[Never Ending] Simple, street-legal, 82 Chevy K20

[Jamus]

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Got some work done to my truck today and was looking on here for a thread to add to. Then found out I never posted anything other than a picture in the members rides thread. So here it goes from the top. In West Virginia, you need a modified inspection sticker for anything lifted, and technically lowered but the lowriders skate by. So after many vehicles and hassles with our laws and worse, the individual inspection stations, I decided to beat the system with a truck that was capable enough, but could get a regular inspection sticker, i.e. stock in appearance. So I traded a D60 for an 82 K20 longbed diesel/465/208. Here is the lame flex attempt the day I got it home.


Well, the engine leaked coolant, bad freeze plug directly behind a manifold. It was heavy and underpowered as well. I had the engine and trans from my old 94 s10 blazer with very low miles on the tranny, so I decided to use them. Got the 4.3 and 4l60e physically bolted in and used a 700-208 adapter and running a 208 for the passenger drop axle. Here's a couple dark pics of how much room is left over in a fullsize with a v6 in it.


I had shaved a 14 bolt for a previous truck and had disc brakes set up on it as well. So I added a braced DIY4X ring over the cover.


Next I started on the rear suspension. This truck came with a 4" superlift spring lift and has to be the stiffest set of springs ever. So I went with something softer, stock XJ leafs. While I was at it I moved the spring mounts forward, very far forward. I think the wheelbase will be less than a K5 actually. Also did a homemade shackle flip and braced the stock mounts, probably going to do some more work to those.





And that about brings us up to todays bit of work. The stock t-case hangs down below the frame some 4-6 inches not including the anchor of a stock crossmember. Here's a pic of the t-case unclocked for reference.

So I got a clocking ring and put it on there at the most clocked position. Also built a new crossmember that is about flush with the frame rails out of 2x2 1/4 wall. I will brace it up and add more to it, just 2 3/8" bolts holding it at the moment. Also in the pics you can see a stock 4wd s10 skidplate I was testing to see if could be useful, doubting it.






So that's it for my novel of a post. Then again it represents a year of lazy and too busy to work on the rig. Almost forgot to mention, more than a few of the ideas I'm using I got off of 4x4mecca and help from it's members. Thanks.

[cbbr]

Looks like you are making the most of what you have handy.

[Jamus]

Did some trading and a very small amount of work. I'll now be running 38x12.50 TSLs with just a little bit of use on them. Got a couple mounted up today so I snapped some pics. I also pulled the steering box, to swap out for crossover and check the frame for cracks. As far as I can tell, the frame is crack-free. I'm either building a brace for the box, or replacing the crossmember all together. Anyway, here's some pics.








Also found out that this truck was a 1/2T with 3/4T axles swapped in. Turns out the guy I got the tires from was a former owner.

[cbbr]

There went simple.

[filo]

I am resisting throwing simple out the window and doing what you are doing, because I know it is never-ending. Looks good.

[Jamus]

Thanks guys. Actually, simple went out the window when I decided to pull the diesel and tranny out of the, at that time, perfectly running truck. But compared to the trailered tubing and tires that my last rig was, this is simpler. I just see a few things the general messed up on and want to fix them.

[VegasBruce]

Originally Posted by cbbr

There went simple.

Simple, never is.

[James]

I'm interested to see how the XJ spring works out. Nice job on the creative fabricating. I like to see what people can dream up.

[Jamus]

Originally Posted by James

I'm interested to see how the XJ spring works out.

You and me both. I expect most of my flex will be in the rear, unless I change my mind and swap in 52's up front. In my 94 s-blazer that I swapped for solid axle I ran a combo of 2 s10 packs, 5-leaf, up front and stock s10 springs in the rear. No leaf combo I've ran since has performed as well. Not sure how the weight of a 105" wheelbase fullsize with a 4.3 compares to a 4door S10 Blazer. It's tempting to run that setup since it flexed great and rode like a caddy. S10 springs are slightly stiffer and a shade longer than XJ so if they turn out to be too soft I can swap in S10 springs. My plan as far as weight in the rear is an S10 bed shortened around 4 1/2' long, K5 tank mounted behind the cab, and a rollbar with bars running back and tied into a rear bumper. The rollbar will be welded to the rear bumper but the whole thing will bolt to the frame so I can fully weld the tube joints. Oh yeah, the reason I am planning on an S10 bed is so I can fab up some removable stepside fenders, pull em off for the trails. But that's all just talk till I get it done.