Author Topic: '82 GMC ... Yard truck no more!  (Read 23896 times)

Offline bluevan

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Re: '82 GMC ... Yard truck no more!
« Reply #30 on: May 31, 2018, 08:04:52 PM »
Looks like plenty of space between the frame rails for the tank.  This is a 31 gallon TBI tank - I believe that some earlier model K5s have a 25 gallon tank that is the same dimensions on top but not as tall.  It would be nice to loose a couple inches on the length to have extra room to operate.
- Joel
1982 GMC K10 (work in progress)
1989 Chevy G20 Van
1994 Chevy Impala SS
1974 Landcruiser (Chevy powered)

Offline bluevan

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Re: '82 GMC ... Yard truck no more!
« Reply #31 on: May 31, 2018, 08:29:32 PM »
I clamped the back cross member in with the bottom edge of it right up to the ends of the frame rails.  Naturally, none of the many existing holes in the frame lined up with the ones in the K5's cross member.  The more serious issue is that the frame starts bending up over the axle right where the front cross member needs to go.  The front and back need to be spaced 23 inches apart at the tops and be level with each other.  I clamped in the front where it needed to be and took some measurements.  The front needed to go down 2 1/4 inches.  The cross member was taken back out and a notch was cut out 2 1/4" high and 2 1/2 wide on each end so it will sit lower on the frame.  Not sure how this will work, but if it ends up being too sketchy I still have the spare tire bracket and can us the CaptKaos method for the front.
- Joel
1982 GMC K10 (work in progress)
1989 Chevy G20 Van
1994 Chevy Impala SS
1974 Landcruiser (Chevy powered)

Offline bluevan

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Re: '82 GMC ... Yard truck no more!
« Reply #32 on: May 31, 2018, 08:57:09 PM »
Some angled steel pieces were cut and tacked onto the ends of the cross member so it has a way to be bolted to the bottom of the frame rail.  For the top I will have to figure out some sort of spacer.  I keep wondering if this can be done in a long bed frame without modifying the front cross member.  Anyone know how much flat frame there is on the back of a long bed truck?  30 inches would probably do it.

At this point the bracket for the rear brake line hose needed to go.  That was cut out and the front was clamped back into the frame.  After lining it all up and making sure it was level I put the skid plate on to complete the mock up.  Clearance on the front axle is tight but looks to be acceptable.
- Joel
1982 GMC K10 (work in progress)
1989 Chevy G20 Van
1994 Chevy Impala SS
1974 Landcruiser (Chevy powered)

Offline bluevan

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Re: '82 GMC ... Yard truck no more!
« Reply #33 on: June 07, 2018, 09:17:59 PM »
On the back, there was one hole on the top that was close to lining up on each side, so I expanded them to 1/2" on the cross member and frame and used a single bolt.  The two cross member holes on the bottom got new holes in frame and bolted.  The front got new holes drilled in the frame and the angle iron that was tacked to the cross member on each side of the bottom.  The top got a 3" bolt that picks up the top of the frame rail on both sides.  I need to weld a small piece of pipe on each side to create a solid mounting surface on the tops.

Here is the old tank shoved up in there with the cross members temporarily bolted.  Fitment looks good to me, plans include a flatbed to the filler tube should not be a hassle.  Its pretty big though, I think my Sierra with an 8.1L motor has a smaller tank on it.
- Joel
1982 GMC K10 (work in progress)
1989 Chevy G20 Van
1994 Chevy Impala SS
1974 Landcruiser (Chevy powered)

Offline bluevan

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Re: '82 GMC ... Yard truck no more!
« Reply #34 on: June 07, 2018, 09:27:04 PM »
Once I was satisfied with the mock up I took it all apart and finished the front cross member.  I made some legs out pipe to allow the top to bolt solid to the frame on each side.  Here are some pictures of the modifications.
- Joel
1982 GMC K10 (work in progress)
1989 Chevy G20 Van
1994 Chevy Impala SS
1974 Landcruiser (Chevy powered)

Offline bluevan

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Re: '82 GMC ... Yard truck no more!
« Reply #35 on: June 07, 2018, 09:41:21 PM »
The cross members were prepped, painted, and bolted in with grade 8 hardware.  The K5 had these plastic insulating strips attached to the bottom edges of the frame rails if the tank starts to rub.  They cleaned up pretty well so I reused them.  Here it is all put together, ready for the new tank that should arrive sometime next week.  I found a spectra tank "kit" for around $200 that include the tank, straps, and pump/sending unit.  Hopefully this weekend I can scavenge up a tire tube to cut up for some padding...
- Joel
1982 GMC K10 (work in progress)
1989 Chevy G20 Van
1994 Chevy Impala SS
1974 Landcruiser (Chevy powered)

Offline bluevan

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Re: '82 GMC ... Yard truck no more!
« Reply #36 on: June 20, 2018, 10:09:19 PM »
Got my new tank and related parts but I am holding off on installation until I get the rear brakes and lines sorted - need more parts.  I still have the parking brake issue to deal with, its required to pass inspection where I live.  I have seen some of the options on the inter-web that could work.  Most are not cheap, and I would prefer not to use Eldorado calipers if possible.

