Thrash 2007: Will I drive it to the board meet?
 

Here's the plan: Drive my '68 to the board meet in July.:metal:

Here's the problem: It's over 500 miles one way, and my truck is in a thousand pieces in my garage!:whine:

http://newt0.com/simplegal/galleries...3519_sized.jpg

So I've started this thread to document what I'm calling "Thrash 2007", which is an effort to get my truck roadworthy in time to make this trip.

Here's what has been done so far:

• Swapped the body to a coil spring frame
• Installed front air ride
• ECE drop spindles
• ECE quick-ratio steering box
• All new control arm shafts, ball joints, tie rods, pitman arm, idler arm, sway bar bushings, etc.
• Installed a c-notch
• Tore everything else apart

Now this is a list of what is waiting on the shelf:

• The rest of the air ride system: rear bags, tanks, valves, engine driven compressor, digital air gauge, water trap, etc.
• Cross-drilled and slotted front rotors
• 18 circuit painless wiring harness
• Full stainless steel brake lines
• ECE shock relocators
• ECE Super panhard bar
• ECE rear frame crossmember
• Fuellcellguy fuel cell
• 350/TH350 combo I bought from Rage'nRat a couple years ago (might wind up with vortec heads and headers, have to see what the internals are like [compression ratio, etc.])
• New rubber body mounts
• New engine mounts
• New tranny mount
• Covan's classic dash bezel
• Black carpet kit

So stay tuned. It's gonna be interesting! I'll also be taking plenty of pictures, not to do a step-by-step necessarily, but just to keep it interesting.

http://newt0.com/simplegal/galleries...3521_sized.jpg
http://newt0.com/simplegal/galleries...3522_sized.jpg
http://newt0.com/simplegal/galleries...3523_sized.jpg
http://newt0.com/simplegal/galleries...3524_sized.jpg

Re: Thrash 2007: Will I drive it to the board meet?
 

Adam... it's about time man! ;)
Not too many ppl I can say that too either! :haha:
I'm crossing my fingers that I'll be able to go too.

Re: Thrash 2007: Will I drive it to the board meet?
 

Another Ohioan! Good luck with your project, I will follow your progress!

Re: Thrash 2007: Will I drive it to the board meet?
 

Good luck with the build.I am in the same boat w/ my 71 4x4.I would like to drive it to the meet but I am farther behind on my project than you.It will be close but I dont know if it will be road worthy in time.

Re: Thrash 2007: Will I drive it to the board meet?
 

we have a few right here in Columbus... I have met 3 or 4 here in the past year... one of them with a primer black chevy with a GMC grill and a cad big block too! (his is a SWB though)

Re: Thrash 2007: Will I drive it to the board meet?
 

I know it's been a long time coming! :o

If you can go, let me know which way you're heading. Maybe I can meet you in Indy or something? I'm not sure which route would be fastest from Columbus. I was planning on heading down through Louisville, but Indy wouldn't be bad either, especially if it means I'm not on the road alone!

1969k10stepside: Hang in there buddy, anything is possible! I think it's really up to the weather. As long as spring shows up on time I shouldn't be too rushed.

Re: Thrash 2007: Will I drive it to the board meet?
 

spring? It's like spring here already... mid 50's tomorow. I washed my truck today. :D

Re: Thrash 2007: Will I drive it to the board meet?
 

we can wash our cars here but we have to go through the auto wash or it'll be too damn cold and we'll be popsicles by the time we finish

Re: Thrash 2007: Will I drive it to the board meet?
 

I know Andy, it's been warm. I'm just hesitant to give up my heated garage space for my daily driver right now. I know as soon as I get the '68 spread out over both bays it'll snow!

Re: Thrash 2007: Will I drive it to the board meet?
 

the S-10 can handle a little frost... cummon man, the 68 has been waiting for this for 4 years! So you fire it up and run inside for 5 min... just like the rest of us. ;)

Re: Thrash 2007: Will I drive it to the board meet?
 

A little history to keep it interesting.

I bought the truck April 13th, 2002. Drove it for about a year without really doing anything to it. It finally started burning more oil than gas around January '03 and I figured that was a good time to start making it the way I wanted it.
http://newt0.com/simplegal/galleries...ront_sized.jpg

So I did a quick photochop to see what I could come up with.
http://newt0.com/simplegal/galleries...ruck_sized.jpg

That led to this drawing:
http://newt0.com/simplegal/galleries...wing_sized.jpg

And eventually I had Zumo do up a rendering to finalize it all:
http://newt0.com/simplegal/galleries...n682_sized.jpg

So that's the ends I'm working towards. I may be getting a bit ahead of myself, but I wanted you guys to see the vision I've had for the past few years. And all of this because I bought a magazine called Sport Truck back in 1999 and saw something called the Circus Wagon. These things sure have a way of getting out of hand! :lol:

Re: Thrash 2007: Will I drive it to the board meet?
 

Good luck with that, looks like it will be well worth it. Before your post I had not noticed the thing about the Board meet. Dang that's a long way, my Blazer won't make that trip this year, although she could with a new hearbeat. Maybe next year...

