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Need to change out kingpens on '53 chevy PU. Lock pins don't won't to come out. Anyone been there before. Also, would like to swap out the "ball" wheel bearings to the roller bearing type. Any numbers?

Did the lock pins screw out at all? If so you need to start pounding them out.
Then do your self a favor and take the axel to a shop with a press and have the king pins presses out with a shop press.

Try some "Sea foam deep creep" lubrication also.

My lockpins wouldn't come out either. I had to drill them out and that is not a job that I enjoyed! With a regular torch, I am sure that they would have come out with some heat. I only had small propane bottles to use and the axel is too massive for that. The problem with pounding is at somepoint they will mush.

Now as far as the kingpins go, they took a lot of pounding with a sledge hammer. I used a hard wristpin for a drift. You can tell when they start to move because the sledge doesn't bounce quiet the same.

blkhrn..... I had the same question a couple days ago so look down the list and find my posting for some good comments. However, I did find that American Classic, who helps sponsor this site, had taper bearings for my 37 when no one else listed them. They also have the tapers for your truck. There is a "kit" offered and also they offer the inner and outer bearings. One was about $45 and the other about $30 if I remember correctly. Check them out. I have used them for years. Just click on view/order parts then click on proceed....then scroll down to the "W's" and it will show wheel bearings. Hope this helps.

The lock pins are made from very soft metal. They are hard to remove with out messing them up. They will also strip easily if you try to over tighten the nut on them when putting the wheel stops on them. You might want to secure another set of them before you begin the job. You'll probably need them.

Joe

My kingpin set from Jim Carter came complete with new lockbolts,lockwashers and nuts
Regards

You read stories and articles about installing new king pins (notta problem) if you have a big vice and torch and hammers and punches ? well I have a small benchvice and a few small hammers and punches, so I decided to take mine to a "real shop" and 2.5 hours and $225.00 later , wala new king pins. no busted hands ,high heart rate or colorful words(just had to work a few more OT hours)but worth it to me. You kinda gatta know your limits, and that was mine. lol
good luck , bowtie

Sometimes you will find king pin jobs to go real easy but most of the time they can be real tough.

One side of mine came right out, took about 10 minutes, the other side was four hours with big hammers, torch, punches, drills, and busted knuckles.
If you can get a good swing with out hitting your fenders, you have a fighting chance! Drill a small hole through the lock pins before you loose the center of them, sometimes thats all they need to come out. When that doesn't work, keep drilling bigger and bigger, but don't drill the axle. Joe

Thanks for all the help. Got everything out and put back together in about an hours time.It took a little more heat than I originally had. The small propane bottles just won't do it. Again, thanks for all the tips from you fellow stovebolters.