72 K30 Build

[7dee2]

Thanks Ryan, ditto on big blocks and truck payments I can’t believe the price tag on a new 4x4 these days!

We ordered some replacement inner axles a while ago and received the wrong lh side so after returning it to the vendor I got one of their aftermarket axles. Not really what I wanted but couldn’t seem to locate a Spicer axle for that side. Kept looking and lucked out finding one on ebay the Spicer distributor just happens to be about 30 minutes from our house, score! Here are some comparison pics of the original and the new snow plow axle with the aftermarket piece.

[7dee2]

Our axle shafts are back together and ready to install.

[deejaaa1]

what the project. i have a hard time just replacing vacuum hoses. looking good.

[7dee2]

Thanks deejaaa1!

Looks like a mummy showed up at the front door, so far it looks pretty good and at least neither of the king pin cones are hanging half way out!

[rgunlock]

Fingers crossed on this one for you Brett!

[7dee2]

Thanks Rick I hope so, one local vendor wanted $800 for a bare housing or $3200 complete & rebuilt!

Took a wire wheel and gave it the once over, cleaned up pretty good still need to knock out the axle seals but didn’t see any issues. Next stop is a date with a hot tank.

[Dieselwrencher]

Nice score on the D60 housing!

[7dee2]

Thanks DW, ebay can sure be a great thing! Our little cart is filling up again with parts that are ready to go! Oh and yes we do like Hot Salsa!

[Dieselwrencher]

Did you source new dust shields, or did yours clean up that nice?

[7dee2]

They did clean up pretty good. One had a small rock dent so straightened, quick wire wheel then a little 80 grit scuff, some aluminum paint not perfect but they'll work.

In our preparation for the long block to return the decision was made that it’s time for a new engine stand. I’ve gotten tired of fighting my 30+yr old one that likes to try and tip over and can barely handle a complete big block. So this 1500lb capacity Big Red (that's black? w/fancy chrome ew ah ) needed the front leg narrowed just a little bit to fit our cherry picker on the one ton setting.

[Dieselwrencher]

That's one thing that I don't like about my current one. I can't get the cherry picker around it to get a 1200lb engine off. Sketchy.

[7dee2]

I know we couldn’t find a new cheapo stand that had any capacity that would nest with our picker until I ran across this one. Looks to be way better than the 1000lb HF with just a minor mod and for under $100 ordered online!

So this showed up last week and is a big motorvator to get the chassis back to being a roller! We’ll leave it bagged until we are at that point.

[7dee2]

Installed both rear 3+3 brake line brackets, upper bracket lined up to one of the existing bump stop holes we had made just needed to drill another in both the bump stop bracket and then later the frame. Lower needed a trim as we will not be running the rear prop valve and both needed a minor tweak to fit the lines. Not much length to spare on the new soft line but that lower bracket can still be raised some if needed.

[JJorgensen52]

Originally Posted by 7dee2

Installed both rear 3+3 brake line brackets, upper bracket lined up to one of the existing bump stop holes we had made just needed to drill another in both the bump stop bracket and then later the frame. Lower needed a trim as we will not be running the rear prop valve and both needed a minor tweak to fit the lines. Not much length to spare on the new soft line but that lower bracket can still be raised some if needed.

Is that the right soft line? That looks REALLY short, I'd be concerned about it coming up tight if you drive the truck empty...

[7dee2]

Yeah it is the correct one for our donor truck as it seemed a little short to me also. RockAuto has 4 vendors for this part, 2 of them give the length and ours is the longest one by a whole ¼”!

Here are some pics of our reformed axle line ends they came pre-bent for the wider 14b. While doing this I found the easiest way to deal with the narrower cab & chassis 14b is to just lift the spring pack up out of the way. Pretty sure we’ll do the same when it’s time to bleed the system there is just very little to no room between the backing plate and spring pack. Just hope our short soft line will accommodate this maneuver when the time comes.

[flashed]

Looking great ,got a question if you dont mind .I looked back but cant find what gas tank you are using ,if I glazed over it could you point me to it ?

[First c10]

Looking good Brett. Keep it up.

[SaltyC20]

I like the canister fuel filter idea. It really adds to the workhorse truck vibe. Thank you for the great build thread.

[fun in dirt]

Keep up the good work - this is gonna be super nice & so worth it when you finish!

[7dee2]

Originally Posted by SaltyC20

I like the canister fuel filter idea. It really adds to the workhorse truck vibe. Thank you for the great build thread.

Thank you SaltyC20! A buddy told me the filter was overkill and I said your getting it that's the whole idea!

Originally Posted by fun in dirt

Keep up the good work - this is gonna be super nice & so worth it when you finish!

Thank you for the kind words fun in dirt, I can't wait to start driving it!

[flashed]

Im going to have to keep an eye out for a filter set up like that for my old Ton when I get to it ,mine has fuel issues too .

[RedRoad]

I tape cow magnets to regular plastic filters and it stopped the issues I had with a rusty tank

[rgunlock]

You are totally on a roll Brett - looking great!

[7dee2]

Originally Posted by flashed

Im going to have to keep an eye out for a filter set up like that for my old Ton when I get to it ,mine has fuel issues too .

Originally Posted by RedRoad

I tape cow magnets to regular plastic filters and it stopped the issues I had with a rusty tank

Our RV donor also had a switchable (manual on/off) electric pusher pump inline right after the screw on filter, when the mechanical pump would start to starve you could kick that on. Seemed to work well as we needed it on one of the very first hills we had to climb bringing it home (a 300 mile cruise).

Originally Posted by rgunlock

You are totally on a roll Brett - looking great!

Thanks Rick! Pushing to make the final roller, then a running roller, then you know!

[7dee2]

I’ve been expecting our new replacement front housing to be done anytime now, just needed a hot tank, new king pin cones installed and inner seals. We’re onto our 2nd vendor after the 1st was just too busy, we kept getting the old we’ll get to it next week response. Ring gear is on the carrier and we’re pretty much ready to reassemble when it gets back. Thinking now will be a good time to finish putting the rear brakes/hubs together. Anyone notice an issue with the old shoes?