New truck 79 K20

[Jotto82]

Got a new truck to work on. Really like it. Steering is loose. That’s the first order of business. Any good threads on this please share! Not sure if I just just rebuild it all or try to diagnose. Parts are fairly cheap... tried to post pics but no dice. Wouldn’t open up to add attachments. I’ll learn lol

[Jotto82]

Maybe the pics did work...

[Jotto82]

Couple details
K20
350 (rebuilt about 10k ago)
TH400 trans
NP205 transfer case.
14 bolt FF corporate rear end
12 bolt corporate in the front.
4” Rough Country Suspension Lift

[Bandit130]

[Jotto82]

Thanks, I registered for a few other sites and they never responded to me. Found this one and I can finally start learning about my new wheels. Pretty excited to be here!!

[Desert_Eagle02]

Welcome nice looking truck! The loose steering can be caused by a couple different things. Gearbox, tie rods, ball joints, ect. When I got my 78 it had loose steering as well. I checked it out and it ended up being the drag links. I replaced them and now it steers great. So I recommend checking yours out.

[Jotto82]

Originally Posted by Desert_Eagle02

Welcome nice looking truck! The loose steering can be caused by a couple different things. Gearbox, tie rods, ball joints, ect. When I got my 78 it had loose steering as well. I checked it out and it ended up being the drag links. I replaced them and now it steers great. So I recommend checking yours out.

I will have to learn just about everything. I’m not familiar with what’s what. I can fix it once I find out the problem but diagnostics are what I really need to learn. I really like the truck! I have wanted one since my dad had his 85. I thought that thing was the coolest truck on the road. Wish he was around to see it but what can you do right?

[cadillac_al]

The poor truck is begging for 33's. Welcome, there is lots of info in here.

[Jotto82]

I may have to get a new set of rims . From what I gather these are 16x7’s. Maybe 7.5’s. I think most 33’s are going to require 16x8 or larger aren’t they? I do want a bigger tire though. I think it will certainly add something to the truck!

[IllinoisK30]

Welcome to the site! Great looking truck, definitely need some bigger rubber on there.

[Jotto82]

I’ve read it’s doable but does anyone recommend a 285 75 16 on a 16x7?

[Jotto82]

Right now it’s a 245 75R 16

[hatzie]

I run 285 75 16s on both my 1976 K20 and my 2000 T400 C20... That's almost 33" tread diameter. They fit the stock ride height T400 C20 with no rubbing but the squares are not quite the same truck... My K20 is lifted similar to yours so they'll fit just fine.
The 285 tires fill the wheel wells and look "right"... they don't look like someone put rubber bands around a Cheerio and slapped em on a Hot-Wheels truck like the 245 tires do.

A lifted truck is going to wear the ball joints and linkage joints faster than a stock ride-height truck. They can also stress the frame where the steering box mounts.

You want to take a look at the frame where the steering box mounts. ORD sells repair/reinforcement plates and braces to keep the box from stressing the frame as much. I'd install em even if you don't have cracks yet.

The rag joints feel loose when the steering box, frame, linkage, etc are just fine. Google K5 XJ steering shaft. Chrysler/AMC used Saginaw steering columns and boxes in the Jeeps. You'll find forum posts and YouTube videos on installing the Jeep u-joint steering shaft in the CK squares.

[Jotto82]

The truck is a 1979. I believe it’s a Silverado from the interior and power options. Not entirely sure. I have to run the vin and do some investigation on that.

[Dead Parrot]

If it has a tilt column, there are 3 screws at the bottom of the inside that will cause slop if loose. PITA to get to as you have to pull all of the column guts.

[Jotto82]

Originally Posted by hatzie

I run 285 75 16s on both my 1976 K20 and my 2000 T400 C20... That's almost 33" tread diameter. They fit the stock ride height T400 C20 with no rubbing but the squares are not quite the same truck... My K20 is lifted similar to yours so they'll fit just fine.
The 285 tires fill the wheel wells and look "right"... they don't look like someone put rubber bands around a Cheerio and slapped em on a Hot-Wheels truck like the 245 tires do.

A lifted truck is going to wear the ball joints and linkage joints faster than a stock ride-height truck. They can also stress the frame where the steering box mounts.

You want to take a look at the frame where the steering box mounts. ORD sells repair/reinforcement plates and braces to keep the box from stressing the frame as much. I'd install em even if you don't have cracks yet.

The rag joints feel loose when the steering box, frame, linkage, etc are just fine. Google K5 XJ steering shaft. Chrysler/AMC used Saginaw steering columns and boxes in the Jeeps. You'll find forum posts and YouTube videos on installing the Jeep u-joint steering shaft in the CK squares.

I looked up the shaft and watched the video. Is the Cherokee XJ Steering shaft from 84-94 the correct shaft?. Looks like an easy mod. Little more expensive but looks like a way better design!

[Jotto82]

Originally Posted by Jotto82

The truck is a 1979. I believe it’s a Silverado from the interior and power options. Not entirely sure. I have to run the vin and do some investigation on that.

It is a Silverado. The emblem is right on the dash lol. Not sure how I missed that.

[Jotto82]

I took a look at ORD and checked out those brackets. Looks simple enough. I’m going to do the steering shaft swap. I can get a discount on parts through work so I’m waiting on information before I buy anything. Anyone in Northeast Wisconsin that needs parts I may be able to get a discount. I’ll post if it’s worth while or not

[Jotto82]

Took a closer look and I found it’s got a 600 Holley dbl pumper on it

[Jotto82]

Originally Posted by hatzie

I run 285 75 16s on both my 1976 K20 and my 2000 T400 C20... That's almost 33" tread diameter. They fit the stock ride height T400 C20 with no rubbing but the squares are not quite the same truck... My K20 is lifted similar to yours so they'll fit just fine.
The 285 tires fill the wheel wells and look "right"... they don't look like someone put rubber bands around a Cheerio and slapped em on a Hot-Wheels truck like the 245 tires do.

A lifted truck is going to wear the ball joints and linkage joints faster than a stock ride-height truck. They can also stress the frame where the steering box mounts.

You want to take a look at the frame where the steering box mounts. ORD sells repair/reinforcement plates and braces to keep the box from stressing the frame as much. I'd install em even if you don't have cracks yet.

The rag joints feel loose when the steering box, frame, linkage, etc are just fine. Google K5 XJ steering shaft. Chrysler/AMC used Saginaw steering columns and boxes in the Jeeps. You'll find forum posts and YouTube videos on installing the Jeep u-joint steering shaft in the CK squares.

I found an XJ shaft from a 96 on CL. 20$ didn’t seem to bad so I snsfff. Ibgffc

[sweetk30]

fyi the rough country lift is the stiffest off the shelf lift kit . and the cheepest .

also your truck is worth gold if it has a 12 bolt front end . there is 10 bolt or dana 44 or dana 60 . never a 12 bolt front .

good luck on the fixer up list and keep us posted.

[jkk]

Needs some MUDDERS

[Jotto82]

Originally Posted by cadillac_al

The poor truck is begging for 33's. Welcome, there is lots of info in here.

Truck has expensive taste l... begged forc35’d

[blindbug]

Man, that wheel / tire combo make it look like a new truck!

I might recommend getting some body gap fillers put in behind the wheel, would frame your wheel/tires much better. It's basically a piece of sheet metal painted black that sits behind the upper tire and hides the frame parts. LMC Part 30-2440. I'd also get an air deflector if yours is missing in the front under the bumper. LMC Page 39. These (2) pieces sort of bring your cab down to the tires a bit visually. But that's just a personal preference.

[Jotto82]

Made a huge difference