Thanks Joe, I didn't have anything better to do.

[Dr Jekyll]

A friend at work offered to sell me his 1970 C10 LWB for $500. It ran but needed brake work. At the time my wife was commuting with our daily driver and I was commuting on motorcycle. With winter was fast approaching, I figured what the hell its only $500 and it will keep the rain out of my boots. I Drove home standing on the brake petal at stop lights(making faces), and had to push it into the garage after the starter crapped out in my driveway at the end of the trip. I knew what I was getting for $500 and still had/have no regrets.

Went through the brakes, bought a new starter, and drove it on days when the bike was unbearable. After a Year or so of burning oil and fouling plugs I decided to get a long block crate engine for $2400, which has been great. Then of course the only downside of driving the truck was it looked like a turd with a classic combination to two tone primer and rust. A couple coats of paint should be quick and easy, rrriiiiiight? Don't answer that.

Yeah, spraying a couple passes of color doesnt take too long, but the prep was killer. I was tapping on the lower doors and rockers and rust was raining down, and I knew paint wasnt sticking to that for long. So, fire up the cut off wheel and lets get to it.

[Dr Jekyll]

nice right




I had already done the engine swap and bought the ralley wheels. I didnt need to drill many spot welds to get the rocker off. It was ready.

[Dr Jekyll]

Found the rocker pics before removal.



LMC inner and outer rocker and cab floor patch. How did they fit? Refer to my sig.

[Dr Jekyll]

Moar











I have so many pics its hard to keep em all straight. The last two are rust prevention in the areas that will never see the light of day again. The Black is Southern Polyurethane epoxy.

[Dr Jekyll]

Cab Floor patch install, lower door pillars. The gray is Upol weld through primer on top of the cleaned spot weld area. I think the pillars originally had bolts holding them to the frame through the cab floor, but I was fresh out of bolts and holding the welder.

[Dr Jekyll]

Third pic is me using wax and grease remover on the mating surfaces.

[Luvlegs]

Nooooice!

[Dr Jekyll]

Thanks man, Im going to post some more interior and engine bay pics when I get a chance.

[lolife99]

Very nice!

[cornerstone]

I love a complete one man garage build. Ya just gotta love the dedication and jack of all trades attitude it takes. Hats off sir!

[1971Stepside]

I love a complete one man garage build. Ya just gotta love the dedication and jack of all trades attitude it takes. Hats off sir!

Agreed! This was better than watching one of those tv shows. Great job. Now, let's see that Camaro...

[Low Elco]

Not bad at all for the first crack!

[Dr Jekyll]

Thanks for the encouragement guys.

I felt pretty good about spraying the color because I have sprayed a lot of epoxy primer, but the clear was a whole new animal for me. Bright light when spraying clear is a must and I really needed a couple more coats. After I touch up the blemishes on the color I want to wet sand the exterior and respray the clear.

My 4 year old son is on me almost everyday about working on the Camaro he’s a miniature gear head already.

[lupo]

Originally Posted by Dr Jekyll

Thanks for the encouragement guys.

I felt pretty good about spraying the color because I have sprayed a lot of epoxy primer, but the clear was a whole new animal for me. Bright light when spraying clear is a must and I really needed a couple more coats. After I touch up the blemishes on the color I want to wet sand the exterior and respray the clear.

My 4 year old son is on me almost everyday about working on the Camaro he’s a miniature gear head already.

Really great workmanship and I really like the way you weld. As far as the paint thing goes, I'm sure you'll be able to straighten that out. Great job

[Dr Jekyll]

Thanks, lupo I taught myself how to weld, so that compliment is appreciated.

[gmc684x4]

Nice looking truck
Yes good to get them learning wrenches young
I get my boy out helping when i can
He helped pull a motor and tranny out of a parts truck

[lil hoodlum]

What a transformation. When can I drop off my truck for you to paint?

[MDPotter]

That's a steal for $500! I'm curious, how much time from when you started the work to where it is now? Kudos to you for finishing it with as many life changes as you went through.

[Dr Jekyll]

I bought the Truck in 2012 and started the tear down in 2013. I went through a lack of motivation after moving into the new house in 2015. The truck just sat waiting for me to reassemble it. Put the engine and rebuilt transmission in last summer. New wiring, Brake lines, side markers and lenses it all takes time. I don't like to rush when I'm turning wrenches. It's supposed to be fun for me and when I get stressed out it defeats the purpose. Most the time I have to research how do things. My wife asks "How do you know how to do this?" and I reply "What makes you think I know what I'm doing." Admitting that I don't know keeps me open to learning and thats partially what this project is about. That, and its a cool truck for a great price. Now when I start my Camaro, hopefully, It will go faster with fewer mistakes.

The trucks still not done though. Next up got to seam seal the drip rail and windshield opening so I can install the windshield. I just bought a SS bolt set for the bed, a new front bumper, and the wiring under the dash is not going to install itself. I'm ready for a road trip though, so no more breaks.

[cornerstone]

Originally Posted by Dr Jekyll

It's supposed to be fun for me and when I get stressed out it defeats the purpose. Most the time I have to research how do things. My wife asks "How do you know how to do this?" and I reply "What makes you think I know what I'm doing." Admitting that I don't know keeps me open to learning and thats partially what this project is about.

I hear ya loud and clear. I'd bet for every hour of actual hands on work time on my truck, there was 3 hours of "research". I've learned many times that there are better ways to do the job than the way I was planning to do it. I've had occasions when I got a job done, then came here to see how others handled the same task. A time or two I went back and "re-fixed" it because I found a better solution after the fact.

I've come to believe the saying more and more... "its about the journey, not the destination"

[MDPotter]

That's a great attitude to have. I tend to get so tunnel visioned trying to get the project done that I overlook other things I should be doing with my time or taking the enjoyment out of it. With every project, we get better. There are lots of things I wish we would have done on my dad's 64 that we did on my 68, but there are a few things I wish I would have done on my 68 that we are doing on our current 69. They get better and better!

[MikeinNH]

Great deal on that truck. Love these kinds of threads, good motivator.

[Dr Jekyll]

It was priced to move, I really couldn't pass that deal up. Joes a good guy and knew I would fix it up. He's got a 66 SWB, but Im not sure if he posts on this site. Hey, if you get in good with him he mite sell you his 66 for $500.

[1971Stepside]

I'd bet for every hour of actual hands on work time on my truck, there was 3 hours of "research"

Truth!! I almost want to build another truck now because it seems like a waste to have all this knowledge of what I should have done

[Dr Jekyll]

Interior and engine bay.