'71 Chevy C10 LWB

[nasqar]

This will be the build thread for my '71 Chebby. Nothing fancy here folks, but it will be my daily driver. I have had this truck since 2007. I purchased the truck for $900 knowing the motor would need some work. I found an '85 chevy with a bad tranny that I purchased for $300. We added 5 quarts of fluid and drove it home 8 blocks and it quit pulling! The motor was installed into the '71, the aluminum wheels and nice tires were installed, a newer bed mat was also used. I turned around and sold the '85 for $200 to a scrap yard!!

As I figure out how to upload pics, I will share my driver.

[67chevylongbed]

Cool! Looking forward to pics.

[nasqar]

Here's a quick pic....

[72chevyfleet]

nice truck like the mags you should get some deep dish ones for the rear

[nasqar]

My next big thing is to get some paint on the beast. I have been very fortunate the last 3 years that it hasnt rotted away from just having primer and driving it year round. She's pretty reliable so having it down for awhile is hard because it gets driven so much.

[nasqar]

Interior is in really good shape. It has a new:

Dash pad
Dash bezel
Door handles
Window cranks
Dome light
Center chrome dash vent
Arm rest pads
Door panels (purchased off a guy ($50) that had them in a shop for a year)

The seat and visors are in kick butt shape but not sure why they are brown!

I purchased a steering wheel off Ebay for $25 and painted it black. It has some cracks in it but looks ok.

If I can figure out how to spray paint, the interior will become all black and will be pretty awesome looking.

[nasqar]

Considering this is a midwest truck....the metal is in really good shape. The bottom of the doors need some work of course but the bedsides are not rotted out! This primer has been on truck for the 3 years I have owned it. It has actually washed off the cab portion.

[nasqar]

I found a tailgate from a guy and purchased it for $50! Inside of it has been rhino lined but I can deal with that for the price. The passenger door has a dent in it from my beautiful daughter backing into it and yelling at me for parking a 4000 pound, big gray truck in her way!!!! You had to be there!! The tires have a ton of tread on them and the rims needs some good polish with a high speed polisher to help clean and polish.

[mcbassin]

Looks like an Awesome project! That interior looks great as does the tailgate. How bad is the rust?

[nasqar]

The floor of the bed is shot but the rest of the truck is pretty good. I have had alot of people tell me they can't believe it hasnt rotted out since it is from Indiana.

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by nasqar

The floor of the bed is shot but the rest of the truck is pretty good. I have had alot of people tell me they can't believe it hasnt rotted out since it is from Indiana.

So are you selling it? Focusing on the square body?

[nasqar]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

So are you selling it? Focusing on the square body?

I have to sell it to upgrade my home heating system because my wife has came down very ill and the house has to be comfortable or she gets stiff and sore. I know I can purchase another truck at some point. I can't sell the square body and get anything out of it since it is in pieces. If you know anybody that is interested, please forward info. I am willing to drive it somewhere if needed.

[nasqar]

Enjoying the truck at our campground. Using it haul wood.

[67-72crazy]

Nice truck.I wish i still had my 72 chevy truck.

[nasqar]

As soon as we find a garage, a rustoleum orange paint job will occur. We will spray the paint because the roll on method appears to have LOTS of problems with orange peel. I haven't read about orange peel with the spray on, but we will see. The plan will include black Z28 stripes on the bottom of the truck and we will paint the wife's camaro to match this summer. The camaro will get the high dollar paint job though.

[spike38]

Originally Posted by nasqar

As soon as we find a garage, a rustoleum orange paint job will occur. We will spray the paint because the roll on method appears to have LOTS of problems with orange peel. I haven't read about orange peel with the spray on, but we will see. The plan will include black Z28 stripes on the bottom of the truck and we will paint the wife's camaro to match this summer. The camaro will get the high dollar paint job though.

I spray parts, And frames with it. I use 15% Acetone at 28 psi.
I haven't had any problem with orange peel.
If you are going to lay more than one coat, Either shoot it within 40 minutes
or so. Or wait 24hrs, Scuff it, Wipe it down with acetone on a rag ( removes
any oils your hands may have left), Then shoot it.

Spike

[nasqar]

Thanx for the advice. I will contact you when i get to the point of spraying....it will probably be this spring since we dont have access to a garage. More time for me to read up and study on the art of body work!

[RCbowtie69]

hope to see progress

[nasqar]

Fantastic new developments:

I just purchased a complete 2005 8.1L big block with automatic transmission with all wiring harnesses, computers, and 5500 series truck with it! This will make my pick em up truck really kewl to cruise in cause i will be able to possibly use the factory a/c system for my truck also!!!! YYEEEEEEEHAAAAAWWWWWWWWWW. I have a body guy coming next week to look at what my truck needs to give it a good paint job.

[mcbassin]

I'd like to see some pics of this new power plant. Sounds like a super setup.

[RCbowtie69]

Me too,show some pictures

[nasqar]

Since I am NOT the mechanical type to take on an engine setup like this, I have made some arrangements to possibly have a longtime GM mechanic do the install. I will keep everyone updated on the progress as well as a whole bunch of pictures! I will get some pics of this motor out of the donor truck this week and place them on here. I am freaking stoked about this.

[nasqar]

Here are some pics of the truck enjoying the camping weekend. My 9 year daughter absolutely loves dad's ol' truck. Her friends and their parents think she is nuts for liking an old "piece of crap". One was floored when they found out I drive it to work all them time, to funny.

[nasqar]

Here's the bumper sticker my 18 yr old son put on one day without telling dad!

[AJLChase]

Originally Posted by nasqar

Here's the bumper sticker my 18 yr old son put on one day without telling dad!

In all honesty, I once got a speeding ticket for that actual reason...the police officer didn't take my sweating brow as proof enough!