The rear axle I put had this height / load thingy connected to the brakes.  I am trying to think of a way to plumb it into the rear brake lines and connect the cable to the lever for my parking brake.  Anyone ever tried this or have some words of wisdom? 
- Joel
1982 GMC K10 (work in progress)
1989 Chevy G20 Van
1994 Chevy Impala SS
1974 Landcruiser (Chevy powered)

Offline bluevan

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Re: '82 GMC ... Yard truck no more!
« Reply #37 on: June 20, 2018, 10:20:01 PM »
Pulling the transmission and transfer case fro the old K5 has been a challenge.  Got everything off / out / disconnected, but the motor just does not want to separate.  Maybe if I get the 3 jacks in perfect alignment??  All I can do is keep dousing it with creeping lube at this point and keep pulling on it.  I have spent way too much time messing with this, its pretty frustrating.
- Joel
1982 GMC K10 (work in progress)
1989 Chevy G20 Van
1994 Chevy Impala SS
1974 Landcruiser (Chevy powered)

Offline bluevan

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Re: '82 GMC ... Yard truck no more!
« Reply #38 on: June 23, 2018, 10:23:46 AM »
Just got a box of stuff from Summit and it had no stickers in it ... Is that a bad omen?
- Joel
1982 GMC K10 (work in progress)
1989 Chevy G20 Van
1994 Chevy Impala SS
1974 Landcruiser (Chevy powered)

Offline Captain Swampy

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Re: '82 GMC ... Yard truck no more!
« Reply #39 on: June 29, 2018, 07:56:38 PM »
Nice project! Take the transfer case out the bottom and pull the tranny with the engine. It'll be easier to separate out of the truck.
1987  350TBI 700R4  4X4  4.56 gears  33" BFG All Terrain


http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=32209.0

Offline bluevan

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Re: '82 GMC ... Yard truck no more!
« Reply #40 on: July 12, 2018, 09:15:42 PM »
Thanks Captain! I have been meaning to add some updates to this.  I have yet to get the transmission/engine to separate.  Got really hot and humid here for almost 2 weeks and decided to work on other stuff.  Its been cooler lately and the next step I guess would be to get out a torch and put some real heat to it.  I am trying to avoid taking the engine out of the K5 so can use it as a guide for my new engine bay.  I also have no place to put it once its out.  Here is the steering box all freshened up.
- Joel
1982 GMC K10 (work in progress)
1989 Chevy G20 Van
1994 Chevy Impala SS
1974 Landcruiser (Chevy powered)

Offline bluevan

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Re: '82 GMC ... Yard truck no more!
« Reply #41 on: July 12, 2018, 09:23:13 PM »
Cleaning and painting the steering box was a bit of a pain because I could never get the fluid to stop seeping out of the high/low pressure ports as I moved it around.  Not to mention it was HEAVY.  I had no plugs laying around that fit - M18x1.5 and M16x1.5 (correct me if im wrong) and I made due what was on hand.  Ill be happy once its back in the truck for good.
- Joel
1982 GMC K10 (work in progress)
1989 Chevy G20 Van
1994 Chevy Impala SS
1974 Landcruiser (Chevy powered)

Offline bluevan

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Re: '82 GMC ... Yard truck no more!
« Reply #42 on: July 12, 2018, 09:29:35 PM »
Relocated the rear brake hose bracket to right in front of the axle bump stop.  The original bracket was cut and a piece of flat steel was added with holes to bolt it to the bottom of the frame.  The rear brake line needed to do a U-turn to get back to the bracket.
- Joel
1982 GMC K10 (work in progress)
1989 Chevy G20 Van
1994 Chevy Impala SS
1974 Landcruiser (Chevy powered)

Offline bluevan

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Re: '82 GMC ... Yard truck no more!
« Reply #43 on: July 12, 2018, 09:46:42 PM »
I made a trek up to Ledgefarm Station in Meredith NH to get a replacement cab.  Rust free parts from out west and are easy to deal with, although they don't give stuff away.  But where else are you going to get a cab around here that doesn't need work or has already been hacked on?  This CUCV cab should need minimal work to make it right.  It has a few equipment mounting holes that need to be filled and some extra brackets that need to go, and that's about it.
- Joel
1982 GMC K10 (work in progress)
1989 Chevy G20 Van
1994 Chevy Impala SS
1974 Landcruiser (Chevy powered)

Offline bluevan

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Re: '82 GMC ... Yard truck no more!
« Reply #44 on: August 07, 2018, 08:35:03 PM »
Finished plumbing the rear end, decided to go with some braided hoses instead of making lines.  I have discovered that there is no way to properly flare SS tubing with the crappy tools I have.  Next time I do this I am going to try working with nickel/copper tube.
- Joel
1982 GMC K10 (work in progress)
1989 Chevy G20 Van
1994 Chevy Impala SS
1974 Landcruiser (Chevy powered)