1970 swb K10 Resurrection (AKA "The Chum Bucket") "Photos"

[115-K10]

Ok, I am going to attempt to resurrect a 1970 115” wb K10 from the dead. Either I am a glutton for punishment or I just like a challenge. This truck is not a truck but a bunch of parts. Sort of like a fisherman’s chum bucket that contains a bunch of parts. However, the DNA of the original truck is still there. Original drive train, frame and glove box w/ build sticker is what I am starting with from the original truck. Having restored a few GM muscle cars in the past I am not new to the restoration game and know the challenges that await.

I just picked up this truck (bucket of parts) out of the Springfield Mass. area where it spent its life. Being from NY State it is only fitting that the truck was originally assembled in the Tarrytown assembly plant in downstate NY (yes, living in the Capital District Tarrytown is downstate). The gentleman I got it from received it from his uncle and started to restore it about 10 years ago. He stripped it down to the bare frame and rebuilt the tranny and transfer case. He also sourced a cab out of Arizona and a virtually rust free bed. Everything else needs rebuilding or replacement.

The goal for this project is to end up with a nice driver that I can use like a truck and yes plow my driveway with it in the winter. Although I love a clean show quality restoration, they are a lot of work to maintain at a high level. I am always concerned about taking out my ‘71 SS454 Monte in crappy weather and/or getting door dings. That takes some of the joy out of it. I plan on retaining most of the factory options on the build sticker like the red color but the red trim option will most likely be changed to black.

Since this is my first 67-72 K10 build I need some advice from the guys who have need to get parts for these trucks. I will need a few patches in the floor of the donor Arizona cab. See the photos below. Which suppliers have the best quality (thickness, fit ....) sheet metal out there. Specifically I need the outer floor section, lower kick panel and rockers. I do not plan to replace these areas in their entirety since the rust areas are concentrated in one area. The rest of the cab is rock solid including the corners and supports.

I am thinking about running 33” with a 4” spring lift. Any recommendations on the lift brand to get?

I am lucky enough to have a complete donor truck. It’s a ‘72 115” wb K15 that I found locally and saved it from the crusher. The truck is in real rough shape but has not been altered. I will be getting all the missing parts (the usable ones anyway) from it. Some of the items are the Meyers plow, front disc brake set up, gauges, glass exhaust manifolds....... If anyone is interested in the remains of this truck let me know. I have a good transferable registration, protect-o-plate and glove box build sticker for it. Short wheel base 4x4’s are tough to come by these days. If you have a 2wd chassis this could be a way of making it a matching #’s 4x4 with papers.

More to come.

[115-K10]

Here is the 1972 GMC K15 donor truck.

[115-K10]

I started to assess the areas of repair needed on the donor AZ cab. For us guys in the north east this cab will be an easy fix. I ran the DA over the passenger cab corner and it is rock solid.

[115-K10]

Here is the glove box option sticker. Does anyone know what D89 Paint Stripe would look like. I assume it is a pin stripe.

[Steve Hafner]

Originally Posted by 115-K10

Here is the glove box option sticker. Does anyone know what D89 Paint Stripe would look like. I assume it is a pin stripe.

Did anyone ever answer your question on the D89 paint stripe option ? This is a picture of a 69 that had the paint stripe option on it's glove box sticker. ( SPID ) It might have been repainted, but it was probably put back on where it was originally.

[115-K10]

Hi Steve, thanks for the photo and info. I was able to find a few remnants of the pin stripe on the original cab and bed sides. Looks like they were painted on but not sure if I will put them back on. Thanks again for the photo.
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[115-K10]

I worked on the frame today a removed a bunch of brackets. Also did some repairs to the driver side front horn, passenger radiator support mount and passenger side rail behind the rear shock mount.

[115-K10]

Frame repairs.

[115-K10]

I ran out of welding wire just as I went to weld the back side. Will pick some up this week.

[115-K10]

Repaired radiator support frame mount.

[115-K10]

Here are the brackets I need to replace. Cross support beneath the bed. Its 32” center to center of rivet hole. The flat bed mount, rear upper shock mounts and parking brake cable mounts. Anyone out there have any of these parts?

[jlaird]

hi from johnstown!

