Need suggestions on maintenance for 79 K10 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**ScottH** · 12-13-2006, 07:51 PM

Just bought a 79 K10 with 350/350/NP203 combo with 92K on it. PO wasn't the hands on mechanical type so pretty much just did what was needed. This is my first 4x4 truck and could use some suggestions/recommendations on what type of maintenance (other than the obvious) you guys would suggest. I'm wondering if the full-time hubs, or transfer case, axles, etc. should need any attention.

Any help is appreciated. Happy holidays to all.

Thanks.

Scott

1969k10stepside · 12-13-2006, 07:59 PM

I would check the fluids in the differentials,the transfer case,tranny,ect and fill as needed.Grease all the zerks you can find if they need some grease,check for worn out u joints.

**Zoomad75** · 12-13-2006, 08:03 PM

If you are unsure of what's been done or where it's been it would be a smart thing to at least change ALL the fluids. Or at least everything but the trans as High mileage autos have a wierd tendancy to die after fluid changes if they were poorly maintained before. (not sure why)

Changing the fluid in the axles will give you an idea of the condition of the gears and how good or bad the truck was treated. Doing the t/case will add peace of mind that it's fresh. I'd take hubs apart and check the wheel bearings and repack them.

My truck looked to be well maintained, but when we pulled the hubs apart the first time they were due for replacement.

Overall, it gives you an opportunity to look everything over and start fresh.

**ScottH** · 12-13-2006, 10:17 PM

Thanks for the suggestions. Can you give me an idea of what is involved with some of these? Obviously the axles I'm assuming are like most others, pull the cover, replace gasket, and fill. What about the transfer case? Also what is involved with the full-time hubs?

Sorry for all the questions, everyone's help is appreciated. Gonna have to dig out some of my manuals to see if they cover 4x4s.

Mudder · 12-14-2006, 04:35 AM

I use regular 10W30 or 40 motor oil for the transfer case. One thing I would consider is changing to lockouts and changing the transfer case over to part time. There is info here on doing this.

blink32 · 12-14-2006, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mudder

I use regular 10W30 or 40 motor oil for the transfer case

The 203's don't take a heavier weight gear oil like 80w90, etc in the 205?

Mudder · 12-14-2006, 02:07 PM

Nope some may disagree but I was told many years ago to use 10W40 and thats all I have ever used. I have had really good luck with the 203.

The 203 is chain driven and the 205 is a gear driven.

LonghornJeff · 12-14-2006, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mudder

Nope some may disagree but I was told many years ago to use 10W40 and thats all I have ever used. I have had really good luck with the 203.

The 203 is chain driven and the 205 is a gear driven.

72 CustomCamper · 12-15-2006, 01:34 AM

I use to use ATF in my old 203...

Chuck

blink32 · 12-15-2006, 07:47 AM

All very interesting. I never had a reason to research the 203 but this is all good to know.

**ScottH** · 12-15-2006, 10:34 AM

My Chilton and Haynes manuals both say to use 10W-40 motor oil in the NP203.

**ScottH** · 12-18-2006, 01:09 PM

Can anyone tell me what is involved in the full-time hub maintenance?
Does the cover just pull off and you service it similar to any front wheel bearing?

Thanks guys.

us111 · 12-18-2006, 01:22 PM

hello,,i too have a k-10 and wasnt going to pull the front hubs but thankfully one of the lockouts started acting up,,glad it did,,pulled it apart and it was a mess in there,,old nasty watered down grease,rust etc..so you definitely wanna check that kinda stuff..also everyone i've talked to on here and other 4 wheeler's have all suggested 10-30 or so for t-case,,been told it is easier to get it spashed up on the chain than a grease.....

**ScottH** · 12-20-2006, 12:41 PM

So what is involved with servicing the front hubs?

Thanks.

Mudder · 12-20-2006, 01:58 PM

Taking them apart which can be a pita without a diagram and cleaning, regreasing it all. The snap rings can be a pita. Not a big deal after yu have done them a couple of times.

blink32 · 12-20-2006, 02:06 PM

Start googling. These links are for Dana44 manual hubs but you get the idea:
http://www.pavementsucks.com/tech/dana44hub.php
http://www.keystonekrawlers.com/Mods...ub_rebuild.htm

**ScottH** · 12-21-2006, 10:37 AM

Thanks to all......and happy holidays!

us111 · 12-21-2006, 07:40 PM

i've never worked on full time hubs myself but sure these guys know...

12-13-2006, 07:51 PM	#1
ScottH Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Hampstead, NC Posts: 8,187	Need suggestions on maintenance for 79 K10 Just bought a 79 K10 with 350/350/NP203 combo with 92K on it. PO wasn't the hands on mechanical type so pretty much just did what was needed. This is my first 4x4 truck and could use some suggestions/recommendations on what type of maintenance (other than the obvious) you guys would suggest. I'm wondering if the full-time hubs, or transfer case, axles, etc. should need any attention. Any help is appreciated. Happy holidays to all. Thanks. Scott

12-13-2006, 07:59 PM	#2
1969k10stepside Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: USA Posts: 21,020	Re: Need suggestions on maintenance for 79 K10 I would check the fluids in the differentials,the transfer case,tranny,ect and fill as needed.Grease all the zerks you can find if they need some grease,check for worn out u joints. Last edited by 1969k10stepside; 12-13-2006 at 08:01 PM.

