1949 Chevy 3600......making it a daily driver!!

[Coach529]

OK......lets talk King Pins.

From my understanding you remove the retainer bolt and proceed to beat the hell out of the kingpin until it is out.

Any advice? I plan on using a press.

 

[SinclairChevy]

I pressed mine out and replaced them with the kit from our host. It's nice to have an extra set of hands to hang onto the axle while you're operating the press (or vice versa). They will most likely need a little persuasion from some penetrating oil.

The caps are pretty easy to remove. Just drill a small hole into the center of each one (tops and bottoms, left and right sides) and pry the caps out.

I then took a Dremel tool and ground off the stake marks from the previous installation.

After that, remove the retainer bolts and steering stops.

Then go to the press and rid the axle of the kingpins.

Be SURE to remember the correct orientation of the thrust bearing and any shims that are in place. The kingpin kit from our host came with new thrust bearings and a variety of shims. Reinstall the new shims and thrust bearings exactly as you removed the old ones.

Remove the bushings, clean everything up, and installation is the reverse of the removal.

Be careful not to drop or deform the new bushings. They won't want to sit in the axle correctly, and you'll be scratching your head wondering why the new kingpins won't fit. While I was at it, I also blasted the spindles and wire-wheeled the axle, then gave everything a coat of KBS Coatings' Rust Stop paint. I also installed new grease zerks.

Good luck! Check my build thread, I can't remember if I took photos of that process.

Damon

 

[Coach529]

I pressed mine out and replaced them with the kit from our host. It's nice to have an extra set of hands to hang onto the axle while you're operating the press (or vice versa). They will most likely need a little persuasion from some penetrating oil.

The caps are pretty easy to remove. Just drill a small hole into the center of each one (tops and bottoms, left and right sides) and pry the caps out.

I then took a Dremel tool and ground off the stake marks from the previous installation.

After that, remove the retainer bolts and steering stops.

Then go to the press and rid the axle of the kingpins.

Be SURE to remember the correct orientation of the thrust bearing and any shims that are in place. The kingpin kit from our host came with new thrust bearings and a variety of shims. Reinstall the new shims and thrust bearings exactly as you removed the old ones.

Remove the bushings, clean everything up, and installation is the reverse of the removal.

Be careful not to drop or deform the new bushings. They won't want to sit in the axle correctly, and you'll be scratching your head wondering why the new kingpins won't fit. While I was at it, I also blasted the spindles and wire-wheeled the axle, then gave everything a coat of KBS Coatings' Rust Stop paint. I also installed new grease zerks.

Good luck! Check my build thread, I can't remember if I took photos of that process.

Damon

Thanks Damon......I will give it a shot and let you know how it turns out!!

 

[Coach529]

King pins are out and the axle is prepped to send to SID to be modified!!

droppedaxles.com

I had used the PDF below as a guide to pull these apart, but they were quite a bit different.

http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/kingpin.pdf

My spindles (out of a 1949 GMC) did not have retaining rings. Directly below the dust caps was the kingpin.

I pulled the dust caps and removed some of the excess grease in preperation to press the king pins out the next day at work, where I have access to a press. After I had them cleaned up, out of curiosity I grabbed a hammer and punch and gave the king pin a good whack. To my suprise it moved. 15-20 well placed whacks and the king pin hit the floor. Same with the other side.

Both sides were clearly well lubed, so I am sure this played a huge roll in there ease of removal.

How do I know f I need oversized Kingpins when I replace them?

 

[Coach529]

Finally got enough furniture moved out of the garage and organized that "Henry" was able to move indoors. Not sure for how long. For now he will have to remain mobil.

First stop was a quick trip to the carwash to clean off the rear frame rails. 63 years of dust and dirt had packed into everything. Plenty of looks on the way to and from the car wash. Even had a couple gawkers while I was washing.

Once I got him home I back him into his temporary parking spot and went to work right away. Removing old mufller brackets, lever shocks and overloads was first on the agenda. Of course nothing come apart easy. A 4-1/2" grinder and a skinny wheelis the most used tool for the day.

