55.2-59 my '59 short bed build

[dsraven]

you could make the shackle into an H with a piece of stout flat bar welded in on it's flat just above the spring. then remove the center bolt and plug the holes with weld for added strength. if you do this off the truck make sure to leave some extra width and then use shims on each side of the spring and frame mount bushings in order to be able to remove the shackle easily. otherwise it could be pretty tight getting installed/removed

[Clarance J]

Hello 1-ton of fun. I have been following your build and like the direction its going. The reason I'm posting here is about your mounting of your steering box. I used the same kit and box and have no problems with it. Now when I was looking at the mounting to frame I found several comments about frame flexing and cracks showing up. I used the information and instructions I found by CCP, Brothers etc. I located my box closer to the cross member as instructed and maybe the little 1/2 spacers in the kit might have been enough but I did not like them. I put backup material inside frame with solid 1/2" x 1" solid bar outside frame between box. My truck is only 2 wheel drive. With your box mounted 3" forward its closer to the end of the frame with those big tires I'm sure there will be more flexing going on. Just a thought. Keep up the good work.

Earl

[1-ton of fun]

Originally Posted by Clarance J

Hello 1-ton of fun. I have been following your build and like the direction its going. The reason I'm posting here is about your mounting of your steering box. I used the same kit and box and have no problems with it. Now when I was looking at the mounting to frame I found several comments about frame flexing and cracks showing up. I used the information and instructions I found by CCP, Brothers etc. I located my box closer to the cross member as instructed and maybe the little 1/2 spacers in the kit might have been enough but I did not like them. I put backup material inside frame with solid 1/2" x 1" solid bar outside frame between box. My truck is only 2 wheel drive. With your box mounted 3" forward its closer to the end of the frame with those big tires I'm sure there will be more flexing going on. Just a thought. Keep up the good work.

Earl

]
Earl, thanks for the info! i much prefer your 1/2" bar spacers vs the little round spacers....also thanks for the tip for the plating on the inside of the frame. i think i'll do something similar there too!

[1-ton of fun]

still having steering clearance issues... so now i'm thinking about instead of changing tires to a 35x10.50, i'm going to try this y-link kit for the drag link: https://www.ballisticfabrication.com...nt=27222290311

if that works, i may be able to switch back to the alloy wheel from the steel one to tuck the tires back under the fenders better (the alloys have 1.25" more offset)

[1-ton of fun]

That was a dead end, leaf spring in the way. Looks like I’m going to a high steer setup...parts ordered, now to wait on deliveries. I now have about $400 worth of k10 steering stuff that I can’t use.

This week i’ll begin to go through the front axle to replace ball joints, seals, axle u-joints, bearings, rotors/hubs, and hub locks.

[1-ton of fun]

Tore down the Dana 44, and threw some paint on the housing. Cross over high steering looks like it might work, the sway bar and drag link will be close to each other, but I think it will clear...just need to order a section of threaded DOM tubing for the drag link to see for sure...

[1-ton of fun]

front end almost done...new brakes came in

[Kula57]

looking good

I'm thinking of going 4x4 also, what type of steering box are you using for the cross steering setup.

thanks

[1-ton of fun]

Originally Posted by Kula57

looking good

I'm thinking of going 4x4 also, what type of steering box are you using for the cross steering setup.

thanks

c10 2wd box

[1-ton of fun]

got the rear brakes done. little shop mfg disc kit with parking brake

[1-ton of fun]

also made some shock mounts and mounted the 14" travel fox 2.0 shocks on the front.

[Kula57]

Thanks for the response, keep posting updates looks great. I have a 85 k10 donor which I just pulled the 700r4 and np 208. Can't wait to see how your cross steering comes together. I also think I may go with the forward shackle mount for the rear along with the shackle flip.

great job

[1-ton of fun]

Originally Posted by Kula57

Thanks for the response, keep posting updates looks great. I have a 85 k10 donor which I just pulled the 700r4 and np 208. Can't wait to see how your cross steering comes together. I also think I may go with the forward shackle mount for the rear along with the shackle flip.

great job

I just grabbed a 700r4 and np208 setup for this truck...saving the np205 for another build.

[Kula57]

Hey 1 ton hope things are well with you.

wondering if you have any new pics like from the front end, steering, and how the rear suspension is going? supper curious as i'm pulling apart the 85 k10 for my build

thanks

[1-ton of fun]

Originally Posted by Kula57

Hey 1 ton hope things are well with you.

wondering if you have any new pics like from the front end, steering, and how the rear suspension is going? supper curious as i'm pulling apart the 85 k10 for my build

thanks

rear is almost done, going to weld on the shock mounts today, and add a torque arm to help with spring wrap

the steering is almost there. i need to weld the box mount on the frame, and i think i'm going to plate the frame to add some strength.

[Kula57]

Thanks for the pics. Did you move the steering box or is it in the same position you had it previously?

By the way, the motor in my 85 donor ended up being a 400 not a 305 so I might use. I looked up the casting code.donor has a tilt column so i'm taking that also.

great job, the more pics the better

aloha

[1-ton of fun]

Originally Posted by Kula57

Thanks for the pics. Did you move the steering box or is it in the same position you had it previously?

By the way, the motor in my 85 donor ended up being a 400 not a 305 so I might use. I looked up the casting code.donor has a tilt column so i'm taking that also.

great job, the more pics the better

aloha

I have not moved it from where I put it in once I switched to the crossover steering, which is not quite as far forward as when using the stock steering set up with the c10 box kits

[1-ton of fun]

Also I welded on the shock mounts to the axle today.

[Kula57]

Nice! I like that you were able to use the stock upper shock mounts. What are the shock mounts from that are on the rear axle?

Also, I know you got 4" lift front springs for a jeep. And I believe it was a 4" shackle flip for the rear. Did this combo come out even or is one side higher than the other.

thanks

[1-ton of fun]

Originally Posted by Kula57

Nice! I like that you were able to use the stock upper shock mounts. What are the shock mounts from that are on the rear axle?

Also, I know you got 4" lift front springs for a jeep. And I believe it was a 4" shackle flip for the rear. Did this combo come out even or is one side higher than the other.

thanks

they are just some fabricated universal shock mounts, can't remember where i got them from exactly.

the frame is level when sitting on the suspension side to side.

front to back not sure yet, seems pretty close to level.

the rear suspension is the front leaf hangers from the 86 k10 which hang lower than the '59 ones did which adds some lift, the the rear shackle flip (~4" lift) and 2.5" lift leaf springs. the rear can go up an inch on the shackle if needed. i feel like its more like 8-9" of lift overall in the rear.

the front is 4" jeep springs, and you get another about 4" when going from the stock drop axle to the straight live axle, plus i put shackles in that are a couple inches longer too. i haven't figured out how to get a sway bar to mount in there yet though...

was going to get tires this week, so i can set if down off the jack stands, but looks like we have a hurricane incoming now...

[1-ton of fun]

i managed to get the 700r4 and transfer case in, so i can fab the crossmember to hold it in...

[Kula57]

Thanks for the photo's and info. take care out there hope storm passes by. can't wait those the new tires mounted.

[1-ton of fun]

Got the trans and transfer case mocked up with the crossmember I built off of one from a ford van that I had lying around. Going to have to redo one side of the crossmember extension to bring it in about 0.25” to meet the frame. Otherwise, I think it fits good. Almost ready to order driveshafts...

[1-ton of fun]

Crossmember made. Going to clean it up and paint it today.

[Kula57]

Looks like you have quite a bit of room under there, I have the frame mounted master so not sure how that will work. but keep it up and keep the pics coming also.

thanks