Update time: Been a while! I am still daily driving the k20 and doing all the truck things with it. I don't own a new truck so this one has exclusive rights to all the work duties. I have a little over 20k miles on the LS swap now and all is still fine there. No problems with it. 2021 was a pretty busy year for me with work and customers projects and I only recently worked on the k20 for the first time in a while other than oil changes. I installed a lug nut 4x4 rear disk brake conversion and new carpet.
Come to find out, my PS rear axle seal had essentially been leaking since I rebuilt the drums about 2 years ago, I just hadn't paid any attention since it wasn't obvious until I was under it the other day giving it a thorough once over. Shoes were soaked on that side. I decided to give the lug nut kit a try. Opted for the caddy style calipers because I need a parking brake (boat ramp, loading car trailers, steep driveway etc). The stock cables aren't really right for the lever style parking brake so I need to order up some different cables before I make the final call on the setup. Ive got it working right now but it wouldn't hold anything but the truck itself with these cables because they can't attach to anything on the brake end of the cable, therefore when you stomp on the pedal, all the slack in the cable housing comes out before it actually pulls the lever. Hope that makes sense. Saved all my old drum parts so I can go back if I want to. Got the SKF 2 piece axle seals now. I do like the way the discs look and the weight savings are undeniable. As far as actual braking, I want to think it stops better but truthfully it stopped well before so it may not be much different.
New carpet is nice, and I finally mounted the 208 shifter after over a year. Thought it was going to require a lot more floor modification which is why I put it off until I had time to replace the carpet at the same time, but with minor grinding it went in the stock location with ease. Old carpet was super faded. The new carpet from ACC through rock auto is decent for the price. Could fit the floor better but is what it is. Definite improvement. Threw in new sills while I was at it and also re seam sealed the perimeter of the cab floor. Also re did the cowl seam sealer because I had a leak.
Thats all I can think of right now, like I said, really just been driving it and haven't had to work on it thankfully. It has been, and continues to be, a fantastic truck. I love driving it everyday. I am gearing up to do a major front end service. Wheel bearings have never been touched and I think I am beginning to hear them so want to nip that before it causes a problem. Gonna go ahead and do everything from the axle joints outward while its apart and hopefully not touch it again for a very long time.
In my next post I will be telling an extremely cool story from this past weekend with the truck, so stay tuned for that. Those who follow my Instagram have already heard it but it's worth sharing on here. Hope all of y'all have been well!
Come to find out, my PS rear axle seal had essentially been leaking since I rebuilt the drums about 2 years ago, I just hadn't paid any attention since it wasn't obvious until I was under it the other day giving it a thorough once over. Shoes were soaked on that side. I decided to give the lug nut kit a try. Opted for the caddy style calipers because I need a parking brake (boat ramp, loading car trailers, steep driveway etc). The stock cables aren't really right for the lever style parking brake so I need to order up some different cables before I make the final call on the setup. Ive got it working right now but it wouldn't hold anything but the truck itself with these cables because they can't attach to anything on the brake end of the cable, therefore when you stomp on the pedal, all the slack in the cable housing comes out before it actually pulls the lever. Hope that makes sense. Saved all my old drum parts so I can go back if I want to. Got the SKF 2 piece axle seals now. I do like the way the discs look and the weight savings are undeniable. As far as actual braking, I want to think it stops better but truthfully it stopped well before so it may not be much different.
New carpet is nice, and I finally mounted the 208 shifter after over a year. Thought it was going to require a lot more floor modification which is why I put it off until I had time to replace the carpet at the same time, but with minor grinding it went in the stock location with ease. Old carpet was super faded. The new carpet from ACC through rock auto is decent for the price. Could fit the floor better but is what it is. Definite improvement. Threw in new sills while I was at it and also re seam sealed the perimeter of the cab floor. Also re did the cowl seam sealer because I had a leak.
Thats all I can think of right now, like I said, really just been driving it and haven't had to work on it thankfully. It has been, and continues to be, a fantastic truck. I love driving it everyday. I am gearing up to do a major front end service. Wheel bearings have never been touched and I think I am beginning to hear them so want to nip that before it causes a problem. Gonna go ahead and do everything from the axle joints outward while its apart and hopefully not touch it again for a very long time.
In my next post I will be telling an extremely cool story from this past weekend with the truck, so stay tuned for that. Those who follow my Instagram have already heard it but it's worth sharing on here. Hope all of y'all have been well!