Re: Thrash 2007: Will I drive it to the board meet?
 

Okay, you've talked me into it. First thing after work tomorrow the S-10 will come out, and it'll begin. First thing is drilling holes for the rear air bags, then fitting the fuel cell and drilling those holes. Shouldn't be too bad.

My only concern with the weather is getting the back half of the frame painted half-ways decent. Does spraying paint with an air gun work out better in lower temperatures than spray paint? Maybe it's about time I invest in one of those. I'm just spraying rust-o-leum anyways... maybe I should roll it on? :rolleyes:

Re: Thrash 2007: Will I drive it to the board meet?
 

I'd get one of those little jet engine looking heaters... you can heat up the metal with it and roll on your paint, which is probably a better idea than spraying anything in your attached garage.
I never realized to took apart such a nice truck.

Re: Thrash 2007: Will I drive it to the board meet?
 

Now that is one nice rendering

Re: Thrash 2007: Will I drive it to the board meet?
 

It really looks nicer than it was. Somebody had thrown it together previously and while he may not have been a dope smokin' old man, there were some issues.

The paint job was crap. The clear coat was coming off in huge flakes because it was put on so thick. It had a couple obvious spots of bondo work that had either bubbled or split. The entire front clip was hung wrong, the hood rubbed on the fenders, etc. The dash is hacked up for both a radio and a/c vents, but it's not an a/c truck. I stripped the paint/bondo off the bed, front fenders, and rockers and found a bunch of waves/dents and some rust in the rockers, cab corners, and of course the passenger fender under the battery is gone.

So yeah, it was a decent truck. Got me plenty of looks on the road and even a note on the windshield once. But like I said, things got out of hand quickly, and I'm glad my truck isn't any worse than it is. It's a pretty solid start!

Re: Thrash 2007: Will I drive it to the board meet?
 

Oh, and I wanted to make sure to thank you guys for all the kind words. I do appreciate it!

Re: Thrash 2007: Will I drive it to the board meet?
 

Hey Alvin, what tires are on that final rendering, any idea? I like the tread pattern and short profiles.

Re: Thrash 2007: Will I drive it to the board meet?
 

I have no idea! I didn't get that specific on my requests for the render. You could try PMing Zumo and see if he knows?

Re: Thrash 2007: Will I drive it to the board meet?
 

I feel your pain Alvin, I'm going to be doing a mini-thrash to get mine to look decent enough to drive there. I probably have less to do, but with a limited budget for it and the fact that I work all over the country and get between a 1/4-1/2 of my time at home, it should get interesting. I just need to do the typical cab rust (rockers, floors, etc.) and get it one color, even if its just flat black. Oh yeah, I can't show up with dirty white wagon wheels, either. Luckily my drivetrain and suspension/brakes have all been redone recently, so I know it's road-worthy. Good Luck on yours, and I'll be following your progress!

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1159411795

Re: Thrash 2007: Will I drive it to the board meet?
 

Thanks Steven. I am just trying to catch up to where your project is at. If I can get it all in one piece that I know is perfectly safe (not to mention all brand new), I'll be happy. Then I'll take it one step at a time on fixing the rust, dents, and getting it painted.

Your truck looks awesome just the way it is, there's no shame in multiple colors or wagon wheels (although other wheels could only help :lol:)! Hope to see it in person in a few months!

Re: Thrash 2007: Will I drive it to the board meet?
 

Good luck Alvin, everytime I post a project with a deadline it is like the kiss of death...

Rg

Re: Thrash 2007: Will I drive it to the board meet?
 

lol I like to think of it as more of a "goal" than a deadline... at least thats my positive spin for now. I'll probably start refering to it as a deadline sometime around June!

Re: Thrash 2007: Will I drive it to the board meet?
 

Looks like it coming along great! Don't forget I keep looking out the window here at work to see it but all I keep seeing is a bright yellow chevy.....lol. I can't wait to check it out.

Re: Thrash 2007: Will I drive it to the board meet?
 

Wih my luck, he'll follow my advice of leaving the S-10 outside and his stereo will get ganked and they'll destroy the window and dash on the way. :(

Re: Thrash 2007: Will I drive it to the board meet?
 

If I can make it, I'll be driving a Ford, so quit your *****ing! :lol:

Re: Thrash 2007: Will I drive it to the board meet?
 

Okay, I would have had the bed off by now, but the house had a leaky pipe. Now that I've got that fixed it's raining... maybe tomorrow I can get the bed off and start drilling some holes. Certainly hope so!

Re: Thrash 2007: Will I drive it to the board meet?
 

TJ.. you could always drive a longhornjeff truck...he has 3 to pick from. (I say grab the green one)

Re: Thrash 2007: Will I drive it to the board meet?
 

way to go. Your end project looks sweet.
Best of luck

Re: Thrash 2007: Will I drive it to the board meet?
 

