RedRebel69's upbringing of DR2

[RedRebel69]

so i bought this 1982 K20 back in spring of 2011, best thing about it the PO had put a D44 in the front so no 10bolt. this is what she looked like.

then i started taking it apart starting with the ugly utility box

after that out came the motor trans transfercase

then gave them a good bath paint job and put back together

then once that was done the frame cleaning and undercoating began

then off came the cab

next drivetrain went back in

cab goes back on

then i lost interest and ran out of money so it sat with no bed or front clip until this spring when i regained interest and found a 87 gmc with a decent front clip and a rust free long box bed for only 700 with tbi 350 and th400 tranny!. so i then pulled the sm465 out of my truck so swap in th400. few issues with the swap were apparently i dont know how to heat up rusted bolts so i broke off the gear selector lever so 78 dollars later with a dealer only part i was back in the clear and while i was at it i threw in a shift kit and ordered a B&M hammer ratchet shifter for it as well.

 

[RedRebel69]

this is the only good pic i have of the gmc i bought but you can see the bed is in amazing shape

now were up to where im at right now with things with the truck being flat black and looking like a real truck finaly and i actualy drove it home yesterday for first time which was a great feeling

 

[magik235]

Great project. I will follow the build.

 

[RedRebel69]

My interior with pontiac montana bucket seats and custom built center console that is yet to be finnished.

and the custom bumper that is also yet to be finnished

and now her maiden voyage home my proudest moment with her.

and when i say home i mean going up one driveway and driving down the street 100 feet and turning into my house driveway. so not to far but far enough to make me happy

 

[82355]

You do realize that a Dana 44 is no better than a 10 bolt, right?

Martin

 

[82355]

Actually, I just double checked the pictures, and you have external hubs, so your front axle is technically weaker than a factory 10 bolt would have been.

Martin

 

[RedRebel69]

Actually, I just double checked the pictures, and you have external hubs, so your front axle is technically weaker than a factory 10 bolt would have been.

Martin

Well thats good to know

 

[blazinzuk]

Another good thing to know is they are pretty much the same ( 10 bolt and 44 outers) so if you want to go to the stronger internal style hub you could find 10 bolt parts and swap em on.

Pretty easy to do.

Make sure you check those bolts on the hubs, they aren't inherently weaker but the bolts come loose and shear off.

So while you have those particular hubs, check those bolts as often as you think about it

 

[82355]

Yeah, mine are always loose on my Suburban.

Martin

 

[RedRebel69]

Another good thing to know is they are pretty much the same ( 10 bolt and 44 outers) so if you want to go to the stronger internal style hub you could find 10 bolt parts and swap em on.

Pretty easy to do.

Make sure you check those bolts on the hubs, they aren't inherently weaker but the bolts come loose and shear off.

So while you have those particular hubs, check those bolts as often as you think about it

So i got an 87 gmc 3/4 ton with 10 bolt under it would that be what i would want parts from?

 

[blazinzuk]

So i got an 87 gmc 3/4 ton with 10 bolt under it would that be what i would want parts from?

Yep

 

[RedRebel69]

Well today i went to a u pull it yard and scored an xj steering shaft brand new radiator and late 80s k5 grill was a very successful day grill looks tons better than the original one i had on it

 

[RedRebel69]

well been getting some work done on the old girl so shes getting closer to road worthly

 

[RedRebel69]

im also planning on putting the stock gas tank in the bed of the truck and then building a frame around it to box it in. does this sound like a bad idea or should i put it back in the stock location. any input is appreciated thanks

 

[magik235]

Nice progress

 

[454Sub]

Iv ran them in the bed, its not bad. Putting gas in it gets old if its not easy to get at. I always had to jump up in the bed to fill it up.

 

[K5 Jess]

Lose the truck nuts. Its a Chevy, and nuts are redundant. You nly need those on fords

 

[RedRebel69]

Lose the truck nuts. Its a Chevy, and nuts are redundant. You nly need those on fords

Agreed they come off once it's road worthy. Kind of a maturing thing

 

[RedRebel69]

well got some time to work on my truck this weekend and finaly wrapped up the interior since my carpet arrived earlier this week.

 

[454Sub]

Feel free to correct me someone, but I was looking at your pictures and seen one hose of your heater core was hooked to the waterpump, and one to the intake. Now in my mind, both are "pressurized", doesnt one need to be on the intake/waterpump and one need to go to the radiator on the fill neck side and act as a drain into the radiator tank?