Mean Green "Bob County Edition" Build

[topnos]

Unfortunately, this first Project post is going to be slightly long-winded, due to the necessary and relevant background information. I am working on a 70 C-10 SB Stepside for my father-in-law, who is oblivious to the situation. The project truck was actually left on the piece of property my father-in-law and his dad bought several years ago. It was always an idea for my father-in-law and his dad to rebuild the truck to give them something to drive when they were at their property on the weekends. However, that plan was tragically forgotten a couple of years back when my father-in-law’s dad passed away. About two months ago, my father-in-law sold the truck to one of my friend’s friend, thinking the truck was going to become a race truck. After selling the truck, my father-in-law questioned the act, thinking it would have been better to rebuild the truck at a later date. However, what he does not know will not hurt him, right? Since the unfortunate passing on my father-in-law’s dad, we have always called the property “Bob County”, in honor of one of the greatest and neatest men I have known, hence the “Bob County Edition” build. The project is a combination of my labor and time and my mother-in-law’s funding; and although it is not intended to be a stock rebuild, will keep some of its stock appearance and attributes, with the addition of modern convenience and function. In essence, I am working on a comfortable cruiser with some fun potential. The build timeline is expected to be completed before Christmas, as my mother-in-law intends the truck to be a present at that time.

To date, the truck has been disassembled (major rust, holes, and dirt) and another donor cab has been purchased due to the cab’s horrible condition. The frame has been blasted, painted and rebuilt. To name a few of the installed frame options: an ECE 2.5” drop spindle and 4” drop rear coil has been installed, adjustable trac bar, rear trailing arm reinforcement kit, 3.73 posi unit, disc brake conversion has been added to the front, 6 lug has been converted to 5 lug both front and rear, stainless steel brake lines installed, and rebuilt upper and lower control arms (including new shaft hardware, ball joints) and steering hardware (inner and outer tie-rod, idler arm, etc…). The donor cab is at a friend’s body shop, and an update on this part of the project includes: new cab corners (L&R), new inner and outer rocker panels (L&R), new inner lower door skins, (L&R), smoothed firewall, and a lot of sanding and prep work. The plans for completing the truck include an Old Air System (a friend is a dealer), 330 HP 350 crate motor, 700R4 transmission (friend’s transmission shop), and a bed off of another donor vehicle.

I know I started the post a little late in the build, but will provide updates more often to keep you all informed of the progress. I look forward to all of your comments and suggestions, and thanks to all of the help the site and its members have provided already in the site’s content.

[topnos]

Additional pictures, and frame pictures will be forthcoming.

[LockDoc]

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Lookin' good. Keep us posted on the progress......

Also, to the board.....

LockDoc

[Shock_Me]

Great story, and a great idea! Sentimental value goes a long way when restoring these trucks. Keep the progress pics coming.

Pete

[BACKYARD88]

Welcome, keep up the pics and updates. It's going to be an awesome build, and with a good background story too!

[72CSTC5]

Nice start to the project and welcome from Deer Park, Tx.

[OLDIRON69]

Small world Topnos!!!! You got that cab from ME! Glad to hear that story again! Keep us updated.

[Yukon Jack]

Always look forward to another build thread to watch!

[72armyswbtruck]

I'll be watching

[clay68c10]

Cool story and looks like it'll be a nice ride!

[krue]

Very cool story!

[topnos]

Well, its time for an update.

