1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy - Page 17 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**pjmoreland** · 02-02-2025, 08:54 PM

I also installed a set of Bilstein shocks. The rears are for 73-up because Bilstein doesn't make a set for 67-72 K10 trucks. Had to replace the upper mounting studs with sleeves. Pressed the studs out by pressing the sleeves in on top of them. Supported the shock eyelet with an open end wrench. Also had to spread the rear axle shock brackets to get them to accept the wider lower bushings.

**pjmoreland** · 02-02-2025, 08:57 PM

Also painted an ORD steering box brace.

**pjmoreland** · 02-04-2025, 03:00 AM

Spent the evening wrestling with the ORD steering brace. The small front brace did not sit flush against the crossmember, so I put a double bend in the brace to jog it over to the crossmember.

**pjmoreland** · 02-04-2025, 03:14 AM

Then I started working on the larger rear brace. It is not designed to work with the stock brake line routing, so I spent a couple of hours bending the lines so that they were sitting against the inner wall of the frame rail. I had to grind a couple of notches in the wide end of the brace to make room for the lines. I also discovered that the front crossemember was bent upward along the rear edge, so the lip was preventing the brace from sitting properly against the crossmember. I was able to straighten the crossmember with a large Crescent wrench and a couple of small steel plates. I also had to grind a radius on the top corner of the upper bolt boss so that it would fit into the upper corner of the frame rail.

**pjmoreland** · 02-04-2025, 03:15 AM

Here are the notches I ground in the brace. I repainted the brace, and I will bolt it into place tomorrow.

**loudchevy** · 02-04-2025, 09:56 AM

Nice work on this brace! Could you imagine trying to do that with an engine sitting between the frame rails?

**pjmoreland** · 02-04-2025, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loudchevy

Nice work on this brace! Could you imagine trying to do that with an engine sitting between the frame rails?

Thank you. That's the truth! It would have been nearly impossible to straighten the crossmember lip with the engine installed.

**57taskforce** · 02-04-2025, 11:49 AM

Awesome work!!!

**pjmoreland** · 02-04-2025, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 57taskforce

Awesome work!!!

Thank you, and thanks again for recommending the ORD brace. I am glad to have this vulnerable spot on the frame supported.

**Ol Blue K20** · 02-04-2025, 06:40 PM

I like that brace, I probably should put one in Blue.

**pjmoreland** · 02-04-2025, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

I like that brace, I probably should put one in Blue.

Seems like a very good upgrade considering how these frames like to crack at the steering box.

**Ol Blue K20** · 02-04-2025, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pjmoreland

Seems like a very good upgrade considering how these frames like to crack at the steering box.

Yeah, I think you're right.

**57taskforce** · 02-04-2025, 09:36 PM

No problem! Trust me it’s an excellent upgrade. I have had to fix 2 cracked frames, the money and effort it costs now is well worth the peace of mind in not having to go down that road.

**jaros44sr** · 02-04-2025, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pjmoreland

Thank you. That's the truth! It would have been nearly impossible to straighten the crossmember lip with the engine installed.

Which brace did you buy from ORD, seems a couple are available

**pjmoreland** · 02-04-2025, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaros44sr

Which brace did you buy from ORD, seems a couple are available

I bought this one:

https://www.offroaddesign.com/bolt-i...IHdhdrqd1MhLZQ

**pjmoreland** · 02-05-2025, 01:42 AM

Finished installing the steering brace.

Installed the clutch safety switch.

Installed a new parking brake release handle. The original one was broken.

**pjmoreland** · 02-06-2025, 03:54 AM

Worked on a few smaller projects this evening.

Installed new hard fuel lines inside the cab

Replaced a torn steering column firewall seal

Installed firewall insulation. I'm missing the two unique plastic retainer clips that go in the blind holes near the gas pedal. I'm going to see if I can find a modern style clip with the release button in the middle that will work.

**jaros44sr** · 02-06-2025, 10:56 AM

Nice work and thank you for your response, great build

**1970cstblazer** · 02-06-2025, 11:29 AM

I used these on my firewall insulation. They are rubber

https://www.ebay.com/itm/35103931632...Bk9SR_zO9r2bZQ

**pjmoreland** · 02-06-2025, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1970cstblazer

I used these on my firewall insulation. They are rubber

https://www.ebay.com/itm/35103931632...Bk9SR_zO9r2bZQ

Those are what I used on the holes that go all the way through the firewall. There are two holes where the two insulation pieces overlap that are in a brace and don't go all the way through the firewall. Those rubber clips are too long for that spot and leave the insulation loose and crooked. My other truck has the original clips in that spot. They look like the rubber clips, but they are shorter and made of plastic.