After the rear rails were free of excess I turned my attention to the drivers side floor

I got the cab mount bolt out after some persuasion. I got the e-brake pedal disassembled and was ready to cut the floor out when I ran out of time. Tomorrow is another day!!

Trying to figure out what I am going to use for paint on the floor, interior and rear frame rails.

POR-15?
KBS coatings?

There is some surface rust in the cab floor, door jams and interior door panels. Not sure if I can just wire wheel it of and prime or if I should use a special paint.

We are going with a non tradition paint color in the interior. Flat or Satin Black

 

[SinclairChevy]

Great update. I was very fortunate and only needed to get stock size replacements. Was there any play in the kingpins before you removed them? Check the kingpin bushings. As soon as I removed the caps, I could tell that I got lucky and all of the wear was in the bushings themselves... the kingpins had not wore into the spindles themselves. If yours were that easy to remove due to being properly lubed and maintained, I'd wager that you'll be fine with stock kingpin replacements.

Damon

 

[Coach529]

Great update. I was very fortunate and only needed to get stock size replacements. Was there any play in the kingpins before you removed them? Check the kingpin bushings. As soon as I removed the caps, I could tell that I got lucky and all of the wear was in the bushings themselves... the kingpins had not wore into the spindles themselves. If yours were that easy to remove due to being properly lubed and maintained, I'd wager that you'll be fine with stock kingpin replacements.

Damon

The bushings were pretty much shot, but no wear on the king pins at all.

 

[vwnate1]

Once Again ~

Your photography skills are amazing .

I know you're using some sort of filter or photoshop thing to make them look so good as the spindles appear to have no threads .
nevertheless , your abilities with composition and setting are out standing ! .

I highly suggest putting some Christmas lights around the garage door and re taking that night time picture , it'll make a great Christmas Card plus it'll be a life time keeper for you and many others . (me , anyway )

I appreciate you sharing this gift with us .

 

[SinclairChevy]

Don't just check the kingpins themselves, be sure to check the spindles, too.

I agree with Nate. The shot of your truck sitting under the lights is a good one. Maybe we oughtta think about a "Classic Parts of America Forums Members' Projects" calendar...

Damon

 

[Coach529]

Your photography skills are amazing .

I know you're using some sort of filter or photoshop thing to make them look so good as the spindles appear to have no threads .
nevertheless , your abilities with composition and setting are out standing ! .

I highly suggest putting some Christmas lights around the garage door and re taking that night time picture , it'll make a great Christmas Card plus it'll be a life time keeper for you and many others . (me , anyway )

I appreciate you sharing this gift with us .

That photo in particular had very little editing....just a color touch up. I just used a really low F-stop and focused in on the steering stop, so that leaves the stuff in front and behind the focul point out of focus.

Thanks for the compliment.

 

[Coach529]

Don't just check the kingpins themselves, be sure to check the spindles, too.

I agree with Nate. The shot of your truck sitting under the lights is a good one. Maybe we oughtta think about a "Classic Parts of America Forums Members' Projects" calendar...

Damon

I did inspect the spindles as well. No visible wear.

 

[Coach529]

Short day in the garage today.

First line of business was a muffler bracket. I had a waste chunk of angle iron that fit the bill perfect. I am unsure if I am goingto run my tailpipe out the back, or just bend a 90 and out the drivers side under the running board.

I then started installing my seal belt kit. Followed the instructions below and it went really smooth.

http://www.julianos.com/how2_3point_antiqu...hevy_truck.html

A small chunk of safety wire was used........I did not want to drop the bracket and not be able to retrieve it.

A little paint will dress that right up.

Some of the welds were tough due to location. I had a tough time getting my head back there to see what I was doing. Not too pretty, but should be plenty strong.

Next project:

Strip old seat covers.
Cut out rust in floor pans and wire wheel complete cab.

 

[Coach529]

Two steps forward........3 steps back.

My axle is at Sid's getting lowered and I am progressing as fast as my family and checkbook will allow. Both available time and available cash are equally strained.