[115-K10]

llaird,
I Checked out your build. Very nice! Love the craftsmanship you are putting into it. A custom 2wd c10 is on my must build list.
Jeff

[67_C-30]

Great work on your project so far, and I'll keep checking back on it.
I really commend and admire the work you guys up north have to do to those frames. That is just unheard of here. The three in these pic have been without beds for years, and they all still have alot of the factory paint. When I was younger, I was under the impression that if a frame wasn't bent, it couldn't be damaged. I used to fuss when I had to sand the surface off like the last pic.

[115-K10]

Thanks for the encouragement. You guys in dry regions of the country got it good when it comes to restoration projects. Took a trip to Utah (Bonneville) last year and was amazed at how many of these trucks are still around. I see about 5 a year around here and that is in the summer. The last three muscle cars I’ve owned have been out of New Mexico, Colorado and Oregon for a reason. Rust repair sucks. I would not have even considered this project without having a good cab and bed to start with.
If you know of anyone who is willing to cut up and sell some of the frame components I need let me know.

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by 115-K10

Thanks for the encouragement. You guys in dry regions of the country got it good when it comes to restoration projects. Took a trip to Utah (Bonneville) last year and was amazed at how many of these trucks are still around. I see about 5 a year around here and that is in the summer. The last three muscle cars I’ve owned have been out of New Mexico, Colorado and Oregon for a reason. Rust repair sucks. I would not have even considered this project without having a good cab and bed to start with.
If you know of anyone who is willing to cut up and sell some of the frame components I need let me know.

Would that X member and shock mounts be the same as a leaf spring 2WD?

[nuke1]

Welcome fropm the great white north, although you are not all that far from us, that frame definetly has some rust issues i see, but you have a good start on it, i would love to find a s/b 4x4 around here, but that will never happen, oh well, keep up the great work and lets see some pics of that monte.

[115-K10]

Originally Posted by nuke1

Welcome fropm the great white north, although you are not all that far from us, that frame definetly has some rust issues i see, but you have a good start on it, i would love to find a s/b 4x4 around here, but that will never happen, oh well, keep up the great work and lets see some pics of that monte.

Yes, northern trucks do develop rust issues. That’s why I usually start with projects from out west. Its well worth the transportation cost. Here is some photos of the ss454 monte. It was out of New Mexico and required no rust repair. It’s restoration was features in the November ’08 issue of Hemmings Muscle Machines . Here is a Link http://www.hemmings.com/mus/stories/...feature14.html

[Landon]

This site is great. I don't know if these are any better than yours. Take a look. I know you've done alot of work to yours already but maybe you want the whole thing? I just bought a really nice frame to repalce the one under my truck and really don't need this one. It came with the axles trans and trans case.
See what you think.

[115-K10]

Hi Landon, Thanks for the photos of your frame. It may be an option down the road. What are you looking to get out of it? Tomorrow I am going to go and look at a 67-68 k10 swb rolling chassis. The guy claims it’s good. I have heard that before.

[msgross]

interesting project...

[115-K10]

Originally Posted by msgross

interesting project...

Hi Mike,
I checked out your build a few weeks ago. You have done a lot of work. Looks like you are in the home stretch and it looks great. I had to laugh when your wife wanted to park in the garage. It’s a running joke in my house that if your vehicle is not at least 35 years old it does not get a stall. She drives a ’08 so it’s going to be some time before she is eligible for a spot.
What’s the deal with power steering on these trucks? Does a 70 frame need modification or adapter to mount the steering box?

[msgross]

a 70 frame shouldn't need modified... it's all about the "raised pads" under the steering box... 67's and most 68's were smooth frames and need an adapter to run a newer steering box... No big deal either way...

I would say my "home stretch" is still a year away! thanks though...

[Landon]

Take a look at that other set up (67-68 frame) and see what you think. I think I may have inquired about that one back in Jan. Never made it to look at it. Craigs List? Mine isn't going anywhere. If your interested the price for the whole thing will be more than fair. My wife would really like it out of the yard!
PS Nice Monte
Landon

[115-K10]

Originally Posted by Landon

Take a look at that other set up (67-68 frame) and see what you think. I think I may have inquired about that one back in Jan. Never made it to look at it. Craigs List? Mine isn't going anywhere. If your interested the price for the whole thing will be more than fair. My wife would really like it out of the yard!
PS Nice Monte
Landon

Landon, Took the 45 min ride to check out the frame today and it turned out to be in great shape. I could not pass it up for $450 bucks. This will make this build so much cleaner. It’s all about having a good foundation. Thanks for offering your extra frame. I am sure someone else will need it. You should post it in the parts section.