Project O.G. - My First Ever Build

[CC69Rat]

Ok brother man .. I want to see some bolts turning, at least some soap suds. You're killin me.

Maybe some pictures of the beautiful floor pans in this thing?

[CC69Rat]

Mike's got some stuff for sale .. you might want to look at this.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=535373

[LEX]

Very nice. Im glad you finally found one. Good luck with it.

[72BlckButy]

Killer SWB Chris!!!!

Want to sell it? Just kidding buddy.

Can't wait to see what you have planned for this truck. It reminds me of a trruck I know all to well...

[cericd]

So, I'm looking at doing an ECE 4" - 6" drop with 5-lug disc conversion. Well, I'm finding out that this opens a whole can of worms since my truck is currently 6 lug drums all around.

Am I correct I will also need the following?

1. 5 lug rear axle swap or re drill (what's the benifit of each?)
2. 5 lug rear drums (or can I use the 6 lug drum with some sort of modification?)
3. Seems like some say to switch to rear disc some say don't (more worms? loss of emergency brake? mine doesn't work currently but I guess that's another issue
4. 5 lug wheels (I'd like a set of steelies [not rallies] so I can run dog dishes but I've read that the disc with widen the front track width by about 3 inches overall so... is there a particular 5 lug steelie that I should be looking for? narrow front/wider in back?

Also, I like the look of not having a brake booster but I want this thing to stop really well too. Any suggestions. (I'm pretty sure custom brakes are out of my budget)

This is my first build and I have limited tools and mechanical knowledge so, I don't think I'm up for swapping out half a chassis from this and the other half from that so I guess I'm looking for the most straight forward way to go about all this.

This truck seems to be pretty original with a lot of 40+ year old parts that should probably be replaced and I would like to replace them with new parts (might as well get the right parts the first time)

Thanks for the help.

[CC69Rat]

Id stay 6 lug if youre just doing steelies and caps.. just sayin.

Respectfully asking.. if someone were to put together a parts list for you.. where do you need to be budget wise? 500 or 2000 ? I wouldnt really say ' can of worms ' so much as 'well now I have 20s I need bigger discs.. now I have big brakes .. boy I bet bigger calipers would help too.

Before you know it, youre auctioning off a kidney.
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[cericd]

As far as wheels go. I'd like to have 2 sets for different looks. A set of steelies that I could run with or without hubcaps for the original look and a five spoke of some sort (leaning towards TT2 or similar) for the classic hot rod look. I'd be wanting to run a little wider in the back to compensate for the wider track width in the front plus I just like the wider look in the back. With the five spoke wheel, I'm leaning toward 17's or 18's all around or the 18/20 combo.

Budget wise (500 or 2000) I assume you meant without wheels, 2000 isn't out of the question I just don't want to do it over and over again till I get it right. If it takes more to get it done right the first time I'd rather do that. Also, I'd like to have the full Hotchkis setup and rack & pinion steering but that is way out of my budget for now.

As far as a direction for this truck, I am more interested in it being fun to drive (cornering included) than laying frame or straight line speed.

Thanks guys

[CC69Rat]

The lowering stuff:

The back is easy. The cheapest way is to locate a 71-72 5 lug rear end. You can find them on CL for $150-$200 .. ready to go. Occasionally they'll come up on the parts board. you get the axles, drums, etc. Just unbolt the old, and bolt in the new. Viola, 5 lug.

The front is where it gets a little squirley. The 63-70 trucks use a different balljoint set and the tie rod ends are different (Keith will jump in here in a sec -- lolife99 where you at?) So you'll need what's known as 'Coversion' spindles. .. or you'll need to change over to 71-72 balljoints.

2.5" dropped spindles, Discs, hoses, etc.. I'd just do the whole ECE kit. For about $1500 shipped, you're all set. 5 lug front and rear, nothing more to get. IF you stay with the OE size disc brakes.

As far as track width, .. you might gain a little bit (.50" or so) but not 3".

