1970 C10 project
 

I'm new to the forum and thought I'll share my project here for tips and feedback. This is my 2nd restoration as my 1st was on a 71 Chevelle that's finished. I've always liked this body style of trucks even though I never knew anyone who owned one.

My plan is to build a resto-mod type truck on a budget. I actually bought the truck and a 2004 silverado from the same gentleman who had planned on ls swapping the truck. At the time when I bought it, the truck seemed pretty solid, compared to my Chevelle's starting point.

Re: 1970 C10 project
 

So my plan was to work on the chasis first. I had the stock rear end blasted and rebuilt with 3.42 gears and a posi. I also had the stock trailing arms blasted and welded reinforcement plates on the top and bottom since they were in good condition. I decided on the ridetech streetgrip kit and found a good deal on willwood 4 piston brakes for the rear. I also decided to use the willwood pro spindle instead of the cpp spindle that ridetech provides with their kit.

Re: 1970 C10 project
 

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Looks like a good project. Welcome to the board. I think you will like it here.

LockDoc

Re: 1970 C10 project
 

For the engine I removed the 5.3 from the 2004 silverado. The donor truck ran and drove fine but the odometer didn't work. I scored a 4l80e from the junkyard instead of the 4l60e that the truck came in.

On the engine I installed a small cam, Chinese head studs, and refreshed the top end. I'm using Holley ls swap brackets and a knock off f body oil pan. I bought a transmission xmeber from ifw fab.

Re: 1970 C10 project
 

When I finally got the truck to my house for disassembly, I found out the body was worse than I thought. Just about every panel would need a patch or replacement. The previous owner had attempted a restoration before so I nknew the floor needed some work. He also replaced the cab corners but I can see that they're attached with rivets.

First thing I did was strip the frame. I sprayed it in black epoxy and then a coat of por top coat. I also installed the ridetech suspension, engine and transmission.

Re: 1970 C10 project
 

Here's where I am now, I plan to get rid off all the rust in the cab. This truck needs the usual and it also has some rust in the upper cowl. I'm starting with a full floor plan and will go from there. This truck had so many patches in the floor it was hard to tell where one panel ended and the next started.

I braced the cab and cut everything slightly above the rocker. The new floor pan went in easier than I thought it would. I have some rust in the lower firewall where it meets the floor so I'm unsure of how to fix that. They reproduce that whole section but I only need parts of it.

Re: 1970 C10 project
 

Great use of those "T" posts!!!

Looks like you r skills will get this project done waaay quicker than I could!!!
Job well done!!!

Re: 1970 C10 project
 

Nice work:metal:

I am subbed for the build.

Re: 1970 C10 project
 

Thanks I got that idea somewhere off this forum.

Re: 1970 C10 project
 

The odometer not working in the 2004 may have been due to the stepper motor that actuates that particular gauge. Each gauge in that cluster is run by a stepper motor. The tiny stepper motors are behind the gauge cluster face. The stepper motors are all the same and can be replaced.
If the whole cluster was inop, it could have been from a broken ground...I have a 2005 Silverado...

Re: 1970 C10 project
 

I've made some progress on the truck in the last couple of months. I've finished repairing the rust on the lower firewall. Rockers and cab cab corners, and sail panels etc. I'm not entirely satisfied with the way the driver's side came out I may redo that side.

Re: 1970 C10 project
 

I ordered all new smoke glass from auto city classic, it came well packed without a single broken piece. I also worked on filling in all the holes on the firewall. I've also decided to replace the ash tray and factory radio for a double din bezel. I stripped the doors and fenders to see how much rust I'd have to repair.

Re: 1970 C10 project
 

Here are some pictures of my last restoration. It's a 71 Chevelle with a 70 front end. It's a restomod/ pro touring type build. 427 Alluminum ls engine with a 6 speed manual. It took me 4 years to complete.

Re: 1970 C10 project
 

One word comment;)

Nice:metal:

Re: 1970 C10 project
 

Very nice.

Re: 1970 C10 project
 

" Wow" and really Nice, love the red interior.....Back to the truck.....looking good.

Re: 1970 C10 project
 

Looking good! Can't wait to see how it turns out!

