72/69 K10 project "Big Dreams"

[onebadbowtie]

thats what i was thinking.....but i wasnt sure. it just bolts between the frame with nothing bolted to it. guess i will just leave it for now.

[onebadbowtie]

Its been a while since i have updated.....havent done a whole lot just driving it occasionally on the weekends due to all this high heat we have been having.

this weekend i did get around to changing the oil

I also bought a cheap set of gauges form Oriellys because i was tired of not having a temp gauge. so thought just as well get the volt and oil pressure to. the old oil pressure gauge worked but i didnt like not seeing the actual numbers. so while i was there i also got a 160 degree thermostat for it to.

I got all of this installed and took it for a drive around the country. It runs pretty constant at about 180 degrees now.

Im still throwing the lift kit idea around. i would like to get a new set of 4 inch lift springs for the rear but i also want to get a set of leafs that will be strong enough to hold up to a heavy load with a goose neck trailer. The guy at rough country said i cant run add a leaves with a lifted leaf spring. and i'd rather not run a heavy duty factory pack due to having to use lift blocks. i also don't know if ORD rear shackle flip kit would be a good idea to gain back the 4 inches and handle the weight im wanting to haul. you guys got any good ideas?

thanks james

[jerry moss]

on one my 72 K/20s i was using skyjacker 6" springs front and rear with 35" BFG mud terrains. i hauled a load of pea gravel for my dad about 45 miles with no problem- i had 1 1/2 yards in the bed of the truck and 1 1/2 yards in my trailer that i built out of a 70 longbed 3/4 ton 2wd GMC leafspring. according to the guy at the place where i bought the gravel, i had about 9000 pounds total load between the truck and trailer. i didn't weigh it but i know it was definitly a heavy load and the tires never contacted the sheetmetal. i was definitly overloaded and pulled a couple steep grades at about 15 mph,lol.

[onebadbowtie]

i'm not to worried about my tires rubbing i have plenty of clearance. my only concern was if the 4 inch lift leafs would be able to handle alot of weight cause i dont want to buy a set and a year later they be all wore out or broke.

have any of you guys ran add a leaves with lifted leaf springs? i'm not really looking to gain any lift out of them. just wanting to up my carrying capacity

[onebadbowtie]

I also just ordered some more parts so more updates to come.

I got a cigarette lighter, glovebox liner and screw set, clutch rod boot, and a set of door locks with a key.

[Dieselwrencher]

On most newer trucks they have a lift block in the 4x4's stock. As long as you have good u-bolts you will be fine. I never have heard anyone really liking the handling of rear lift springs over a long period of time. I usually use a new heavy duty spring pack with a lift add a leaf. That's how I have my 95 F-350 set up and it sees loads of 12k before you put anything on the trailer. And it hauls weekly.

[onebadbowtie]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

On most newer trucks they have a lift block in the 4x4's stock. As long as you have good u-bolts you will be fine. I never have heard anyone really liking the handling of rear lift springs over a long period of time. I usually use a new heavy duty spring pack with a lift add a leaf. That's how I have my 95 F-350 set up and it sees loads of 12k before you put anything on the trailer. And it hauls weekly.

So you think a set of heavy duty springs and blocks would be my best bet then?

and thanks for your help

[onebadbowtie]

I also forgot to mention that a buddy of mine had 5.3 that was knocking and was getting a replacement. i told him that i would give some cash for it if the guy who was doing the swap didnt want it or i might even give him more than the mechanic would......3 days later i asked him about it. he needed cash real quick and sold it for scrap at the junk yard. How much did he get out of it? 27 bucks....and here i was willing to give him $150. needless to say i cried my self to sleep that night. And to think i could have been one step closer to building a bad a$$ 5.3 and done the conversion

[onebadbowtie]

I got a wild hair today and got the rear of my truck all tore apart.....here are the pics from this and the other things i've done the past week. thanks for looking.

[onebadbowtie]

new leafs, ubolts lift blocks and shackles are on there way. only set me back $480 hopefully they will be here by friday though

[TheWhiteElephant]

James, your best bet was to bite the bullet and get new rear springs (like you did) because those rear springs are very old.

As far as the blocks in the rear, if I'm not mistaken, blocks in the rear with the heavier-duty rear springs are the preferred method if you want to keep your towing/hauling capacity. This is better over the lighter-duty lifted springs. Also, there's no real reason that I know of for not being able to use an add-a-leaf in the rear with a lifted spring, as long as you use the spring pack's center pin.

