I'll try to add stuff as I remember it... Probably forgetting stuff.
It actually started with a 1979 k10 I traded a gun for. I planned on building a wheeling rig out of it. It ran and drove and was a good start...but would have taken a long time to build on my budget. I was also pretty new to wrenching on trucks. It was sold to me claiming it was a crate 350, it had a valve cover that said '350'. I found it was a 305 after looking at the numbers on the block later
Wasn't a bad engine though, ran fine. The truck didn't stay for long though.
A friend from our 4x4 club was having some rough times and had to sell his truck, the CUCV. I traded him a Jeep Cherokee for it and some cash. It had the lift and tires on it, that was about it. Saved me a lot of time and money vs. building the '79. Everything else was kind of 'band-aid' rigged together (He won't admit it though.) Steering was terrible, had terrible death wobble, half the accessories didn't work, leaked every kind of fluid, wheel bearings were shot, front drive shaft was bent, and probably some other stuff I could give him crap for and forgot about.
Started with getting the little things fixed. Had a fuel leak that kept letting it bleed off, and a nasty coolant leak. Got the heater and windshield wipers working. Wheel bearings replaced, got the brakes turned etc.
First upgrade was crossover. I used the kit from Sky Manufacturing. I ended up giving the '79 to sledheadak for helping with the welding. I had no other use for it, he ended up plowing with it before the tranny blew up
Cut out the front crossmember, welded in 3/8 plate and a random think piece of steel pipe found in the shop. Bought a brand new 2wd steering box, put it all together and WOW! What a difference...steers awesome. Also got a new front drive shaft made around that time.
To be continued...
It actually started with a 1979 k10 I traded a gun for. I planned on building a wheeling rig out of it. It ran and drove and was a good start...but would have taken a long time to build on my budget. I was also pretty new to wrenching on trucks. It was sold to me claiming it was a crate 350, it had a valve cover that said '350'. I found it was a 305 after looking at the numbers on the block later
Wasn't a bad engine though, ran fine. The truck didn't stay for long though.
A friend from our 4x4 club was having some rough times and had to sell his truck, the CUCV. I traded him a Jeep Cherokee for it and some cash. It had the lift and tires on it, that was about it. Saved me a lot of time and money vs. building the '79. Everything else was kind of 'band-aid' rigged together (He won't admit it though.) Steering was terrible, had terrible death wobble, half the accessories didn't work, leaked every kind of fluid, wheel bearings were shot, front drive shaft was bent, and probably some other stuff I could give him crap for and forgot about.
Started with getting the little things fixed. Had a fuel leak that kept letting it bleed off, and a nasty coolant leak. Got the heater and windshield wipers working. Wheel bearings replaced, got the brakes turned etc.
First upgrade was crossover. I used the kit from Sky Manufacturing. I ended up giving the '79 to sledheadak for helping with the welding. I had no other use for it, he ended up plowing with it before the tranny blew up
Cut out the front crossmember, welded in 3/8 plate and a random think piece of steel pipe found in the shop. Bought a brand new 2wd steering box, put it all together and WOW! What a difference...steers awesome. Also got a new front drive shaft made around that time.
To be continued...
Last edited:
I got pulled over for it once too, enough was enough after that.
It makes me wanna get out and work on my pile.....on a side note, you said that HUGE tie rod came from ORD?
