Re: Starting my first build - 1966 C10
 

:metal:

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...0/DSC_0370.jpg

Re: Starting my first build - 1966 C10
 

Very cool progress!!

Re: Starting my first build - 1966 C10
 

awsome build so far man!!! crazy amount of fab time in this thing im sure:metal::metal::metal::metal::metal::metal::metal::metal:

Re: Starting my first build - 1966 C10
 

Thanks all! I've been busy... :D

Front is sitting a bit lower that it should (it has some old KTM springs in it), but, whoa, I'm stoked.

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...0/DSC_0036.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...0/DSC_0037.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...0/DSC_0038.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...0/DSC_0039.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...0/DSC_0041.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...0/DSC_0042.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...0/DSC_0043.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...0/DSC_0044.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...0/DSC_0045.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...0/DSC_0046.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...0/DSC_0047.jpg

Re: Starting my first build - 1966 C10
 

Slave cylinder / trans x-member done:

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...s/IMAG0161.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...s/IMAG0160.jpg

Re: Starting my first build - 1966 C10
 

The drolic set up ... your idea or bought part. If it's yours ... I'm impressed.

Ratty 46

Re: Starting my first build - 1966 C10
 

The slave cylinder was bought (of course) :D , the bracket was built out of 1/4" plate with the help of a torch, plasma cutter, BFH, a 1/2 rotabroach and a welder. :)

Thanks for the compliment!

Forgot to mention, the clutch fork had two spots for "actuation" - I cut off the outer one (used by the mechanical linkage) and will use the inner one. I did this to minimize the amount of travel the slave cylinder needs and to make room for the exhaust that will be right next to it. :)

Re: Starting my first build - 1966 C10
 

You'll have it on the road in say ,... what a day or two ???

Re: Starting my first build - 1966 C10
 

Six weeks.

:D

Re: Starting my first build - 1966 C10
 

drive it down here and we'll do lunch ............ This from a guy that has had his on the road for less than a week... lol

Re: Starting my first build - 1966 C10
 

:lol:
Ordered the wrong clutch.

Apparently, the "S10 V8 Conversion Clutch kit" from Rockauto.com gets shipped used and possibly the wrong part. Oh well, live & learn! Tubing is here, so I'll be able to run my exhaust. WooHoo!

Re: Starting my first build - 1966 C10
 

New dual exhaust, all welded.

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...s/DSC_0380.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...s/DSC_0384.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...s/DSC_0386.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...s/DSC_0387.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...s/DSC_0388.jpg

Re: Starting my first build - 1966 C10
 

Really enjoying following along on this. Lovin' that Canadian structural steel you are using for cross members, got some of that in my ole C10 too!

If ya don't mind me asking, what is that IRS out of?

Re: Starting my first build - 1966 C10
 

It's from a 1993 Furd Thunderbird SuperCoupe. Mostly steel and cast iron, but the SC had rear discs. I picked it up plus the serpentine setup for a SBC for $400 - figured it was cheaper than doing a 4-linked 12-bolt (cause I was shortening the wheelbase).

Had no idea I would have to cut off the back half of the frame. :lol:

Re: Starting my first build - 1966 C10
 

It appears you make your exhaust like I do .. lol good job..

Re: Starting my first build - 1966 C10
 

Nicely done ... what did that all cost you??

Time invested?

Ratty 46

Re: Starting my first build - 1966 C10
 

Using OEM parts makes a lot of sense. I never have understood swapping out a trailing arm set-up to a 4 link set-up for a street driven truck. Trailing arms are a proven design, but going independent, like you are, should make for a nicer ride and better handling.

Bet you're really looking forward to that first drive.

Re: Starting my first build - 1966 C10
 

What? I thought I had all the empty beer cans? ;D

Good question - and I was thinking of tallying it up - but then my wife might find it. :lol:

I bought the rear end along with a serpentine setup for $400, but the agreed price was $150. I spent $250 on new calipers/discs/hoses/cables and probably about $50 in steel. Oh, and wheel adapters for $120...

Maybe $700 total?
Time? Probably a solid 20 hours of measuring and fabwork - maybe 40 extra hours on all the research I put in on which IRS vs. what 4-link design vs. redoing(shortening) the trailing arms.


Oh man, you ain't kiddin'! Hopefully, it'll be vibration free and not have any bad characteristics. One nice thing about the IRS is that they (in general) do lousy burnouts - so hopefully it'll help me act more my age behind the wheel.