Truck looks good, man. I like to see people use creativity over dollars any day.

[msgross]

wow, that was a big crack in the springs and block?

[onebadbowtie]

Originally Posted by TheWhiteElephant

James, your best bet was to bite the bullet and get new rear springs (like you did) because those rear springs are very old.

As far as the blocks in the rear, if I'm not mistaken, blocks in the rear with the heavier-duty rear springs are the preferred method if you want to keep your towing/hauling capacity. This is better over the lighter-duty lifted springs. Also, there's no real reason that I know of for not being able to use an add-a-leaf in the rear with a lifted spring, as long as you use the spring pack's center pin.

Truck looks good, man. I like to see people use creativity over dollars any day.

Thanks i have been following your truck to and its coming along very nice. my plan seems to be very similar keep it driveable and worry about the mechanical side first.

Originally Posted by msgross

wow, that was a big crack in the springs and block?

haha ya 4 out of 5 leaves broken clean in half and the block broke clean in half to. probably shouldn't have been driving it but surprisingly the u bolts held it all together

[onebadbowtie]

The big brown truck delivered friday night and i got everything installed in less than 2 hours! i was pumped.......then about an hour after we got done it started raining. so needless to say the new rear suspension got put to the test in the mud. we got 2 inches of rain that night so must of the mud i was throwing got washed of. i didnt get any clean pictures taken. i did take some on sunday but forgot to put them on my computer before i left my parents house so it might be next weekend before i can get some up here. I was very pleased with the parts and would definately recomend sdtrucksprings.com

[onebadbowtie]

i guess i do have one pic that my buddy took and put on facebook.......

[onebadbowtie]

here are the after pictures finally sorry it took so long

[onebadbowtie]

Update

i got some stake sides made for it this weekend.

i am still having problems with getting my brakes working properly though.
they stop me but barely. i'm thinking the booster is out because the pedal is super hard to push. but it still doesnt fix all my problems though i dont think. because the only brake that seems to be working right now is the passenger front. i have fluid to all 4 corners, new pads and wheel cylinders on all 4 corners. and the adjusters are set right. its 4 wheel drums to by the way and new master cylinder. what you guys think?

[Chevy1TonFun]

Have you checked the vacuum hose to the booster? Also how much vacuum do you have at the booster? Thats where I would start.

[onebadbowtie]

Originally Posted by Chevy1TonFun

Have you checked the vacuum hose to the booster? Also how much vacuum do you have at the booster? Thats where I would start.

the vacuum hose looks to be fine. as far as how much its pulling....i really dont know. i dont have a gauge to check it. it feels like it is pulling plenty though

[Dieselwrencher]

Nice job on the springs and mudding! It looks really good. On the brake problem, have you replaced any of the flexible rubber hoses or at least inspected them? A lot of times those hoses can have a broken steel cord and rust internally causing a line to be plugged when pressure is applied. Just something to check for. I fought this on my 70 K20 as well.

[onebadbowtie]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Nice job on the springs and mudding! It looks really good. On the brake problem, have you replaced any of the flexible rubber hoses or at least inspected them? A lot of times those hoses can have a broken steel cord and rust internally causing a line to be plugged when pressure is applied. Just something to check for. I fought this on my 70 K20 as well.

thanks and yes the front ones are brand new. the back one is older but i have fluid to both rear wheels so i dont think it would need to be replaced.

another problem i have noticed is where the rod from the brake booster comes through the fire wall and connects to the pedal has been cut and has a piece of pipe slipped over them and welded together. im guessing that they did this when the 2wd cab was put on the 4wd frame for some reason or another. i dont know how this affects it but it cant be helping the situation.

[Dieselwrencher]

Maybe that rod is too short and not pushing the piston in the MC far enough. What style of bracket is on your truck? I have another one for parts and might be able to help you out on a rod.

[onebadbowtie]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Maybe that rod is too short and not pushing the piston in the MC far enough. What style of bracket is on your truck? I have another one for parts and might be able to help you out on a rod.

id have to get pictures this weekend when i go back to my parents so you could see cause i really dont know

[Dieselwrencher]

Ok, sounds good.

[onebadbowtie]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Ok, sounds good.

okay here are the pictures.....what do you think? i did also noticed that the brake pedal doesnt return to the resting pad beside the clutch so im thinking that rod is to short.