**1970cstblazer** · 02-06-2025, 12:21 PM

**pjmoreland** · 02-06-2025, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1970cstblazer

I tried that style too, but they are too long. They bottom out in the shallow holes before securing the insulation.

**pjmoreland** · 02-06-2025, 02:58 PM

I bought some Dorman 963-408D GM Radiator Core Support Push Rivets, and they fit very snugly and securely in the two blind holes for the firewall insulation.

**pjmoreland** · 02-07-2025, 02:01 AM

Installed a new dash pad this evening. All of the rust repairs on the dash are completely concealed, thankfully. It was a bit of a battle to get the front four screws to line up with the clips on the dash.

**jaros44sr** · 02-07-2025, 08:34 AM

Dash repair come out great, I can’t see where it was welded

02-02-2025, 08:54 PM	#401
pjmoreland Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: CA Posts: 6,241	Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy I also installed a set of Bilstein shocks. The rears are for 73-up because Bilstein doesn't make a set for 67-72 K10 trucks. Had to replace the upper mounting studs with sleeves. Pressed the studs out by pressing the sleeves in on top of them. Supported the shock eyelet with an open end wrench. Also had to spread the rear axle shock brackets to get them to accept the wider lower bushings. Attached Images

02-02-2025, 08:57 PM	#402
pjmoreland Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: CA Posts: 6,241	Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy Also painted an ORD steering box brace. Attached Images

02-04-2025, 03:00 AM	#403
pjmoreland Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: CA Posts: 6,241	Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy Spent the evening wrestling with the ORD steering brace. The small front brace did not sit flush against the crossmember, so I put a double bend in the brace to jog it over to the crossmember. Attached Images Last edited by pjmoreland; 02-04-2025 at 03:05 AM.

02-04-2025, 03:14 AM	#404
pjmoreland Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: CA Posts: 6,241	Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy Then I started working on the larger rear brace. It is not designed to work with the stock brake line routing, so I spent a couple of hours bending the lines so that they were sitting against the inner wall of the frame rail. I had to grind a couple of notches in the wide end of the brace to make room for the lines. I also discovered that the front crossemember was bent upward along the rear edge, so the lip was preventing the brace from sitting properly against the crossmember. I was able to straighten the crossmember with a large Crescent wrench and a couple of small steel plates. I also had to grind a radius on the top corner of the upper bolt boss so that it would fit into the upper corner of the frame rail. Attached Images

02-04-2025, 03:15 AM	#405
pjmoreland Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: CA Posts: 6,241	Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy Here are the notches I ground in the brace. I repainted the brace, and I will bolt it into place tomorrow. Attached Images

02-04-2025, 09:56 AM	#406
loudchevy Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Phx, AZ Posts: 404	Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy Nice work on this brace! Could you imagine trying to do that with an engine sitting between the frame rails? __________________ Scott 1970 C10 LWB-->SWB Under Construction https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=847605 2014 2500HD DirtyMax\|Daily Driver\|Stock 2003 Tahoe Stock 1985 K5 5.3LS/4L60E\|8Lug 4:56\|3/4 Ton Front\|14BFF Rear\|Roll Cage\|Dove-tailed & Bobbed

02-04-2025, 11:49 AM	#408
57taskforce All about them K’s Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Entrapment Posts: 6,589	Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy Awesome work!!! __________________ Tyler '57 3100 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=813888 '72 K20 Cheyenne: 5” lift, 35’s, front dana 60 blah blah blah… http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=662879 ‘69 K10 SWB: 4” lift 33”s… in a million pieces http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=805206 '98 Silverado LT K2500HD ECLB Vortec 454/4l80E: 6" lift 35x12.5x20’s

02-04-2025, 06:40 PM	#410
Ol Blue K20 Proprietor of Dale's Corner Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Vacaville , CA Posts: 16,359	Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy I like that brace, I probably should put one in Blue. __________________ "Some Days Chickens And Some Days Feathers" Dale XNGH ECV Sam Brannan 1004 R.I.P. 67ChevyRedneck R.I.P. Grumpy Old Man R.I.P. FleetsidePaul

02-04-2025, 09:36 PM	#413
57taskforce All about them K’s Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Entrapment Posts: 6,589	Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy No problem! Trust me it’s an excellent upgrade. I have had to fix 2 cracked frames, the money and effort it costs now is well worth the peace of mind in not having to go down that road. __________________ Tyler '57 3100 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=813888 '72 K20 Cheyenne: 5” lift, 35’s, front dana 60 blah blah blah… http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=662879 ‘69 K10 SWB: 4” lift 33”s… in a million pieces http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=805206 '98 Silverado LT K2500HD ECLB Vortec 454/4l80E: 6" lift 35x12.5x20’s

