Where should I start?

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KnockingDiesel

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TJ
Truck Year
1973
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
350
Hello all,

This is my first post and man am I glad to be here! I had a 1979 K5 that I sold 7 years ago so my wife and I could start our life together. ever since I said I will get another, well the day came and I did it right this time around.

I bought a 1973 K10 SWB, SM465, NP205, power steering/brakes, Dana 44 and 12 bolt out back. I paid $2500 for the truck and drove 200 miles to get it. It was more than I wanted to pay but it was what I wanted and the top end makes up for it, Demon Carb, Edlebrock Aluminum heads, RPM Air Gap intake, Holley electric fuel pump, and some other stuff the I am missing.

My end goal is to have a relatively stock truck as a daily in town driver.

No sugar coating it, lots of work ahead! It currently starts via switch for the electric fuel pump and push button starer ( Much like a Bugatti, Aston Martin, Lamborghini, etc.). The ignition switch has no key and does not do anything as of now. headlights do not work and neither do the gauges. it looks like they "spliced" all of the wiring for one reason or another. case in point, the headlights are a HID kit and are all peeled. The push button for the starter has 4 pieces of wire that are 4 different colors. The floor on the driver side is rusted some and so s the passenger side. The power steering leaks. the locking hubs are locked in and rotating the selector just rotates the whole lock out housing. I am sure I will discover many more problems but that's all I found for now.

I have a 91 C20 Suburban (loaded to the max Ac, power windows/locks, tilt, Cruise control, etc) that I pulled the engine and trans (454/th400) for my dads 68 truck. the suburban was 9.5 out of 10 int/ext.

I want the power windows and locks from the suburban but not really any of the other options, or do I? should I consider the AC? or the cruise control? How about the tilt column?

Should I try to patch the existing harness or buy new one?


I appreciate any/all help/advice offered. I really don't have a budget in mind maybe $2500 to start but the rust/body work is practically free ( dad owns a body shop) and he owes me for several engine swaps!

For now I wold like to make it driveable on the street I don't mind the body/rust issues but if doing some stuff now to save some work later would be good.

I will post more pics and progress as I go along the way. I took it off my trailer this morning and will take more pics tomorrow.

Also I want the stock wheels (pictured) and 31x10.50 tires, I don't like the 33s on it now.
 

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glockholiday

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Jeff
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1988
Truck Model
V10 Suburban 1/2 ton 4x4
Engine Size
350
Looks good.

There's also a 32x11.50x15 tire, I think the 31x10.50s would look a little small on that.
 

Rusty Nail

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Hay Tj the new guy, welcome! She's a fine truck, thanks for bringing her. Have a seat...

(See the pics + warm welcome? Other new guys lay attention to this fine example!)
 

74 Shortbed

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Welcome to the site, nice truck..
 

austinado16

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1990 w/307k miles on the clock
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5.7L TBI/4L60/3.42's
Welcome! It'll be fun to watch and read about your adventures!
 

CRM

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350 CI
Welcome to the site. While reading your post I thought about what I would address first. I would replace the wiring harness, and go back to the original keyed ignition. I would also address the hubs being locked in.
 

KnockingDiesel

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1973
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K10
Engine Size
350
Hey guys!

I'll be adding pictures shortly. Thank you all for welcoming me to the site, I will start working on it this weekend. I am going to clean the garage tonight and get it in there tomorrow.

As CRM stated, I will be dealing with the harness and ignition cylinder first.
 

KnockingDiesel

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Some pics as promised
 

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KnockingDiesel

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TJ
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1973
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K10
Engine Size
350
So upon further interrogation of the wiring harness, it seems as though it could be repaired. Some solder and shrink wrap should do it.

It would appear that ignition cylinder is more complex. I removed the steering wheel and replaced the cylinder. The cylinder freely rotates about 90 degrees (From lock to start) upon further inspection it would seem that there is a that rotates with the cylinder but it is missing teeth.

Can anyone provide a Diagram of the steering column? is it worth the effort of repair or should I take my first trip (for this truck) to the junk yard?

Thanks
 

1973c10

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Don
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C10
Engine Size
454
Welcome aboard
Nice looking ride :boti:
 

CRM

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Engine Size
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The ignition parts probably look something like these.
 

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CRM

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Truck Model
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Engine Size
350 CI
Ignition switch actuator rack
 

Rusty Nail

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Sweet pics bro.

Personal experience says clean it and kill bugs/rid critters first.
Be careful and have fun. You'll need a 9/16, a 3/4, and a #2 Phillips. Lol.
 

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