Thread: 1972 Chevy K30 Longhorn Build

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Ok, enough about fords. Back to this old Chevy. I got the LH side of the D60 put back together. I decided to replace the wheel studs because this was a dodge axle. The dodge axles had 1/2" wheel studs and chevy D60s have 9/16 studs. The dodge axles are also 1.5" narrower than a chevy D60. I got some 1.5" spacers to bring the front tires out to match the rear. Kind of negated my stud replacement, but oh well. It's done. Once I stuck the LH side back together, I finished up the trans install and put fluid in it. I fired it up and topped off the fluid and took it around the block. It actually worked and shifted up through 3rd. Great! While it was outside, that is when I painted the fender for the excursion. After that was done, I backed the truck back in and began the RH side rebuild.

While moving the truck around, I noticed the front suspension articulated odd. It also leaned to the left a little. These springs came out from under my brother's old truck and were used when I installed them in it. So I decided to order a new pair of Skyjacker 4" springs. It's a good thing I decided to do this. I forgot that when I originally installed the springs in this truck, the RH spring rear bolt was seized in the bushing. Oops. Haha I replaced the front springs, u bolts, u joints, and king pins. Do you think this front axle came from a farm truck? Round bale twine eh? The RH caliper was wet so I replaced it and the pads. (This caliper was new about 6 years ago) Once I got it all back together, I went to bleed the brakes and of course the LH steel line to the caliper hose was leaking. I had to make a new line and that took care of my brake issues. I also cut off the old dodge shock mounts and welded some new mounts on to accept a shock at the proper positioning for a chevy. (See a couple posts down to see why the shocks didn't get installed)