1990 GMC K1500 restoration

[idlook2]

Great videos man! Very well done.

You plan on doing any interior videos?

Interior is on the list, slowly working my way back.

 

[McShane]

I would like to add my “Thanks” to all the others for this great thread and the videos. I will be starting on my ‘93 in a few months and what you have shared will be invaluable. Best of luck going forward.

 

[idlook2]

I was dreading this job but it actually went much smoother than I expected. Sway bar end links are out. Control arms are next!

YouTube video:

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[idlook2]

Control arms are out. Just need to get the lower ball joint rivets knocked out and everything cleaned up so that I can get started on the front end rebuild.

YouTube video:

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[idlook2]

I tackled everyone’s favorite job, removing the lower ball joints that are riveted in place. Made a video showing the best way that I could find to remove them which included a drill, hammer, and an air chisel!

YouTube video:

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[idlook2]

A few weeks ago I replaced the transmission pan gasket hoping that was the source of my transmission fluid leak. Unfortunately, the transmission would still leak after sitting for a day. I talked to the local transmission shop and was told this is most likely the front pump o-ring. Out came the transmission to get this fixed! I’m going to have the local transmission shop do the work but was able to pull it myself.

Transmission and transfer case removed:

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Hauling the transmission in the trunk of my car, I was surprised that it fit!

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YouTube video on the transmission removal:

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[idlook2]

With the transmission out I decided to go ahead and replace the rear main seal. The transmission is back from the shop and should be going back in soon.

YouTube video:

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[idlook2]

The transmission is back in! The only tricky part was the adjustment of the TV cable. I was able to start the truck and it appears to be leak free. Also serviced the rear differential while I waited on a few parts for the front suspension. The next project will be to get the front suspension back together. I'm ready to drive the truck again!

Youtube videos:

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[idlook2]

It's been a while since I posted an update, so here it is... the front end rebuild is complete! This took much longer than expected, mainly due to me being a perfectionist and wanting to clean and paint the frame while everything was apart. A note to anyone else trying this, the lower control arm bushings are VERY hard to replace. I ended up buying a second set of control arms after a local shop bent my original control arms trying to press in new bushings. The tangs that support the bushings are very thin and you need to build a jig to support them when pushing in the new bushings.

As far as suspension parts, I mostly went with the Mevotech TTX line. I think it came together really nice. Finished it off with a set of Bilstein shocks and Cunningham Machine tie rod sleeves.

YouTube video:

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[idlook2]

I finished off the front end rebuild with a new set of brakes. The old rotors were warped really bad so I decided to try a set of slotted rotors this go-around, we will see if it they do any better.

YouTube video:

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