Re: Project: Shiro
 

One spot that has me freaking out is the lower pillar, its pretty hammered. :banghead:

This thing is swiss cheese...
Attachment 1371463

... more cheese
Attachment 1371464

I was trying to abracadabra this thing on there but none of the spells I knew worked :devil:, I guess I'll have to do it with actual work.
Attachment 1371465

Re: Project: Shiro
 

Buck trade out that door pillar for a Tabco. You'll be surprised at how well it fits.

Re: Project: Shiro
 

You can make that work, it will take a little bit of work though.

Re: Project: Shiro
 

Who sells tabco pieces?

Re: Project: Shiro
 

Here is a link to there website. https://tabcoparts.com
I couldn't get the online order to go through so I just called them. The online order system is new so it probably needs the kinks worked out.

Re: Project: Shiro
 

I heard that their rockers fit poorly, but everything else is top notch.

Re: Project: Shiro
 

Thanks for the link...

I have NOS rockers but the rest of the pieces are Tri-Plus. I'm certainly willing to buy a better fitting piece, thanks for the heads up.

Re: Project: Shiro
 

Buck, I don't know if your familiar with the "L" bracket behind the door pillar. Be careful not to cut into it. When you cut the door pillar try and stay about a 1/2 below the bottom bolt hole for the door hinge and you should be fine. Good luck.

Re: Project: Shiro
 

Well, I have a problem. My initial assessment says my rust is goes up around this area. As I understand it there is a "cage" that holds the block that the hinge bolts thread into. That must be the "L" bracket you mentioned. Not sure what to do if working in this area will be an issue.

Re: Project: Shiro
 

Yes, that's what I'm referring to. You should be fine from the looks of where your rust is at.

Re: Project: Shiro
 

I have pin holes as high as the center between the bolt holes.

Re: Project: Shiro
 

That sucks. It isn't impossible, just make a tape template transfer it too cardboard. Measure your angles and distances using reference points on the cab. It sounds easier than actually doing it I'm sure.

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Sentiment of the day…

Attachment 1372940

Re: Project: Shiro
 

Uh oh...

Re: Project: Shiro
 

That'll look good in the back of a white truck. Oh, wait... :lol:

Re: Project: Shiro
 

:lol: I'm indifferent to the truck at the moment. Waiting on my ebfabman videos to arrive, maybe I'll come around after I watch/study them.

Re: Project: Shiro
 

Buck, I understand where you are coming from. Once I started cutting out rot on Korbin's truck, I got down on it and did not work on it for a time. But, he needed it to get done since it was supposed to be ready for his 16th birthday. Once I got started, I got into a rythm and it went fairly smooth. This board had good reference pics and I knew I could do the work even though I had not ever replaced a rocker. I ended up doing both rockers, cab corners and a complete floor on his truck.

You can do it!

Re: Project: Shiro
 

I've listened to a few of the C10Talk podcast and one thing is echoing in my ears, unfinished projects. Dino and Nate both mentioned it in their interviews the number of guys that blow apart their truck and they never come back together. I definitely don't want to be one of those guys. The problem for me is when things don't move quickly I lose interest... well, I don't so much lose interest as I let other things distract me. For instance, right now I am trying to go about the rust repair on this truck the correct way by collecting info and creating a strategy to ensure it turns out well. This has forced me to wait for some information, and waiting is not something I do very well. Blazers are like forbidden fruit for me, forbidden because I want a nice one and they are quite pricey, so I get to trolling the internet and the tire kicking dreamer in me drags me farther away from the intended path. My wife and kids are used to this and do pretty well at nudging me back into reality. Honestly the best thing I could do for my family today would be to sell all of my truck stuff and buy a "new to me" Camaro and ride it, and while I've come close recently I can't bring myself to do it. I just don't want to be one of the guys Dino and Nate talked about who's project never gets finished but right now I'm just fighting to stay on the path. Anyway, thanks for following along, I wear my emotions on my sleeve so to speak so my apologies if the build digresses at times and I ramble on. I appreciate your comments and hope I am able to provide some entertainment as well as some info or ideas that might help you in your C10 journey. Later...

Re: Project: Shiro
 

I'm right there with you. I always get my projects so close then lose interest and onto to next..... Which why I never finish any of them. Trying to stay off the project hunting path is like kicking cocaine for me. For me the best thing todo is to stay on the project in one way or another. If I'm away for to long than so long and onto the next. Stay at it and keep tinkering that's the best way I have found to keep motivated.

Re: Project: Shiro
 

Keep working on it.


And like Boonedog says...keep on it. I bought out one of his projects :lol:

Re: Project: Shiro
 

Haha hope it's coming together ed

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Yeah, stick with it. I do understand the frustration of thinking you bought one thing and winding up with another but I think you and your son will really be glad that you finished this through.

Re: Project: Shiro
 

So I guess I'm one of those guys that Nate and Dino were referring too. I bought a "rust free" truck like you, but found it was anything but. Just like you did.

