89 K5 - Recon's 1 Ton Blazer

[Recon!]

52's!!!!!!!!!!!! Courtesy of the DIY4X B52 brackets, of course

Old stuff off

New stuff on

Haven't gotten to flex it out just yet, but I have a wheeling day scheduled for saturday at my friends place. I'll make sure to get some good pics

 

[andyblack]

Nice job Recon. You made it look so easy too. What did you use to remove the rivets? I hate those things. The best way I've seen to get them out is to use an air hammer.

 

[Recon!]

We drilled through the head, then used a sledge to beat off the old brackets and break off the rivets. It worked pretty well. Then I used a flap disc to grind the rest flush with the frame and hammered them out with a punch. I also hammered my knuckle 3 times and it's swollen pretty good. It'll be nasty looking in a few days, I'm sure.


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[andyblack]

We drilled through the head, then used a sledge to beat off the old brackets and break off the rivets. It worked pretty well. Then I used a flap disc to grind the rest flush with the frame and hammered them out with a punch. I also hammered my knuckle 3 times and it's swollen pretty good. It'll be nasty looking in a few days, I'm sure.


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That's the method I've always used and it's a pain in the butt for sure. An air hammer will turn a several hour project into a one hour project and save your knuckles and fingers too. You need to ask for one for Christmas. I may ask for me one too, now that I think about it.

 

[Smokinthehippies]

air hammer plus oxy/ace torch.
can get a rivet out in about 3 mins. much better

 

[Recon!]

We don't have any of them fancy air tools, but the way these rivets were inside the bracket, I'm not sure how well it would have done anyways. I had to work with what I had, but and air hammer would have been a welcome addition to this job, for sure.

When I was 16 I had a 77 C10 and when I put the lowering kit on it my Dad used an air chisel for the rivets, it worked beautifully. Hopefully I won't be removing anymore rivets for a very long time, though

 

[Smokinthehippies]

i think we should have a way to find the person who decided rivets were smart, and make them grind and replace all rivets with bolts. on the entire truck!



but then we'd just be fighting rusty/siezed bolts and nuts and be bitchin bout that! damn 20-40 year old trucks anyway

 

[Recon!]

At least rusted bolts will break off with a little force! I'd rather have that than these stupid rivets.

 

[Smokinthehippies]

atleast you dont have to wear high heels.

 

[K85 Octane]

for the rivets I've used two ways

*air chisel works for tight areas, but my Harbor Freight is slow at getting it done

*grind the heads off, try to pop them out with air chisel, or pull the bracket and keep grinding. This method takes time also, but it's actually quieter and less tiring.