am wondering if doing it quick like is the right way to go, or if it's time to do it right, remove some things, and take some proper measurements to see how bad things twisted out of proportion, also I am not sure if fish plating it is the right way to reinforce that area on the back side, someone who knows what they is talkin' about may wanna comment on that, just trying to make sure you have a safe truck for years to come my friend, that's all

[CodyWorks]

Well funny you say that. They guy at the local parts store had an 84 w/ the same problem. Turns out, after researching, that's a pretty common place for these creatures to crack. He said that he built diagonal supports to put into the c-channel section of the frame w/ cut-outs for the steering box bolts. I plan on doing something similar to get it driveable for now. I won't be doing any off-roading or anything harsh. Since eventually, I'll be taking the fenders and front clip off... I'd like to put in a whole new (to me) section of frame in there. I also happen to be good friends w/ a guy who has a body shop (that I used to paint at). He has a frame rack. So.. a quick fix for now is going to have to work while I search for a donor frame.

So, all in all... yes, you're completely correct. I just don't have the resources (frame) needed right now.

[CodyWorks]

Good news.. possibly... The guy that I bought the truck from said he may have a complete frame at his dad's house that I could have!!! Also, before we go talking bad about the guy, he had no idea that the frame was cracked.

[77K10Silverado]

Nice truck! Following.

[CodyWorks]

Thanks buddy. It's not gonna be a super fast process... but it should turn out pretty cool.

[joe231]

http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/steeringkit.htm

[CodyWorks]

That is pretty awesome. I may put that in the new frame piece when I get it. Thanks for the link.

[CodyWorks]

Is the Fram ffrom an 82, 2wd the same as the frame on an 87, 4wd? Help me lol

[joe231]

You are welcome.
The frames are not the same but can be made to work. You will have to transfer all the 4x4 stuff and drill lots of holes, unless you just graft in the part of the frame where the steering gearbox mounts.

[CodyWorks]

Awesome.. I have a good grip on welding. I planned on just replacing the fron DS section of the frame. Thanks again.

[CodyWorks]

Got a new frame!!! In great shape and a really good price. $free.99!!!

[CodyWorks]

Small update. Welded up the current frame to keep the truck mobile. Gonna get it put back together today. Headed to get new bolts for the steering gear box. Seemed silly to put old screwed up bolts in the new steering box. I'll post pics tonight.

[CodyWorks]

[CodyWorks]

Happy Birthday to MEEEE!!! Going to make ease of the frame modifications coming up.