With that being said Nate and Dino have a ton of support to finish these trucks in a short amount of time. Most home builders don't have those resources. So when it comes to figuring out brake lines, gas lines and pinion angles (some of the things that are rarely spoken about when you buy the products) the home builder struggles in these areas.

I think that Nate and Dino comparing their progress to that of the home builder is like comparing apples to oranges.

I've been working on a truck for three years, that I only thought would take six months. It's been a learning process the entire time. Like others have said, keep muscling through it and it will pay off..

Re: Project: Shiro
 

Dont know about you man, but as much as I would like to have mine done in 6 months... its not gonna happen. Just gotta keep pluggin away at it and some day you will have something you can be proud of.

Re: Project: Shiro
 

Just to clarify, neither Dino nor Nate ever made that comparison. They simply commented on the number of trucks that get blown apart and never get finished, at least not by the person who started the project.

I understand that it takes time to build a quality truck, I don't mind that at all. The problem for me is down time and staying on course when I have to wait. That's when the T.A.D.D. kicks in. :lol: The hidden rust issues have exacerbated this for me by adding some fear of the unknown and some down time preparing to fix it. I worked on some other stuff for a few hours today, that will help. Hopefully my ebfabman DVDs will be here soon and I can get the rust repair done and get the body parts to the painter. I'll feel a lot better at that point I'm sure. Thanks for the encouragement.

Re: Project: Shiro
 

I havnt even got to the body really yet other than striping the cab, doors and the one fender I plan on re-using. I think the doors are gonna have to go too. The PO replaced the outter rockers, but the inners are rough so the outters have to come back off. Corners have to be replaced and the bottom of the windshield channels are gonna be a *****... both lower corner areas have to be cut out and replaced... Thats the part I will have trouble with. Hell.. I dont even own a welder lol. The bed... thats another story.

Love those "Rust Free" projects.

Re: Project: Shiro
 

Got this pig on the stand today, ready to get a good cleaning and some makeup. :lol:

Attachment 1374495

Re: Project: Shiro
 

Looking into changing up the induction. At the very least I have to buy a throttle body, but what is we go just a little farther with the efi? What is we go old school with dual 4 barrels? Decisions... Decisions ;)

Attachment 1374742

Re: Project: Shiro
 

That's a tough one. Personally, given those three choices, I'd stick with the factory style intake. I say this only because I'd rather have EFI than carbs on an LS, and I'm not a big fan of that Holley intake. I'm not sure exactly why though. :lol: Good luck making your decision.

What about an 8-stack intake like the old Hilborn injection? Like this:
Attachment 1374858

Again, good luck, and keep building!

Re: Project: Shiro
 

Personally, I think putting carbs on an LS is like putting a Power Glide in a new Z06.

Re: Project: Shiro
 

I'm planning on replacing my LS1 intake (probably the worst stock piece they made) with the tall runner version of that Holley. If you like the look of the stock intake though, FAST makes a really nice piece.

Speaking on looks alone, there's not much that would beat that dual 4-bbl setup, except that ITB/stack setup. Wow. :metal:

Re: Project: Shiro
 

I like the Holley setup...:D

Re: Project: Shiro
 

Don't lose interest in your project. You will get through the rust repair. It just takes time. I had to put mine on hold for almost a whole year one time. I didn't think I would ever finish it. But now I get to drive anytime I want. Keep your head up.
Please don't put carbs on your motor. Fuel injection is the only way to fly. IMHO

Re: Project: Shiro
 

Worked on the sheet metal a little tonight...

The corners bunch up when the panels are pressed into shape, these peaks keep the panels from aligning well.
Attachment 1379698

I cut through the raised areas with a cut-off wheel and hammered them flat, I'll weld them up and grind them smooth later.
Attachment 1379703

I cut the rest of the cab corner off and smoothed the edges.
Attachment 1379701

Then I laid the panel in place and marked for the first trim. It will take several trimmings and some grinding to get a tight fit. I am trying to get a tightest seam I can to help reduce the blow through when welding it up.
Attachment 1379700

Re: Project: Shiro
 

Glad to see you tore into the cab to give it a go. I took a week just mapping my measurements and cutting sheetmetal preparing to weld the panels up. Take your time and measure measure measure. Good luck Buck.

Re: Project: Shiro
 

The bottom edge of the cab corner sort of rolled forward which also made the panels not align...
Attachment 1379710

... so I pie cut the the panel to straighten the edge. Will also be welded up and smoothed later. ;)
Attachment 1379711

Re: Project: Shiro
 

Thanks bro!!

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You're attacking those panels like a pro. I thought you hadn't done this before?? Keep it up!

Re: Project: Shiro
 

Those videos must teach you a lot, because it sure looks like you know what you are doing. I might have to get me a set.

Re: Project: Shiro
 

Man...bodywork...I don't want to know what is under the bondo on mine....