Project: Custom 71 4x4 hotrod

[msgross]

NV4500/np205 tranny setup would be nice too....

[1985-GMC]

I think it would be fairly easy to make some stainless u bolts if you can find some long stainless bolts with about 2" of threads or less, cut the head off, thread the other end then bend the center.

[silver7]

Good idea. I'll keep that in mind if I can't find any already made. Thanks.

[silver7]

My Yukon Chrome Moly axle, super joints and 12 bolt yoke order arrived last night. Problem is they sent me OEM U-joints and a cast OEM yoke.

[silver7]

Guys - I need some advice. I got my axle w/ U-joints together and was trying to get my knuckle with spindle mounted but could not get the top ball joint into the axle housing yoke. How is this usually done? It seems like the top ball joint is in the way - was I supposed to install this after the axle was installed through the knuckle?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Shawn

[silver7]

Powerdriver 1958 got me straight. I had to remove my spindle from the knuckle and insert the axle through the hole. The grease fittings had to be removed from the U-joint due to clearance issues. Other than that and some finessing of the bolts went on fairly easy.

[Dieselwrencher]

Do you have the inner bearing and seal on the inner spindle for a reason, mock up or something?

[freakshow108]

Silver7, love the progress, its coming along nicely! What are you doing for the rear brake lines now that you have disc's? ive done the same with mine and have an idea on how to run them but would love to see your design. ive installed a stainless set of lines from inline but will have to modify the rear lines for the new callipers, just wondering how you will accomplish this on yours. thanks for any help and keep up the work, its looking bada@$!

[silver7]

Thanks for the kind words Freakshow. Unfortunately, I haven't gotten to my purchasing my brake lines yet. I figured I would probably buy a stainless kit from one of the top 3 suppliers. What did you have to modify to match your rear calipers?

[freakshow108]

so far i am only in the planning stage. im leaning towards having a local shop make up some stainless braided lines and adapt them to the hard lines that came in my kit. ill keep you posted with some pics if available.

[silver7]

Anyone know where I can buy a new front brake dust shield for 71 K10? LMC only carries them for C10 and can't seem to find them anywhere for K10. Napa does not carry them either. I'm going to try car-part.com and if that doesn't work try pull-a-part.

[1985-GMC]

Try classicindustries.com. It looks like you need either G3117(RH) or G3118(LH), Here's the left one: http://www.classicindustries.com/con...&currentPage=1 , I couldn't get the other one to show up so you might need to call them if that's the one you need. I took a picture from my catalog so you can see all the ones they had listed.

[Dieselwrencher]

Hey guys, have any of you thought about zinc plating your u-bolts? We used to do that to lifted trucks that might see show time.

[silver7]

Originally Posted by 1985-GMC

Try classicindustries.com. It looks like you need either G3117(RH) or G3118(LH), Here's the left one: http://www.classicindustries.com/con...&currentPage=1 , I couldn't get the other one to show up so you might need to call them if that's the one you need. I took a picture from my catalog so you can see all the ones they had listed.

Dude, this is perfect. Thanks!

[silver7]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Hey guys, have any of you thought about zinc plating your u-bolts? We used to do that to lifted trucks that might see show time.

I was considering that as an alternative but definately prefer stainless if I can figure out how to make it work. Thanks.

[1985-GMC]

Originally Posted by silver7

Dude, this is perfect. Thanks!

Your welcome! Are yours the real thick ones that are a dust shield/ disc brake mounts all in one?

[silver7]

Yes they are!

[silver7]

70BLAZERx2 sold me a good set of front brake dust covers off a 73 K10 so I should be good to go after thanksgiving.

[k5xjfiles]

Subscribed!! Awesome project...

[silver7]

Thanks. Here are some updates.

Rear brakes - The rear brake conversion kit originally came with 'plain Jane' rotors but I wanted drilled and slotted rotors. Eventually I talked the guy into selling me the kit for $200 with calipers, pads, brackets and misc hardware - minus the rotors. I then bought my drilled and slotted rotors only to discover the rotors were too thick. After trying thinner pads and speaking with him we discovered his kit rotors were 1.0" thick and mine were 1.25" thick. I was able to exchange my Summit rotors for Power Stops (drilled but not slotted), due a little sanding on my pads and everything came together.

Front Hub assembly - I bought new Yukon Chrome Moly Alloy axles and super U-joints and installed them. Powdercoated my spindles and hub, installed the bearings and races and went to install and realized I forgot my brake dust cover/caliper brackets. My originals were shot so I bought a set of the thicker set from a 73 K10. These have been received and are awaiting sand blasting and paint. When completed I can finish assembling my front end.

Engine - Block is getting hot tanked over the weekend. Plan to epoxy primer it when I paint my other parts so it will be clean and ready for engine pre-assembly when I shift off the chassis.

12 bolt pinion yoke - Bought a forged 12 bolt pinion yoke from Yukon since it is now the weak point in my rear-end set-up.

Steering gear - One of the few original parts I plan to reuse. Drained, degreased and wire wheeled it this week. Got one of the pitman-arm pullers from O'Reillys and plan to remove the pitman arm this weekend.

Tie-rod and steering stabilizer stainless U-bolts - I discovered Totally Stainless sells custom made U-bolts (page 3 of catalog). I plan to measure what I need and order them once I get my hub, pitman arm, tie-rod and tires installed.

Painting - I already have some base Honda Rio Red and bought some single stage Kirker Jet Black. As soon as possible I plan to prime, base and clear my engine (epoxy prime for now), transfer case (epoxy prime), steering gear (black), pitman arm (black), pinion yoke (black), front brake caliper brackets (black), and front and rear brake calipers (red). Unfortunately, I haven't bought my new Autogear Muncie M22W 4-speed yet. But I'll probably paint my engine, transmission and transfer case the same color as my exterior truck color once I decide what that will be. The 2011 Harley Davidson Cool Blue is a color I am considering. D. Passmore bought my TH350 transmission so he should be picking that up in the next month or two.

[MTCK]

Great build - I'll be watching this one. I[m not a big big-rim fan but those look pretty cool!

[silver7]

Originally Posted by MTCK

Great build - I'll be watching this one. I[m not a big big-rim fan but those look pretty cool!

Thanks. I searched long and hard for these and feel really good about how they look with my plan for the truck. In my humble opinion the 20" rims look good on a 35" or larger tire. I'm not a big fan of tiny little rims which give a rounded side wall when viewed from the front or back. 35" or larger diameter tires on 15 - 16" rims just look wrong to me. They look like big marshmallows going down the road.

Having said all of that, I certainly understand a 6" lift, traction bars and 20" Diesel XD rims on 35" Nitto Mud Grapplers isn't for everyone, especially the purists. "To Each His Own."

[BIG HEAD]

I believe the drilled rotors are directional. And from the looks of the picture of your front you are showing right rotor on left side. I may be wrong just tring to help. Looks great.

[silver7]

Hey, I'll take all the help I can get. I'll definitely take a look - thanks Big head. Good news is I have to take it apart anyways to get my brake calipers installed that I forgot. . .

[MTCK]

Yeah I totally agree on the 'to each their own' thought, and you have totally nailed the theme on the build so far. The chassis looks amazing and it all just works, from the red powdercoating to the rims and the slotted/drilled rotors. I can't wait to see the body and drivetrain go in. You can tell when something has been thought out like this build.