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  1. mdnky

    97 K1500 DD/Overlander

    04.15.2025 (cont...cont...) I cleaned the inner side of the reinforcement with brake parts cleaner, followed by a couple passes with mineral spirits, then finally alcohol. I put four good coats of 2000° Primer just on the newly clean inside section. I left it to sit in the sun and dry...
  2. mdnky

    97 K1500 DD/Overlander

    04.15.2025 (cont...) Took a few minutes and built a simple a jack extension from some scrap wood and deck screws. This will let me lift the body just enough to clear the frame reinforcement, while not being in the way. Ended up cutting and punching the rivets out on the gas tank crossmember...
  3. mdnky

    97 K1500 DD/Overlander

    04.15.2024 Started the afternoon by throwing a heavy coat of satin black enamel on the spring hanger, then left it in the sun to 'bake'. The next step was to get rid of the rivet remains still stuck in the frame from the hanger removal. They didn't want to come out yesterday with the air...
  4. mdnky

    Lower Control Arm Bolt Source??!!?

    What truck? On a K1500, it should be a M16x2.00-137 [GM 15989896] {forward} and a M16x2.00-114 [GM 15989896] {rearward}, both class 10.9.
  5. mdnky

    97 5.7 sierra, poor acceleration, +15-20 fuel trims.

    Have you checked the catalytic converter to make sure it isn't plugged?
  6. mdnky

    97 K1500 DD/Overlander

    Yeah, they actually had a bunch trucks with them, but more than half were missing lids. Figured either someone took them, or possibly they got lost when someone checked what was inside. Tons of plastic parts like that all over the ground (fuse covers, shrouds, etc.) in every aisle. The first...
  7. mdnky

    97 K1500 DD/Overlander

    04.14.2024 Hit the local u-pull type junkyard. They had a decent selection of GMT400s and 800s. Also had a really nice baby blue '76 with an almost perfect body (no rust in usual areas, good paint, good frame) minus a crunched RF fender. Sadly, someone had done some selective surgery to the cab...
  8. mdnky

    97 K1500 DD/Overlander

    Have plenty of them, just not the best option in this situation. The steel in that area is already too thin, so I'd rather not eat away any more than absolutely necessary. The wire wheel is fine for the rust/paint, just takes a bit more time and doesn't remove the good steel. The only parts...
  9. mdnky

    97 K1500 DD/Overlander

    04.13.2024 (cont...cont...cont...cont...) Finished out the day by clamping the spring hanger to the frame and cleaning it with the grinder using a wire cup and wire wheel. I haven't treated it with Corroseal and paint yet, as I'm going the junkyard tomorrow and the ever-so-small change that...
  10. mdnky

    97 K1500 DD/Overlander

    04.13.2024 (cont...cont...cont...) Did a quick test fit on the reinforcement section. Had to remove the middle cab mount, so I could get enough slack to jack up the body a bit for the reinforcement to clear the rear cab edge. The initial try with the 15mm socket and the breaker bar was not...
  11. mdnky

    97 K1500 DD/Overlander

    04.13.2024 (cont...cont...) Well...now that the bracket was off, that meant it was time to do the fun (NOT) part of this project. Cleaning up this mess... I used the plasma cutter on a lower setting (30A/55PSI) to trim a few of the bigger remnants. Not wanting to accidentally cut the...
  12. mdnky

    97 K1500 DD/Overlander

    04.13.2024 (cont...) Put the jack under the rear diff, then jacked it up ever so slightly to take tension off the springs. Then I used the grinder with a wheel-O-death to cut the head off the rivets. I cleaned up the cut surfaces with the band file sander (36grit). Then I used the RBFH (aka...
  13. mdnky

    97 K1500 DD/Overlander

    04.13.2024 Great weather today... I hooked up the plasma cutter to the 50A/240V outlet in the kitchen island, usually used by the cooktop. Did this via two 40' 8GA extension cables and a NEMA 10-50P to 6-50R adapter. Running the machine on a proper circuit...definitely worth it. Doing so also...
  14. mdnky

