Author Topic: 1985 GMC K10 build  (Read 92297 times)

Offline 1967KaiserM715

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1985 GMC K10 build
« on: August 10, 2015, 07:04:11 PM »
Hi all,

Starting work on my newly acquired(2 months) 1985 GMC K10, not quite sure how the build will go, pretty much stock, maybe a mild 2-3 inch lift(maybe install 3/4 ton suspension), definitely a manual trans, not sure on engine yet, leaning towards a 6.2 diesel, brother has 292 though , but I may stay with stock 305 for now.(yes 305 not 350)

as it sits now, need a little floor work, mainly drivers, but a small patch over body mount on passenger side, clean the frame and paint-will be pulling bed for that, probably front end, but not the cab, more work than I would like at the moment.

I did pick up an SM465 with NP208, and all the manual stuff-my truck currently has/had the 700r4, which doesn't work., plus my brother has an '86 in rough shape that will have anything else I will need for the swap

anyways, I'll try and get pics posted in the next day or so, along with more details on the truck
Current Vehicles:1985 GMC K10(Daily) 1991 GMC K2500(Daily) 1975 Beetle(not running) 1985 Mercedes 300D(not running) 1952 M35    1967 M715(not running)
 1986 Chevy K30(under repair)

Offline LTZ C20

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Re: 1985 GMC K10 build
« Reply #1 on: August 10, 2015, 08:14:22 PM »
Welcome from California
LTZ Cheyenne C20

Offline 1967KaiserM715

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Re: 1985 GMC K10 build
« Reply #2 on: August 11, 2015, 02:45:28 PM »
Thanks!

Some pics
Current Vehicles:1985 GMC K10(Daily) 1991 GMC K2500(Daily) 1975 Beetle(not running) 1985 Mercedes 300D(not running) 1952 M35    1967 M715(not running)
 1986 Chevy K30(under repair)

Offline 1967KaiserM715

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Re: 1985 GMC K10 build
« Reply #3 on: August 11, 2015, 02:49:18 PM »
and some more

Current Vehicles:1985 GMC K10(Daily) 1991 GMC K2500(Daily) 1975 Beetle(not running) 1985 Mercedes 300D(not running) 1952 M35    1967 M715(not running)
 1986 Chevy K30(under repair)

Offline 1967KaiserM715

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Re: 1985 GMC K10 build
« Reply #4 on: August 11, 2015, 03:08:51 PM »
the original color, should be the same as the fcab-Midnight Blue if I remember the code right, I will probably repaint with a dark grey/maroon two tone theme

Gearing is 3.43, has 31 inch tires on it currently. losing overdrive isn't a big deal for me, and is pretty low on the want list(thinking NV4500 at some point, I like the early gearing; better then the NV3500 from the research I have done); this should put me right at 2000RPM for driving at 55MPH with the SM465. One option to lower the RPMs a bit more(especially with a diesel) is some larger tires-no more then 33's, which may require a small lift(no more then the 2-3 previously mentioned)

so right now I will be working on installing the Manual components, and from reading, my current driveshaft should remain the same? coming from a 700R4/NP208 combo to the SM465/NP208 combo.

I'll also pull the motor at some point, I will need to get a flywheel-if I keep the motor-, but I do also need to do manifold gaskets, and possibly the rear main seal while I'm at it - it is leaking just a tiny bit

the bed(the whole thing) appears to have been aftermarket, pretty thin, some of the lines don't match right-very noticeable with an original GMC tailgate I bought after I got the truck. the Tailgate that came with the truck is in the bed, half the weight, and was probably folded in half at some point, it was pretty flimsy, and had some pretty good creases- so I may look for one, but it does function fine for right now
Current Vehicles:1985 GMC K10(Daily) 1991 GMC K2500(Daily) 1975 Beetle(not running) 1985 Mercedes 300D(not running) 1952 M35    1967 M715(not running)
 1986 Chevy K30(under repair)

Offline 1967KaiserM715

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Re: 1985 GMC K10 build
« Reply #5 on: August 15, 2015, 05:59:13 PM »
well, I picked up a 1997 Chevy 6.5 turbo diesel truck. engine runs nice so once I convert it to MFI(mechanical fuel injection) and get a flywheel for it, that will go in the truck.

I have been working on pulling the current engine, grille/radiator support is out. Fenders and hood will be next. will clean frame rails and fix any fuel/brake lines that need attention.
Current Vehicles:1985 GMC K10(Daily) 1991 GMC K2500(Daily) 1975 Beetle(not running) 1985 Mercedes 300D(not running) 1952 M35    1967 M715(not running)
 1986 Chevy K30(under repair)

Offline 1967KaiserM715

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Re: 1985 GMC K10 build
« Reply #6 on: August 29, 2015, 07:29:21 PM »
well been working slowly on it, I'm just gonna get it down to a rolling chassis, blast and paint it, fix the cab floor off the truck(non-structural welding repair)

just need to pull cab bolts, then cab can be pulled off, then the bed will come off. getting all new fuel and brake lines, replacing whatever is necessary in the suspension, rebuild wheel bearings, etc.

this turned more into a project then I wanted, but I'll get what I want in the end. I'll try and get some pics up tomorrow.
Current Vehicles:1985 GMC K10(Daily) 1991 GMC K2500(Daily) 1975 Beetle(not running) 1985 Mercedes 300D(not running) 1952 M35    1967 M715(not running)
 1986 Chevy K30(under repair)