Re: 1970 C10 project
 

Made some progress on the truck. Finished the body work on the interior of the cab and tried out a color that I was thinking about. I also found a pair of new bed sides and a new woodbed kit for a longed that I just have to cut down.

Re: 1970 C10 project
 

I've picked up a couple of pieces for a new bed off Craigslist and Facebook marketplace. I just need a tailgate and I'll have a new bed. The bed kit I found was made for a long bed so I cut it down. The wheel tubs are AMD's 4 inch wider tubs. I'm thinking about painting the wood black and ordering some polished stainless strips to finish it.

Re: 1970 C10 project
 

Very nice project.

Re: 1970 C10 project
 

I made some more progress recently, I replaced the door skins on both doors. While I had the skins of I sandblasted and epoxy primed the inner shell.

Re: 1970 C10 project
 

I bought some new fenders from AMD. Both sides weren't stamped right around the body line where the fender meets the door. Both sides took some work but I'm pretty happy with the way they turned out.

Re: 1970 C10 project
 

Nice progress and cool project truck

Re: 1970 C10 project
 

Picked up some new sheet metal for the front. These new fenders fit a lot better than the ones that came from tri plus. They're from counterparts.

Re: 1970 C10 project
 

Lookin' real nice.

Re: 1970 C10 project
 

Made some more progress with the truck. I mocked up some porterbuilt hinges and welded in my Altman door latches.

Re: 1970 C10 project
 

Awesome. I see you're going with a 68 grille instead of the 70? Also, when you smooth out the firewall like that, where does the wire junction box go on the firewall? Great job so far!

Re: 1970 C10 project
 

I'm planning on bringing it out at the side so that runs in the fender so ot won't be visible when everything's back together.

Re: 1970 C10 project
 

I rebuilt my vent windows, I had the frames powdercoated satin black. The glass is from auto city classic. I went with a later style locking vent knob. I also followed the thread here about dyi power windows and converted my passenger side to power. They work great, better than the nu relics in my chevelle.

Re: 1970 C10 project
 

As I said before very nice work. I noticed you deleted the wire channel like Grumpy and few other have done on here. What was your procedure in doing so, did you cut off the lip and weld a strip over over the top or otherwise? Looks awesome and I like the color.

Re: 1970 C10 project
 

Thanks, I bought the firewall kit from slosh tubz and it came with the filler piece that goes over the wire channel. I didn't have to cut anything I just layer the filler piece over the top of that channel and welded it up.

Re: 1970 C10 project
 

Getting back to working on this truck I have been slacking on this project for the last year. I have most of the body gaps where I want them but I think my hood may be too long. It sticks out slightly pass the fenders. I've seen this on other trucks that weren't original. What's the best way to fix this?

1st two pictures are not my truck, but my hood looks similar.

Re: 1970 C10 project
 

I sold two 67/68 O. E. hoods to a friend in Texas, because his aftermarket hood had similar problems.....

Re: 1970 C10 project
 

I wish I could find some nice originals but they're hard to find here on the east coast.

Re: 1970 C10 project
 

Here are some more pictures of the hood and fenders. I think it may work out better if I cut the fenders to meet the hood.

Re: 1970 C10 project
 

I found a good deal on a set of Wilwood brakes on Amazon for my truck. I was going to make some brackets and run late model Chevy truck front calipers but buying the kit saved along of time and frustration.

Re: 1970 C10 project
 

I made some progress on the body and decided to put some paint on it for time being. This was my 1st time painting and I'm not too pleased with the results. I still have some cutting and buffing to do but this will have to do until i move to a bigger place. The color is Tamco's Rock it Red.

Re: 1970 C10 project
 

Originally I had planned on a turbo ls build, but i found a deal on a 2018 LT1/8 speed pullout from a Camaro SS. Right now the plan is to tune out the dod and later on I might change out the cam. I also plan on using the factory pwm fan and fuel pump.

Re: 1970 C10 project
 

From what I can see the paint looks great. Unless the corner of the hood has more pearl than the other areas? Not sure if the paint is a pearl or not.

You've done a great job on this truck. What did you ever do about the hood being too long?

Rg

Re: 1970 C10 project
 

Thanks and for the hood I sliced it and re welded the hood back.