02-05-2025, 01:42 AM	#416
pjmoreland Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: CA Posts: 6,241	Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy Finished installing the steering brace. Installed the clutch safety switch. Installed a new parking brake release handle. The original one was broken. Attached Images

02-06-2025, 03:54 AM	#417
pjmoreland Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: CA Posts: 6,241	Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy Worked on a few smaller projects this evening. Installed new hard fuel lines inside the cab Replaced a torn steering column firewall seal Installed firewall insulation. I'm missing the two unique plastic retainer clips that go in the blind holes near the gas pedal. I'm going to see if I can find a modern style clip with the release button in the middle that will work. Attached Images

02-06-2025, 10:56 AM	#418
jaros44sr Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Philadelphia, Pa. 19454 Posts: 9,841	Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy Nice work and thank you for your response, great build __________________ Semper Fi...Uncle Sam, you da man All parts offered to help are free, unless otherwise noted Dont try this stuff in my build thread, unless you have 55 years of mechanical OTJ training SAFETY FIRST AS usual, off topic They say your mind goes second, can't remember the first Jim

02-06-2025, 11:29 AM	#419
1970cstblazer All stock and staying that way Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Elkland, PA Posts: 2,087	Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy I used these on my firewall insulation. They are rubber https://www.ebay.com/itm/35103931632...Bk9SR_zO9r2bZQ __________________ 1970 K/5 Blazer CST 4WD, TOTM winner December 2024! Medium Bronze poly, 93k ACT. miles, 350, 4 speed, rear positraction, 16.5" x 8.25" HD Kelsey Hayes wheel option, tilt, tach, vacuum, AM/FM, manual throttle...Dad ordered and purchased new 4/70. Currently frame off restoration finally getting close to completion.. 1970 K20, To be a clone of my Grandfather's K20, Dark Blue poly, 350, 4 speed, 16.5" X 8.25" Kelsey Hayes wheel option, tilt, tach, vacuum, AM radio. Latest project truck 1972 Cheyenne Super 20 2WD, Dark Blue/White, 90K ACT. miles, 402, TH400, 4.10 open, tilt, tach, vacuum, A/C, AM/FM, manual throttle.. A mostly original paint never rusted Texas survivor... 2017 Sierra 1500 SLT 4WD, Black, 46k miles, 5.3, 6L80E, 3.42 LS, 20" polished wheels, everything but moonroof and 6.2... 2019 Canyon SLT 4WD, White, 67k miles, 3.6, 8L45, 3.23 LS, 18" wheels

02-06-2025, 12:21 PM	#421
1970cstblazer All stock and staying that way Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Elkland, PA Posts: 2,087	Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy __________________ 1970 K/5 Blazer CST 4WD, TOTM winner December 2024! Medium Bronze poly, 93k ACT. miles, 350, 4 speed, rear positraction, 16.5" x 8.25" HD Kelsey Hayes wheel option, tilt, tach, vacuum, AM/FM, manual throttle...Dad ordered and purchased new 4/70. Currently frame off restoration finally getting close to completion.. 1970 K20, To be a clone of my Grandfather's K20, Dark Blue poly, 350, 4 speed, 16.5" X 8.25" Kelsey Hayes wheel option, tilt, tach, vacuum, AM radio. Latest project truck 1972 Cheyenne Super 20 2WD, Dark Blue/White, 90K ACT. miles, 402, TH400, 4.10 open, tilt, tach, vacuum, A/C, AM/FM, manual throttle.. A mostly original paint never rusted Texas survivor... 2017 Sierra 1500 SLT 4WD, Black, 46k miles, 5.3, 6L80E, 3.42 LS, 20" polished wheels, everything but moonroof and 6.2... 2019 Canyon SLT 4WD, White, 67k miles, 3.6, 8L45, 3.23 LS, 18" wheels

02-06-2025, 02:58 PM	#423
pjmoreland Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: CA Posts: 6,241	Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy I bought some Dorman 963-408D GM Radiator Core Support Push Rivets, and they fit very snugly and securely in the two blind holes for the firewall insulation. Attached Images



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02-07-2025, 02:01 AM	#424
pjmoreland Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: CA Posts: 6,241	Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy Installed a new dash pad this evening. All of the rust repairs on the dash are completely concealed, thankfully. It was a bit of a battle to get the front four screws to line up with the clips on the dash. Attached Images

02-07-2025, 08:34 AM	#425
jaros44sr Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Philadelphia, Pa. 19454 Posts: 9,841	Re: 1971 K10 Stepside - Getting a Roller Roadworthy Dash repair come out great, I can’t see where it was welded __________________ Semper Fi...Uncle Sam, you da man All parts offered to help are free, unless otherwise noted Dont try this stuff in my build thread, unless you have 55 years of mechanical OTJ training SAFETY FIRST AS usual, off topic They say your mind goes second, can't remember the first Jim

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.