'88 K5 - Running Down A Dream

[jimmyleetn]

I've been sneaking away every chance I can to work a little bit in the shop. Would really like to be done welding patches in by Christmas. I think this and the part I started on earlier by the rear fender or the last pieces for the tailpan/bed area. The piece went in a little wonky since the patch wasn't the same as OE. I used the Fitzee's Fabrication cut and butt method. I think I like it. Definitely saved me some time. Finished it up this morning before work. I've been getting up and working about an hour and a half a few mornings each since I can't get any time in the afternoon or at night.

 

[jimmyleetn]

Well I moved it today for the pumpkin carving the students do at our house. First time it's moved since last October. It was nice to see it out of the shop and in the sun. Been hard finding time this month. I got to get the duck boat ready for season. New transom, new hubs, trailer needs welding, and the boat needs some new paint. I kicked the can down the road on that boat probably 5-8 years longer than I should have. Dad said the hubs are my age. Once all that's done, the final patches and panels will be welded into the truck. Here's some pics of the truck and boat.

 

[jimmyleetn]

The stupid boat and trailer are getting out of hand. The bearings weren't horrible but I can't put 40yr old bearings back in good faith. Bearing kits are a week out and this thing was about to be a death trap. Check out that egged out hole on the tongue. It was a dump trailer. It was about to tear apart. That's the only attachment point from the rear of the trailer to the tongue. It won't be like that when I'm done. It also had a really good crack in it which was one of the main reasons I took it off in the first place so I could weld it up. At this point I guess I'm just going to replace the hole tongue.

 

[kennyw]

I would just flip the tongue over and rebuild it to save time on material gathering. It looks like everything is bolted to the tube.

 

[centexk5]

Can you not buy a new square tube and bolt everything back on it?

 

[jimmyleetn]

I would just flip the tongue over and rebuild it to save time on material gathering. It looks like everything is bolted to the tube.

Can you not buy a new square tube and bolt everything back on it?

Well flipping it over would work but it's actually not true square tubing. Underneath it's split full length with just a few stitch welds that have all broken. I would basically have to re-weld the entire 8-ft length either in stitches or full length. Kind of strange design. My dad can pick up some 1/8-in wall square tubing (It is currently 1/16-in wall) for pretty cheap and then all I have to do is get a couple of bolts. I think I only need six bolts or so. Overall it shouldn't cost me too much. I'm expecting to come out under $30 or $50. The trailer was brand new in either '79 or 80, can't really be mad at it.

 

[kennyw]

Well flipping it over would work but it's actually not true square tubing. Underneath it's split full length with just a few stitch welds that have all broken. I would basically have to re-weld the entire 8-ft length either in stitches or full length. Kind of strange design. My dad can pick up some 1/8-in wall square tubing (It is currently 1/16-in wall) for pretty cheap and then all I have to do is get a couple of bolts. I think I only need six bolts or so. Overall it shouldn't cost me too much. I'm expecting to come out under $30 or $50. The trailer was brand new in either '79 or 80, can't really be mad at it.

Ok, I would buy new square tube as well then.

 

[jimmyleetn]

Still not truck stuff, but I needed to pull this build back to page one LOL. I'm also bored. Trailer is done other than lights and wiring, which will be a piece of cake. Transom is next. I'm like Biden building things back better... ok maybe a bad reference.

 

[centexk5]

Only difference is you are building better haha.

 

[jimmyleetn]

I'm trying to get back into it. It's hard getting motivated to work on it these days but I did get a few hours in today and yesterday. Only snapped one picture but I'm gonna do the cut and butt method.

 

[jimmyleetn]

Look I did things.

 

[jimmyleetn]

After some minor trimming the cowl side panel is mocked up. It fits, I'd give it a "B" for a grade. It's from AMD and I do think it could fit better but it'll work. I'm really annoyed at myself for how I put that flange on but I'm not redoing it. You'll see how it lines up wonky. I can probably fix it with a cut off wheel but no one will ever be able to see it again once the fender and door are on so I'm trying to decide how much I really care.

 

[jimmyleetn]

Did some work Friday. Was hoping to sneak out today but didn't have the time. I did get a good start on welding it into place before I had to quit but didn't get any pictures. You can see I did the typical paint prep. Forgot that I had that white can of rust encapsulator for the cab of the truck. I used spray can epoxy primer for the inside of the cowl panel and of course the weldable primer for the seams. Figured out a new technique I like pretty good for doing plug welds. Instead of drilling a 3/16in hole, I drill a 5/32in hole. Then I come in on the back side with a 1/4in bit and remove the burrs. This makes the metal a little bit thinner around the hole and so it makes a really good plug weld. I think the 5/32in hole by itself would be too small to get good penetration but these look really good and are plenty strong. Wish I had figured that out like 8 panels ago LOL.

 

[jimmyleetn]

Got this done Thursday, but the forgot to get photo evidence. I used a Dremel with a 60grit drum to smooth most of the welds, turned out pretty good I think. I've got the other side to work on and I need to use a template to change the holes for the 73-80 wiper arm and then I'm done patching and cutting. Got a honey-do to take care of first, but I can see the light for this part of the build.

 

[jimmyleetn]

It's Spring Break! Made some good progress today. Also had to replace my Dremel mandrel. I finally wore the other one out so bad my hands would tingle for the rest of the day if I used it. Finished the 73-80 wiper retrofit, had to whittle my templates down to nothing but they worked. Thanks @kennyw Hoping to finish the remaining safety bolt patch tomorrow then I'm not sure what I'll do from there.

 

[jimmyleetn]

Well this patch is mostly finished. My Dremel burnt up on the last welds I was going to grind. I also was down to one cut off wheel too. Kind of ironic considering this is the last true patch I'm going to do for quite a while. I do know of one other I'll have to do but I can't do it until I do the roll cage. Other than vacuuming up the dust I'll be wrenching from here on trying to get it ready for the body and frame separation.

 

[jimmyleetn]

Does this count as taking the truck out for a spin? I turned it around (with some of my neighbors help) so I could back it in.

 

[jimmyleetn]

Well my HVAC specialist neighbor and I hooked up the equipment to reclaim the freon, it was already empty. Oh well. It's starting to escalate quickly. I gotta get some block off plugs for the master cylinder and I need an engine cradle, but it's about to get wild. Any opinions for or against just pulling the engine/trans/tcase all connected or should I do them separately? My crane can handle up to 2 tons.

 

[Fastereddie]

It can be done, you’ll need to support the t case with a jack that can roll forward as you pull it up and out.

 

[imiceman44]

Well my HVAC specialist neighbor and I hooked up the equipment to reclaim the freon, it was already empty. Oh well. It's starting to escalate quickly. I gotta get some block off plugs for the master cylinder and I need an engine cradle, but it's about to get wild. Any opinions for or against just pulling the engine/trans/tcase all connected or should I do them separately? My crane can handle up to 2 tons.

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