CK5
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1986 K30 - Rapid Learning

Get 'er cleaned up and solid.
Are you planning to keep the shell? One of the things I like about wheeling with a pickup is having the extra clearance above the bed rail versus having a K5 with the topper to worry about.

Honestly, not sure. I was thinking I could buy an old camper, but when I started looking I quickly realized they can be pretty expensive. Building my own sleeping platform in there and keeping the shell is probably the cheaper option.
 
Honestly, not sure. I was thinking I could buy an old camper, but when I started looking I quickly realized they can be pretty expensive. Building my own sleeping platform in there and keeping the shell is probably the cheaper option.

That canopie is big enough you could make that into a nice spot to sleep until you decide to buy a pop up camper for it. :whistle:
I like the way it looks now with it on. Small lift and skinny 35s would be perfect!

Cool truck! :waytogo:
 
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My k30 with 4" and 315s fit but it rubbed the door a little.

I'm gonna suggest keeping it conservative so I agree with bent. 37s will do.
 
Sorry for the delay, guys - made some progress and hit my first roadblock today.

Got 'er up on stands and started tearing into the front axle. Plan is still wheel bearings + miscellaneous greasing / brake bleed / kingpins.


Getting the calipers off was a pain, but they came after some prying. The rotors are grooved real bad so the pads were difficult to slide off like normal.

My first roadblock is that my spindle nut socket is too small for this axle. I think I need a larger one than the one I used on my K5.

Here's all the crap I have removed so far. It's not much but it's something. I am hoping to run by the parts store and make some more progress tonight.

 
welcome to the new tool world of owning a dana 60 front :pimp:

yes you need a new socket for the dana 60 spindle nut .

looks and sounds like your doing good so far . keep it up and she will be torn down in no time for the front clean / service / replace as needed / ready for new road test .
 
Sorry for the delay, guys - made some progress and hit my first roadblock today.

Got 'er up on stands and started tearing into the front axle. Plan is still wheel bearings + miscellaneous greasing / brake bleed / kingpins.


Getting the calipers off was a pain, but they came after some prying. The rotors are grooved real bad so the pads were difficult to slide off like normal.

My first roadblock is that my spindle nut socket is too small for this axle. I think I need a larger one than the one I used on my K5.

Here's all the crap I have removed so far. It's not much but it's something. I am hoping to run by the parts store and make some more progress tonight.

Good news is most likely the tool for the d60 is the same for the 14bff.
 
Good news is most likely the tool for the d60 is the same for the 14bff.
if its a early dana 60 then there 6 tab . but even then you need to round the corners of a dana 60 6 tab socket to fit the 14ff nut . thats what i did years ao in my tool collection days to my snap-on socket .
 
I keep striking out with the spindle nut socket...

First I went to the parts store. The guy there said he didn't have what I was looking for but he sent me to another location. When I get there, they come out with the same spindle nut socket that I have for the K5... so that wasn't gonna work. Strike one.

Next I decided to buy it online. I found what I thought I needed on Amazon, so I went ahead and ordered it there.

Here is new (left) vs. the old K5 socket (right):

Anyhow I gave it a try tonight and the tabs on it are too wide for my spindle nut. Here is a close up of the socket:

...and here is a pic of my spindle nut:

Strike two. I need to learn to do more research before buying things.

EDIT: This looks like what I need. It at least confirms that it fits 1982-1991 K30s. https://torqueking.com/product/1110...indle-nut-socket-dana-50-dana-60-front-axles/
 
Thanks man! Just ordered one off eBay - $40 with shipping. Not too shabby.
 
snap-on s6109a

dana 60 6 tab socket and file the inner ears of the tabs a tiny bit and it fits the 14ff rear axle nuts also then you got a socket for both later .

ebay 30-40 range price .
 
Made some good progress tonight and hit a couple of roadblocks. One serious, one not so serious...

First off thanks to @sweetk30 I got this puppy in the mail a while ago. Fit like a glove on the spindle nuts. Thanks again man.

I made good progress on both sides, removed the spindle nuts and outer wheel bearings...

Then I removed the hubs, dust caps, caliper brackets, and spindles... and one axle shaft.

Here is the fate of the other axle shaft. That just ain't gonna work! Looks like I'm gonna have to remove my front axle from the truck. I guess I could try removing the u-joint to see if I could sneak out the rest of the axle shaft, but I'm not really optimistic about that...

On the passenger side, I jumped into the start of the kingpin work. I got the upper cap off fine. The old gasket is definitely shot. You can actually see some of it left behind in the third pic.



The bottom kingpin cap is seized onto the knuckle. I tried tapping a screwdriver in-between the two to free them apart, but it wouldn't go. Should I try something like a punch?

Anyway, I am optimistic about moving foward. This Coronavirus has me working from home for the next couple of weeks, so I can sneak into the garage here and there.
 
them king pin caps on the lower get rusted in a lot . take a hammer 3-4lb and chissle . try and spin it in the knuckle to free it up . dont get to crazy and egg a bolt hole .

looks god so far and sure does suck about the axle hitting the WALL :sign3:
 
I agree with the others; I would throw the rear tires back on and try using a floor jack to move the front of the truck over. I know that's a bit trickier with the front axle since the pumpkin isn't centered in the axle. If you have them, 2 jacks might help.

On the lower king pin, you could use a hammer and punch on the side of the cap near the ends and try to get it to twist loose. That'll help you get it started coming off. New ones are pretty easy to get and I don't think terribly expensive if you're worried about messing it up. Better to damage the lower kingpin than the knuckle.
 
@shima where’s your casters? Roll the nose of the truck over!

Jack, roll it over a bit and pull the axle. Roll it back. Repeat on assembly.

I agree with the others; I would throw the rear tires back on and try using a floor jack to move the front of the truck over. I know that's a bit trickier with the front axle since the pumpkin isn't centered in the axle. If you have them, 2 jacks might help...

I thought about rolling the nose of the truck, but wasn't sure what it would look like. I suppose I can give it a try. Throw the rear wheels back on, put two floor jacks on the front axle - one on each end, then carefully try rolling it inward so that I can get the axle shaft out. Makes sense in theory just sounds a little sketchy I guess.
 
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