Re: '72 Cheyenne K10
 

Maybe. I talked to a guy that makes factory style brush guards a few hours away from here. I am more concerned with protecting the body when offroad, and repro bumpers are junk for that. I'd still like to install the winch I have behind the front bumper.

Re: '72 Cheyenne K10
 

Find one of these and problem solved.

Re: '72 Cheyenne K10
 

Something like this is my new plan.

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Re: '72 Cheyenne K10
 

That looks good.

Re: '72 Cheyenne K10
 

I've got a Smittybilt brush guard with the bolt-on hoops that protect the headlights if interested. There's a set of KC lights on it. Main center section is like a Hickey guard but the rise is greater - extends to the level of the upper part of the grille more than the Hickey. Not sure if the winch could be adapted for use with it though.

Re: '72 Cheyenne K10
 

I opened up the rear differential this morning to find out what I've got. As I suspected, it has a Detroit Locker. The ring and pinion gear in the rear is 4.56 ratio.

Plan is to put matching gears in the front with a TrueTrac carrier.

Re: '72 Cheyenne K10
 

Holy cow! It's not a freeway cruiser. What's in the front now?

Re: '72 Cheyenne K10
 

Definitely not a freeway cruiser. The front has 3.07 gears I think. That's what it says on the tag.

Re: '72 Cheyenne K10
 

I installed the new bumpers today. They sure are flimsy, and a big patch of chrome flaked off when I tightened down the front bumper. I'm afraid a trail jack would probably destroy them. Good thing this isn't a restoration.

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Re: '72 Cheyenne K10
 

At least now the truck has legal bumpers and it looks complete.

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Re: '72 Cheyenne K10
 

Looks good, but I would do a lot of complaining to the vendor on the chrome issue.

Re: '72 Cheyenne K10
 

Looks good, did you get the brakes squared away?

Re: '72 Cheyenne K10
 

Looks good. Bummer about the chrome.

Re: '72 Cheyenne K10
 

Thanks. I am taking it to a friend with a hot rod shop to look at the brakes today. I hope he is able to help me out.

Re: '72 Cheyenne K10
 

It's a bummer, but the vendor has already said they will replace or refund.

Re: '72 Cheyenne K10
 

Brakes saga update:
When I pushed on the pedal, my friend noticed the linkage was sloppy. This would have been impossible to diagnose by myself. We adjusted the brake pedal pushrod and it seems to have a much firmer pedal and improved stopping power. I need to mess with the brake light switch as it seems to stop the pedal from returning up all the way sometimes. Most importantly, it feels a lot safer to drive. I am still going to be extra careful testing it.

Re: '72 Cheyenne K10
 

I made a cardboard mockup for a winch cradle to hang between the frame rails behind the front bumper. The rivets on the front spring hangers are in the perfect spot to mount it, but I think I will just add new bolts.

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Re: '72 Cheyenne K10
 

Nice winch, keep us posted on how it's going.

Re: '72 Cheyenne K10
 

I made an alternative design for the winch cradle. It rotates the winch 90 degrees so the clutch handle faces forward instead of up, which would be much easier to engage/disengage. The wiring will be more difficult this way, but that only has to be done once.

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Re: '72 Cheyenne K10
 

Post pics of the mount process as you go. It'll look good I'm sure.

Re: '72 Cheyenne K10
 

I'll probably make a separate thread for the winch install once it is done.

I went on a little drive yesterday about 15 miles into the foothills to visit with my friend that is going to help cut the winch plate out at his work. Here is a short video from the drive up - https://youtu.be/OBSpvhzhaZM

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Re: '72 Cheyenne K10
 

That road reminds me of the road to Oregon house/ Dobbins...lol

Re: '72 Cheyenne K10
 

Looks like a nice drive.

Re: '72 Cheyenne K10
 

Thanks guys! I love driving around Norcal foothills.

I dropped the truck off this morning to have the front gear work done. They are going to replace the wheel bearings and ball joints while they have the axle apart. Got to take a nice bike ride home on my old Raleigh.

A friend helped me cut out the metal for a winch plate. Now I need to get it welded together.

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Re: '72 Cheyenne K10
 

The truck is home from the gear shop. The front axle should be better than new. It has a TrueTrac limited slip carrier with 4.56 ring and pinion, new seals, bearings, u-joints, ball joints, and wheel bearings. They also did a nice job cleaning up and painting the old parts.

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