'73-'87 Low Buck 4X4 build AKA Lesson Learned - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ffp00ch214 · 12-17-2009, 09:52 AM

From what Ive seen most of the builds on here are somewhat mild mostly resto's ,but not all. This is far from stock ,and by no means a high dollar build but probably enough to make Louis Chevrolet roll over in his grave. Ive collected a few junkers and done alot of junkyard diving in order to piece this thing together. It started when I was in high school and it still contiues, the never ending build if you will. With that being said Ive learned alot about GM trucks mostly 73-91 and its been a nice experience. My senior year in high school I found a 1978 k10 for $700 ,I just had to have it so I wheeled her home. I wanted to restore it back to stock but keep the 4" and 35's ,but the more I dug into it the more I realized I was in too deep. So I tracked down a 1978 c10 with an excellent body and frame , I figured with all these good parts I can finish her up. Wrong! School Work Fiance New House etc etc ,so she sat for a few years. Now Ive been back at it for about a year now and Ive changed my mind, I want to go offroad. So I guess this means I need some more parts ... you guessed it another Chevy, I drove home a 1985 k20 Suburban. I guess thats enough BS, so Ill get onto the build now .........

Man I was happy when I bought that thing.

ffp00ch214 · 12-17-2009, 09:55 AM

Sorry the early pictures are from a disposeable camera, and I didnt quite take enough pics of the build progress. Ill try to keep ya posted as the build goes on.

ffp00ch214 · 12-17-2009, 10:06 AM

And now for the rust .......

On the good side I guess I did aquire a 4X6' 3/16" sheet of diamond plate out of the deal ... not too shabby.

The cab corners were full of bondo ,newspapers and beer cans.

The cab was pretty bad the rockers were gone but had the slip ons covering it up. The floor support was basically gone ,and there were road signs cut to fit the floor with bondo smeared around the edges ....... inginuity I tell ya

All the crossmembers under the bed were gone the PO had used some 4X3" tubing along with the lift blocks and bolted straight through the bed and into the frame.

The rear shackle mounts were rotted and cracked ,Im still not sure what held them together.

ffp00ch214 · 12-17-2009, 10:17 AM

And now for the C10 ........

Here she is and in pretty good shape for my neck of the woods

This bed side was the worst part about the truck

And a huge step forward ,sorry for the absence of pics. To catch you up there was alot of wirewheeling ,painting ,engine and tranny swapping and a few trips to the pick and pull to finish up the front clip.

ffp00ch214 · 12-17-2009, 10:22 AM

During the process of whipping the C10 into shape I stripped the K10 .....

Saved the GM 10 bolt ,lift springs and of course the mounts.

I had pretty well given up oh this cab , it was difficult to work on it with out the proper tools.

ffp00ch214 · 12-17-2009, 10:30 AM

4X4 conversion ..... again another huge jump in the timeline.

At this point I had all the mounts in place I just needed to drop the 2WD front suspension out of it.

Sliding my D44 (freebie) and lift springs under.

Sittin perty ..... On all fours again and 4WD!

Some leaky gumbos later ........ but sadly this is as far as she made it for a long time.

BurnoutNova · 12-17-2009, 10:05 PM

Why didn't you just use your factory 4x4 frame? Seems like way more work to use the suburban frame. Is it because you are moving the wheelbase? I'm not to farmiliar with serious rockcrawling type of stuff thats why I'm asking.

ffp00ch214 · 12-17-2009, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BurnoutNova

Why didn't you just use your factory 4x4 frame? Seems like way more work to use the suburban frame. Is it because you are moving the wheelbase? I'm not to farmiliar with serious rockcrawling type of stuff thats why I'm asking.

The rust and cracks on the K10 frame were pretty severe, thats why I swapped the 4x4 mounts to the C10.

BurnoutNova · 12-17-2009, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ffp00ch214

The rust and cracks on the K10 frame were pretty severe, thats why I swapped the 4x4 mounts to the C10.

I thought you used the Suburban frame? The pic confused me if you didn't

I was aslo going to suggest atleast a seat of pre '81 3/4t axles but you got it covered! I've always heard the 81 and up 10 bolts are junk but the ones in my 86 are still going strong. It wasn't my truck at the time, but I rebuilt them and put Yukon 4.10's in and a detroit trutrac so I hope they don't break! They cost more than the whole thing's even worth!

ffp00ch214 · 12-17-2009, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BurnoutNova

I thought you used the Suburban frame? The pic confused me if you didn't

Yeah the burban frame is under it now , I went with the burban frame since I have plans on a crew cab sometime in the future .... I just gotta find one.

ffp00ch214 · 12-23-2009, 08:27 PM

More new parts

The battery box

Mounting brackets for my seat

msgross · 12-17-2009, 10:29 PM

wow, you've changed that one truck more times than most do in a lifetime...

looks mean, how well do you think that corp10 bolt will hold up to rock crawlin though? I'd keep an eye out for a Dana 60.

ffp00ch214 · 12-17-2009, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msgross

wow, you've changed that one truck more times than most do in a lifetime...

looks mean, how well do you think that corp10 bolt will hold up to rock crawlin though? I'd keep an eye out for a Dana 60.

