My 78 k10 4x4 build thread -454 install / build -1 ton axles- frame restoration

[FearNoMan78k10]

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[FearNoMan78k10]

I'm so stoked for the truck to be done ! I've never built a truck like this before or as extensive... Every truck I've had has had modifications .... But this truck is a tank..... To me...... Frame didn't drop even a quarter inch installing the big block.... Crazy.....  Anyways I know I take and post a ton of pics.... But I truly enjoy the process of the truck and posting updates about the truck... I hope you guys enjoy my updates half as much as I do haha


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[FearNoMan78k10]

Fellas check out the last multiple pages of my posts.... There is a ton of new pics.... And old ones I never posted too


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[FearNoMan78k10]

Check out post 1056 I believe it is for more info on the updates


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[HAZARDOUSDUTY]

Just found this post today and my I add great write up with pics on your build FearNoMan. I am also in the process of doing a frame up on a 79 k10 short bed. I should have pics in here under hazardousduty I haven't posted pics in awhile but will be soon. I'm in Missouri and right now it is very cold outside, but I do have a garage to work in and I can go out and turn on the heat when I want to. I wish I would have seen your post earlier though about the troubles you were having with your motor mounts. I was having an issue awhile back trying to put my sbc 350 back in my frame after I had it all painted and ready. The issue I ran into was that I had gotten rid of the original clam shells that bolt up to the side of the engine block so I purchased some new ones from  . So of course I painted them and had them all ready to go and bolt up to the engine when I had it completed. Well low and behold went to drop it back in the frame and couldn't get the bolt holes on the clam shells to line up with the bolt holes on the rubber mounts, I could get one side in but not the other. I tried every thing I could think of to get those holes aligned but it just wasn't happening. I was almost at the point of making permeanant brackets and welding it in there, lol. Good thing I bought a set of chevy dealer parts books off of Ebay a couple years ago, I started researching and found out that the clam shells that bolt to the side of the engine block are different and have a different part number on K10 and C10's. The one's that I bought out of   are for a C10 but they don't tell you that, I called them and informed them of this and they said they were unaware of this also. We long story short I found a set of clam shells from a K10 At a engine rebuild shop close to me, the engine went in smoothly once I got the right clam shells on there.

[FearNoMan78k10]

Thanks Hazardousduty I appreciate it... Yeah I wish you would of saw the post when I was trying to get the right brackets and motor mounts... Man that took forever to find the right ones... A lot of trial and error that's for sure... We are good to go now though... It's nestled in there....I think anything bigger and I wouldn't of been able to close the hood lol! I still have quite a few things to do.. Actually a slew of things...I'm hopeful it will be done by spring.... We will see... Funds are holding me up right now....my family needs money for bills and such , they come first.... So I will just have to wait for some extra cash to open up at some point.... No big deal....

Especially since there is always something else I'm swapping out for a new part... One thing I didn't do and won't do is paint the truck .... Too much money has been invested already.... And I don't want to make that kind of investment into body and paint..... Here is what has been invested and purchased so far... This isn't AT ALL for me to be proud of it is a long painful expensive list.... It's just to give the chevy community an idea of all that's been put into this truck....

I had made a post stating how much in parts.... And someone said no way there's that much in parts there.... Well here they are... Every last part, every cost, every labor expense, every engine part, tires, axles, carb, paint, you name it. So here's the list......   Next post will be parts.. I don't have every order receipt part etc that I purchased so I will post up what I have...

Truck: 1978 chevy k10, originally a 305 small block, np208 transfercase, sm465 tranny. Cost was $3550.00

"New 1973 454ci passenger car engine" from dad's long time "friend"... $4700.00.... Total nightmare inside, needed fully rebuilt

Tires: Hancook Dynapro mud terrain tires 33x12.50R16  cost: $1059.99

Axles: Dana 60 kingpin & Dana 70HD straight axles  456 gears. Cost: $1000.00 good deal on those!

Carb:  Holley 830 4 barrel double pumper carbuerator tricked...cost: $600.00

Labor Total for my mechanic: $2500.00

Laniers speed shop: magnaflux & clean block $355.67

Rough Country 6" lift kit complete suspension: $841.55

Burts Auto Machine Shop Labor & parts: Cost $3215.00..

Motor machine shop labor and parts. Had them balance and do other work on crankshaft grinding it true and matching up the bearings for the rods and crank, cam etc. I forgot the term for that type of work.... They did this before they built the engine. I was at that time wanting to build it ourselves....and not pay a shop to build it.... But I changed my mind...

Advanced Auto Parts:  cost $1500.00

Side parts from same style part store $500.00

Summit Racing parts Total:  $6494.30.    This is every part from beginning of build until now from summit

On Track Performance $175.00

Tanner 4 wheel drive $75.00

2 Old rims for mockup axle swap $20 bucks plus gas to drive way out east....

Towing charges for chevy: costs $425.00

Home Depot supplies for truck: $200 plus

Walmart supplies for truck : $200 plus

Traded new camshaft for original fan , tow hooks , two emblems......and pulleys that don't fit....

