Red's 68 GMC K15 Update

[r8e1d]

I found this on Craigslist and bought it in October of 2014. I wanted a project but not a huge one as I don't have the garage space (yet) or time to do a frame off. The truck was recently "restored" by the PO. It was originally a Mississippi truck with a 6 cylinder. SPID is gone so I don't know what else was on the truck originally. It has a crate 350 and what seems to be factory air. The front axel has been switched to discs. I intend for this truck to be a daily driver so reliability and comfort is key. On with the pictures....

[r8e1d]

After I got it home the real inspection began and I found some interesting issues. Motor mounts were hand fabbed, and the engine crossmember was not installed.

[r8e1d]

Thats better....

Wrong mounts though got the correct ones installed now.

[El Dorado Jim]

great looking truck with alot of upgrades,like that you are making things "right", some people should not try to be welders,that old mount is awful

[r8e1d]

Indeed Jim, people should stay in their skill set for safety at least. I wish I would have taken pictures of the wiring. It is all replaced now with an AAW Classic Update kit. I need to buy gauges to replace the ones I took out. I leaning towards the Classic instruments G stock kit. Any one know if I can remove the front bezel so I can keep my manual choke?

Red

[swamp rat]

Ye that welding job was kinda scary! Nice truck tho!

[r8e1d]

Thanks Swamp Rat!

Started working on the AC electrical yesterday. Found the AC switch connector when i tore everything out and figured it would need a rewire. Can't tell if it was broken off or got hot. Pulled the wire and found 2 jumpers inserted for the compressor switch and blower motor resistor. Funny thing is both components were there and the compressor switch works, I don't know what the Ohm measurement should be for the resistor though.

Red

[r8e1d]

Bought a new A/C harness from AAW and got it installed. Rebuilt the A/C control levers. Put it all back together and tested it. Blower would only work on high and the resistor started smoking, guess I need a new one. In the dismay of disassembly to ensure there wasn't a fire in the box I broke off one of the mounting holes on the heater core box. Hopefully I can find one to replace it otherwise Im going to refiberglass it. Tested all of the lights as well. The headlights are super bright after installing relays for them. New Gauges should be here today. I ordered the Classic Instruments G Stock direct fit kit. I'll post pics when I get them. Helpful hint when installing an AAW Classic update harness. Read the fine print for all of the connectors. Took me about 30 minutes to figure out that the neutral safety switch needs to be connected to itself if you want power to the starter.

Red

[El Dorado Jim]

Originally Posted by r8e1d

Bought a new A/C harness from AAW and got it installed. Rebuilt the A/C control levers. Put it all back together and tested it. Blower would only work on high and the resistor started smoking, guess I need a new one. In the dismay of disassembly to ensure there wasn't a fire in the box I broke off one of the mounting holes on the heater core box. Hopefully I can find one to replace it otherwise Im going to refiberglass it. Tested all of the lights as well. The headlights are super bright after installing relays for them. New Gauges should be here today. I ordered the Classic Instruments G Stock direct fit kit. I'll post pics when I get them. Helpful hint when installing an AAW Classic update harness. Read the fine print for all of the connectors. Took me about 30 minutes to figure out that the neutral safety switch needs to be connected to itself if you want power to the starter.

Red

you are doing it right! sucks to have to fix some "hacks" work...some people shouldn't touch things they know nothing about...I have been pretty lucky, I have never bought a new vehicle and haven't had a" hack" as a previous owner.although I hardly ever get rid of a vehicle, I have owned most of my vehicles average of 25 years.. and I really love your truck, it is a beauty

[r8e1d]

Thanks for the compliments Jim.

I got these bad boys installed this morning. Decided to re-wire the AAW harness to fit the Classic Instrument harness. It was only one connector for the CI harness figured it would be easier. One wire that isn't supplied at the AAW harness is a constant 12v for the clock. I put a spare connector in the middle of the 12v batt supply for the radio, worked out pretty good.

[r8e1d]

Pics. Cant get it to flip around.

