![]() |
|
![]() |
#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Oregon City, Oregon
Posts: 741
|
my "71 C10 project
It's time to get back to work on my truck. I've decided to shorten the frame and go from lwb to swb. I'm a glutten for punishment and it looks like a fun job. I just wish I had thought of this before I did the body work and paint. Most of the work was on the cab. I pulled the gas tank out (did the blazer tank between the frame rails) and removed all the trim/filled the holes. While I'm at it I'm installing a c notch kit. I'll post up pics once I get her all torn down. I'm sure I'll be posting up for some help at some point.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Oregon City, Oregon
Posts: 741
|
Re: my "71 C10 project
Well I cleaned the garage enough today to get started. I will be using tips from a few threads on this site and want to give props to the authors. The bed shortening tips goes to Rockrin
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Oregon City, Oregon
Posts: 741
|
Re: my "71 C10 project
Today I decided I couldn't wait till the weekend to get started. I got all the rear bed cuts done, rear frame cut (8") and the rear section remounted and mocked up. Tomorrow night I will dress the seams as needed and weld it up. Here are some pictures. Oh, total time tonight was about 3 hours start to finish.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan,:
Posts: 2,901
|
Re: my "71 C10 project
Very nice so far, you are gonna love the shortbed
__________________
James 1968 GMC "HAVOC" 1986 GMC "Frank" J.J.R.H. Design & Consulting My 68`Rebuild "HAVOC": http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=316300 A 58' chev build thread: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=311238 1969 Camaro Pro Touring http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...61#post3513361 Swiss Cheese: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=384390 Adjustable Trailing Arm How-To: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=321100 1968 Ford Farm Truck: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post6555587 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Oregon City, Oregon
Posts: 741
|
Re: my "71 C10 project
Thanks James. I noticed the link for fabricating adjustable trailing arms in your sig. I think I can build new trailing arms for not much more than rebuilding the stock arms. Another lil project to add while I have it apart. Now I'm anxious to get the bed done so I can get to the frame and trailing arms...so much more fun doing it yourself!
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Oregon City, Oregon
Posts: 741
|
Re: my "71 C10 project
Got in a couple of hours tonight in the garage. Spot welded the back half on, finished the seam on the outside/drivers side. Man that is some tedious work! It turned out well. I also filled in some holes on the cap and made up some plugs to fill in the stake pockets. I am out of town for a few days so may not get any more work done until the weekend. See ya!
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Oregon City, Oregon
Posts: 741
|
Re: my "71 C10 project
Tonight I sliced the 12" out of the front of the bed. Of course I found a few other things to take care of while I have the bed off. I plan to shorten the frame Saturday and do a few other misc sheet metal repairs. Next week I'm going to re-route my exhaust (3") through the cross member and tuck it up under the bed. Details, details...
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Oregon City, Oregon
Posts: 741
|
Re: my "71 C10 project
Here is a picture of the first seam I completed. This is after I dressed the weld. I used my little Lincoln wire feed buzz box with flux cored .035. Just kept my cordless drill with a wire brush handy. It can be done but you really need to watch your heat and penetration. If not you'll blow the heck out of the metal. It has been pointed out in other threads but take your time lining up the back half! It is narrower at that point. Just use the seam clips, adjust as needed and recheck the entire joint before you start tacking. At the very bottom you will need to shear away just a bit to make this edge match but who is gonna get on their back and look at that, right?! I will get some more pics and post. Checked with a straight edge after I was done. It will only take a light glaze to prep. Very happy with that one. Now on to the rest. Power to the garage based builders!
Last edited by RexDodge; 02-24-2012 at 04:33 PM. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Red Deer ab canada
Posts: 1,250
|
Re: my "71 C10 project
Looks really good so far, love that you're not sacrificing storage for this (box full of stuff).
