Re: 1972 K10 Disabled Veteran First Build
 

It looks like I'm a little bit late to the party, I just saw this build today for the first time.
Welcome to the board.
There are a LOT of very knowledgeable people here on the board and you can learn tons by just simply reading other peoples builds.
As in all things there is a right way to do things and a wrong way to do things, sometimes unfortunately we don't have the tools to do things the "right way" all the time and a lot of times the right way costs a lot of money because of the tools you have to buy to make it happen, however the good news is Harbor freight is your friend, the idea behind the business model is the tools are designed for "one time use" and are very reasonable in price.
As in most product lines there are different levels of quality and features, they have the El cheapo, the Heavy Duty and the PROfessional series.
For things like drills I buy the PRO series, for things like impact drills and grinders I buy the HD series, you get the idea, I never buy the El cheapo because they may or may not make it through your first project :lol:
Harbor freight is also good for things like car dolly's, BIG 60 gallon air compressors, PRO series tool boxes, things of that nature.
Lowes is an excellent source for common fasteners, nut's bolt's etc, but for hard to find fasteners go to Ace hardware.
I'm going along for the ride, if you find yourself scratching your head and have any questions about anything on the pickup feel free to send me a private message.

Re: 1972 K10 Disabled Veteran First Build
 

Thank you for stopping by and for the info you have included. Having yourself and the other experienced members posting info and encouragement is a great asset and motivation. I will definitely keep you all in mind as this continues. At least I know y'all won't call me crazy for trying this build. Everyone I know kinda looks at me out the corner of their eye like I'm nuts.

Re: 1972 K10 Disabled Veteran First Build
 

Yeah, but they know you and we have to depend on what you tell us! :-)

Re: 1972 K10 Disabled Veteran First Build
 

I've learned "crazy" all depends on who you hang around with and from looking at this group I'm not crazy at all. :)

Re: 1972 K10 Disabled Veteran First Build
 

Great way to get them off done it a lot also.

Re: 1972 K10 Disabled Veteran First Build
 

I have removed both wheel wells and about to start on the bed side panels. Instead of trying to loosen the bolts I should try tightening them first and see if they will break? So far it's been about 50/50 or a little over on bolts that will break.

Re: 1972 K10 Disabled Veteran First Build
 

I forgot to mention earlier, one of the greatest things I discovered for cleaning up and resurfacing most metals without removing any good material is a polycarbide abrasive wheel on an angle grinder it's literally a miracle worker, how you use it is you lay it down as flat as you can without touching the arbor to the metal and use light to no pressure on it because usually the weight of the grinder is enough.
You can use the edge of the wheel if you need to get into a recessed area.
It will remove, rust, body filler, paint, etc.
Here is a link to the product so you can check it out.
http://www.harborfreight.com/4-1-2-h...eel-94017.html

Re: 1972 K10 Disabled Veteran First Build
 

I saw the wheels at HF I will have to give them a try. Wander how they will do to clean up stainless steel.

Re: 1972 K10 Disabled Veteran First Build
 

It will resurface the stainless steel meaning it will remove oxidation, stains, et cetera and give it a fine tooth, you will need to go one step further afterwords and polish the stainless steel to remove the tooth.

Re: 1972 K10 Disabled Veteran First Build
 

Once I get down to the bare frame is this what you recommend I use to prep it for whatever I should do next? I found a place in south Sacramento that you can take parts to, frame, panels ect and they do a several step process of stripping down to the bare metal killing rust etc. which is probably going to cost money I do not have or would have to save up for. Would it be wise for me to save up for something like that or can I get er done by hand? Thank you for your advice.

Re: 1972 K10 Disabled Veteran First Build
 

I would have everything you intend to reuse media blasted which doesn't really cost that much, where as chem dipping costs too darn much.
Any parts you have media blasted need to be sealed with self etching primer immediately once you get it home to prevent surface rust from reforming, so plan accordingly.