[enigma]

nice looking truck

[r8e1d]

Thanks!

A little update for the day. Drove it out for the day and got caught in a rain storm. I knew there was a leak in the cab but I got to see it first hand in a down pour. It was like a water fall from the right side. I still have my glove box out so I was able to see exactly where it was coming from. Did some searching found some cracked seam sealer and the windshield was leaking. Got the windshield out and the gasket for it is way too big. Picked at the seam sealer a bit and found whats in the picture. Other side wasn't as bad but rusted. The rust was contained to about a 6"x6" area. Cleaned, re-sealed and primed. Also did some digging in the TC. I have a T221 and I could not get the Speedo Driven gear to engage. Pulled the yoke and bearing cover. Found what I believe to be a backwards installed drive gear. I only believe this because i flipped it around and bolted everything back up and the driven gear engages. Hopefully this is right.

[First c10]

Nice looking!!! now that I don't have to stand on the sealing to see it!

[r8e1d]

Thanks!

One day I must learn the ways of the force.

[First c10]

"I shall train you my young apprentice "

Save picture to desktop
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Then select rotate clockwise.
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Post!
"You must search your feelings". Oh. Probably enough Star Wars quotes . Lol.

[r8e1d]

Been a little busy lately but some progress has been made. Got a Boyd tank installed along with the Fitech EFI. I always thought my brakes weren't that good and I figured out that I'm only pulling 11" of vacuum. I've heard of guys running power units this low but apparently mine don't, so I also got a hydroboost unit to install. Waiting for the fittings and hose to get here. In preparation I did some measuring. The hydro unit wants to live in the same place my AC compressor does. If it ain't one thing its another.

[JIMs70GMC]

Nice truck. How about some more pics of the fitech? Keep up the good work!

[r8e1d]

Got a solution to the location of the AC compressor. Move it! So I did. I think it came out pretty clean. Now to address the wiring nest and clean it up.

Jim do you have any thing specific that you want to see?

[r8e1d]

So this may have gotten out of hand. My transfer case decided to eat a bearing on the interstate, luckily it was heavy traffic and i was able to creep home in 4 high. I have wanted to update to a six speed trans for a while and decided to go ahead and do it. I ordered a round pattern NP205 and found a L83 and 6L80 local. Now to figure out how to mount my AC compressor and a power steering pump solution.

[mjensen]

That is a great looking truck! I'm in!

[r8e1d]

Made some progress this week. Got A LOT of parts ordered. The trans is converted to 4WD with the exception of cutting the shaft down. I'm waiting for the NP205 to get here for a test fit first. Got the Dirty Dingo Crossmember in and mocked up. Surprisingly it fit without switching oil pans. $500 savings BTW. I went with ICT Billet mounts pretty good looking pieces. deleted the Fuel vapor purge solenoid with another piece from ICT. More to come. Oh if someone comes across a set of Gen V LT longtube headers for our trucks please let me know.

Red

[r8e1d]

Got the Dirty Dingo LT brackets in and mocked up. Looks pretty good. Although the brackets will not fit my SD7B10 compressor, so I had to make one. Not the prettiest thing in the world put without a CNC its the best I could get. I get the picture up when I get it all painted. Also, found a set of longtube headers for our trucks. Kind of pricey $995 without being coated. brphotrods

Red

[r8e1d]

Got the motor sitting in the frame, mounted the NP205 to the trans. I had the make a spacer for the T-case adapter, I would have had to take out to much of the mounting pad for the shift rails to move. Also had to modify the Dirty Dingo Crossmember as this motor seems to be a little wider than the LS motors.

Red

[r8e1d]

Got it finished and running. I bought Hp tuners to get it running but it was running lean because I moved the MAF and put a different intake tube on it. Found a tuner here in Victoria, Pat G, great guys to talk to and he made the truck come alive. I have made a couple of trips between New Orleans and Victoria managed to pull down 14-15 mpg. Not bad considering I'm pulling a brick thru the air at 75.

Red