Yeah Ive been keeping an eye out. The 10 bolt and the 14BSF will be there long enough for me to break them then Ill slide my Dana 44 and 14BFF under it.

BurnoutNova · 12-17-2009, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msgross

wow, you've changed that one truck more times than most do in a lifetime...

looks mean, how well do you think that corp10 bolt will hold up to rock crawlin though? I'd keep an eye out for a Dana 60.

I'd love to find a D60 but here in Nebraksa you can't get one for anything less than 1,000 bucks. I can find 3/4t d44 and 14ff for around $250 all the time! You'd have to break 4 of them before you were money ahead!

Hoods69BadBowTie · 01-06-2010, 11:24 PM

Wow damn hey looking good. I can't believe how many times that stuffs all be switched around lol. Glad to see you at least got some 3/4 ton axles and are looking for better ones

ffp00ch214 · 01-07-2010, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoods69BadBowTie

Wow damn hey looking good. I can't believe how many times that stuffs all be switched around lol. Glad to see you at least got some 3/4 ton axles and are looking for better ones

Thanks ,as for the mass swapping of parts. All my decisions revolved around money I got smoking deals on all the trucks Ive brought home. Everytime I brought one home the parts seem to get better and be in better shape than what I had. So naturally I used the better parts, where Im sitting now is where I want it to be so there wont be anymore changing .... just improving. And Ive been keeping my eye out for a D60 for a long time but there $$$ and getting hard to find, it seems those who have them are holding on to them.

63chevyll · 01-07-2010, 10:55 PM

wow, some of those pics remind me of my Visits to Minnesota

12-17-2009, 09:52 AM	#1
ffp00ch214 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Jane Lew W.V. Posts: 45	'73-'87 Low Buck 4X4 build AKA Lesson Learned From what Ive seen most of the builds on here are somewhat mild mostly resto's ,but not all. This is far from stock ,and by no means a high dollar build but probably enough to make Louis Chevrolet roll over in his grave. Ive collected a few junkers and done alot of junkyard diving in order to piece this thing together. It started when I was in high school and it still contiues, the never ending build if you will. With that being said Ive learned alot about GM trucks mostly 73-91 and its been a nice experience. My senior year in high school I found a 1978 k10 for $700 ,I just had to have it so I wheeled her home. I wanted to restore it back to stock but keep the 4" and 35's ,but the more I dug into it the more I realized I was in too deep. So I tracked down a 1978 c10 with an excellent body and frame , I figured with all these good parts I can finish her up. Wrong! School Work Fiance New House etc etc ,so she sat for a few years. Now Ive been back at it for about a year now and Ive changed my mind, I want to go offroad. So I guess this means I need some more parts ... you guessed it another Chevy, I drove home a 1985 k20 Suburban. I guess thats enough BS, so Ill get onto the build now ......... Man I was happy when I bought that thing. __________________ "All my life, I always wanted to be somebody. Now I see that I should have been more specific." '73-'87 Chevy C/K Truck/Suburban 350/465/208/10B/14BSF '96 Jeep XJ 4.5" lift 32X11.5 4.0 HO D30/Chrysler 8.25

12-17-2009, 09:55 AM	#2
ffp00ch214 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Jane Lew W.V. Posts: 45	Re: '73-'87 Low Buck 4X4 build AKA Lesson Learned Sorry the early pictures are from a disposeable camera, and I didnt quite take enough pics of the build progress. Ill try to keep ya posted as the build goes on. __________________ "All my life, I always wanted to be somebody. Now I see that I should have been more specific." '73-'87 Chevy C/K Truck/Suburban 350/465/208/10B/14BSF '96 Jeep XJ 4.5" lift 32X11.5 4.0 HO D30/Chrysler 8.25

12-17-2009, 10:06 AM	#3
ffp00ch214 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Jane Lew W.V. Posts: 45	Re: '73-'87 Low Buck 4X4 build AKA Lesson Learned And now for the rust ....... On the good side I guess I did aquire a 4X6' 3/16" sheet of diamond plate out of the deal ... not too shabby. The cab corners were full of bondo ,newspapers and beer cans. The cab was pretty bad the rockers were gone but had the slip ons covering it up. The floor support was basically gone ,and there were road signs cut to fit the floor with bondo smeared around the edges ....... inginuity I tell ya All the crossmembers under the bed were gone the PO had used some 4X3" tubing along with the lift blocks and bolted straight through the bed and into the frame. The rear shackle mounts were rotted and cracked ,Im still not sure what held them together. __________________ "All my life, I always wanted to be somebody. Now I see that I should have been more specific." '73-'87 Chevy C/K Truck/Suburban 350/465/208/10B/14BSF '96 Jeep XJ 4.5" lift 32X11.5 4.0 HO D30/Chrysler 8.25

