1970 C10 project

[lawrenq]

I'm new to the forum and thought I'll share my project here for tips and feedback. This is my 2nd restoration as my 1st was on a 71 Chevelle that's finished. I've always liked this body style of trucks even though I never knew anyone who owned one.

My plan is to build a resto-mod type truck on a budget. I actually bought the truck and a 2004 silverado from the same gentleman who had planned on ls swapping the truck. At the time when I bought it, the truck seemed pretty solid, compared to my Chevelle's starting point.

[lawrenq]

So my plan was to work on the chasis first. I had the stock rear end blasted and rebuilt with 3.42 gears and a posi. I also had the stock trailing arms blasted and welded reinforcement plates on the top and bottom since they were in good condition. I decided on the ridetech streetgrip kit and found a good deal on willwood 4 piston brakes for the rear. I also decided to use the willwood pro spindle instead of the cpp spindle that ridetech provides with their kit.

[lawrenq]

For the engine I removed the 5.3 from the 2004 silverado. The donor truck ran and drove fine but the odometer didn't work. I scored a 4l80e from the junkyard instead of the 4l60e that the truck came in.

On the engine I installed a small cam, Chinese head studs, and refreshed the top end. I'm using Holley ls swap brackets and a knock off f body oil pan. I bought a transmission xmeber from ifw fab.

[lawrenq]

When I finally got the truck to my house for disassembly, I found out the body was worse than I thought. Just about every panel would need a patch or replacement. The previous owner had attempted a restoration before so I nknew the floor needed some work. He also replaced the cab corners but I can see that they're attached with rivets.

First thing I did was strip the frame. I sprayed it in black epoxy and then a coat of por top coat. I also installed the ridetech suspension, engine and transmission.

[lawrenq]

Here's where I am now, I plan to get rid off all the rust in the cab. This truck needs the usual and it also has some rust in the upper cowl. I'm starting with a full floor plan and will go from there. This truck had so many patches in the floor it was hard to tell where one panel ended and the next started.

I braced the cab and cut everything slightly above the rocker. The new floor pan went in easier than I thought it would. I have some rust in the lower firewall where it meets the floor so I'm unsure of how to fix that. They reproduce that whole section but I only need parts of it.

[LockDoc]

-
Looks like a good project. Welcome to the board. I think you will like it here.

LockDoc

[68Gold/white]

Great use of those "T" posts!!!

Looks like you r skills will get this project done waaay quicker than I could!!!
Job well done!!!

[Getter-Done]

Nice work

I am subbed for the build.

[lawrenq]

Originally Posted by 68Gold/white

Great use of those "T" posts!!!

Looks like you r skills will get this project done waaay quicker than I could!!!
Job well done!!!

Thanks I got that idea somewhere off this forum.

[68Gold/white]

The odometer not working in the 2004 may have been due to the stepper motor that actuates that particular gauge. Each gauge in that cluster is run by a stepper motor. The tiny stepper motors are behind the gauge cluster face. The stepper motors are all the same and can be replaced.
If the whole cluster was inop, it could have been from a broken ground...I have a 2005 Silverado...

[lawrenq]

I've made some progress on the truck in the last couple of months. I've finished repairing the rust on the lower firewall. Rockers and cab cab corners, and sail panels etc. I'm not entirely satisfied with the way the driver's side came out I may redo that side.

[lawrenq]

I ordered all new smoke glass from auto city classic, it came well packed without a single broken piece. I also worked on filling in all the holes on the firewall. I've also decided to replace the ash tray and factory radio for a double din bezel. I stripped the doors and fenders to see how much rust I'd have to repair.

[lawrenq]

Here are some pictures of my last restoration. It's a 71 Chevelle with a 70 front end. It's a restomod/ pro touring type build. 427 Alluminum ls engine with a 6 speed manual. It took me 4 years to complete.

[Getter-Done]

One word comment

Nice

[Stickman]

Very nice.

[bwl101]

Looking good! Can't wait to see how it turns out!

[lawrenq]

Made some progress on the truck. Finished the body work on the interior of the cab and tried out a color that I was thinking about. I also found a pair of new bed sides and a new woodbed kit for a longed that I just have to cut down.

[lawrenq]

I've picked up a couple of pieces for a new bed off Craigslist and Facebook marketplace. I just need a tailgate and I'll have a new bed. The bed kit I found was made for a long bed so I cut it down. The wheel tubs are AMD's 4 inch wider tubs. I'm thinking about painting the wood black and ordering some polished stainless strips to finish it.

[Louisvillekytruck]

Very nice project.

[lawrenq]

I made some more progress recently, I replaced the door skins on both doors. While I had the skins of I sandblasted and epoxy primed the inner shell.

[Stickman]

Originally Posted by lawrenq

Made some progress on the truck. Finished the body work on the interior of the cab and tried out a color that I was thinking about. I also found a pair of new bed sides and a new woodbed kit for a longed that I just have to cut down.

As I said before very nice work. I noticed you deleted the wire channel like Grumpy and few other have done on here. What was your procedure in doing so, did you cut off the lip and weld a strip over over the top or otherwise? Looks awesome and I like the color.

[lawrenq]

Originally Posted by Stickman

As I said before very nice work. I noticed you deleted the wire channel like Grumpy and few other have done on here. What was your procedure in doing so, did you cut off the lip and weld a strip over over the top or otherwise? Looks awesome and I like the color.

Thanks, I bought the firewall kit from slosh tubz and it came with the filler piece that goes over the wire channel. I didn't have to cut anything I just layer the filler piece over the top of that channel and welded it up.

[68isgreat]

Awesome. I see you're going with a 68 grille instead of the 70? Also, when you smooth out the firewall like that, where does the wire junction box go on the firewall? Great job so far!

[lawrenq]

Originally Posted by 68isgreat

Awesome. I see you're going with a 68 grille instead of the 70? Also, when you smooth out the firewall like that, where does the wire junction box go on the firewall? Great job so far!

I'm planning on bringing it out at the side so that runs in the fender so ot won't be visible when everything's back together.

[lawrenq]

I rebuilt my vent windows, I had the frames powdercoated satin black. The glass is from auto city classic. I went with a later style locking vent knob. I also followed the thread here about dyi power windows and converted my passenger side to power. They work great, better than the nu relics in my chevelle.