Re: 1972 K10 Disabled Veteran First Build
 

Have you seen this new "dustless blasting" that uses water and a glass media? I have watched a couple advertisements on it but I'm not positive on if it removes rust or not. They are trying to get people to buy into their franchise and make money doing it.

Re: 1972 K10 Disabled Veteran First Build
 

Never heard of it but then I don't keep up with that sort of stuff regularly either, I would take it to a traditional media blaster that uses a dry media there is too many cracks and crevices where rust could reform and any time you get metal wet it want's to flash rust so that doesn't sound like a great idea to me.

Re: 1972 K10 Disabled Veteran First Build
 

Its not for rust i don't think, its for body paint removal last time i checked, donno if it works on bondo ether.

Re: 1972 K10 Disabled Veteran First Build
 

Someone obviously used this thing for off road, so with that in mind I would take some serious time measuring to make sure the frame is straight.
Who knows if the P.O. had any idea what they were doing when they lifted the pickup.
Sigh... I hate to say it but they probably didn't which means the shock mounting points weren't reinforced/relocated the frame wasn't boxed for strength, no skid plates added et cetera.
Lets hope they didn't beat on it regularly, you need to carefully check every ball joint, tie rod end, et cetera for wear.
Also you need to carefully check for damaged/bent suspension parts.

Re: 1972 K10 Disabled Veteran First Build
 

I'm nervous as to what I am going to find as well. When I took out the electrical under the dash it amazed me nothing had caught fire. My plan is to take everything apart, inspect everything, and make sure it's done right. I will be looking for guidance and direction to make sure I do it right. I'm thankful I found this forum and able to ask questions. This forum is my only resource. I do not have friends or family familiar with building a truck. I want to make the truck solid and to last. Hopefully one step at a time that will happen.

Re: 1972 K10 Disabled Veteran First Build
 

Well you have come to the right place, we can certainly make sure you are doing it right. :lol:
I would really like to have a conversation with you concerning your plans for the pickup so I can help you formulate a long term plan for the build, if you would like to send me a private message with your number and a range of time that it is ok to call on most days and I will give you a call, just click on my name on the left to send me a private message.
BTW you will notice that I edit my posts a lot because I have a bad habit of rereading my post after to make sure it says exactly what I want it to say.

Re: 1972 K10 Disabled Veteran First Build
 

Awesome thanks. I'll send you a pm.

Re: 1972 K10 Disabled Veteran First Build
 

I usually try PB blaster and try to loosen them first and if the wont then tighten them until they break

Re: 1972 K10 Disabled Veteran First Build
 

Just bag all the small bolts nuts and parts and if you clean as you go its easier to evaluate condition and if you need replacement parts .And dont stress have fun with it i loved and still love just seeing how things come apart and why.Taking pictures with a old phone or camera is invaluable for re assembly and these guys love pictures too!Ha ha

Re: 1972 K10 Disabled Veteran First Build
 

:lol: Brian is right. How many years are you planning on? Took me 3, and Brian, you're still working on yours since 2012.

Zip lock bags and label the bags (front L/R clip, etc...)

Re: 1972 K10 Disabled Veteran First Build
 

I hope it's not going to be years. I need a truck to drive. Life without a truck to drive would be meaningless. ;)

Re: 1972 K10 Disabled Veteran First Build
 

:) Nobody Ever Drowned In Sweat

What are your plans for the body? Repaint? I didn't see it mentioned.

Re: 1972 K10 Disabled Veteran First Build
 

Yes I am definitely going to repaint. I am going to take everything down to bare metal and see what I have. I hope I am not going to be surprised by too much. I have this idea floating around in my head of trying use a military themed paint skeem, tans, browns, and strategic black parts.

Re: 1972 K10 Disabled Veteran First Build
 

You might consider just doing the spots that have to be done while apart due to access putting the truck together so you can drive it .Then finish body work while its a roller only reason i say this is so many get in over their heads .Its a very time consuming job if you tear it totally apart and try to do everything at once .Some never get the trucks back together !Not trying to discourage you in anyway just letting you know.Oz