Re: 1966 C10 Project Truck
 

Ha! I've been pretty good about not doing anything stupid in the old pickup but the heat got to me and I just wasn't thinking. Oh well, that's all part of the game :lol:

Tinkered with the truck a bit on Saturday, fixed my power steering leak, exhaust leak and also figured out why the clutch started acting up again. Between the C10 and my Jeep, I've got full weekends of wrenching :lol:. I headed over to a buddy's house yesterday to see what they have been up to and decided to throw my GoPro in the pickup. The good parts are at 5:00 and 11:00 for those that want to skip ahead. Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbLgVYLSQhA

Re: 1966 C10 Project Truck
 

Finally got the old girl on the autocross track yesterday and I gotta say that I'm absolutely hooked! I was real nervous going in since I hadn't ever done an autocross before and I wasn't sure how the truck was going to do. Everyone was real supportive and happy to lend a hand when I needed it so the nerves went away quickly. We got 8 runs in and I was improving during my first 5 laps with the 5th lap being my best. For 6 and 7, my dad was riding with me and I slowed down a bit and then for the 8th lap, I beat myself and drove all wrong but was still pretty fast. For a simple suspension build on a 51 year old truck, I can't complain about anything, it was just way too much fun!

Here's a video from my fastest lap, it seemed like a lot longer when I was driving :lol:

https://youtu.be/LOvkHTF_u-A

Re: 1966 C10 Project Truck
 

Here are a couple of shots that dad got of it going around the track :metal:

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4301/...52ace62e_b.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4296/...661a172c_b.jpg

Re: 1966 C10 Project Truck
 

I've been keeping an eye out for a new cab with a big back window for some time now and I looked at a couple cabs with small windows that were better and worse than what I have at the same time. A big window cab popped up at a wrecking yard a couple hours away from the house so dad and I loaded up with the trailer and headed up Saturday morning with the intentions of bringing the whole cab back. Turns out, a guy has been looking at the cab for 3 weeks and beat us out by like 10 minutes, dangit! Overall, that cab was way more gone than what I had and he just wanted the big window panel. Feeling bummed, dad and I walked the yard in search of another big window cab that I saw in their inventory list the night before. We found it and the cab was untouched. Since it was a knee-knocker cab, I was only interested in the back of the cab so we went to work cutting the cab up. Pretty excited to add this to the list of winter projects this year :metal:

Dad starting the cuts at the roof
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4393/...005857ea_b.jpg

Success!
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4395/...966e3485_b.jpg

Felt like the trailer was a little overkill for this but we did head up with the intentions of bringing a whole cab back so I guess I had to use the trailer :lol:
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4391/...c66143ff_b.jpg

For the conversion, I will be cutting the interior panels out of each cab and spot welding the big panel onto my cab. That process looks to be pretty straightforward with minimal paint damage :metal:

Re: 1966 C10 Project Truck
 

I started this process recently also. Something I did notice when drilling spot welds on the inside of the panel, the outside panel isn't cut flush with the inside panel. I haven't put a ruler on it yet , but I'd guess it's 1/8 to 3/16 difference in some areas. I'm going to make a pattern of mine before I take it apart to make sure and transfer the opening to my truck so the glass fits right. I read something not long ago about a guy who cut his out and his glass was "loose" as he described it. That makes me wonder if it the outer panel needs that little extra length.

Re: 1966 C10 Project Truck
 

That's great information, thanks for sharing. My original plan was to use the inner panel as the template but maybe the best way to go about it is to make a template of the outer panel. I have some layer board I can steal from work so I will most likely use the outer panel for the template when I get to my conversion.

Re: 1966 C10 Project Truck
 

Hit up another autocross yesterday, I'm very happy with how it does out there. I do have a list of things to fix this winter and maybe before then. I need a bigger sway bar and/or stiffer springs up front, the open diff is killing me, the steering isn't up to snuff, the bench seat is less than ideal and my anti-squat is all jacked up so I can't really put any power down in the corners. I'm going to see if I can swing a new front sway bar before the next event in September but the rest will come later.

My second lap, I decided to see what the threshold was for the crossover. Carried too much speed and well you'll see :lol:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWeNC8rFHX8

My best and last lap, ran a 42.815 which for the bumpy course, I was stoked to hit!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UmdmEzzpEY

Re: 1966 C10 Project Truck
 

Couple pictures from the last autocross. I'll be doing quite the teardown this winter to address a few things, the smoke from the tailpipe is top of the list. I'm hoping it's something easy...