Traded old pistons for a nice deep truck pan for 454 engine

Traded old valves old rockers and few other things for a new radiator and dual electric fans. Can't remember exact parts I traded.


Sold the old 305 engine brackets and all including exhaust for a huge loss.... Sale... $330.00 ?

Sold Both axles off truck.... For what price I cannot remember....

Sold my new 2014 6x12 enclosed trailer and most everything inside it full of new and lightly used hunting fishing camping gear so I could help offset the cost of building the truck.... I've always been a huge outdoorsman since I was a kid, ran into a bit of money and spent a lot on outdoor gear and best buy...

Sold off a crappy f-250 that I had been talked into by a wife's friend, had a for several weeks and hated it passionately..... I'm not a ford lover by any means..... I paid bills and bought the chevy.... I had a 1992 for ranger in high school.... I LOVED that truck... I'll have to post pics of it...

So here is the long list of parts on the truck just in case your wanting to know.... Side note.... My parents helped me out big time on this build because they know I need a solid truck...  And they have helped enough... More than enough..... It's a funds issue for me now....  I tapped myself out dry... Selling things making money etc.... Yeah.... I'm broke now,.... Lol.... And I don't and won't take money from my wife and family to build this truck... Part of the reason my wife is "okay" with the build,...

Never ever thought it would go this far or be this extensive in parts, in labor etc.... Boy was I in for a wild ride.... I can't wait for this build to be over with already lol jeez

This entire post is for you guys who read this to learn and possibly if you have the same build or similar going on to find out what is best for your build parts wise, ie if you have an old worn out motor and want to rebuild it but don't have the tools or expertise... I would suggest a crate motor... It's gets real expensive very quickly.... I could of saved myself a lot of headache and expenses had I just purchased a new crate motor instead of paying top dollar for a engine that was promised to be this and that and then total nightmare when taking it apart to put a new cam in it...so I decided to not sell the engine and rebuild it completely..and go all out.... Otherwise it's a $4700 mistake that was tossed down the drain ... Anyways

I haven't even rebuilt the trans yet at this point.... Or finished buying parts for needing to start it.... Ie pulleys and belts and a bracket or two... And once the engine is running I still have driveshafts to rebuild/replace... And a slew of things to do and install parts wise after it's running... I'm nowhere close to being actually done on this truck... I would say a couple months and she will be road worthy... I hope...

Finally: the parts list.. It will be pictures mostly... There are a lot parts I don't have pics on the orders...

[fitz]

That was a huge project you took on.
Glad to see its almost done.
Are you going to keep the dually front hubs?

[minus1]

looking good bud. now hurry up and get that darn thing running.lol Hope the tank brackets work out for you.

I'm still trying to get my updates caught up. On a good note I was able to finally bring her home. Still have a few things to finish up but I needed to plow my drive.

[FearNoMan78k10]

Thanks fitz, yes I'm going to keep them. Sorry. I will need them.. If I don't I will let you know.  Thanks minus I appreciate it... Yeah I know I know.... Funds are holding me up for a bit... I'll have to just play it by ear when I'm able to finish it...

That's great I wish my truck was at the point of driving lol ... Good for you minus! I think you did a great job on the build enjoy that truck !

[FearNoMan78k10]

Oh and the tank brackets I think will work great I just need to get a tank now... Thanks so much again for those minus they look great!

[fitz]

Thanks fitz, yes I'm going to keep them. Sorry. I will need them..

What are you going to run for rims with the dually hubs?

[FearNoMan78k10]

I havn't decided yet.... I was wanting to make it a dually... Now I'm up in the air about it..... I need rims either way

[Don5]

It looks like you are coming along with it. I am glad to see the engine is finally in. Just remember with a dually you have to buy 2 more tires which is a bummer. You will get it sorted out and be driving it before long.

[FearNoMan78k10]

Slowly but surely at this point but yes it's coming along. Thanks me too it took awhile that's for sure  I know, an extra $500 plus 2 extra rims and it's high enough that hauling too much in the bed would make for a nightmare of a drive so I'm leaning less and less to a dually...  And the streets here in areas are narrow and in others wide so that's also a reason.

[BBM3]

Slowly but surely at this point but yes it's coming along. Thanks me too it took awhile that's for sure  I know, an extra $500 plus 2 extra rims and it's high enough that hauling too much in the bed would make for a nightmare of a drive so I'm leaning less and less to a dually...  And the streets here in areas are narrow and in others wide so that's also a reason.

Hello FearNoMan78k10.
I read the majority of you build thread.
Fun read and cool project.
I am starting a much simpler rebuild of a '75 K-10.
Question. Who did you use for your engine work?
I live in Black Forest / COS and looking for a trusted shop to do some work on my motor.
Thanks,
-BB