69 Panel - Project needs a name

[GIZZ]

I've been on a few forums over the years having different cars. The 1 thing I've never done is a build thread. Today is the day!

Background, I bought this '69 panel way back in 2006. Immediately got 4/6 drop springs, found some new cpp rear arms cheap. I got a 6.0 from a silverado, carb and msd injector controller. I bought a whole running(rusty) '89 burb for the front clip & also the A/C bits.

Then I got divorced. Then I sold the house, I kept the new parts I accumulated but many of the used burb parts ended up at the recycler. Whatever I left in the old garages hidden attic stayed there until they bulldozed it.

Many of the old pics are being held hostage on Photobucket!!! Being 2017 I'm going to try and document what I can on video and store it on YouTube. I'm hoping I can learn a thing or 2 about video editing along the way, I can rebuild an engine but this video editing is foreign to me.

Some pics I still have - Shortly after I got her, sported the exact same look the last 10 years! Also a pic of my parts burb & my old hauler. And another old pic of her roomate & also my daily driver(at the time)cst10.

[GIZZ]

as promised, here goes

1969 Chevy C10 Panel Truck Project - YouTube

[CG]

Looks like a great start. As far as a name, I got nothing =) I never really got the naming thing, but lots of people here put a name to their projects so Im probably in the minority.

[GIZZ]

Thanks! I can't wait to get to your stage of the build. Out of my 50+ vehicles I've only named one, and that was back in high school. I usually just refer to them by color.

Well, pulled the trans yesterday. So engine and trans are now out.

Got front and rear brakes in the mail, this is the first time I've see a c10 front disc brake rotor setup like this. Also the only 6 lug front with 1/2-20 wheel studs I've seen in a kit. I'm hoping the front and rear rotors are off the shelf items somewhere local to me.

Chevy C10 4 wheel Disc Brake Conversion parts -...

[GIZZ]

pulled the front clip today, by myself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Twtvf...youtu.be&t=13s

Also check out this(water leak?)mod the previous owner did??? It can't be stock, I should get rid of it all?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Me1G9...ature=youtu.be

[CG]

My av picture is just a computer rendering.

[GIZZ]

Pulled the orig crossmember out for cleaning this afternoon. Torn as to which one to use. The top one is from a 1/2 ton 2wd ‘91 Suburban. The lower one, still dirty is from this ‘69 panel. I had to weigh them both twice cuz I wasn’t sure of the 8.5lbs difference in weight.

I’m also not sure if I want to run the rubber control arm bushings or the older arms and solid bushings. I used to daily drive a ‘68 on solid and I never had an issue with the ride. I like the added caster of the newer setup, but I think I can drill the lower shafts to get this.

Any suggestions?

[GIZZ]

In trying to decide what parts to use I figured out there is caster to be gained with the newer crossmember. The upper control arms mount further back on the squarebody crossmember vs the older one. I'm comparing '69 to a '91 suburban here. So there's your caster, unless of course the locating pin for lower arms isn't also moved back on the newer x member!

Here's what I'm talking about. Maybe ignore the exact #'s on x member weight differences, I was going by memory. Older x member really closer to 8.5 lbs lighter. The 4 older control arms also about 17# lighter than newer ones.

No kidding eh? :) GIZZMotorsports

[GIZZ]

Spent a couple of hours in the shop yesterday, pulled the body back off the frame and proceeded to remove old undercoat. I was mostly using an oscillating tool with a flat metal blade, simple green in some spots then the most caustic brake clean I have(this stuff strips pain). Any tips and suggestions? If I have some decent weather on my next days off I want to roll it outside and hit it with the pressure washer and maybe the sand water blaster.

I really wanted to paint the frame with Rustbullet, and at this point I will. In hindsight I should have skipped this step and got to swapping the body mounts, new brakes and driveline.

Watch these pics be upside down...

[GIZZ]

Honestly if there’s a next time I’ll either send it out for powder coating or just skip the frame entirely and get to the mechanicals. Here are 3 coats of rustbellet auto silver followed up with 1 coat of black shell topcoat. Can’t wait to start installing the new driveline.

[Burb]

... looking good

[GIZZ]

Originally Posted by Burb

... looking good

Thanks! I should show this to the wife!

Got the body temporarily on the frame in order to work on... the wife’s car.

I’m liking this low look but it’s currently laying on frame with no rear springs but tall farmtruck tires. I like the tall tire look but may end up running 295/50-15’s on the street and use my leftover 28” M&H at the track. I wish they made more 15” sizes.

[GIZZ]

Well, my brake kit mounting drama is just about over. Not completely happy with it. It's over in the suspension forum, http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=777064

So frustrating these brake kits are so bad, so many things needed to be touched to get it all fit. Now for the future replacement parts will need modding before install. And I have no idea where these rotors are from although 80 k10 front look like the may fit all around with bracket shimming. I'm wanting to take some time off from the c10. I've been looking at c6 z06's again but may pick up a 4th gen camaro to turbo for street/strip in 2019. I figure I'd drive it more with good brakes, possibly a/c and a functioning stereo vs getting my '69 acadian(Nova) back on the road.

[GIZZ]

This is almost driving me to buying a newer car, I looked at a c5 z06 and took a c6 z06 for a test drive. Not too shabby.

Here is my near final summary of these brake kits, all bolted up. Need to get it all plumbed and running for a final review.

Final install update. Rear Disc Brake Swap...

[3drburb]

That last video was tough to watch, it's not good that you are dealing with this on your project.

Maybe take a very short break ( a couple days to do something else other than work on the panel ) then try contact the company with your situation, hopefully they have a way to make it work better for you and can also give you the needed replacement parts information.

They could have also sent you an incorrect part for that application.

Best wishes as you try to stay motivated on the project.
Nice panel btw.

[pwdcougar]

Unbelievable that they send you a “kit” that you pay top dollar for and it requires all these mods. It’s great that you have the ability to make it work but it stinks that they are selling such a pile of crap.

Paul

[GIZZ]

Thanks guys for the encouragement! It really helps to hear it. I had some feedback on YouTube, another guy had to open the rotor up the same. He hasn't finished fitting them so he's now on the look for these other issues.

Took a little time to work on my car yesterday, other than that it's eating season! Merry Christmas everybody!

[GIZZ]

Time to modify the GM engine stands, figured I better button up the engine and have it ready to go. I swapped in the crane cam and did a basic how to vid on valve spring install, making vids is becoming my new hobby! Then I spent a half hour looking for my puller to change the crank timing chain sprocket.

GM LS Valvespring and Valve Stem Seal Replacement...

[GIZZ]

After months I spent yesterday working on this. It's a roller again, for the time being. I uncovered some rusty spots yesterday. In attempting to swap out one front cab support I found issues. It looks like i'll be sectioning and replacing the outer of the right outer rocker panel, the front pillar where it bolts to also needs replacing.

Also while cleaning up the firewall I removed the previous owners fiberglass drip channel in the firewall drip channel, revealed a rust hole.

I took this vid of the days work, check out the spot welds on the firewall. So deep, 2 hole that go right through!? But no rust there?? I'm sure the firewall is original. So odd that this factory defect wasn't at least filled with sealer?

finally some progress on project C10 - YouTube