Well, I was able to get the bed off yesterday! I was looking forward to making some progress this week, but this morning I found another leak in my house. So depending on how big of an ordeal that turns out to be... :rolleyes:

Saturday I drove down into Kentucky and met Bill bought a bench seat. So assuming I get this thing together I'll have a decent place to sit!:lol:

At any rate, here's some pictures:

http://newt0.com/simplegal/galleries...3590_sized.jpg
http://newt0.com/simplegal/galleries...3594_sized.jpg
http://newt0.com/simplegal/galleries...3596_sized.jpg
http://newt0.com/simplegal/galleries...3599_sized.jpg
http://newt0.com/simplegal/galleries...3600_sized.jpg

Re: Thrash 2007: Will I drive it to the board meet?
 

Okay, not much progress lately... indoor plumbing is a slightly higher priority!

This past weekend I did get a couple holes drilled for mounting one of the airbags. I also decided to tear it back down to the frame rails and get it sandblasted. I've tried and tried to clean up the frame with the tools I have, and I'm just not happy with it.

As soon as I can find a place locally, I will be taking the cab off (again), removing the trailing arms and trailing arm crossmember, unbolting the front crossmember (it's done, no reason to take it apart again), and flipping the frame over. Then I'll finish drilling holes for mounting the rear airbags, and rent a plasma cutter for the bag air fitting holes. Then it gets trucked out for sandblasting and hopefully painting at the same place!

When I get it back I should have my new ART tubular trailing arm crossmember (ordered from Porterbuilt street rods last week) and CPP tubular tranny crossmember ready to go in. At that point the assembly process should go in pretty big chunks... I hope!

I also got my rear disc brake brackets from Bob (glock35ipsc) and an edelbrock fuel pump (from pro-touring.com) in the mail. So a couple more parts are on the shelf waiting to go on.

Barring any other big problems with my home, I want to have the cab mounted, and the engine ready for a test fire before March.

Re: Thrash 2007: Will I drive it to the board meet?
 

well goodwork so far and i really hope you get it to the board meet under its own power and i just wish i could go myself, maybe one day, anyway i wish you lots of goodluck with the rest of your build and also goodluck with your house..haha

-steven:crazy:

Re: Thrash 2007: Will I drive it to the board meet?
 

Good thread Alvin. We all relate to your project and the" hurry up and stop syndrome" haha

I had a heart attack when i saw your rendering......just like im doing mine. Keeping the moldings and chrome bumpers. Original blue and white top....very cool man.

Re: Thrash 2007: Will I drive it to the board meet?
 

Got another piece in the mail today.

http://newt0.com/simplegal/galleries...3655_sized.jpg

Trailing arm crossmember from AirRide Technologies.

http://newt0.com/simplegal/galleries...3658_sized.jpg

What a part! Can't wait to see it bolted up.

And the packaging was incredible as well. High density cardboard box, and about a pound of foam packing! The lid was also glued shut really well. It was tough to get a finger under one corner to start opening it.

http://newt0.com/simplegal/galleries...3657_sized.jpg

This weekend the cab, trailing arms, and front suspension come off so I can finish drilling/cutting holes for the rear airbags!

Re: Thrash 2007: Will I drive it to the board meet?
 

That looks sweet. Can't wait to see it bolted in, everything looks sweet!

Re: Thrash 2007: Will I drive it to the board meet?
 

You guys have given me an idea ... I may join in on the ol' proverbial "band wagon" and attempt to get mine road worthy by then as well.

479 miles and a little over 5 months ... hmmmmm ... I think I might just be able to do this!

Anyone down here in the South that doesn't want/can't take their truck want to take a road trip with me?

it won't be comfortable ... but it'll be "funner than hell!" :D

Re: Thrash 2007: Will I drive it to the board meet?
 

Thanks 1969C/10!

And Shane, you should. It's not that hard to put one of these things together, the hard part is taking the time to do it!

Re: Thrash 2007: Will I drive it to the board meet?
 

Roger that Alvin. I have telling myself that for about 5 years now. :haha:

I just got to find myself a co-pilot and the time to put it all together. All I really need to do is wire it and re-hang all the sheetmetal. It won't be painted and at this point I don't care, I just want to drive it and have some fun!

Then again, we are talking about July, so I may save the pennies and spring for the AC unit! :ito:

Re: Thrash 2007: Will I drive it to the board meet?
 

Got some more work done this weekend.

Got the cab off the frame and the trailing arms removed yesterday. Today started with the removal of the front suspension, which left me with this:
http://newt0.com/simplegal/galleries...3664_sized.jpg

http://newt0.com/simplegal/galleries...3667_sized.jpg

So we removed the rivets from the top of the trailing arm crossmember and flipped the frame over to remove the rest.
http://newt0.com/simplegal/galleries...3670_sized.jpg

Next big project is drilling the rest of the holes for the rear airbags. We'll see how that goes :rolleyes: .
http://newt0.com/simplegal/galleries...3673_sized.jpg

Re: Thrash 2007: Will I drive it to the board meet?
 

:eek: WOWSERS, Watching your progress gives me no excuses not to drive
the Blammy there, I wish most of my issues were work, mine are mostly $ :(