    97 K1500 DD/Overlander

    04.06.2024 Hammered a 13mm impact socket onto the cab mount bolt, then gave it a turn with the breaker bar. As expected, it barely budged a fraction of an inch before snapping off. JOY! The mount is in pretty shape, so looks like I'll be rebuilding it. 04.07.2024 Right at the end of the...
  15. mdnky

    Tires feel like balloons

    Generally, the 275/60-15s are XL rated tires, usually put on Vans and large cars...so it's probably not a load rating issue. Those specific BFGs are rated (each) for 2149lbs @ 35PSI, so more than enough for that truck. For comparison, the load range C BFG AT KO2 in the 235/75-15 is rated for...
  16. mdnky

    Upper Shock Mount Dilemma

    Ran across your post while searching for a solution on mine to eliminate the bar pins. Same search turned up these bolt-on brackets (see video). Not sure if you've solved your issue yet, but this might be worth looking into, if not. The company is based in Ft. Worth, they definitely look...
  17. mdnky

    97 K1500 DD/Overlander

    Living in southern Louisiana, I definitely could justify a whole house system plus a small portable (2k-3k inverter) for trips, but that's far outside the budget at the moment. In the past 20 years or so, I've only experienced a few power losses that lasted more than two days (major hurricanes)...
  18. mdnky

    97 K1500 DD/Overlander

    04.01.2024 Pulled the bed...again. Went relatively smoothly, considering I did it by myself. Only real issue was one of the fuel filler bezel mounting screws was stuck in its retainer clip. The screw head ended up breaking off and the bezel tore a bit. That'll require a bit of mending before...
  19. mdnky

    97 K1500 DD/Overlander

    03.30.2024 (cont...) Need to get the truck into town to have an alignment done. That'll have to wait until after I do the frame reinforcement and rear shock mounts. Plan is to do that this week, but Mother Nature seems dead-set on being uncooperative. Be nice to have an enclosed shop with a...
  20. mdnky

    97 K1500 DD/Overlander

    03.30.2024 Finished reinstalling the rest of the front end parts today (brakes/rotors/etc.), greased everything, and put the wheels back on. Only hiccup was discovering the grease gun here was loaded with Polyurea grease (Lucas X-TRA for that 8n tractor). Mevotech preloads their...
  21. mdnky

    97 K1500 DD/Overlander

    03.29.2024 (cont…) Have a few of these from the various RockAuto orders over past few years, but this is by far the best one yet. Time to get everything back together. I was running out of daylight, so I threw it on and didn’t stop to take pictures until the end. The passengers side now...
  22. mdnky

    97 K1500 DD/Overlander

    03.29.2024 So USPS delivered the CV boot around 3pm today. The install went surprisingly well, though I did have to take a break to and run into town. I hit up HoboFreight for some missing tools: a pair of snap ring pliers and end nippers. While there I also 'adopted' a clearance paint spray...
  23. mdnky

    Need help with bolt size :(

    Post was specifically made to mainly highlight the proper size, more than what I bought. Well aware the ones I used are not the 'correct hardware', however I prefer cap screws in situations with limited space. I'm also unwilling to pay the ridiculous amount they want for the originals, nor do I...
  24. mdnky

    97 K1500 DD/Overlander

    03.28.2024 (cont…cont...) Looks like USPS isn't going to get the CV boot here today, and might not get it here tomorrow either. I am really regretting not spending the extra $4 for the FedEX shipping option right now...DOH! Ended the day by installing the new sway bar bushings and mounts using...
  25. mdnky

    97 K1500 DD/Overlander

    03.28.2024 (cont…) Started the afternoon off by giving the sway bar bushing mounts a quick wire brushing by hand, followed by a brake clean bath and a few coats of satin black enamel. The passenger side is a bit rough cosmetically, but more than stout enough to remain in service. The driver...

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