69 C15 Build Thread
 

**Edit - Pictures now appear to be working but I had to add them as attachments instead of embedding them**

Hello all, I am new to the forum but have been hanging around for a while. I am starting this thread to document the build of my 69 C15 LWB. Below is a picture of the truck when I started. The truck had been sitting for 14 years or so.


https://photos.app.goo.gl/VJZi2rrHiTrgNHyH7Attachment 1821076

My plan for the truck is to get it as close to laying frame as I can without spending a fortune on aftemarket parts. I started by removing the cab, bed, engine, and transmission. I then pressure washed as much of the 50 years of grease and dirt as I could

https://photos.app.goo.gl/B5kSU17mA6wyLQcDAAttachment 1821077

Next I put it up on the frame table to get the stock suspension off and start the modifications.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/X2iPt52Upjjqc7Mp8Attachment 1821078

Then I removed the suspension and front crossmember.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/NLHZsruUY8dRRxV67Attachment 1821079

I then wet blasted the crossmember so that I would get it pancaked.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/82t7dW3bAWh3ytB86
https://photos.app.goo.gl/3akvGbZ3LAVVneGx9

I cut 1.5" out of the crossmember. The picture below is before the final trimming for a nice tight gap on the welds.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Hf23WrQRbJEriepd7

After getting the crossmember tacked back together I cut the braces off and test fir it on the frame. The wood in the picture below is a gauge that lines up with the lowest part of the frame.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Veww259HuGvqfM2e9

After the fit check looked good I completed the welding

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ag5XeAxveUQR7Vzk7

I am using CPP modular drop spindles. Below is the initial mock up of the front suspension. Notice that I had to pie cut the upper control arms to prevent binding of the ball joint when aired out.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/njSSZtujRAZ78RFt8

I also ran into tie rod clearance and travel problems.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/UJrjFagrcUeXsyYJ9

So I had to drill out the taper on my brand new spindles and make new tire rods with hiem joints. This allowed me to move the joint to the bottom of the steering arm. This should help with bump steer.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Bmi3v9cMG5tRukkY8

I then put cups in the lower control arms to get the bags moved down as far as possible.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/eZJqHoMj5WaEJVAb8

I also have to clearance the lower control arms for the inner tie rods. This area will be boxed bag in during final welding.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/igMAjLAXdCDY5dSd9

I picked up a set of GM transport wheels with tires for this build.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/kWpt6kYQcZ6pbbmz5

This pretty much completed the front suspension mock up. Below is a picture with it blocked up somewhere around around ride height.

While I was working on the front suspension I started by design for the rear suspension. Custom 4 link, step notch, and bag mounts. These parts are currently being cut by a laser cutter. I have some of the parts and will begin the fabrication this week most likely.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/NPg8ubk441ak6EQf9

I do have the rear axle tacked in place at the laid out height to start building the notch and 4 link.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Z15n3fWM6AmtcNpN8

While I am waiting on the laser parts I started mocking up the engine and transsmission. I am converting to a SBC and want to stay with the 3 speed on the column. Below is the engine (block only) and transmission set in the frame on new western chassis tubular motor mounts, ingenuity fab and speed transmission crossmember and energy suspencion poly bushings everywhere.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/LEc8kZ2a4kjdA4Ey7
https://photos.app.goo.gl/LthSoCjSX3rDdxNV6
https://photos.app.goo.gl/YgmtDXKPvLq2LtVr9

Let me know what you think. Comments, criticism, suggestions, and questions welcome.

Re: 69 C15 Build Thread
 

I then wet blasted the crossmember so that I would get it pancaked.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/82t7dW3bAWh3ytB86Attachment 1821862

https://photos.app.goo.gl/3akvGbZ3LAVVneGx9
Attachment 1821082

I cut 1.5" out of the crossmember. The picture below is before the final trimming for a nice tight gap on the welds.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Hf23WrQRbJEriepd7
Attachment 1821083

After getting the crossmember tacked back together I cut the braces off and test fir it on the frame. The wood in the picture below is a gauge that lines up with the lowest part of the frame.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Veww259HuGvqfM2e9
Attachment 1821084

Re: 69 C15 Build Thread
 

After the fit check looked good I completed the welding

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ag5XeAxveUQR7Vzk7Attachment 1821857

I am using CPP modular drop spindles. Below is the initial mock up of the front suspension. Notice that I had to pie cut the upper control arms to prevent binding of the ball joint when aired out.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/njSSZtujRAZ78RFt8Attachment 1821855


I also ran into tie rod clearance and travel problems.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/UJrjFagrcUeXsyYJ9Attachment 1821090

