1975 K-10 Project

[BBM3]

That's a real nice Chevy u got there!

Your truck is coming along nicely. Some day I may do a proper restoration like you are doing.

For the most part I am an OEM parts kinda guy, but it depends on what for. Engine control parts like, spark plugs, electrical sensors, a distributor, injectors, transmission parts for the most part, nothing is better than factory. However trusted names in reliability I'm ok with. For ex. my block is GM, the cam is a Comp, the heads are Dart, intake is Edelbrock. But brake parts, u joints, bushings for various body and suspension pieces, I go either what I know is proven and I trust.

That being said, I just dropped 800 bucks on all new GM front end suspension and steering components.

Wow $800. Your parts list must be long.
I doubt I have $800 in my front suspension and steering.
I have replaced everything from the rag joint forward except wheel bearings, seals, and ball joints.

And I am with you. On our daily drivers I prefer OEM parts.
My truck is never going to be a daily driver; maybe a couple thousand miles a year. The final drive ratio in my truck makes it miserable to drive for more than short bursts at or above 60 MPH.
Many times when I hit 45 MPH+ muscle memory tries to upshift into the nonexistent 5th gear.

[Greybeard]

Out of curiosity, what RPM's does it turn at 60?

[BBM3]

Out of curiosity, what RPM's does it turn at 60?

According to my cheap tachometer about 3300 RPM @ 60 MPH
Feels and sounds like 4000+ RPM.

[LTZ C20]

That's a real nice Chevy u got there!

Your truck is coming along nicely. Some day I may do a proper restoration like you are doing.

For the most part I am an OEM parts kinda guy, but it depends on what for. Engine control parts like, spark plugs, electrical sensors, a distributor, injectors, transmission parts for the most part, nothing is better than factory. However trusted names in reliability I'm ok with. For ex. my block is GM, the cam is a Comp, the heads are Dart, intake is Edelbrock. But brake parts, u joints, bushings for various body and suspension pieces, I go either what I know is proven and I trust.

That being said, I just dropped 800 bucks on all new GM front end suspension and steering components.

Wow $800. Your parts list must be long.
I doubt I have $800 in my front suspension and steering.
I have replaced everything from the rag joint forward except wheel bearings, seals, and ball joints.

And I am with you. On our daily drivers I prefer OEM parts.
My truck is never going to be a daily driver; maybe a couple thousand miles a year. The final drive ratio in my truck makes it miserable to drive for more than short bursts at or above 60 MPH.
Many times when I hit 45 MPH+ muscle memory tries to upshift into the nonexistent 5th gear.

Upper and lower A-arms for both sides, heavy duty coil springs, tie Rod ends, adjuster sleeves. That's all the GM stuff from work that I can get.

What I can't get from work I'm going aftermarket, (and by aftermarket I mean the best replacement for factory that I'm satisfied with) bump stops, A-arm hardware, sway bar mounts and hardware. That will be 150-200 bucks.

Then when the front is done, the rear is getting the springs either re-arced or replaced based on the spring shops inspection and cost comparison along with new bushings and hardware. That will be in 500-600 dollar range all in total.

Then it's on to brakes. Fronts completely rebuilt, new calipers, new rotors, new pads, new hoses, new bearings and new wheel studs. Probably at least $200 bucks there. Then the rear is getting a rear disc brake conversion kit for a 14 bolt FF axle and new wheels studs here also. The conversion kit has everything needed in it and that kit is about $500.

I'm just making my way around to the suspension/steering and brakes part. Since I bought it nothing but the front pads have been changed and everything has been reliable and served me very well. Now it's time to go out with the old and in with new.

And I'm considering converting from HD vacuum assist brakes to HD hydraboost brakes. Simply because well, you can compress air but you can't compress liquid. Plus hydraboost is better for stopping power in HD trucks when towing and hauling.

[Greybeard]

Out of curiosity, what RPM's does it turn at 60?

According to my cheap tachometer about 3300 RPM @ 60 MPH
Feels and sounds like 4000+ RPM.

I bet that does sound like it's screaming. I ran 4:10's with sidewall sized 39-15/15's and ran right at 2200rpm's at 55. Since I had no speedo knowing my rpms at XXmph helped, just not enough, still got a ton of speeding tickets; I had to move to Colorado so I wouldn't lose my license. It seems odd they would put 4:10's in a short bed truck with a granny low 4-speed and small block from the factory, but they did. Mostly the same drive train setup was found behind the straight six's. At least in my experience that's what I've seen.

[BBM3]

I bet that does sound like it's screaming. I ran 4:10's with sidewall sized 39-15/15's and ran right at 2200rpm's at 55. Since I had no speedo knowing my rpms at XXmph helped, just not enough, still got a ton of speeding tickets; I had to move to Colorado so I wouldn't lose my license. It seems odd they would put 4:10's in a short bed truck with a granny low 4-speed and small block from the factory, but they did. Mostly the same drive train setup was found behind the straight six's. At least in my experience that's what I've seen.

Mine has 3:73 gears in a short bed with an SM465
Where are you in Colorado?
I'm in Black Forest / North Colorado Springs

[Greybeard]

I moved away from Colorado about 28 years ago. I lived in Edwards over beyond Vail. I worked at B&B Excavating until I was injured and they let me go (don't ever claim work-comp if ya want to keep your job). Prior to them I worked at Nottingham sand and gravel (also in the valley at the time), but both of the Nottingham boys (the owners) died while cornice climbing on their snowmobiles.

I now live on my farm in Iowa. No neighbors, no noise, very little light pollution, no people driving by (I get maybe three vehicles on a busy day), it ain't the mountains though. I miss them so bad I can taste em. My route to here from a kid...born Missouri, lived in Georgia, Florida, Texas, and Louisiana before my 22nd birthday. Then back to home in Mo, then off to Yellowstone park for a couple years, then up to Big Sky Ski Resort, over to Seattle for a year, then up to North Dakota to work on a pipeline, then back to Mo to work as an inspector for a munitions company, then off to Colorado to do asphalt work with those two. Then I ended up here to hold the same job for 23 years as a crane and heavy equipment operator/forman. Now I am in school and drive school bus part time. maybe once I grow up I'll decide what I want to do for a living, but until then I'm thinking of moving to Nebraska just for giggles.