73-87chevytrucks.com
73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Members Rides => Topic started by: hladkib on May 13, 2013, 08:21:58 pm
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Hey everyone this is my first project post. A little about myself first, I'm a 23 year old student that works full time at a machine shop. I own a 1983 Chevy K10 that has been in my family for ages almost since it was new. It was my grandpa's then my dad's then my older brother's and now mine. I intend to keep it for the rest of my life and eventually pass it down to my future children. I used this as a daily driver to get to and from school and work. I recently bought a reliable car so now this one sits, which gives me the time to do the upgrades and mods that I want to do.
Since I've had it my dad and I partially restored it when I was is high school, but many Michigan winters have taken their toll on Ol' Big Red. The body has got a bit of rust and needs new sheet metal, but that's another day. I've also went through many engines, four I believe. The current engine has a quite a bit more power, somewhere between 320-350hp. It's a 350 Small Block with racing pistons, .060" over bore, roller rockers, Edelbrock aluminum intake, mild cam, Holley carb.
For the task at hand I am upgrading the rear axle. Going from 2.73 axle with drum brakes to a 2003 axle with 3.73 gears, disc brakes, and a G80 locker. I'm going to learn a lot with this build and any advice is much obliged.
This is the candidate
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7283/8736143425_7cb3ba8a70_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/flashcard/8736143425/)
The shock mounts and the spring perches will be moved.
I did some measuring and the new axle is going to be wider than the old. That's not bad is it? I figure it's going to give better stability right?
The axle is going in this
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7284/8736143485_f8bddf4fea_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/flashcard/8736143485/)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7281/8736143169_412f027451_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/flashcard/8736143169/)
Disc Brakes FTW!
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7283/8736143075_7f47b9c56a_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/flashcard/8736143075/)
G80 Locker
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7285/8737262876_a2988527bc_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/flashcard/8737262876/)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7287/8737263122_5a33a8e7c7_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/flashcard/8737263122/)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7287/8737262618_2b528bbbd7_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/flashcard/8737262618/)
The Parking Brake is going to go.
Anyone know how to take it off? Do I have to take out the axle to get to the bolts to take it off?
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7287/8736143245_7836b7c9b1_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/flashcard/8736143245/)
It's gonna need new dust shields
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7282/8737262736_4481970bf6_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/flashcard/8737262736/)
Parking Brake Cable, GONE!
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7285/8737263080_c9e4778379_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/flashcard/8737263080/)
Gotta find a yoke to fit this and my drive shaft U-joint. Anyone got any resources for that sort of thing?
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7288/8737262664_a60c25e831_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/flashcard/8737262664/)
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looks like an interesting project....and Welcome from Michigan also....where in Michigan are you located??
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for rear disc brakes, i believe that you have to get a different master cylinder and proportioning valve. one that is made for disc/ disc and not disc/ drum.
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I'm from Muskegon
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I'm from Muskegon
Wow right around the corner...I am in Kalamazoo
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Quick update:
I got everything stripped down. The parking brakes are off. And I ordered some leaf spring perches, and shock tab mounts.
http://www.ballisticfabrication.com/Axle-tube-shock-tabs_p_1445.html
http://www.ballisticfabrication.com/Leaf-spring-perch_p_1485.html