My 68 C10 CST (Destiny - AKA The Bike Hauler)

[Ghostryder79]

Well...picked this up 9 days ago. Got a steal, so I couldn't pass it up. The goal is to get it street reliable first. Once that is accomplished, I will look into making her pretty. I don't think this will ever be "Magazine Quality", but that's not my goal. I want something that looks good, handles well, and can haul my motorcycle to the track reliably, with the added element of classic cool.

It was lowered when I got it, but the spring/shock combo was junk. (I could push it to the stops in the front and the rear.) I just installed new front springs and shocks, and will be working on the rear during the week. Then the sway bars will be going on front and rear. Power steering pump needs replaced, so that is awaiting install as well. Then...new wiring harness will be on its way. (I have to hot wire it just to start it.)

I'll post progress here as time permits. Hope it's something worth reading and following along. BTW...I have pretty much zero experience restoring nd rebuilding anything, so this should be fun.

[67chevy1series]

shes beautiful! and shes a 68 CST to boot! awesome would love more pics!

[Tinkermc]

very different mounting on the A/C compressor

[Ghostryder79]

Originally Posted by Tinkermc

very different mounting on the A/C compressor

Yeah, about that...It was just laying in there. No belts, and the mounting bolts for the bracket were missing.

[67chevy1series]

lmao... are you missing some brackets or are they all there? hard to tell from the pics.

[Ghostryder79]

Brackets are all there. Just missing the requisite bolts. Specifically the intake manifold bolt and the water pump bolt. BUT...according to UPS, they are waiting my immediate attention outside my front door. If only I wasn't at work...

[Ghostryder79]

Ok. Rear springs and shocks went on tonight. Will get pics tomorrow in better light. Anyone know where I can get an OEM AC Compressor bracket? The one I have won't line up with the proper mounting holes. Grrr...other than that. Successful night.

[50bomb]

Great looking truck. Keep us updated on the progress.

[Ghostryder79]

Thank you. As I sit at work (and thusly, cannot post pictures) I am pondering scrapping the OE AC, and running it without for a while - it is winter - and updating to a vintage air system in the spring that works in conjunction with the stock dash and other hardware. This project keeps getting more expensive. (Isn't that how it goes?)

[67chevy1series]

you have pretty much EVERYTHING fro OE AC.... i would connect everything recharge it and use it. plus. i dont know about over there but over here it always impresses and amazes people if you say the factory ac still works!

[Ghostryder79]

So...been a couple weeks slow going. Not much to update. BUT...took the bed off (so much for JUST reliability), and found original factory chalk marks on the frame. Anyone know what they mean?

[Ghostryder79]

Started cleaning the frame this evening. Came across something rather peculiar, and quite entertaining. I just wanted to share.

[70c10stepside]

Real cool truck! You said you dont have much experience, so this is the perfect place to start. If you get by the 'just slam it' crowd, these guys are extremely helpful. And c10's are fun and easy to work on

[Ghostryder79]

Originally Posted by 70c10stepside

Real cool truck! You said you dont have much experience, so this is the perfect place to start. If you get by the 'just slam it' crowd, these guys are extremely helpful. And c10's are fun and easy to work on

Thank you. I can look past the desire to "slam" the truck. I still need to haul things, most importantly my motorcycle.

I drove one in high school (belonged to my father, and he still owns it), and there has always been a soft spot for these trucks. I figure I'll be doing it in sections. Should be good times ahead.

[Ghostryder79]

Welp. I have the bed off and am working on stripping the rear half of the frame so it can get a coating of POR-15 (Yes, I know what you're thinking; "What happened to just making it a reliable driver?") Let's just say I don't know when to stop. As I'm working on the rear, My son is in the cab trying to remove the carpet. He's struggling, so I go in to help. Lo and behold, but what do we find? RUST. Faak. But...not bad. Just in the typical location by the kick panels. So...the bottom of the kicks and the edge of the floor need repair. As I said before...In for a penny...

[Ghostryder79]

Well...with the holidays, the going has been slow. BUT...finally got the rear completely apart, and getting ready to prep and POR15 that ish. Once that is done, the bed will go back on for the time being and I will focus on the cab and front end.

[Bomp]

Im in. Watchin'

[wild4wheels]

x2!

[Ghostryder79]

Definitely been slow goin as of late. BUT...got the rear sorted, and will be ordering disk brakes for all 4 corners here in the next few weeks. Without further ado...pics for clicks...

[americanthunder]

Looking good neighbor! Definitely following along....

[low&slow]

Tagging along on this one.

How's the weather out in Arizona? Always wanted to live out there. What part are you located in?

[Ghostryder79]

Thank you for reminding me I've been slacking, both on the truck and on the updates. The weather in Southern Arizona (Cochise County) is breezy, but beautiful. Temp was 85 today. It's riding season, so I spend some time on the motorcycle. That being said, I need to rebuild her now as well. I wrecked at the track at 100+ MPH. Knocked myself out (concussion, ambulance ride, CT Scan). I'm good, my gear saved my life. The bike? Well...trashed, but will be rebuilt.

Next up for the truck will be dismantling the Cab and the Front. I'm definitely looking forward to that. Anything I need to be on the lookout for?

[blake's first]

LOVE that Arizona weather missed out on Laughlin this year but got the fire wall set back on my nephews 72 so we can get the wheels on it this is him taking off his front clip

[Ghostryder79]

Ah yes...nothing like Arizona weather. It is definitely beautiful. I'm sure I'll look like him when I dismantle the front. It will be a learning experience for sure.

[Ghostryder79]

Welp...i must say I had a lot of fun this weekend hanging out with my father and my son. We have finished the removal of all the bodywork on the front end, and have almost completely stripped the cab. Only a few small details remain to be removed, and most of them will go in the garbage. Took the valve covers off the engine to take a gander at what the status was underneath...yeah...not good. Not bad, as i know the engine runs...but still...not good.

I feel like I have made some positive progress with this thing. I am still figuring out what direction I want to go...but nothing is set in stone yet. I need to source an engine stand so I can pull the engine and see if there are any other surprise hack jobs to be found anywhere (long story). Can't wait to get the cab off and get the frame underneath cleaned and coated. Then I can send the cab to the blasters to really know how much I need to replace.

I'll have pictures up later in the week, along with some of the motorcycle still being rebuilt. I look forward to everyone's opinions.