The frame is complete, and all of the suspension is installed. The frame is loaded with an ECE 2.5 drop spindle disc brake set-up and a 4 rear drop spring. Now I am just waiting on the body shop (a friend of mine) to get some time so we can put the rolling frame on the frame machine to make sure it is straight. Just to let you know, it looks like the frame is a bit tweaked from the PO, and I want to make sure it is level and straight. By chance, does anyone have access to the numbers for these frames (79 SWB 2WD)? As you can see from the pics, the engine is finally been set in its resting place. The engine is a 350 GM crate engine rated at 330 HP. I think this engine will be plenty to make the truck a fun ride for my father-in-law, especially with the soon to be installed 700R4 with 3.73 gears. I hope he just has some good fun with it and doesn’t drive it like I would. Just as before, I had to find another donor truck to collect some other essential and needed parts. I picked up the bed a couple of weeks ago from a friend of mine, and will be going back to get some other fenders so we can make 1 good fender out of two bad fenders. Take a look at the pics and you can see the rusted areas requiring some love. At this point in time, with the new cab, hood, bed, and fenders, I am on my way to using 5 trucks to make 1 complete truck. The only thing now, is to get the body shop rolling so I can complete my Christmas deadline project. Once the truck is painted, it will be time to install the new wiring harness, hook up the A/C, install some interior, and make the truck ready to cruise. I think everyone understands what is left, and the amount of work involved, once the truck is painted and ready to be assembled. Also, it would be nice to get some of the parts out of the garage/storage by installing them, rather than storing them on the workbench or in the bed. Take a look and let me know what you think.

Thanks for all of the support and knowledge. Have a good read and a great day.

[topnos]

more pics to enjoy!!

[chevyboy55]

Topnos
I hope your father inlaw knows how lucky he is to have you for a son inlaw.

[SCOTI]

What headers are those?

[topnos]

Chevyboy55,

Thank you for the kind words, but I must also say that my father-in-law is pretty lucky to have my mother-in-law. Without her, there would not be any financial backing to get the project done in such a short time.

Thanks again for the kind words, and have a great day.

[topnos]

SCOTI,

The headers are the Headmen Elite headers. I cannot say at this time, exactly how well they fit, because I have changed the configuration of the engine and transmission. Also, due to the fact that the frame might be slightly out of wack, I have not centered the engine or bolted it completely down in place. However, I did notice how tight the fit was on the driver's side; and as such, I notched the frame a tad on the bottom to make sure there was plenty of clearance. As soon as the frame is checked and/or straightened, and the transmission is installed, I will post pics of the fit of the headers.

[estig70]

Originally Posted by chevyboy55

Topnos
I hope your father inlaw knows how lucky he is to have you for a son inlaw.

I hope I have a son-in-law as cool as you are when my daughter marries. Of course she's just 9 mos old at the present time but it will probably take me that long to get my truck back together, ha ha ha!!! Good luck and great display kindness, you the man!!!

[BACKYARD88]

You're making awesome progress. Can't wait to see it finished. Don't forget to get a pic of your father-in-law's face when he sees it, I bet it'll be priceless

[OLDIRON69]

Lookin' good man! Keep up the awesome work!

[topnos]

UPDATE:

The frame and bed went to the body shop Friday of last week (06-01-07). I touched base with the body guys yesterday, and the frame has been checked and straightened. It turns out that the frame horns/extensions were the only part of the frame needing some work. If it all goes according to schedule, I should have the frame and cab home this weekend (or the first part of next week). The cab is coming home with the firewall and underbody painted. The rest of the cab will be primed and ready for paint. Thanks to a good friend, and a good family friend, that picked up fenders and a core support today, the cab will also come home lined up with repo fenders and a repo core support. While the body shop is working on the bed, which includes a new tailgate from Mar-K, I can begin working on putting the truck together from the firewall out.

Here are a couple of pics to see the progress, and yes, I loaded the frame all by myself. New and updated pics are forthcoming.

[WinDancer]

Keep on it- lookin' good!

[ksbeatty]

Everything looks great. I would like to do that my FIT too.

Just a quick note on the 700r4. Have you decided what linkage set up you are going to use?

Ask your buddy about the Lokar. I have not decided but the cable linkage looks very cool or are you using a floor shifter?

[OLDIRON69]

Looks great! Can't wait to see the finished product!

[Hart_Rod]

Great Build!!! I'm sure Bob would be proud.