Dig in man.. let's get this done.



Did you see the 'other' Keith's wheels on sale in the parts board? 18/20 5 lug Coys with tires for $1500. Might be worth checking into (?) But I'm not sure he wants to ship ..

[Tinkermc]

A tough decession wiith a lot of money involved, glad it is up 2 you.

[cericd]

Hey Chad am I understanding correctly? There is a kit that will get me 4/6 drop, 5 lug front disc, 5 lug rear axle and 5 lug brakes (drum or disc?)? Or is this something I would just have to call them and they would piece together a kit for me? Also, what about a different master cylinder, prop valve and maybe a booster??? Sorry, I don't understand brakes but I want them to work

Yeah I saw Keith's wheels. Nice! But he doesn't want to ship.

[WIDESIDE72]

Glad you found a truck. Looks nice, especially if you got it within your budget. Is is as clean underneath as on top? How far away was it?

Its amazing what is still out there. I grew up close to Port Lavaca (salty air) and my dad still lives there. A few years ago he calls me and says there is a 71 Cheyenne super in the paper for $3500. I say it must be a rust bucket. He calls and the owner says its clean original paints he goes to look. Turns out they are truthful, 71 copper and white lwb cheyenne super 400 bb TH 400 air (cold) ps pb tilt tach cruise (!) side tool box white interior bench seat rcovered in leather type vinyl. Also dealer Ac delco air shocks and on board compressor. Only flaws were bent front bumper and worn out tires and shocks. He went to his crdit union and got $3000 in cash. My brother who is also into these trucks ended up with it, i think he bought it from dad for $6-7k, put a better front bumper, new tires and shocks all around as backs leaked and fronts were original. Drove it back to Virginia and sold it for $14k!
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[WIDESIDE72]

At the time dad and I were half way thru his 71 gmc or he probably would have kept it. He used the profit to get the GMC painted.
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[CC69Rat]

Chris.. just checking in. How is the old truck coming?
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[lolife99]

Just found this thread.
GREAT looking truck.

[original-71]

nice truck congrats

[cericd]

Thanks guys. I shoulda called this project "slow start".

[original-71]

a couple of pictures of my buddys sons truck to give you an idea of what it will look like with wheels and drop, almost same color but he wet sanded and buffed it , i call it the shiney patina truck i may have more pics of it at my home computer

[shawno72]

I'm in can't wait for this thing to take off

[trac209]

Wow,now that is about as clean as it gets!

[cericd]

Hey Hector. Thanks for the inspiration pics.

I wish mine was the original single stage paint but it has been repainted on the exterior to the factory color. They also painted over the white top, tailgate letters and I suspect the mirror arms. I'm contemplating whether I want to go back to a white roof. The drip rails need to be resealed so that would be the time to do it. I'm definitely going to put the white letters back on the tailgate. Right now I'm trying to plan some things out so I don't end up wasting (too much) money or have the truck apart forever. I kinda want to get the drop, suspension, wheels and exhaust done (needs it bad) so I can drive it around a bit.

[cericd]

Originally Posted by shawno72

I'm in can't wait for this thing to take off

Hey Shawn, neither can I.

Originally Posted by trac209

Wow,now that is about as clean as it gets!

Thanks!

[cericd]

I got the "cowboy" bumper off the back. Looks like the previous owner welded the brackets to the frame a little.

[LEX]

There's a swap meet at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds all this weekend. Just an fyi in case you already didn't know.

www.hotrodsoftexas.com

[Rusbuilt]

Nice looking truck to start with!

[cericd]

So, I'm trying to determine which of the two different width 1970 C10 rear ends I have. I've been told that if I measure from backing plate to backing plate and it's 55.5" then it is the older 67-69 version and if it's 57" it's the 71-72 version. Well, I'm still not sure where to measure from. So here's a pic. Should I be measuring from spot #1 or spot #2 (or somewhere else entirely)?