Re: '85 Short Bed 4X4
 

Last week I received a nice big (expensive) box from LMC containing one RH inner fender well, stock Coolant reservoir, Upper and Lower fan shroud, Battery tray and the necessary hardware. First thing I did was remove the lower fan shroud (the upper had removed itself... whoops), but that's about as far as I got. The two lower bolts holding the lower shroud to the core support were almost unrecognizable due to rust. I cant justify bolting new parts to rust, so I'm at a stand still until I get a new core support. For a dual headlight setup it would be about 250-300 bucks to my door from a few different vendors. I dont mind if its new or used, just rust free and the correct fit. I am gonna stick with the current grille/light setup. Attached is a picture of said rust, looking up from the bottom.

Re: '85 Short Bed 4X4
 

Also, that cross member that is visible at the bottom is of some concern. Definitely not correct.

Re: '85 Short Bed 4X4
 

I've noticed some more rust on the upper mounting brackets of both front fenders, the passenger side also has a small quarter sized hole in the lower part under the reflector. New fenders may be in order, I've already accepted the fact that i'll need a fresh paint job. Good thing I don't have a women around to complain about the $$$ i'll be parting with. What's the deal with aftermarket fenders? I suppose a parts truck may be in order, I've been looking, but so far none of them are better off as far as rust goes.

Re: '85 Short Bed 4X4
 

More pics

Re: '85 Short Bed 4X4
 

I've collected alot of parts and I'm getting ready to replace the fenders, inner and outer, core support, grille, and lights. if anyone could point me toward a thread that covers a detailed front clip removal, I'd be grateful. Time to kill the rust.

Re: '85 Short Bed 4X4
 

Just going by memory as I haven't pulled mine apart yet for paint. Bolts holding the rear of the fenders to the cab, bolts holding the core support to the frame, radiator hoses, wiring. Should be able to lift the whole assembly off. Ma have to pull the bumper for clearance.

Truck looks good. Are you still in Oregon?

Re: '85 Short Bed 4X4
 

Sounds about right, just never done it before so I wanna be sure.

I was in Oregon until about three weeks ago, drove back to FL in the truck and plan on staying a while

Re: '85 Short Bed 4X4
 

Well, a big step in the right direction today. I have been weary of really digging into this truck because its my daily driver, and with only a motorcycle as a backup. Living in Florida, that makes for a very wet alternative, specially in the summer. Did some searching around and ended up with the perfect solution:

Re: '85 Short Bed 4X4
 

1987 r30 (or r10? cant figure it out) V6 rwd longbed. Shes mildly rusty and runs like a champ. Brakes are shot, but for 2k it does the job. My father and I are planning on sharing it for work and for towing, gonna get it tuned up for daily driving in the next few weeks then start the tear down. I guess I'm now one of those weird guys with two broke trucks now, truly part of the club!

Re: '85 Short Bed 4X4
 

Been busy on everything but this truck, in the last week I've rebuilt the calipers on the longbed, changed the power steering pump and the two lines, have some brake hoses to install as well. Installed a new clutch in my 74 cb750, changed a wheel bearing on a hyundai. It's the little things that distract me. Have two big orders enroute, pics to come, but i should have everything major to do the whole front clip. Gonna do some leak searching and noise finding today before the tear down. It's all happenin

Re: '85 Short Bed 4X4
 

Good job! You are getting lots done! Gotta redo a bearing in the front of my Toyota as the first attempt failed. I think the old hub I used stretched the inner race and is not good right now. I found out after I did it that I should have used a new hub too. My bad- first front wheel bearing on one of these. POOP!

Re: '85 Short Bed 4X4
 

Some pictures of the parts I have thus far:

Re: '85 Short Bed 4X4
 

Absolute PITA in my opinion, stopped half way through and wasted an hour driving to the store to buy a new press, almost ruined a 50 dollar bearing. I'll stick to squares from now on, much more fun!

Re: '85 Short Bed 4X4
 

Dang skippy!

Re: '85 Short Bed 4X4
 

The tear down begins. All in all, took about four hours with what I got done. Went well, the usual rusty bolt issues. One thing I was really unhappy with was the bumper brackets. Instead of just unbolting the bracket from the frame, I had to undo all the chrome headed bolts on the bumper itself because someone WELDED the brackets to the frame. Not only that, but they did a terrible job of it. Got all but one off, had to cut one with the cut off tool unfortunately. Had to break out the 1010 oil, about 8 or so years ago a friend of mine found a pallet of this stuff in a warehouse he rented, I don't know what it is but it works wonders on stuck bolt, by far the best penetrating oil I've ever used.
Today I'm gonna get the hood and fenders off, reassess my list of parts to buy and find all the other unexpected gremlins. Here's some pictures:

Re: '85 Short Bed 4X4
 

Cont:

Re: '85 Short Bed 4X4
 

Slowly chipping away at it, Got the fenders and hood off, have all the front accessories off the motor and brackets broke down to powder coat BUT...
I may not need to powder coat anything for a 350. Going Thursday to look at 454, built by a long time friend that's had it for years and has been asking me to buy it for some time now. I know its built right, exact specs to come. I'm gonna do some research on the 454 to 700r4 mating, I know it isn't the absolute recommendation but for a street use 4x4 I may get away with it, I have a shift kit and corvette servos so I may be alright. Other than that I need to figure out my mounting situation and if its all gonna line up. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

Also, Have a OEM front sway bar crossmember on order to replace the disgusting hack job that I have now. Pics to come.

