CK5
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My '73 K10 Build

I think they are vintage Doug Thorley Tri -Y units. California truck so had AIR Injection, smog pump etc. pig to get at the spark plugs tho.

These:
 
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More parts I ordered arriving.
I have a new heater core already but if I’m getting in there, I should replace the evaporator.
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If anyone has replaced the condenser with a bigger/better one I’d like to get some info?

Maybe something like this, tho I’ve not checked the original size yet.
 
Found some more pics.
I got these Tube bumpers with the Blazer and thought I’d use them in the k10…
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I think they are Smitty made.
They had some surface rust.
They looked ok…

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But tbh I plan to put a winch, lights etc which looks like it would need some cut and shut, fab work etc…
So after a lot of soul searching I’m gonna put them aside and fab some custom bumpers.
So with that as a plan in mind, I found a HF Tube roller for $80…
It got a Swag Off-road conversion and it’s now powered by the HF pipe threader too.

Then I found a JD2 Model 3 tube bender on CL with a couple of Dies for $300… drove right there and snagged it within an hour.
The Bender got a full remodel, with media blast, powdercoat, then Swag Off-road HF Ram conversion.
I then built a rolling fab table to hold it.
Works good.
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So I’m progressing in the background with a design. I think I want a combo of tube and aluminum infill panels.

Oh, and I also found all the body trim and badges in my storage.
Happy bout that.
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More parts I ordered arriving.
I have a new heater core already but if I’m getting in there, I should replace the evaporator.
View attachment 417599

If anyone has replaced the condenser with a bigger/better one I’d like to get some info?

Maybe something like this, tho I’ve not checked the original size yet.
The bigger the better, I think that the largest condenser that Vintage Air makes could be made to fit. You really want a parallel flow unit with 134a. Use a Ford blue orifice tube. It will blow cold…
 
Thanks for the informative response!
Truth is, I'm retired, so trying to keep budget in check...
I will try to find the biggest cheapest parallel flow I can fit and then try to adapt it!

Just got the PS pump rebuilt today... it worked great but when I removed it there was plenty of grime on it... ive not touched it in 15+ years so I thought I better reseal it as a minimum.
Thought it needed some bling love to blend in with the refreshed look and Billet brackets.

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As I’ve said I’ve been collecting parts for a while.
Led headlights with halo white and amber.

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Billet twin stick knobs.

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Also planning to add some solar panels to the camper top. These are left over from my Airstream solar build. They are unisolar panels. No glass, so rugged and light.
I got 3x on pretty neatly, but thinking I could double stack them with slides to give me almost 400w.

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This is kinda like the bumper I want to build… no idea where the pic came from… saved it a while back as a basic design dea.

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This is kinda like the bumper I want to build… no idea where the pic came from… saved it a while back as a basic design dea.

View attachment 417958


Here for the build.

But daammmnnn you have a nice view in your backyard!


Edit: I guess reading comprehension isn't my thing, you even say it isn't yours in the post I quoted...
 
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Question:
I’ve seen a couple of K trucks with a plate welded over the front frame horns, boxing them in before they mount a winch. Is that needed or is it ok to just mount the winch box to the bumper mounting holes?

My front bumper plan should be doable with my tube bender, but the tube roller means I can put a more gentle curve in the main bars to match the plan shape of the truck and integrate it… I was a Design Engineer, so this stuff is important to me!
Here it is with the Swag Off-road conversion I mentioned.

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Also added a Swag Off-road finger Brake for my 20t Hydraulic Press, so should be able to bend plate too.

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Oh, and as I have some rust on the bottom of my doors, I originally planned to reskin them, but found a guy locally that had 2 good rust free doors for a fair price. Red one is an OEM, black one is aftermarket, but good. Interesting to feel the difference in weight!
Was thinking I might cut the original doors up and make some tube doors!
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Here are some of the Off-road lights I’m planning to add.
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Been collecting dimple dies for a few years, and now I have pretty much a full set from 3” to 1/2”.

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Table brace I made for fun.

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With this heavy fab work to do, my Snap-On MM140 110v 140a Mig welder was at its limit, so I needed something that can do 1/4 plate in one pass.
Found it’s big brother, the MM250 locally, bought it and then sold the 140a unit for more than I paid for the 250, so I was pleased with that!
The thing is a beast..
My VW Wagon, and the old 140 for reference.
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I also bought this non working Millermatic 200 about that time… I now have it up and working and it’s getting a make-over currently between working on the truck.

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Got out and measured my Condenser today amongst other stuff...

Original is crusty... prob almost 50 yo...
It measures 30 x 17 as best I can see...
So I think this one could work...

While we are at it, the Trans Cooler will get a double size update....
I was wondering about a PS cooler while im at it... I have one to hand that came off something else... anyone comment on if its worth doing?
 
Bought a new blower motor. The old one makes a squeaking noise on low speed.
$26 from RockAuto seemed fair.
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I have a couple of light bars that I planned to add… maybe the curved one upfront on the bumper, and the straight one at the rear.

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And might use this switch panel.
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I rebuilt the driveshafts with new universal joints.
Rear was easy but I have a problem with the front double Cardin joint… can’t seem to get it right after 2 tries. 5B38B2B7-CDFC-426E-85D0-2F48AA2BDEDE.jpeg

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Polyurethane sway bar bushings arrived yesterday.
I think that’s the last ones left to do.

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Question:
Where do I post questions on my front and rear bumper, Rock slider, and maybe roll cage builds?
I thought the CoG section but I don’t have accesss….
 
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Question:
Where do I post questions on my front and rear bumper, Rock slider, and maybe roll cage builds?
I thought the CoG section but I don’t have accesss….

Could try again or PM a mod. Under the impression that CoG was all access, as in no membership required (which you have).
 
Looked at the rules and looks like your thread is transferred there if its considered worthy...
Not sure where to post a Bumper build thread to start with... Bodywork?
 
Looked at the rules and looks like your thread is transferred there if its considered worthy...
Not sure where to post a Bumper build thread to start with... Bodywork?

Wow, your right. My bad.

The Garage may work. "This forum is for the general discussion of almost any truck-related topic."
 
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