Adventures And Build Up Of A 79' K10

[soquelcumminsboy]

I had a SF 14 bolt lying around with Detroit Locker and Moser shafts in it so I threw that in along with ORD brake lines and front shackles

 

[soquelcumminsboy]

The new shackles were contacting my headers at the collector big time so I called ORD and they shot me a P/N for some Hedman's that worked out great. I also re routed the exhaust a little too

 

[soquelcumminsboy]

The Locker out back made it a completely different truck in the dirt. Stiff springs and a lot of frame flex but aired down to 10lbs it does alright.

 

[soquelcumminsboy]

I've been wheeling some more difficult trails lately with bigger rocks and my low hanging ass end has been dragging a lot...I decided I'm going to build a low profile rear bumper with a swing out tire carrier and a hi lift mount

Something like this....

 

[soquelcumminsboy]

This is the only sheet metal I plan on cutting on this rig I swear and yes it was hard to do. Sliders are in the works but first I need to ditch the saddle tanks and decide what to do for a fuel tank. Maybe a blazer tank or a fuel cell under the tool box... My plan for the bumper includes wrapping it around to the rear wheel well. That with the sliders will protect the body front to back.

 

[soquelcumminsboy]

I've been ordering some parts and have been busy putting them on this past week.

Parts order:
Ballistic Fab High Steer Kit
ODR pitman arm, steering brace, weld in brace,
Ferd Shock towers
12 inch biltiens
4.5" bump stops
Diff Cover
2wd steering box from rock Auto

Rear shocks first, shackle flip will happen in the near future

 

[y5mgisi]

Awesome job on everything!

 

[BlazerFarm]

Yes, very nice work. Man, you have some rapid-fire posting here. Weeks and months of work posted minutes apart. It takes me two weeks to post about installing a CB.

 

[soquelcumminsboy]

Getting the hi steer mocked up and the ps box brace welded in

 

[soquelcumminsboy]

Diff cover painted up

 

[soquelcumminsboy]

I also decided to beef the front end up a little by adding a truss and some knuckle gussets

 

[soquelcumminsboy]

Rapid fire posting indeed!! I'm all caught up now I think haha I just finished the front end last night so I will get those pics up

Bump stops and front 12" shocks done with super duty towers
Shocks are set up with 5" up and 7" down with 4" to the bumps

I'm bouncing between the garage and my computer right now, getting ready for a wheeling trip tomorrow. Its been down for a few weeks while I was doing the front end work. took it for a spin yesterday to check clearance with the steering, its tight and looks good. I might have a clearance issue with my draglink hitting my engine cross member though.

I couldn't get it to hit but I wasn't bound up that bad, its definitely close. I might have to order an ORD high clearance cross member if I have any problems.

 

[soquelcumminsboy]

Just some poser shots checking clearance on my steering. I have an AAL in the back right now I used to stiffen it up for towing but since it wont be towing much any more I'll be pulling it to soften the rear springs up a bit.
Holly Frame Flex Got to love these old Chevy's

 

[Mark1968]

I like it.

 

[y5mgisi]

Me too! And that is actually very little frame flex in my book!

 

[y5mgisi]

How do you feel about the ride and drive now with that suspension and steering setup? Anything you would do differently?

 

[soquelcumminsboy]

The truck has always been very smooth on the road. I replaced all the body and cab mounts with polys. The steering feels way better and is a lot tighter. I'm going out tomorrow on a trail run so I will see how it does with the new shocks and steering setup. I know I will get a little more travel out the leaf springs because my old shocks only gave me about 3" up or down in travel. As of now the only thing I can see changing is the front springs for some Alcans or something softer with more travel.

 

[K85 Octane]

If you don't come across a lot of rocks, I might recommend going back to the factory tie rod position. The stock D44 knuckles don't last long with high steer. If you are dead set on having it, start saving your pennies for some beefier knuckles. Other than, it's a beautiful truck. When you do the tire carrier, are you going to make it swing to the side or swing down?

 

[soquelcumminsboy]

I live in the Sierras and rocky trails are pretty much all I see. That's why I decided to go full high steer. Eventually I would like to upgrade to some Reid Knuckles with the 4 stud steering arms and hyro assist. I have a pretty conservative driving style and don't like to get to bound up. So hopefully that and sticking with a 33 and eventually a 35" tire will help keep things together.

On the rear bumper I was going to have the tire carrier swing out using this EMS Off Road latch kit

 

[max 02]

Great build!

Such a nice clean truck...Nice 02 As well! Good job on finding one with low miles!