So I had to drill out the taper on my brand new spindles and make new tire rods with hiem joints. This allowed me to move the joint to the bottom of the steering arm. This should help with bump steer.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Bmi3v9cMG5tRukkY8Attachment 1821091

I then put cups in the lower control arms to get the bags moved down as far as possible.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/eZJqHoMj5WaEJVAb8Attachment 1821092

Re: 69 C15 Build Thread
 

I also have to clearance the lower control arms for the inner tie rods. This area will be boxed bag in during final welding.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/igMAjLAXdCDY5dSd9Attachment 1821852

I picked up a set of GM transport wheels with tires for this build.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/kWpt6kYQcZ6pbbmz5Attachment 1821100

This pretty much completed the front suspension mock up. Below is a picture with it blocked up somewhere around around ride height.

Attachment 1821101

While I was working on the front suspension I started by design for the rear suspension. Custom 4 link, step notch, and bag mounts. These parts are currently being cut by a laser cutter. I have some of the parts and will begin the fabrication this week most likely.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/NPg8ubk441ak6EQf9Attachment 1821102

I do have the rear axle tacked in place at the laid out height to start building the notch and 4 link.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Z15n3fWM6AmtcNpN8Attachment 1821105

Re: 69 C15 Build Thread
 

While I am waiting on the laser parts I started mocking up the engine and transsmission. I am converting to a SBC and want to stay with the 3 speed on the column. Below is the engine (block only) and transmission set in the frame on new western chassis tubular motor mounts, ingenuity fab and speed transmission crossmember and energy suspension poly bushings everywhere.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/LEc8kZ2a4kjdA4Ey7Attachment 1821106
https://photos.app.goo.gl/LthSoCjSX3rDdxNV6Attachment 1821107
https://photos.app.goo.gl/YgmtDXKPvLq2LtVr9Attachment 1821108

Let me know what you think. Comments, criticism, suggestions, and questions welcome.

Re: 69 C15 Build Thread
 

I started checking fit on my bag mounts this morning
Attachment 1821865

I also got the 4-link brackets tacked on.
Attachment 1821866

Re: 69 C15 Build Thread
 

-
I will move this to the projects and builds forum.

LockDoc

Re: 69 C15 Build Thread
 

The step notch and bag mounts are coming together. Should be able to finish up the 4-link this week.

Attachment 1823422

Re: 69 C15 Build Thread
 

I got the step notch, airbag mounting plate, and axle brackets all tacked in place.

Attachment 1825788

I also get the new 4-link crossmember tacked in. I still need to add the carrier bearing and mount.

Attachment 1825796

Then it was on to the actual 4-link. I made the links first. It had been a while since I notched tubing by hand. Brought back a lot of memories. I also figured out that welding the notched tubing is like riding a bike.

Attachment 1825800
Attachment 1825795

Got everything bolted in place.
Attachment 1825797

Tomorrow morning I will double check everything, make sure that I have enough tacks on everything, and then cut the frame around the notch so I can drop the axle out of the way and get started on the final welding.

Re: 69 C15 Build Thread
 

Looking good!

Re: 69 C15 Build Thread
 

Reading every thing twice here... thanks for the details and the work it takes to document your work. LOVIN IT!:metal:

Re: 69 C15 Build Thread
 

Thanks. Let me know if you have any questions. I am kind of at a stand still right now. I have a lot of welding to do. I hope to make some progress this weekend and have more pictures.

Re: 69 C15 Build Thread
 

I got a little time out in the shop yesterday. Chased the threads on my weld nuts to make sure that the bump stops would thread all the way in.

Attachment 1827370

I also got the panhard bar tacked together and tacked the mounts in place

Attachment 1827371

Then I started welding up all of the joints. Still have a lot of welding to go.

Attachment 1827378

Re: 69 C15 Build Thread
 

The progress has been slow going lately. I just about have the step notch and bag mounts finished up. Then to the 4-link crossmember welding.

I will be ordering a boyd welding tank soon to mount in the back.

Attachment 1832495

Re: 69 C15 Build Thread
 

It seems like it has been slow going lately but I have made a little progress. I finished welding the 4 link cross member and the tabs on the axle. Final mock up on the rear suspension is done.

Attachment 1851038
Attachment 1851039
Attachment 1851040

I also used the shock brackets that I cut off the rear axle to make relocated front upper shock mounts

Attachment 1851041

I am currently working on boxing the frame. With the holidays I haven't gotten much done but I should be able to get back going on it next week.

Re: 69 C15 Build Thread
 

I also got ordered a Boyd Welding tank on sale for Black Friday and got it mounted.

Attachment 1852177

Re: 69 C15 Build Thread
 

Nice work so far.

Good luck, Rg