Re: '85 Short Bed 4X4
 

Back at it again, last post was 6 years ago but i still have this ol thing. I have a decent shop now and have been working at a aftermarket truck accessory shop. I havent been on the K10 build because I bought a crew cab C20 and LS swapped it along with alot of other things, learned alot and im ready to apply it to tjhis truck. Definitely have my work cut out for me. I'll post some pics of the last few years of Squarebody Shenanigans and then get to the build.

Re: '85 Short Bed 4X4
 

Pics

Re: '85 Short Bed 4X4
 

pics2

Re: '85 Short Bed 4X4
 

My 87 with a 383/th400

Re: '85 Short Bed 4X4
 

More 87

Re: '85 Short Bed 4X4
 

Painted the hood and roof

Re: '85 Short Bed 4X4
 

Shoulda painted the whole truck, but I wanted to move on to the K10

Re: '85 Short Bed 4X4
 

Alright down to business. This truck sat for about 4 years in a barn while me and the Crew cab traveled all around, ended up driving it to Oregon and back a few times (from Florida), but all hands on the K10 now. It has a 350/700r4 still, the frame is broke off at the front leaf hanger on the drivers side, the bed is full of bondo, probably everything else too. I need all new front suspension, including hangers for the leaf springs. I have to build a jig or something to get the frame back in one piece and square, thats obviously the first step.

Re: '85 Short Bed 4X4
 

Pic

Re: '85 Short Bed 4X4
 

pics

Re: '85 Short Bed 4X4
 

Mostly in a research phase until I get the frame solid, I am going to take the cab off as soon as I build a dolly to set it on. Id like to restore the frame and all the chassis components, get the motor swapped and bolted in then reassemble. I'd like to go with a stock 6.0 LS just like my Crew Cab, but I am on the fence about transmissions and if I want to go manual or not. I am leaning that way but haven't done any research into manual GM trans or transfer cases. I'm not even sure what case is in there right now TBH.

If anyone has a good source for stock k10 front end part numbers and availability that would be great. Currently on the hunt for stock leaf hangers for the front and rear on the front leafs, as well as trying to figure out which leaf springs I want, and what upgrades
I want to make. As far as the steering box/frame area, I bought the Offroad Designs plates and stabilizer, as well as the front upper shackle hangers just as a starting point. Figure if I get all that on and square I'm basically starting from a stock platform with a little more strength.

Re: '85 Short Bed 4X4
 

Found this online and ordered it, Cant beat this information.

Re: '85 Short Bed 4X4
 

Few more Pics

Re: '85 Short Bed 4X4
 

Over all Goal with this truck is to have it 8/10 all around, appear stock inside and out. 6.0 LS, manual trans. solid working 4x4. Keeping the same color scheme, same trim, just basically undoing all the damage and nonsense my 18 year old self did. I plan on using this truck for easy trail days and general around town stuff so I'm not going full restoration.

Re: '85 Short Bed 4X4
 

Rust never sleeps. I like your R10 as well! ;)

Re: '85 Short Bed 4X4
 

You've built up a nice collection. It's cool that you've been hanging on to all of them and getting done each what they need. That crew cab long bed looked like a big truck until you put that camper on it, wow. Glad you're getting the chance to get the K10 fixed up.

Re: '85 Short Bed 4X4
 

Lots of progress pics to come, fixed a lot of frame related issues. However I am at that point where decisions are to be made and I'm finding it difficult. I'd like to do the Off Road designs crossover steering, I am still learning about all that it entails, knuckles and such. I am pretty sure I have the corpo 10 bolt so it should be straight forward but I am finding leaf spring choice to be very tricky. I don't mind going a little higher than stock, but I don't want it too much different. 2 inch skyjackers seem to be the ticket, not sure if that'll clear the crossover, I don't plan on doing the highsteer unless I'm missing something and it is a good idea, i wont be rock crawling. I'd like to find a good example of a truck with these mods but haven't yet.
So where are y'all getting leaf springs from? who's a good source to ask about length of spring and just some good general leaf spring info? done some searching and I'll do some more.

Re: '85 Short Bed 4X4
 

Teardown pictures

Re: '85 Short Bed 4X4
 

This thing was absolutely filthy everywhere

Re: '85 Short Bed 4X4
 

Ray charles welds

Re: '85 Short Bed 4X4
 

I get PTSD looking back on these pictures now

Re: '85 Short Bed 4X4
 

Pressure washer cried when it saw this

Re: '85 Short Bed 4X4
 

Many days later