My '77 K-30/V3500 Monster Truck Build

[Roughshod]

can you post a pic of your sandblaster, did you cut an end off of it to set up the fill hole and lever?

[SmokeShow]

Very cool project. Mine too will be a pull truck when finished.

[Got Smoke?]

can you post a pic of your sandblaster, did you cut an end off of it to set up the fill hole and lever?

Please I would be very interested in this.

[Engineer]

Here are some pics of the ol' sandblaster.......

The tank is just a 30# propane cylinder just like 5th wheel campers use. This one was about to be thrown away because it didn't have an OPD valve on it. The valve uses a 3/4" pipe thread, so this is what size gate valve I used, and just reduced it down to the 3/8" fittings that I use.

I just drilled, using a hole saw, a hole for a 1 1/4" pipe nipple in the top for the fill hole. I have a 1 1/4" cap to screw onto it to hold pressure in the tank. I also drilled a hole in the side of the tank at the top for the 3/8" pipe nipple that is welded into the side of the tank so that the tank can be pressurized to push the sand through the bottom of the tank.



This is my second attempt at a nozzle. This one is a much better set up. My first nozzle worked fine, but the tips wouldn't last. This tip has lasted through 2 tankfuls of sand and shows no signs of wearing out. I wore out 4 of the smaller tips after only 3 tanks of sand.

[bake74]

    At my company we sell the wet sand blasters, the carbide tips are not that much money and we are still using the same tip after 5 years.

[Engineer]

Got the frame fully sandblasted, and in primer......





I have everything for the frame, and axles sandblasted, and in primer, now I just need to put some color on, and I can start reassembly. 

Got a new idea for my weight bracket as well....



Thinking of ditching the weight bracket, and the IH 5288 binder weights in favor of a weight box.......



I am thinking about building a Bow-Tie weight box like this truck has. I already have the plate steel, so it is just a matter of doing it. Hmmm.......

[Old77]

man, i know nothing about sled pulling but this thing has me more and more intrigued every time you post more pics!!

[Engineer]

man, i know nothing about sled pulling but this thing has me more and more intrigued every time you post more pics!!

Stay tuned!

When I am not playing/coaching baseball, or riding our ATVs with my sons, and their friends I plan on dedicating every spare moment to my truck. I have vowed to have it ready so that I can pull in the 2011 season.

[Engineer]

Well I have the frame painted, and starting the reassembly phase.   

Just waiting on a seal to put the D60 back together......


Frame starting to go back together.....


A close up of some of the detail.


Sorry for the grainy pics. My lighting wasn't so good when I took the photos.

[SmokeShow]

engineer, are you going to add diagonal pieces to your trussed framing to get the rigidity of triangulation?  Or are you designing it to not be THAT stiff, just stouter than the stock frame alone??

[hahny115]

Are you going to to try and make front traction bars? I am also building a sled puller, 80 K30.

[Engineer]

Sorry that I haven't replied in a while.....

Latest pics.....

Here is the frame with the rear hubs on, and the front axle almost completely reassembled.



Before,


After,


It has been a slow process, but the details......It is too bad the lighting is so bad when I took these photos. I wish I could show how much better this is all turning out. The front axle housing shines like it is made from plastic. I posted these last two pics to sort of contrast where I came from to where I am going.

Hopefully I will have the front brakes done, and can get it back on it's wheels within a week, or so. Once that is done I can set the transmission, and transfer case back on it's crossmember.

engineer, are you going to add diagonal pieces to your trussed framing to get the rigidity of triangulation?  Or are you designing it to not be THAT stiff, just stouter than the stock frame alone??

No, I am planning on using soild steel cab mounts to bolt the cab to the frame. This should give enough resistance to any diagonal forces that the frame might have to endure. Also by having the cab solid to the frame it should help with the logitudinal (think highway bridge structure) stiffness.

Are you going to to try and make front traction bars? I am also building a sled puller, 80 K30.

Not going to use front traction bars in any way. Been pulling for 15+ years, and have never needed them. I have even seen some SFA square body GM trucks start to bounce with them that didn't have an issue with bouncing before.

Instead of the traction bars, I have added an extra leaf to the factory 3-leaf front springs to counter axle wrap. I also added the quad shocks to the front end, this too will help prevent axle wrap. These two mods IMHO are better, and leave a cleaner look than adding traction bars to the front end.

You will also notice that I also don't use my front sway bar any more. Articulation is key here. With the rear of the truck trussed solid, the sway bar prevents the front axle from complying with track irregularities.

[Engineer]

Almost ready to set it back on it's wheels.

Some added detail:



Scored some more cash for clunkers items.



One of my local Chevy dealers got a 1985 K10 with a manual tranny during the C4C debacle. I wanted the whole truck, but couldn't have it. However what is left of it showed up this week, and the new owner of the above parts deceided to part with them.

I was able to score the parts that I was after afterall. The '85 had a hydraulic clutch, so I scored those parts for my '77 less the bell housing, and slave cylinder. I was also able to score the late model manual steering column with the dimmer switch located on the turn signal stalk.

I am pretty happy with this latest find. When I finally get the old war horse back together I'll have a few more late model parts that will add to the overall effect of using the 1991 V3500 grille, and front end.

[SMiller]

Dont go forgetting about us now, we have come way to far! I have been to a few indoor pulls this winter and cant wait to see your truck finished.

[Engineer]

Here is my most recent update. Been really busy, lots of work for not much progress.

Youngest son is playing baseball for our local high school, so we have been working out with that all winter. Between baseball, work, and Boy Scouts, there isn't much time to sleep after squeezing in a couple of hours here, and there on the ol '77. I am lucky if I get to bed by 11:00 PM. 

Headers before sandblasting:


Headers after sandblasting, and VHT paint:


Tranny, and transfer case getting "the works":




Had to have a few custom parts made for the NP205, plus both output shafts were replaced with HD 32 spline units:


SFI approved slipper clutch with SFI flywheel, and cover:


Vroom vroom....


Here is what we have as of right now.....Engine is back in, and the Tr+TC are behind the Lakewood saftey bell housing:

That carb will most likely be dropped in favor of a 850 Holley Double Pumper with an E85 kit in it.

Had a guy call me with this, and with a price that I couldn't pass up:

427TD 4-bolt main std. bore.....

So after buying the 427 block it set me back a few coins, but look out Furd boys....

After I get the driveshafts back in, and the accessories back on the engine, I hope to put the '91 Blazer radiator support on, and drop the radiator in it. After that I should be ready to fix the floor in my cab, and put some paint on it. I can't wait to set the cab back on so it will look like a truck again. 
I could put the wheels on it at any time, I just haven't for now so that they won't be in the way.


Here is the color I think I am going to use:

2011 SilveradoHD Blue Granite Metallic......

I think it will complement the gold frame very well, and still contrast the black 1991 Blazer/Suburban body side molding appropriately.

What say y'all? Like the color?