Offline 1967KaiserM715

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Re: 1985 GMC K10 build
« Reply #7 on: August 30, 2015, 11:42:05 AM »
had a nice time with bed bolts, PO used regular carriage bolts, so they spun
welded a nut on top, and used my dad to help get them removed


and a pic of the front, almost ready for cab removal, only issue is where to put the cab

plastic bag hanging from booster is holding all the wiring, I was going to remove the cab first, but needed to move the truck closer to the welder for the bed bolts
Current Vehicles:1985 GMC K10(Daily) 1991 GMC K2500(Daily) 1975 Beetle(not running) 1985 Mercedes 300D(not running) 1952 M35    1967 M715(not running)
 1986 Chevy K30(under repair)

Offline 1967KaiserM715

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Re: 1985 GMC K10 build
« Reply #8 on: August 30, 2015, 05:10:57 PM »
got bed off, I think my plan is to clean the rear half of the frame, then slide cab back, do bottom of cab and front of frame. this means I won't need to find a spot to put the cab.

Frame is a little flakier then I first thought, but much better then most I have seen

Current Vehicles:1985 GMC K10(Daily) 1991 GMC K2500(Daily) 1975 Beetle(not running) 1985 Mercedes 300D(not running) 1952 M35    1967 M715(not running)
 1986 Chevy K30(under repair)

Offline 1967KaiserM715

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Re: 1985 GMC K10 build
« Reply #9 on: August 31, 2015, 07:58:02 PM »
rear bumper removed, hitch removed, passenger fuel tank removed, broke straps on drivers, still need to drop it-gets dark too quick now

tomorrow, finish gas tank removal, brake lines removed, fuel lines, finish removing the wire harness. and if I have time, prep cab floor to put new floor in, and too patch the passenger side.

Current Vehicles:1985 GMC K10(Daily) 1991 GMC K2500(Daily) 1975 Beetle(not running) 1985 Mercedes 300D(not running) 1952 M35    1967 M715(not running)
 1986 Chevy K30(under repair)

Offline 1967KaiserM715

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Re: 1985 GMC K10 build
« Reply #10 on: September 04, 2015, 05:27:02 PM »
both tanks removed, wiring removed, working on removing the brake and fuel lines next. found a little bit of rot on the previously replaced inner rocker on the drivers side. but I at least managed to get the next three days off, so I should be able to at least fix the cab floor and blast the frame, paint it in a product called Zero-Rust(like POR-15), my dad has found it to be easier to work with then POR-15, and it lasts pretty good.

more later
Current Vehicles:1985 GMC K10(Daily) 1991 GMC K2500(Daily) 1975 Beetle(not running) 1985 Mercedes 300D(not running) 1952 M35    1967 M715(not running)
 1986 Chevy K30(under repair)

Offline 1967KaiserM715

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Re: 1985 GMC K10 build
« Reply #11 on: September 05, 2015, 06:13:43 PM »
all brake lines and master cylinder out, booster off, power steering pump and box out, all 4 shocks removed(will re-use these, still good, and were purchased in 2012 according to one of the receipts in the truck)

if tomorrow goes well, patch the floor, blast and paint rear of frame. my brother should be dropping of a 1986 GMC C30 I will be scrounging some parts from(hydro-boost, some manual tranny stuff, would like to use that hood rather then mine(dented and poorly welded when the reinforcement plate separated from the top.

as for the front of the frame is   the only place to get the steering box reinforcement plates? Would like to do that for peace of mind(4 out of the 6 trucks I looked at had stress cracks or had been previously welded around the steering box)
Current Vehicles:1985 GMC K10(Daily) 1991 GMC K2500(Daily) 1975 Beetle(not running) 1985 Mercedes 300D(not running) 1952 M35    1967 M715(not running)
 1986 Chevy K30(under repair)

Offline 1967KaiserM715

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Re: 1985 GMC K10 build
« Reply #12 on: September 06, 2015, 06:57:05 PM »
done some more work, and also discovered more work.

this is what the floor looks like after pulling the two patch pieces that were riveted in


realized that I would need to fix the inner rocker too, so flipped the cab on its back


pic of the inner rocker


was going to sand blast, but guess the roof was leaking, so luckily no sand in the blaster, just a little water. used the little siphon gun to see just what I was up against though


this is the drivers cab corner


passenger side (side of seat hump)


passenger inner rocker


so need new cab corner, inner rocker(outer floor panel) for drivers side, passenger side can just get some patches
Current Vehicles:1985 GMC K10(Daily) 1991 GMC K2500(Daily) 1975 Beetle(not running) 1985 Mercedes 300D(not running) 1952 M35    1967 M715(not running)
 1986 Chevy K30(under repair)

Offline 1967KaiserM715

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Re: 1985 GMC K10 build
« Reply #13 on: September 20, 2015, 04:36:33 PM »
took out floor, combination of plasma torch and air chisel





I was planning on just patching the footwell, but the replacement panel looks to replace the whole thing, to out with the plastic to analyze that situation.



whats everyone's opinion of putting a hole and using a plug above the cab mounts? so I could periodically oil them real good. yay or nay?
Current Vehicles:1985 GMC K10(Daily) 1991 GMC K2500(Daily) 1975 Beetle(not running) 1985 Mercedes 300D(not running) 1952 M35    1967 M715(not running)
 1986 Chevy K30(under repair)

Offline Captkaos

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Re: 1985 GMC K10 build
« Reply #14 on: September 21, 2015, 10:38:55 PM »
for the cab mount?  I guess if you are so inclined that would be fine but how long was it together prior to now?