12-13-2006, 08:03 PM	#3
Zoomad75 K5Camper Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Pueblo, CO Posts: 1,513	Re: Need suggestions on maintenance for 79 K10 If you are unsure of what's been done or where it's been it would be a smart thing to at least change ALL the fluids. Or at least everything but the trans as High mileage autos have a wierd tendancy to die after fluid changes if they were poorly maintained before. (not sure why) Changing the fluid in the axles will give you an idea of the condition of the gears and how good or bad the truck was treated. Doing the t/case will add peace of mind that it's fresh. I'd take hubs apart and check the wheel bearings and repack them. My truck looked to be well maintained, but when we pulled the hubs apart the first time they were due for replacement. Overall, it gives you an opportunity to look everything over and start fresh. __________________ Rob Z. 1975 K5 350/465/205/D44/12b 4" lift on 35's- RIP 1991 K5 8.1L/NV4500/241/D44/14b FWC Camper

12-13-2006, 10:17 PM	#4
ScottH Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Hampstead, NC Posts: 8,187	Re: Need suggestions on maintenance for 79 K10 Thanks for the suggestions. Can you give me an idea of what is involved with some of these? Obviously the axles I'm assuming are like most others, pull the cover, replace gasket, and fill. What about the transfer case? Also what is involved with the full-time hubs? Sorry for all the questions, everyone's help is appreciated. Gonna have to dig out some of my manuals to see if they cover 4x4s. Last edited by ScottH; 12-13-2006 at 10:17 PM.

12-14-2006, 04:35 AM	#5
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	Re: Need suggestions on maintenance for 79 K10 I use regular 10W30 or 40 motor oil for the transfer case. One thing I would consider is changing to lockouts and changing the transfer case over to part time. There is info here on doing this.

12-14-2006, 02:07 PM	#7
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	Re: Need suggestions on maintenance for 79 K10 Nope some may disagree but I was told many years ago to use 10W40 and thats all I have ever used. I have had really good luck with the 203. The 203 is chain driven and the 205 is a gear driven. Last edited by Mudder; 12-14-2006 at 02:08 PM.

12-15-2006, 01:34 AM	#9
72 CustomCamper huh ??? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fredericksburg,Va. Posts: 3,369	Re: Need suggestions on maintenance for 79 K10 I use to use ATF in my old 203... Chuck __________________ 90 Blazer Silverado 350w/ 700R4 and 32" Kelly's "I am a bomb technician. If you see me running try to keep up!"

12-15-2006, 07:47 AM	#10
blink32 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: OTR Posts: 338	Re: Need suggestions on maintenance for 79 K10 All very interesting. I never had a reason to research the 203 but this is all good to know.

12-15-2006, 10:34 AM	#11
ScottH Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Hampstead, NC Posts: 8,187	Re: Need suggestions on maintenance for 79 K10 My Chilton and Haynes manuals both say to use 10W-40 motor oil in the NP203.

12-18-2006, 01:09 PM	#12
ScottH Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Hampstead, NC Posts: 8,187	Re: Need suggestions on maintenance for 79 K10 Can anyone tell me what is involved in the full-time hub maintenance? Does the cover just pull off and you service it similar to any front wheel bearing? Thanks guys.

12-18-2006, 01:22 PM	#13
us111 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: ashland oh Posts: 660	Re: Need suggestions on maintenance for 79 K10 hello,,i too have a k-10 and wasnt going to pull the front hubs but thankfully one of the lockouts started acting up,,glad it did,,pulled it apart and it was a mess in there,,old nasty watered down grease,rust etc..so you definitely wanna check that kinda stuff..also everyone i've talked to on here and other 4 wheeler's have all suggested 10-30 or so for t-case,,been told it is easier to get it spashed up on the chain than a grease.....

12-20-2006, 12:41 PM	#14
ScottH Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Hampstead, NC Posts: 8,187	Re: Need suggestions on maintenance for 79 K10 So what is involved with servicing the front hubs? Thanks. __________________ 1963 C10 swb fleetside 1966 GMC G1000 Handi-bus (future project) 1955 Chevy 2 dr. wagon

12-20-2006, 01:58 PM	#15
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	Re: Need suggestions on maintenance for 79 K10 Taking them apart which can be a pita without a diagram and cleaning, regreasing it all. The snap rings can be a pita. Not a big deal after yu have done them a couple of times. Last edited by Mudder; 12-20-2006 at 01:59 PM.

12-20-2006, 02:06 PM	#16
blink32 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: OTR Posts: 338	Re: Need suggestions on maintenance for 79 K10 Start googling. These links are for Dana44 manual hubs but you get the idea: http://www.pavementsucks.com/tech/dana44hub.php http://www.keystonekrawlers.com/Mods...ub_rebuild.htm Last edited by blink32; 12-20-2006 at 02:07 PM.

12-21-2006, 10:37 AM	#17
ScottH Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Hampstead, NC Posts: 8,187	Re: Need suggestions on maintenance for 79 K10 Thanks to all......and happy holidays! __________________ 1963 C10 swb fleetside 1966 GMC G1000 Handi-bus (future project) 1955 Chevy 2 dr. wagon



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12-21-2006, 07:40 PM	#18
us111 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: ashland oh Posts: 660	Re: Need suggestions on maintenance for 79 K10 i've never worked on full time hubs myself but sure these guys know...

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