Ol' Blue Build thread - work in progress!

[jrstallion51]

Well, I'm finally getting around to posting my build thread up to now because she is heading off for paint next week for some color! It started off as a nice toy hauler and she turned into a wonderful project somewhere along the lines.

So here is what I started with... 1970 C-10 CST SWB with all the options that I wanted It was in ok shape when I boght it, very little rust and only minor body issues from a fender bender. The only big issue for me was the drivers door...the upper hinge had completely separated from the door so it was INOP! It had a stout GM crate 350 with a TH-350 trans. It had a drip at the fuel pump and the power steering hose was rotten but I managed to drive her home.

My girlfriend at the time (now fiance), absolutely hated the truck. She thought it was a heap of junk and was afraid I wasn't going to make it home. Thank goodness, two years later, she has really fallen in love with the truck and sometimes I can even convince her to help me work on it!

After driving the truck for awhile, I decided I was going to fix the drivers door so that I wouldn't have to get in the passenger door any longer and thats where this whole project really got rolling....

[jrstallion51]

After pulling the front clip, I noticed some rot in the cowl and decided I better take the cab off while was there. I hate to go this far and not fix the rust, right? (That has been the theme of this whole project) So off came the cab, off came the front clip, radiator support, engine and front suspension. I started cleaning up the frame so I could paint it before putting the motor back in and thought to myself, " how could would it be to have a LSx motor in here?" So, in keeping with the theme, why not??!

[jrstallion51]

So the cab came off, and the frame looked really weird with just a bed and the differential hanging on it, so why don't I just pull those off too?? So, in a weeks time, my simple door replacement turned into a complete restoration. I can't stand taking something off and not rebuilding it, or replacing it, or at the very least making it look nice again.

[jrstallion51]

So I found a great deal on a low mileage 5.3 and 4L60-E trans and immediately tore it apart to make sure everything was good inside. I had the heads resurfaced (actually had a cracked valve keeper on one valve) and painted the motor to look a little more "chevy"

[jrstallion51]

The rear end got all new bearings and seals as well as new 3.73 gears. Of course it also got new shoes, hardware, wheel cylinders, parking brake cables and anything else back there! Being my first rear end rebuild, I had a hell of a time trying to get the gear mesh just right. But, after many choice words and help from forum members, I finally got it.

[jrstallion51]

After painting the trailing arms, they got new bushings and were installed with new lowering springs, perches and shocks. The front end got the same treatment with ALL new parts as well. I had a lot of fun with the control arm bushings!

[black_sheep454]

Looks great so far, nice work.
Posted via Mobile Device

[ole dollor]

i would say that this truck is really going to look NICE....good work.

[jrstallion51]

thank you very much! I'm hoping to go power windows and locks down the road too...this was my excuse to not buy a new truck.

[67cheby]

looking good

[Hart_Rod]

Nice progress!

[chopnchaneled]

Been almost a week since an update

[jrstallion51]

Sorry about no updates!! I'm afraid it will be awhile before I have any new updates as Life has been rather busy this week! Since I'll be leaving next week for the Air Force, I've been trying to get all my stuff packed up and everything else in order. Sadly, I had to pack up all my tools and my entire garage. I feel like a lost puppy! But, on a good note, My fiance will be staying here (georgia) until I'm done with my tech. school so I'll still be able to drop my truck off for paint! I'm going back to the orginal white/med. blue/white/med. blue. When I get done with tech. school, I'll have just long enough to come back here for a week or two so that I can get married, get my truck and move to wherever it is the air force will send me. With some luck, my truck will be done before I'm out of basic training and I'll be able to get some pics up then and get back to finshing her up! Hopefully all thats left is interior work (I'm really liking the highlander seatcovers), exterior trim and maybe some power windows! We'll see!!


In the meantime, amidst wedding planning and crazy weather, I've been helping some old friends so I could make a few extra bucks and get my gearhead fix in. I really enjoy helping these guys out and I'm sure you can see why! ...And yes, they are the real deal. He races HSCRA, SVRA, etc and buys and sells any old racecars with history.

[chopnchaneled]

So you hang out with felton? you have to work some long hours to make any money with
him

[jrstallion51]

you know thats right but I figure if he can stay as young as he has, it can't be all bad!

[chopnchaneled]

10-4 on that!!!!!!!!!!! please tell gene joe varble said hello

[jrstallion51]

Will do!

[chopnchaneled]

Thanks and good luck in your up coming wedding and Thank You for serving, im an OLD wing nut my self.

[jrstallion51]

Awesome! I'm really looking forward to learning something new and finishing school up

[67cheby]

now thats some cool stuff right there !

[sgaylord]

Good luck in the AF. My son has been in there for 5 years now (Navy vet myself). He is currently in Afghanistan been there about 6 months, but coming home next week! Happy trails to you my friend, and thanks for your upcoming service!

Steve

[jrstallion51]

Well, I survived basic training in spite of living with a slew of 18 year olds for two and a half months! Just as I was arriving to my tech. school, I got a surprise from my fiancé...she said my truck was finished and she was about to put it in storage! So, of course I begged for some pictures before she put it away and this is what I got!!! I'm already going through withdrawals (from the truck) so hopefully my tech school will go quickly so I can get to finishing this ol girl!

[jrstallion51]

a few more pics...

[67cheby]

looks Awesome !