This is from my spin, love how the picture turned out :metal:
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4337/...243de840_b.jpg

Smokey :(
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4405/...67fb3179_b.jpg

Re: 1966 C10 Project Truck
 

Beat on the old girl pretty hard over the weekend with two autocross events, this thing is so much fun! I'm starting the winter upgrade list to get it to handle better and get it more competitive on the autocross course with the teardown coming soon. First thing will be to buy the Porterbuilt adjustable trailing arm crossmember so I can get proper traction to the rear tires and then a lot of little things to help the front suspension out.

Fastest test and tune lap
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lylr5cBSBH0

Fastest autocross lap
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuNJmnnYO08

Instructor lap
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WM-TOka5jlw

Re: 1966 C10 Project Truck
 

.

Can't believe I missed this thread!

Wow, what a SHARP looking truck - job well done w/ this build!

.

Re: 1966 C10 Project Truck
 

Killer build in the making.

Re: 1966 C10 Project Truck
 

Thank you, I appreciate the kind words!

Thanks Mr. Bomp!

I ordered the Porterbuilt crossmember last week, just waiting for them to build it and ship it. I'm estimating just a couple more chances to drive it this year so the teardown will happen fairly soon. There's another autocross on the 15th but the weather doesn't look promising so I'm guessing that I'm done for the season.

On the docket for this Winter:

99-04 Mustang 8.8 rear axle
Porterbuilt crossmember
Rear panhard bar
New rack and pinion - maybe
Caster correction
Camber correction
Front and rear shock relocation
Rear C-Notch
Big back window
Cab rust repair

Check back in for some build updates in the coming weeks :metal:

Re: 1966 C10 Project Truck
 

:metal::metal::metal::metal::metal::metal:

Re: 1966 C10 Project Truck
 

Great build! I've read through all of Hackster's builds which lead me to follow yours. Both of you guys are giving me the inspiration I need to tear into my 54 F100 this winter and get started. Looking forward to seeing your upgrades and progress!

Re: 1966 C10 Project Truck
 

I'm honored to have you watching and following along, Hackster does some great work and it's finally rubbing off on me. He has been a large part of what the Army Truck is and always willing to lend a hand when I need it, good dude for sure :metal:

Re: 1966 C10 Project Truck
 

Just spent some time going through your build. Really cool truck.

Re: 1966 C10 Project Truck
 

I just found this, and went back and read it all. I like what you are doing here, Great build!

Re: 1966 C10 Project Truck
 

New member here, and I love this write up. Very impressed and jealous. Just bought my first project 1965 c10 lwb. this gives me a lot of inspiration. Cant wait to follow this build through the winter with all the ideas you have to improve it.

Re: 1966 C10 Project Truck
 

Thanks for the kind words, everyone!

I got my Porterbuilt trailing arm crossmember the other night and my excitement level immediately went to a head scratching fest. The reason why I went with theirs is because of the fine adjustment in anti-squat, I actually have a model drawn up that looks identical to theirs, and when I pulled it out of the box there were only 3 holes. Not what I want. I'm going to decide whether it's worth cutting their brackets off and doing my own or send it back and start from scratch.

Their website picture, notice the "scalloped" hole design with a lot of adjustability
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4487/...8e399a31_b.jpg

And what I got
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4451/...bdb24d10_b.jpg

They changed the design about 6 months ago and haven't updated the website yet if anyone is curious.

Re: 1966 C10 Project Truck
 

Love this build! btw sent you PM

Re: 1966 C10 Project Truck
 

Picked up a new axle for it today, it's an 8.8 out of a 99 Mustang GT with a limited slip, disc brakes and a 3.30ish gear ratio. Should compliment the motor quite well!

Re: 1966 C10 Project Truck
 

I'm curious as to what the width is of that 8.8........

Re: 1966 C10 Project Truck
 

62.5 wheel mount to wheel mount. Can't get a whole lot closer to what our 12 bolts are :metal:

Got it on the dyno yesterday at a local Subaru shop open house and dyno day. Didn't throw down the numbers I was thinking it would but their dyno is very stingy on the power numbers. It put down 234/261 which is not horrible, I just loved seeing it on the dyno!

4th gear pull, took a little long to get going

https://youtu.be/e6TCPwesH5Y

3rd gear pull, he stabbed it a little hard and spun

https://youtu.be/GtGHxZRWfg4

3rd gear pull, tighter straps and ballast

https://youtu.be/GyNwb00aBTo

Re: 1966 C10 Project Truck
 

One more question about the Mustang 8.8. Is the pinion centered? I know that on an Explorer 8.8 it is offset to the passenger side.

