Did some much needed maintenance on the K5 today. Greased the front end, replaced a torn brake hose, new power steering pump, cleaned mud out of the rotors while I had the tires off.
I had been having problems with my steering. Even with the crossover, I still had problems with my steering, not much (if any) power assist and with a welded front end steering wasn't fun. I tried a used pump I had laying around and that ended up being worse than the one I took off. Bit the bullet and bought a new (reman) one. While it was out I did the common mods, stretch the spring, drill out, machine washer. It's soooooo much better now. One finger steering. I still plan on hydro assist when I can gather all the parts cheaply.
New steering pump.
When I was grinding the calipers, I wasn't paying attention where my sparks were going and melted a hole in the drivers side rubber hose. Awhile back I had picked up some braided lines from the classifieds, planed on using them on my other truck....but the K5 needed one sooner. While I was in there I cleaned out the rotors and greased the front end.
For those not familiar with mud running, this is what comes out after a short run. I think I have some pics earlier in the thread of when I bought my D60 and the dirt that came out of it. Note the drive flanges. I put them on because A: I don't want to pop one of my Selctro hubs and B: I can't unlock them unless I jack up a tire because the shaft's bind up.
I picked up another truck, I think I'm going to make this one into my full on comp bogger. I originally owned it 3 (4?) years ago, even made a few threads about it here. Sold it to my cousin with the rule that if he were to sell it I had first chance at it back. Well that didn't work out, he sold it to a friend of his....and I was pissed. Not much I could do about it though. Eventually he ended up with it back. He got himself into a situation and needed some money and I bought it off him this time.
I posted a few pics of it ealier. It's an 86 short box. It still has the 350/465/205 I put in. Has 4" springs up front and 64" spring/home brew shackle flip that I did when I owned it. Also has a new cam (about 1 month ago I helped him with that) and a D60/14BFF...that I also helped him put in. He did the half (1") body lift on the cab to clear some 38's that I gave him. Not a bad score for $800.
Plan is to gut it (body is worse than it looks) 454/Th350/205. I have a line on a Th350/205, supposed to be picking it up Saturday. Have some feelers out for a stall converter for it. I've got a 454 that will get a freshening. I worked out a deal with a friend of mine and have a stroker crank for a BBC....so 496 might happen.
Expect a build thread when I finally start making progress on it (fall/winter).
And last but not least.
I don't really do the facebook thing....actually just got into it the last couple months. Mainly joined because craigslist sucks balls now and the buy/sell pages on the book are much better. I've bought/sold/flipped quite a few things on there so far. But I think this is my best buy as of yet. I opened one of the pages and the first post I saw was for an NV4500/241 for $200. I replied right away saying I'd take it no questions asked. The t-case is a drivers drop, so not much use to me and I already own an NV4500/pass drop 208 but at that price I couldn't pass it up. If I don't use it, I'll trade it off or have no problem making a profit on it.