I would've left the dang rear suspension alone if I hadn't been told: "All stepside beds are the same - from '56 to '66". That missing 8" of bed is hard to spot when the thing is propped up on the side of the road! :waah:

One of these should be waiting for me when I get home...

Re: Starting my first build - 1966 C10
 

Exhaust done.
Frame done.
Driveshaft done.

A few misc things left before I put the cab back on. :D

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...0/DSC_0048.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...0/DSC_0049.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...0/DSC_0051.jpg

Re: Starting my first build - 1966 C10
 

Just for those curious on the clutch trouble I had:

Most, if not all of the T-5 swap info I've read suggests swapping a S-10 tailshaft housing on to a Camaro T-5 to get the benefits of WC strength and shifter location. I just went with a "plain" S-10 trans and figured I'd go with the "S-10 V8 conversion" clutch kit I've seen for sale.

This is what I found, once I had my hands on the parts:
The biggest S-10 clutch I could find was just over 10" - and it would work well - IF I had a 153T flywheel or a 168T with dual patterns drilled in it. I do not - my 168T only has holes drilled for the 11"+ clutches.
Since the S-10 T5 has a 1" dia 14 spline input shaft, the Camaro clutches of the correct size (for a 168T FW) are not compatible.

Through research, I found that a clutch from an 86 M-van (Astro) was the correct diameter and spline count to couple the early T5 to a 168T bellhousing. Everything worked well until I tried to put the trans on the bellhousing - it would go in nearly all the way before binding up on something. The last 1/4" nearly peed in my happy water.

So, out came the trans, I measured everything again and saw that nothing was unreasonable. I marked up several areas that I thought might be binding up with paint pen and installed the trans again. The "witness marks" left in the paint showed me the pilot busing was fine and nothing was bottoming out there. There were interesting marks on the splines though - looked like the disc was going up too far on the input shaft. So, the whole bellhousing/clutch assembly comes apart again - for about the hundredth time in two days (or so it seemed! :D ).
I slid the clutch disc on the input shaft and could immediately see what my problem was - the clutch hub sat too far out (toward the trans) and rode too far up the input shaft - and was bottoming out on the input shaft splines.

My solution - we'll see how it holds up - was to countersink the spines on the hub 0.1" and shim the trans out 0.2" from the bellhousing (enough that the input snout still engages the bellhousing / locates the transmission). That gives me enough clearance to bolt up before there is any bind - and (hopefully) a small amount of extra space for the disc to float.

The NWC T5 is definitely the weak link in my drivetrain, but it shares the same exterior length and output shaft size/spline count as a T56, which I am keeping my eye open for an affordable one. :D Hopefully, I'll have one waiting to go in next fall (if everything goes according to plan) when the body comes off for the final paint and dent removal, etc.

Re: Starting my first build - 1966 C10
 

Some poopy cellphone shots from last night. Still chasing down miscellaneous stuff - like the oil filter mount, starter, blah, blah, blah...

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...s/IMAG0168.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...s/IMAG0167.jpg

Need to finish up plumbing the power steering, get a few more fuel fittings to finish the line and setup the brakes. It's a stretch goal, but I'd like to fire it up by next weekend.

Re: Starting my first build - 1966 C10
 

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...0/DSC_0055.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...0/DSC_0054.jpg

Re: Starting my first build - 1966 C10
 

It runs. :)

http://s52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...=VIDEO0026.mp4

Re: Starting my first build - 1966 C10
 

sounds nice, thanks for the video!! looks good with just the cab on there! how far are your rockers gonna be off the ground 8-10 in.?? i've been cleaning scrapping and painting my inner fenders on weekends here lately just have finished them to update my thread!! once again nice build!!

Re: Starting my first build - 1966 C10
 

Thanks!

I'm hoping the rockers are 6" or 7" off the ground when I get all the weight loaded back on. I was able to keep a flat belly on the truck - and the targeted measurement for the bottom of the frame (under the cab) was 9" when I was "designing" everything. We'll see how things line up - I've been incredibly lucky so far; this is my first project of this magnitude and I sort jumped in with both feet. Hopefully all goes well. :D

Re: Starting my first build - 1966 C10
 

BTW, the exhaust in my video is dual 2.5" pipes (coming off of headers) into Flowmaster Super 44's - then to turn downs that exit at the rear of the truck.
I'm trying to figure out a good way to fit a crossover between the duals before they hit the mufflers and so it stays tucked up in the frame.