__________________
1972 factory 2 Wheel Drive Blazer-Sold 1972 K10 4X4-Sold 1971 Chevrolet Cheyenne/10-Sold 1970 Chevrolet C/10-Sold 1968 GMC 4X4-Project 1968 Chevrolet C/10 Pro Street 1970 GMC 3/4 Ton-Parts 1997 2WD 2DR Yukon-Sweet http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=335664 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Oregon City, Oregon
Posts: 741
|
Re: my "71 C10 project
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Posts: 3,844
|
Re: my "71 C10 project
Nice work! I have done the same thing to mine. However, I took the easy route, sold the long box and bought aftermarket shortie stuff.
__________________
--------------------------------------------------------------- Jason. 68’ GMC shortbox https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=794201 72' 2WD Blazer http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=425385 67' LongBox C-10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=691845 InstaGram ybnorml67 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Oregon City, Oregon
Posts: 741
|
Re: my "71 C10 project
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Oregon City, Oregon
Posts: 741
|
Re: my "71 C10 project
Ok! I finaly got into the garage to get at the frame. The top pic shows my stand up bracing I spot welded onto the frame before I made my cuts. It also shows a piece of stock I c clamped to the frame (on both sides) to help align the frame after removing the 12" section. I did scribe control lines at 20" on center on both sides but the picture does not show it. The second picture shows the gap under the stand up bracing after I put my come-a-longs on (both sides) and pulled the to halves together. I was wigging out when I measured the floor to frame on each half and each side. Not one measurement of the 4 has the same! After laying there on the garage floor contemplating why the heck I stated this I decided to add the flat stock that is c clamped (to align the side to side). Added the come-a-longs and pulled the two halves together and presto! Checked the frame with a 4' straight edge, did some cross measuring and it worked! The third picture just shows the spot welds and the bottom right picture is the results after pulling the bracing, jacks and blocking. The bed is not bolted down but it shows that it all worked. I picked up new mounting pads today for the cab and bed. I am happy with the results so far. Next weekend I will put the truck up on jack stands and finish the welding on the frame. Maybe even work on the cross member so I can run my exhaust through there. Always something else...later all.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#14 |
67-72 parts collector,…
![]() Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Mid-MO
Posts: 22,716
|
Re: my "71 C10 project
Very nice work!
__________________
Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Oregon City, Oregon
Posts: 741
|
Re: my "71 C10 project
I need to find some 2.5" drop spindles and a set of coil springs. Looking for around a 3/5 drop. Any local (Oregon) guys to buy from? It would be nice to keep the $$$ local. I thought about going with a set of Chevelle coils but the drop you get seems to be inconsistent. Lots of wisdom on the board and I am listening...
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan,:
Posts: 2,901
|
Re: my "71 C10 project
Looking great!!!!!!!!!!!!! you have gotten quite a bit done in a short time, gotta love progress and the new shorty look to the truck, the best feeling in the world! in my opinion. As for the trailing arms, if I was to do it again, I would go with DOM tubing and build the rear diff holder, these are perfectly fine, nothing wrong at all, I had the metal hence the reason I went with this stuff. either way works just fine thou. In the end, it is stronger than original and works better!