12-17-2009, 10:17 AM	#4
ffp00ch214 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Jane Lew W.V. Posts: 45	Re: '73-'87 Low Buck 4X4 build AKA Lesson Learned And now for the C10 ........ Here she is and in pretty good shape for my neck of the woods This bed side was the worst part about the truck And a huge step forward ,sorry for the absence of pics. To catch you up there was alot of wirewheeling ,painting ,engine and tranny swapping and a few trips to the pick and pull to finish up the front clip. __________________ "All my life, I always wanted to be somebody. Now I see that I should have been more specific." '73-'87 Chevy C/K Truck/Suburban 350/465/208/10B/14BSF '96 Jeep XJ 4.5" lift 32X11.5 4.0 HO D30/Chrysler 8.25

12-17-2009, 10:22 AM	#5
ffp00ch214 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Jane Lew W.V. Posts: 45	Re: '73-'87 Low Buck 4X4 build AKA Lesson Learned During the process of whipping the C10 into shape I stripped the K10 ..... Saved the GM 10 bolt ,lift springs and of course the mounts. I had pretty well given up oh this cab , it was difficult to work on it with out the proper tools. __________________ "All my life, I always wanted to be somebody. Now I see that I should have been more specific." '73-'87 Chevy C/K Truck/Suburban 350/465/208/10B/14BSF '96 Jeep XJ 4.5" lift 32X11.5 4.0 HO D30/Chrysler 8.25

12-17-2009, 10:30 AM	#6
ffp00ch214 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Jane Lew W.V. Posts: 45	Re: '73-'87 Low Buck 4X4 build AKA Lesson Learned 4X4 conversion ..... again another huge jump in the timeline. At this point I had all the mounts in place I just needed to drop the 2WD front suspension out of it. Sliding my D44 (freebie) and lift springs under. Sittin perty ..... On all fours again and 4WD! Some leaky gumbos later ........ but sadly this is as far as she made it for a long time. __________________ "All my life, I always wanted to be somebody. Now I see that I should have been more specific." '73-'87 Chevy C/K Truck/Suburban 350/465/208/10B/14BSF '96 Jeep XJ 4.5" lift 32X11.5 4.0 HO D30/Chrysler 8.25

12-17-2009, 10:05 PM	#7
BurnoutNova Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: CA Posts: 2,057	Re: '73-'87 Low Buck 4X4 build AKA Lesson Learned Why didn't you just use your factory 4x4 frame? Seems like way more work to use the suburban frame. Is it because you are moving the wheelbase? I'm not to farmiliar with serious rockcrawling type of stuff thats why I'm asking.

12-23-2009, 08:27 PM	#11
ffp00ch214 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Jane Lew W.V. Posts: 45	Re: '73-'87 Low Buck 4X4 build AKA Lesson Learned More new parts The battery box Mounting brackets for my seat __________________ "All my life, I always wanted to be somebody. Now I see that I should have been more specific." '73-'87 Chevy C/K Truck/Suburban 350/465/208/10B/14BSF '96 Jeep XJ 4.5" lift 32X11.5 4.0 HO D30/Chrysler 8.25

12-17-2009, 10:29 PM	#12
msgross Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central PA Posts: 12,201	Re: '73-'87 Low Buck 4X4 build AKA Lesson Learned wow, you've changed that one truck more times than most do in a lifetime... looks mean, how well do you think that corp10 bolt will hold up to rock crawlin though? I'd keep an eye out for a Dana 60. __________________ The Garage: 1968 K-10 SWB - "Project Money Pit" 1996 Z-71 - "huntin rig" 1969 C-10 LWB (SOLD) "Project flip that truck or else" 1993 Passport, F@rd 1-ton (SOLD)"Project Cousin Eddie" My Garage Build "The 1,000 footer"

01-06-2010, 11:24 PM	#15
Hoods69BadBowTie Chevys Kick A$$ Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zootown, MT Posts: 12,699	Re: '73-'87 Low Buck 4X4 build AKA Lesson Learned Wow damn hey looking good. I can't believe how many times that stuffs all be switched around lol. Glad to see you at least got some 3/4 ton axles and are looking for better ones __________________ HOODS is what I answer too -'79, '77, '88 Pickup Sold, '85 Camaro, '83 T/A, '81,'83,'90 K5 Blazer All Sold -'79 3/4 ton "Big Yellow Bananna" Lifted 4spd. 39.5 TSL Swampers, The money Pit -'86 K5 Blazer Silverado 6.2 4" lift 35"s -'95 Ext. Cab Shorty 4" Tuff Country rolling 35" M/T's -'83 Monte Carlo T-Tops. 126,500 Original Miles -LATER I would rather push a Chevy then drive a ford!!

01-07-2010, 10:55 PM	#17
63chevyll gets board easy....... Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 717	Re: '73-'87 Low Buck 4X4 build AKA Lesson Learned wow, some of those pics remind me of my Visits to Minnesota



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