Napa had a water pump on hand.....so I tried to replace that last night. Should be a pretty straight forward......I have done one in the past. Bolted it up, but somehow must have wrinkled the gasket, because the bugger leaked. Steady stream out the bottom on both corners of the block. Damn. I didn't think a guy could screw it up....but I did.

Also found out my radiator is leaking. Double Damn!!

Pulled the radiator and new water pump. Smashed my thumb pulling off a heater hose. Nice black and blue thumbnail this morning.

Radiator is going to the scrap yard. Ordered a new water pump gasket from Rockauto as well as some plug wires and a side cover gasket.

Saving my pennies and will buy a Alum radiator off Ebay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-ALL-ALUMINUM-RADIATOR-1947-1954-CHEVY-TRUCK-2-ROW-1-CUSTOMER-SERVICE-/281010226433?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1951%7CMake%3AChevrolet%7CModel%3ATruck&hash=item416d83c501&vxp=mtr

 

[Blueflame236]

How do i know if i have to use overzised kingpins ?

Mine where a bit sloppy as there should be no play at all there. Pins must be straight and no rust pits on them. I messuared the spindle holes and old pins very accuratly , then i had a machine shop to drill new spindle holes and pressed the oversized pins in its place with lithium grease . Sid is a good resource to ask about this ! I think he sells the new pins aswell.

How much lower are you going to drop the truck in front and rear ? I am considddering to lower my own truck in the future aswell with Sids dropped axle/spindle solution. If you could place some photos of the install that would have been great.

Martinius.

 

[Coach529]

Things are looking up.

Gulfstream87 over at H.A.M.B. is sending me a stock radiator for the cost of freight. Pretty damn excited about that. Nice to know there are still good people in this world!!

Sid shot me an email, my axle is done. He is waiting on my steering arms which I sent a couple days later.

 

[Coach529]

Mine where a bit sloppy as there should be no play at all there. Pins must be straight and no rust pits on them. I messuared the spindle holes and old pins very accuratly , then i had a machine shop to drill new spindle holes and pressed the oversized pins in its place with lithium grease . Sid is a good resource to ask about this ! I think he sells the new pins aswell.

How much lower are you going to drop the truck in front and rear ? I am considddering to lower my own truck in the future aswell with Sids dropped axle/spindle solution. If you could place some photos of the install that would have been great.

Martinius.

The front is getting a 4" drop axle and likely a couple leaves removed. Approx 5" drop.

Rear is getting an axle flip and a couple leave removed as well.

Hoping to get the truck to sit level with little or no rake.

 

[vwnate1]

Coolant Leaks

Maybe one surface wasn't quite " Hospital Clean " ?? I'm always yammering away to you alls abut this and now you know why .

I'd not be tossing the old radiator until the truck is running and cooling to your 100 % satisfaction .

 

[Coach529]

Maybe one surface wasn't quite " Hospital Clean " ?? I'm always yammering away to you alls abut this and now you know why .

I'd not be tossing the old radiator until the truck is running and cooling to your 100 % satisfaction .

I think you are on to something Nate. I swapped the pump with the radiator in place, and now that I pull the radiator I see how bad it is. I plan to hit it with my angle die grinder and some scotchbrite. It is all a learning process right?

FWIW, nothing is heading to scrap until I am done. I will just add it to the pile.

 

[SinclairChevy]

You're gonna run into set-backs like these, believe me. Don't get discouraged. Just come here for help, or take a step back and breathe deeply for a bit. Sometimes it helps me if I use colorful language and throw a rusty wrench or two. Just use caution when using this last method, you don't wanna break or damage any good parts in the process of venting.]

Keep the updates coming, you're doing just fine.

Damon

 

[vwnate1]

Oil Leaks

WHOOPS ! I did it :

Worked on my big brothers old Mercedes Diesel and didn't position the rockerbox gasket ' Just So ' so it dribbled out most of the oil as he drove home.... .

I spotted the black stripe in the road in front of my house nd called him , he replaced the gasket and has begun teasing me unmercifully all over the Internet .

Oops .

Just do the best you can and it'll be fine .