__________________
James 1968 GMC "HAVOC" 1986 GMC "Frank" J.J.R.H. Design & Consulting My 68`Rebuild "HAVOC": http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=316300 A 58' chev build thread: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=311238 1969 Camaro Pro Touring http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...61#post3513361 Swiss Cheese: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=384390 Adjustable Trailing Arm How-To: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=321100 1968 Ford Farm Truck: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post6555587 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#17 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Oregon City, Oregon
Posts: 741
|
![]() Quote:
Last edited by RexDodge; 04-20-2012 at 08:44 AM. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan,:
Posts: 2,901
|
Re: my "71 C10 project
Always another project! lol. And my truck use to haul everything also, farm, logging, ranch truck back in the day! she has history
__________________
James 1968 GMC "HAVOC" 1986 GMC "Frank" J.J.R.H. Design & Consulting My 68`Rebuild "HAVOC": http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=316300 A 58' chev build thread: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=311238 1969 Camaro Pro Touring http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...61#post3513361 Swiss Cheese: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=384390 Adjustable Trailing Arm How-To: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=321100 1968 Ford Farm Truck: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post6555587 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#19 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Oregon City, Oregon
Posts: 741
|
Re: my "71 C10 project
Ok. Somebody needs to convince me why this won't work on my truck. I fabricated this on my drag car and it worked great. It was so adjustable. I could adjust my pinion angle, control the rear roll and get my alignment nuts on. For those "quick trips to the grocery store" it pulls nice and straight when those front tires don't have any weight on them
![]() From my to do list...which grows ever time I am on this forum... Fabricate tubular trailing arms and panhard bar. Front mounting brackets with multiple mounting options (pinion angle correction). Tubular trailing arms to be A arm style and mounted to brackets on rear end. Brackets on rear end to be welded on and will have multiple mounting options. Panhard bar will mount on (frame to) trailing arm to allow for thrust adjustment. Coilover shocks mounted on adjustable brackets to detail travel/ride height? *may not be possible due to trucks weight |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Oregon City, Oregon
Posts: 741
|
Re: my "71 C10 project
Got home and jumped right into the garage. Cleaned up and organized first. I tend to make quite a mess. It's best for me to just shut down, clean up and put things away. After clean up I finished my frame welds and did some clean up on the frame rails. Prep, prep, prep.
Here is a picture of my bed empty just before I hung her on jack stands. Tomorrow I'll make my reinforcing plates and weld them in behind the frame rails where I spliced them. I hope to roll her outside Saturday to pressure wash the frame. Then it's time to pull the rear end and suspension and get to work. Note: In this phase I will not be replacing the bed floor or wheel wells. I want to play (drive) this summer and then next winter I'll pull the clip, cab and box to get into all that. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#21 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Oregon City, Oregon
Posts: 741
|
Re: my "71 C10 project
Most of my schedule has cleared up today so I will have a little more garage time than I thought
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#22 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Oregon City, Oregon
Posts: 741
|
Re: my "71 C10 project
Guess what I did today. The first picture is your clue. I try to get all the use out of my cut off wheels I can! The second and third show the cuts I made to the frame to allow clearance for the gas tank. I intend to mount it with the mid flange up against the upper edge if the frame rail. I have some 1/8" strap stock that I will form to support the tank. It will look like a factory installation when I am done. At least that is what I am shooting for. I will be fabing up a receiver that will box in the frame at the rear and add strength. The last picture shows the filler necks current location. I will need to get creative with the frame at that point to allow clearance to get to the tail light filler. I had to cut a little of the top rail to allow me to drop the tank into place. I will re-install all that I can to have a spot to bolt the bed securely. Tomorrow I hope to pressure wash the back half so I have clean metal to work with. I will be fabing my c notch's and shock relocation brakets and moving my shocks. Onward!
Last edited by RexDodge; 03-04-2012 at 01:03 AM. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#23 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Farmville, Va
Posts: 3,026
|
Re: my "71 C10 project
looks like 1 heck of a way to have a swb. but it is loookin gooood!!!!
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#24 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Oregon City, Oregon
Posts: 741
|
Re: my "71 C10 project
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#25 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Oregon City, Oregon
Posts: 741
|
Re: my "71 C10 project
I pulled the back end apart to prep for paint. Well look what I found. If you look closely you'll see what looks like two separate stress cracks near the base of the boss's. After cleaning away the crud I found that the crack actually runs almost 10"! I will grind this down clean, weld the crack and box in about the last 18" of the trailing arm (both) for added strength. This stress crack was found on the drivers side trailing arm. The other was fine. I must say I puckered up a bit when I saw that. If that had let loose while running down the road...yikes. Later on I plan to build new trailing arms that take into consideration correcting any pinion angle issues I may have. Going to be a busy weekend. If all goes well I will get this taken care of, finish cleaning and get all the pieces painted. Then it's time to assemble for the last time...progress!
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Bookmarks |
|
|