Re: 1966 C10 Project Truck
 

I believe it is, I know the shafts are the same length but I will confirm if it's centered tonight.

Re: 1966 C10 Project Truck
 

It looks to be centered up, if not it's like 1/2" off side to side.

Re: 1966 C10 Project Truck
 

Thanks, I used a 8.8 from an explorer, it is something like 59.5" wide at the WMS, but the pinion is offset to the passenger side like 1.5"-2". It works for now, but I might have to look for a mustang unit...

Re: 1966 C10 Project Truck
 

I spent the weekend helping my buddy get his new shop setup, we hung some cabinets and built a huge workbench. They're moving about 2 hours away so I won't be able to bug them all the time but they're still somewhat close by. When I got home, I had some more truck parts waiting for me. I got the Performance Online axle swap kit, well built and comes with what you need to put a different axle under your truck. Can't wait to start working on things again!

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4497/...22453a4c_b.jpg

Re: 1966 C10 Project Truck
 

Nice!
Is the bar adjustable?

Re: 1966 C10 Project Truck
 

Yep, it's adjustable on both ends which nets 4" of adjustability. It'll be way nicer to get things centered up with the adjustments on both ends because you can loosen the jam nuts, spin the bar and then tighten the nuts back up when you're done.

Re: 1966 C10 Project Truck
 

hey you still got them orange valve covers?...also what are your plans for the old 12bolt?...truck is turning out sweet man!

Re: 1966 C10 Project Truck
 

I do have them still and plans for the 12 bolt are to sell it. It's got some good parts with it, 5 or 6 lug capable, but it needs a carrier because I welded it up.

Re: 1966 C10 Project Truck
 

It's been a crazy last few months for me so I haven't gotten to work on the old girl at all yet to get it prepped for the start of race season. I did sign up for the 3 day autocross pack at LSFest West this year so work on the Army Truck will start very soon! I've got a lot of work to do in not a whole lot of time but I will get it done. Here's what will be happening in the next month or so:

Install Porterbuilt trailing arm crossmember
Install 8.8
C-notch the frame
Taller upper balljoints
Caster modification
LS6 valley pan
Kirkey bucket seats
Dyno tune?????

Going to be an awesome time prepping the truck this year :metal:

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4752/...fae459db_b.jpg

Re: 1966 C10 Project Truck
 

Work for LS Fest has started! My buddy was in town and bored so we took the opportunity to get my garage cleaned up again, it's amazing how much crap a garage can accumulate :lol:

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4606/...2a9f6895_h.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4673/...8ff4e672_h.jpg

The 8.8 is getting ready to go in, I'm sending the axles and rotors to Dutchman this week to get redrilled for 5x5 and cutting all the Mustang brackets off. Couldn't have come at a better time, the 12 bolt is done :ho:
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4694/...47ebf11d_h.jpg

Re: 1966 C10 Project Truck
 

With my new work schedule, I don't have as much time after work as before but I can still make a lot of noise for an hour or so. I got the factory brackets cut off the 8.8 last night and noticed that it will need axle seals and it looks like a pinion seal as well. I also sent the axle shafts and brake rotors off to Dutchman to get them redrilled to 5x5 pattern.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4742/...eec6a5be_b.jpg

Re: 1966 C10 Project Truck
 

Started tearing into it yesterday, pulled the 12 bolt and mocked the 8.8 up. Everything seems to be fitting nice and it hasn't fought me yet. :metal:

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4662/...05cb3ab7_b.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4666/...cf5d8c42_b.jpg

8.8 mocked up, driveline looks like it will work which is awesome. The exhaust doesn't like my new panhard bar so I'll be cutting it right after the rear axle
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4648/...e11b4ed0_b.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4723/...858fae4f_b.jpg

And the best part about working on a pickup, as we all know, storage space :lol:
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4649/...16c930f7_b.jpg

Re: 1966 C10 Project Truck
 

Where did you get those taillights? Looking for something similar.

Awesome truck.

Re: 1966 C10 Project Truck
 

Thank you!

I'm not sure on the taillights, a buddy bought them 20 years ago at a shop in Arizona and gave them to me when I bought the pickup.

Re: 1966 C10 Project Truck
 

Maybe these with a blue dot:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1955-1956-1...xW3f88&vxp=mtr
https://i.ebayimg.com/thumbs/images/...1Iu/s-l200.jpg

Re: 1966 C10 Project Truck
 

I agree. That is the style I was thinking they are.