1969 chevy cst10 build

[BowDown916]

Sup guys,its been awhile since i been on this side!,I Just bought a 69 chevy cab and frame, it was all i can find with not alot of rust and with a short frame..

First time that ill try to do this big of a build on a truck,hopefully everything goes well, and hopefully with the help of you guys will be little easier on me this project

heres a few pics of what i have to start with and what it needs to be done..

[BowDown916]

Frame pics...I just got it,i still need to take it apart for sandblast, not sure if theres another easier or faster way to get the rust out and get it painted...

[mcbassin]

Looks like a really solid project to start with. Looking forward to following along.

[BowDown916]

Update:
Not much till the guy that its doing the sandblast have some free time to do my cab and frame, still trying to figure out if i should go with coils or leave leaf springs, i got the doors very to get soda blasted and ill probably get the hood this weekend... its too hard to work on my truck when im always out of town working...
Ill post some pics when i get anything done to the frame or cab...

[BowDown916]

Question about engines, Ls1 or 350-454 engine?
One of my friends its taking apart his z71 and also engine and tran,he ask me first to see if i want it any of the parts since i have another z71 work truck, but anyways the engine has around 80k, i seen those engines in our 60s-70s trucks but since i never done any of this,would it need all kinds of mods,parts,changes,etc,etc to make it fit/work in the 69 c10?

[BowDown916]

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[BowDown916]

theres soo many brands and different types for the front suspension, what type/brand would you guys recoment, like stock control arms or tubular,adjustable coil-overs or regular springs,also gotta find a power rack-pinions,sway bar,etc,etc..
trying to find some parts while i wait for the cab to be sandblasted!, its been taking too long...

[mcbassin]

I like the Ls platform of engines. You can buy plug and play harnesses for them if you're not into reworking it yourself, reliable smooth power hard to beat.

For your suspension you should ask that same questions in the suspension section. Tons of good advice there. I used all stock parts other than drop spindles made by belltech

[BowDown916]

Tomorrow im gonna stop by couple places to see some ls engines,need to get little more info about them,but still not ready to get one...

yea ill probably go stock too and just get some lowering springs for the front and still not sure about the rear since i have the leaf springs, i can get some new leaf springs to lower the back for now i guess, cuz i think most of the $$ will go on restoring the body ,i havent got a price yet till i get it sandblast by a different guy..

[69gmcc10]

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[69gmcc10]

From a geometry stand point you should use drop spindles before you cut springs, because they lower your center of gravity and minimize steering geometry changes. That is not to say that a down and dirty cut coil wont get the job done. leafs can be made to work just fine for handling, polly bushings, removing the overload and maybe one of middle springs to soften the rear rate, a shackle (2"), shackle and hanger kit (4") or an axle flip (5"-6" & may require a notch) are some cheap and effective ways to help tame leafs.

You need to answer some questions for yourself and for us before we can really give you some solid advice. What do you want to do with the truck? Cruiser, Daily Driver, Canyon Carver, Auto Cross, Drag Racer?
How low do you want to go?
Do you want tune a carb and distributor, or just turn the key and go?
What do you think is acceptable for fuel economy?

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by BowDown916

Tomorrow im gonna stop by couple places to see some ls engines,need to get little more info about them,but still not ready to get one...

yea ill probably go stock too and just get some lowering springs for the front and still not sure about the rear since i have the leaf springs, i can get some new leaf springs to lower the back for now i guess, cuz i think most of the $$ will go on restoring the body ,i havent got a price yet till i get it sandblast by a different guy..

Don't hesitate to look on Craigslist. They pop up here all the time under $1000 for motor and transmission. Ideally, you want to get everything from the same truck. Even better buy a wrecked truck or van, pull everything out, part it out, then sell what's left for scrap. If you're lucky like I was on my son's truck you'll get it for free and make a few bucks. Check it out HERE.

[BowDown916]

I when to the junk yards today, my bro its building a 55 second edition truck and he needed a rear axle ford 9", while i was waiting i ask for ls engines, they gonna be around $1500 5.3 to $3000 for 6.0 corvette engine, hardness/computer/trans included with 6 months warranty.. not to bad i guess...

[BowDown916]

for lowering the rear,if im not going with coil springs....
Change leaf springs to lower the truck?
Flip kit?

[69gmcc10]

Originally Posted by BowDown916

for lowering the rear,if im not going with coil springs....
Change leaf springs to lower the truck?
Flip kit?

So, you want to do a 6" rear drop. What do you want to do in the front?

[BowDown916]

i was thinking about it,but maybe just go 2" and 4"

[69gmcc10]

Originally Posted by BowDown916

i was thinking about it,but maybe just go 2" and 4"

A flip might be a little more than what you are looking for. If u are looking at 2/4 http://www.mcgaughys-suspension.com/...t-93129-93130/. I know this kit is for a 73 and later but the hangers and shackles should work and they have spindles for 69s that will help you upgrade to discs.

Do you plan on hauling more than a$$ with this truck?
Will it need to haul stuff?

[BowDown916]

I found some front coil springs to lower 2" on Craigslist.. Just need the rear, I won't be hauling anything, but who knows lol..they have this leaf springs that will lower the truck but not sure how good are those..

Originally Posted by 69gmcc10

A flip might be a little more than what you are looking for. If u are looking at 2/4 http://www.mcgaughys-suspension.com/...t-93129-93130/. I know this kit is for a 73 and later but the hangers and shackles should work and they have spindles for 69s that will help you upgrade to discs.

Do you plan on hauling more than a$$ with this truck?
Will it need to haul stuff?

[69gmcc10]

Originally Posted by BowDown916

I found some front coil springs to lower 2" on Craigslist.. Just need the rear, I won't be hauling anything, but who knows lol..they have this leaf springs that will lower the truck but not sure how good are those..

Personally I would cut 1 coil off the stock spring for free before I bought a lowering spring. Cutting increases the spring stiffness just a little and should help it corner better. Combined with a good shock it shouldnt be a harsh ride. Just my opinion.

[mcbassin]

More pictures of your build please

[BowDown916]

Too late lol, the guy that had the springs live like 2 block from my house and I got them already... I'll save all the stock stuff just incase..

[BowDown916]

I really wanna go with the tubular control arms but they kinda $$! ...i can probably sandblast and paint the stock i have but it looks like it has some dents/marks like if someone hit then with a hammer or something...where i got the frame from they use a forklif to move stuff around,wonder if they damage those arms with that...


first day with no rain here,so i paint the frame with por-15,ill probably have to do some touch up when i start replacing/removing parts,but i can do that with a brush...
I never try por-15 before,the paint color looks flat,i thought it was gonna be like glossy but i think it looks good...

[BowDown916]

Frame half way done, cab not even close to ready, the guy that suppost to sandblast the cab its just taking tooo long... frame looks dark grey but it suppost to be black...

[BowDown916]

My big bro 55 chevy sec. edition cab that also its waiting for sandblast, thats the old frame with mustang front clip but i dont think his gonna use that,he got another 55 chevy frame to install different front suspension...

[BowDown916]

found this one, what you guys think?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/231152259712...84.m1423.l2649