Where should I start?

[MikeB]

Sounds like the previous owner did a first-rate job on on everything.

Still, I think the price was decent if the engine and drive train are in OK shape. Heck, heads, carb, and intake probably cost $1800 or more.

Don't get overwhelmed by all the work that needs to be done. Make a list and tackle one thing at a time, starting with anything that's safety-related.

There are lots of smart, experienced guys on this forum! I'd also suggest getting an LMC Truck catalog just for the exploded view pictures. Wouldn't hurt either to find a GM service manual for 1973 K10. I got one on CD for my 82 C10, and it has been very useful.

And if you have the patience to dig through it, you can find OEM part numbers and even some exploded view diagrams here: http://www.gmpartswiki.com/

 

[MikeB]

Interesting that the engine option number is LS9, and the 4-speed trans is M20.

 

[KnockingDiesel]

Well I got up at 6 am and checked craigslist and guess what was waiting for me? That's right 4 rally wheels with beauty rings and 4x4 center caps. $200 bucks well spent I think.

So I cleaned them up and here's what they look like.

I can't get any of the parts easily in town so I'm going to go to a junkyard and get a column

 

[KnockingDiesel]

Well I got under the steering column and it's not too bad.

Got a new column I'm going to get in an hour or two.


The wire I am holding in the first picture does not have and obvious spot, trying to figure it out.

The second picture there is a Relay (?) near the brake booster with the blue and black wire going to it. What's it for?

It looks like it might go to the piece on the Windsheild wiper motor (in the middle of the assembly) look at the third pic you can see some sort of cylinder attached to the windshield wiper motor with some empty terminals

 

[theblindchicken]

Welcome to the board! 31's will clear without any issue. 32's may rub just a touch depending on the backspacing of the rims and actual tire diameters.

 

[KnockingDiesel]

Lots of progress

So I had some spare time today and interrogated the wiring harness, it seems as Though the harness that goes to the ignition switch had a wire that rub through the jacket and shorted it out. So they bypassed the entire system with two switches. and because of that the truck would run and drive with no other systems functioning.

So I repaired the cut/burned wires and found where most of the wires go, except for three of them. I ordered a factory service manual should be here early next week.

Once I got as far as I could with the wiring, I turned attention to the steering column and ignition cylinder. All of the internal mechanism was missing so I ended up getting another steering column last night, I tore it down to clean the pieces and familiarize myself with the internal functions.

I tore down the original column but didn't completely remove it.

Once I reassembled the fresh parts on the old column and installed new turn signal switch.

Now the harnesses and most of the wires are where they belong and the steering column is assembled, The parking lights, headlights and tail lights now function properly.

The truck starts with the key now rather than the exotic push button set up.

tomorrow I'm goin to take a trip to the junkyard and see if I can salvage the pieces I need to clean up my harness since it's still Pieced together (I'm not happy with it).

 

[KnockingDiesel]

I also got a warn 9.5Ti on CL today for $200, so it's getting a winch now

 

[KnockingDiesel]

Harness is done, truck is fully functioning and running good. I'll mount new tires and rally wheels by the end of the month. New windshield going in tomorrow and floor will be done this week. Once I get through the winter I'll do the interior/exterior.

 

[CRM]

You do know that we won't believe you until we see pictures, right?

 

[KnockingDiesel]

You do know that we won't believe you until we see pictures, right?

I should have known better.....

I'll take pics of the harness tomorrow. For now here are pics of the harness while still in the donor truck

 

[KnockingDiesel]

Ok so here are the pics of the harness installed

 

[KnockingDiesel]

Here's the othe photos. The last pic is what's left of the old/spare harness.

 

[KnockingDiesel]

What is this?

The harness I used came from a 75, my truck obviously the 73. Everything went together perfectly, the only issue I came across is I could not figure out what this went to. It looks like a relay(?) but I don't know. It was already cut off from the original harness, and the new one has nowhere to attach it to.

It mounts on the passenger side of the brake booster.