Father/Son 67 SWB project- Picture Heavy

[MMcMasters]

My son is 13 now and has always wanted a late 60's C10 truck. He has been saving his grass cutting money and chore money from his grandparents for the last three years but he's still on a tight budget.

My deal with him is I will put money in the truck as long as he works with me and shows a strong interest in the project. I also told him that if I end up doing the work without him, the truck will be mine. It's my hope that this will keep him wanting to be around his dad for a little while longer. I have been dreading the teen age years when he starts to think Dad isn't that cool anymore so maybe this will buy me some time

We have been working on the truck for a few months so I will bring it up to where we are right now.

A very good friend gave me a killer deal on a 67 short bed. There is no drive train, the cab has the usual rust and the bed floor is a mess. But for what we bought it for, I couldn't pass it up.

Here is the day we picked it up





We put a plan together and immediately started tearing it apart.







It came apart surprisingly easy. No broken bolts and no drama. My son spent his Saturday morning building a body cart for his cab and I have to say, he did a pretty good job.











Chassis disassembly was next. We intend on using RideTechs level 2 coil over suspension so we blew everything apart and got rid of everything we didn't need. Cutting rivets is a loud and time consuming job but we knocked it out in a day.

























I also up[graded to 9/16" u bolts for the front lower control arms



Rear suspension is all mocked up



Well the dirty part is done. We took it all back apart and dropped it off for powder coat two weeks ago. We pick it up tonight.

I have already found a great deal on a 2010 L96 iron block and a 4L65. More on that later. Please let us know what you think, good or bad, about what we have done or what we plan to do.

Thanks for looking,

Mike

[SCOTI]

Looking great so far.

Good friends come & go. A great dad is a keeper in a young mans life. I'm betting this build is 2-for-1. He not only gets a truck he worked hard creating, he strengthens his relationship w/the 'old man'. Win/win.

[Dustmaker65]

Looks like a great start to a great adventure for you two!

I am an hour north of you, Pekin.... May hafta come check this out sometime!

[72 Super]

Great job so far. That is great you and your son are doing this build together and that he is really into it. Lots of great memories to be had.

Ray

[Eddie H.]

When my son was 15, we rescued an old 71 GMC and did a complete frame off together.
The truck turned out nice and he is 31 and still driving it today. The time we spent together was priceless.

[57larry]

looks like you're off to a great start. I built cars & trucks with both of my sons and daughter. She turned out to be a pretty good welder. keep us posted with pics

[MMcMasters]

Thank you very much everyone for the kind words! He's my whole world, I'm having a blast.

[jeh]

I like to see a father/son project, my dad worked on the road most of my growing up years so we never got to do a lot together. Now that I have a son we do a lot of projects together, whether it's working on my truck, customizing his Polaris RZR, or doing things around the house, we make it a team. By the way, it looks like your sons dad has a pretty nice shop!!!!

[indymachinist]

I think what you are doing is great. I did a lot of projects with my dad as I grew up and never thought "dad wasn't cool anymore" so don't stress over that too much.

[mikess396]

Very nice. I did this with my dad, and just finishing up a project with my 14 year old. Great times everyone will remember.

[MMcMasters]

We picked up our chassis from the powder coaters yesterday. We had a very productive day today. All of the supension is back on, torqued and ball joints are greased.











Our goal for this week is to order everything I need to freshen up the factory 12 bolt. It's getting a new Tru Track carrier, 3.73 gears, new Moser Axles and I will be puting Ford ends on and eliminating the c Clips.

I also hope to get the brakes coming this week too so we can start building brake lines. I still havn't decided what I'm doing for brakes yet. I used all Kore 3 C6 Z06 stuff on my Chevelle and love it!! I may go this way again (Z51 stuff this time) or CPP has a reasonable kit as well. I already have a Boyds tank coming so we will hopefully have everything plumbed in the next week or so.

We have been working for a few months but it seems like things are finally moving a little faster. At least we are starting to see the results. My wallet is suffering a little too!

Mike

[MMcMasters]

Sorry about the sideways picture. I have tried to flip it several times but it won't work.

[tommycomfort]

Looking forward to following along on here. You (and the boy) do such great work!
Tom

[MMcMasters]

I am a truck rookie and I have to admit a screw up on my part. I was not aware that the 67 and earlier frames were not clearanced for the 68 and up power steering boxes. I feel like an idiot but we have to move forward.

When I went to bolt up the new steering box, it became immediately obvious that I had a problem. If I would have researched this before hand I would have known but I didn't.

So the quick fix was a little heat and some gentle persuading with a 3 pound ball peen hammer. Then some sanding and a touch up with Eastwood's underhood black, which as it turns out is a perfect match to the semi gloss powder coat we used on the frame.

Then we finished up installing the rest of the new Moog pieces to freshen up the steering.









I feel like an idiot about the frame but after searching it on here, I found a few other guys that made the same mistake. So it looks like I'm in good company

Mike

[MMcMasters]

Originally Posted by tommycomfort

Looking forward to following along on here. You (and the boy) do such great work!
Tom

Thanks Tom, you know your welcome to come over and turn wrenches anytime

[Austin_Jim]

Originally Posted by MMcMasters

Thanks Tom, you know your welcome to come over and turn wrenches anytime

So, I'm curious. Are the same six to ten people on EVERY board? I see you guys on Chevelle and LS1tech boards and here. A few guys from CTSVOwners are on both Chevelle and LS1tech. Certainly not an issue as I REALLY like watching the work you guys do, but it's just interesting that it's the same folks I keep following

-Jim

[kehstr]

COOL TRUCK!! I'm 17 and am current building a truck with my dad also!! Glad to see more people start them young!!

[MMcMasters]

Originally Posted by Austin_Jim

So, I'm curious. Are the same six to ten people on EVERY board? I see you guys on Chevelle and LS1tech boards and here. A few guys from CTSVOwners are on both Chevelle and LS1tech. Certainly not an issue as I REALLY like watching the work you guys do, but it's just interesting that it's the same folks I keep following

-Jim

I noticed Lots of familiar faces too..I like it

[MMcMasters]

Originally Posted by kehstr

COOL TRUCK!! I'm 17 and am current building a truck with my dad also!! Glad to see more people start them young!!

Thanks man!

[drewbert41]

Great stuff. I am nearby in Champaign and will be following along.

[MMcMasters]

Originally Posted by drewbert41

Great stuff. I am nearby in Champaign and will be following along.

We are almost neighbors

[kjdolphins]

Love this thread! Working on a father son project as well, me being he son. I'm a little older then 13 though... Wish I would have started at a younger age. Take my word, cherish these moments, before you know it, he's off to college and taking on the world and it makes it really difficult!
Great work and I'll be following along

[TexasLS1]

Awesome work! My 8 yr old daughter helped me using the air chisel this week. Our work is no where near this caliber, but I love seeing the little ones learning and getting excited. Nice job

[jeh]

Looks like some good progress!!!

[Benny-]

Sweet!