Re: Starting my first build - 1966 C10
 

Scott, You said this was a c 10, if you are going to change out the grille to a C10 let me know, I am looking for a 66 gmc front chrome grille........Kieth 918-446-2245

Re: Starting my first build - 1966 C10
 

As soon as I find that elusive 1960 chevy grille...

Re: Starting my first build - 1966 C10
 

Nice work. That stance will look great on the road or sitting still. All around great job.

Re: Starting my first build - 1966 C10
 

Thanks! Here's an updated stance picture:

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...606111422a.jpg

I think we named it "TourMater" last night. :lol:

Re: Starting my first build - 1966 C10
 

Not much you can really see, but I've been saddled with some real time consuming stuff getting the cab to sit correctly on the frame - namely; having to relieve the firewall in three different spots. Seems it didn't like me moving the engine 1.5" rearward. :lol:

Cab is mounted solid, steering shaft is done, brake master cylinder adapter mount done, clutch master mounted, brake lines and proportioning valve done, 3/4 ton front swaybar installed.

Tomorrow I hope to get both master cylinders connected to the pedals - then the only thing that'll keep me from driving this thing is the missing milkcrate. :D

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...0/DSC_0067.jpg

Re: Starting my first build - 1966 C10
 

All looks good wow that is some snaky steering shaft.

Re: Starting my first build - 1966 C10
 

I really enjoy following this build. Your "make it work" skills are off the chart. :metal:

Have you considered a safety cable around the motor mount? Kind of "belt and suspenders" but the only reason I ask is if the motor mount fails, and the engine torques over you may loose your steering.

Wide open throttle and no steering = cool video, but not from the drivers perspective.

When I was about 5 years old......:confused:

My dad had a motor mount break on a '65 Impala SS. One minute we were sitting at a stop light, the light went green and next thing I know the old man was burning rubber across the intersection :eek::burnout::bo2: Dad reached up and shut the car off and we coasted over to the curb. It was a manual trans. car and when the motor mount broke, the engine torqued over, throttle went wide open and the clutch and foot feed went to the floor. Only option was to turn it off. I gotta say I was impressed at how quick the old man shut it down. He wasn't trying to do a burnout, he merely just let out the clutch and things went "up in smoke" real quick! He took it to the local Chevy dealer and they replaced the mount. The new one had a safety cable around it, so if it did break, the separation was limited.

Re: Starting my first build - 1966 C10
 

Thanks for the compliments!

I paid extra for some fancy-schmancy poly mounts that are supposed to have a positive stop built in. :bann:

Funny you mention your dad's Impala story - the EXACT same thing happened to me when I was 17 and had a 66 Fairlane. Talk about something that gets your attention! That's why I went with the motormounts I did. :D

Re: Starting my first build - 1966 C10
 

Sweet! I should have known you were way ahead of me.

Re: Starting my first build - 1966 C10
 

What!?

I don't see it as "way ahead of you", I see it as "great minds think alike". :D

Re: Starting my first build - 1966 C10
 

:c2:

Re: Starting my first build - 1966 C10
 

Brake stuff:
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...0/DSC_0070.jpg
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...0/DSC_0071.jpg

Rear shock:
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...0/DSC_0077.jpg

New fenders:
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...0/DSC_0075.jpg

And - one thing I'm excited about - trading my GMC grille for a 61 Chevrolet grille:
from this:
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g2...DSC_0816-1.jpg

to this:
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z...9/CIMG5531.jpg

I'm going to paint the bezels and inner grille flat white. :D

A HUGE THANK YOU to Leadfoot Lambert for the swap!

Re: Starting my first build - 1966 C10
 

Oh ... this is coming right along.

If I can ask ... did you contemplate cutting that #1 tube & raising it up & around the steering shaft instead of the flex joint?? Just thought that would be a more direct shot to the rac.

Ratty 46

Re: Starting my first build - 1966 C10
 

Ratty,
I certainly did - actually, it was my plan all along - HOWEVER: I wasn't smart enough to take measurements before taking the cab off and removing the steering shaft from the vicinity. :lol: If I did as I planned (and what you suggested) - the angle would have been too large (> 30 ) and regular joints would bind. I suppose $250 worth of double-cardan joints would've sufficed, but this way is about $100 cheaper.

Hindsight being 20/20 - a set of Speedway rams horns or block huggers would allow a much cleaner steering setup. :D The tube from the #1 cylinder is right smack-dab where the shaft wants to be. I may address this when I have the cab off this fall to start the bodywork - cut and move the tube around a bit.

My excuse? Stainless headers that I don't have to worry about disintegrating under header wrap - all for $5 - something deep inside me wants to make them work out. :lol: