my C10 project....building a truck from a heap of parts

[Gmc.guy]

Originally Posted by moregrip

I guess I should have said this up front but I probably have more questions than the average member......one, because I haven't really wrenched on a C10 in a while, and two I like to understand why/how things/processes are the way they are or how they got there.....

with that said:

I noticed while inspecting the frame that the leaf spring mounts are reinforced with some riveted L shaped plate........is this considered the heavy half or something else?

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also, it appears when I finally get around to shortening the frame to switch to a shortbed setup I will have to remove the lower rivet farthest back on the frame to relocate the crossmember....am I seeing that correctly?

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I have a 77 heavy half that has them extra brackets. I think all the heavy leaf pack trucks got them. I did swap them onto my 74 short bed as well from another truck I have for parts

[moregrip]

Originally Posted by Gmc.guy

I have a 77 heavy half that has them extra brackets. I think all the heavy leaf pack trucks got them. I did swap them onto my 74 short bed as well from another truck I have for parts

thanks brother! appreciate that......was doing some research today on 73-87.com and it looks like my truck is most likely a Big 10.

[moregrip]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Too add to this.... The unit I purchased was a Hobart 210 (basically 'base' models built by Miller) from Northern Tool. Northern Tool had a 1yr no-interest credit deal going on. I was able to get my welder + a Hobart plasma cutter on my purchase & used/gained experience on both while paying them off within the year (vs saving the total cash to buy & having to wait/lose opportunity toward my learning curve).



I did the same. But, after not having the equipment to continue practicing/working with, the beginners ability seems to dwindle. If you have a Northern Tool, see if they offer the same type of credit deal that helped me....

Checked it out, all be damned! Tractor Supply is offering your very same deal

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by moregrip

Checked it out, all be damned! Tractor Supply is offering your very same deal

Cool.

[moregrip]

quick question, is this the infamous 73-74 grill mount? Was digging through my stash of parts hoping I was smart enough to save the right stuff!
On a side note, I literally bead blasted these parts in 2012 at the auto hobby shop on base and they're still rust free! crazy!

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[moregrip]

Had a productive morning at the pick and pull this morning, scored a rust free electric drivers door off an 87 Suburban, aint cheap either, was $95 out the door

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[moregrip]

Originally Posted by moregrip

Had a productive morning at the pick and pull this morning, scored a rust free electric drivers door off an 87 Suburban, aint cheap either, was $95 out the door

yes I said morning twice in one sentence.......lol.......what can I say, I was excited!


so let me ask you guys a question, organizationally, what method do you use to mentally break down the list of tasks needed to start/complete a project?
My mind races everywhere, one minute I'm contemplating engine options, the next minute chassis and suspension, then dash layout, electrical, rims and tires, etc etc.

does parts availability shape your build at all or do you stick to a strict plan?

even at the junkyard yesterday, I had my list of things I was looking for, but then I run into factory bucket seats and I'm off to the races again!

At 45 you'd think I could stay a bit more mentally organized but its all candy to me! Do you go through the same thought process or something similar or am I just a mental midget? (loaded question)

[vht]

Get a plan together, make a list. Things will change along the way, you may run into a deal on something or come up with some parts you hadn't planned on using. I hate body work, so I'll do it awhile and then I worked on something else for awhile. Just enjoy working on it and remember nothing is going to go exactly as planned. Or at least for me it doesn't.

[daddyjeep]

I find that it is important to have a plan and do your best to follow that plan. My Jeep project started as a simple frame repair and snowballed into a full build with new axles, custom built suspension, and a complete drivetrain swap. I couldn't be happier with the outcome, but it went from a winter project to a 4 year project. I try now to plan everything out from the beginning. Things come up and things still change, but it is minimized by having a good plan.

[moregrip]

Originally Posted by vht

Get a plan together, make a list. Things will change along the way, you may run into a deal on something or come up with some parts you hadn't planned on using. I hate body work, so I'll do it awhile and then I worked on something else for awhile. Just enjoy working on it and remember nothing is going to go exactly as planned. Or at least for me it doesn't.

Originally Posted by daddyjeep

I find that it is important to have a plan and do your best to follow that plan. My Jeep project started as a simple frame repair and snowballed into a full build with new axles, custom built suspension, and a complete drivetrain swap. I couldn't be happier with the outcome, but it went from a winter project to a 4 year project. I try now to plan everything out from the beginning. Things come up and things still change, but it is minimized by having a good plan.

thanks gents, appreciate the advice. I guess it would help to sit down and formulate a solid build direction, I suppose all I've really been doing is assessing the condition of the parts I have, gathering the the stuff I know I'll need while trying to address my limited storage situation.

putting pen to paper, will report back

[moregrip]

I don't know how or when it happened but my drivers side NOS fender got double dented on/near the body line, probably in the move, any tips on how to get that perfect again with no bondo

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[jott_06]

body filler isnt a bad thing when used properly. I would hammer and dolly the damage as straight as you can and you will probably get away with a thin coat of glaze over the repair

[moregrip]

Originally Posted by jott_06

body filler isnt a bad thing when used properly. I would hammer and dolly the damage as straight as you can and you will probably get away with a thin coat of glaze over the repair

try not to laugh too hard with what I'm going to say next, but I'm going to try a blow dryer and compressed air and see what happens with that first. I figure if it works for some on YouTube maybe it will in my case. If that fails, and it probably will, I'll go with the paint less dent removal process even though there's no real paint to speak of on the panel.

[daddyjeep]

Just kidding. Nothing lost with giving it a try. I once pulled a dent out of my door with a plunger.

[moregrip]

Originally Posted by daddyjeep

Just kidding. Nothing lost with giving it a try. I once pulled a dent out of my door with a plunger.

dude I'm laughing at myself, but hey what's the harm

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by moregrip

try not to laugh too hard with what I'm going to say next, but I'm going to try a blow dryer and compressed air and see what happens with that first. I figure if it works for some on YouTube maybe it will in my case. If that fails, and it probably will, I'll go with the paint less dent removal process even though there's no real paint to speak of on the panel.

I have seen that on YouTube myself. But I think the metal is too think on these old trucks for that method. These newer cars are built like aluminum cans, that's why that will work on them. But it never hits to try. But I would think a hammer & dolly will Work, especially since it is off the body.

[moregrip]

Originally Posted by TKCR

I have seen that on YouTube myself. But I think the metal is too think on these old trucks for that method. These newer cars are built like aluminum cans, that's why that will work on them. But it never hits to try. But I would think a hammer & dolly will Work, especially since it is off the body.

I'm sure you're right!.......I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow morning when I give it a try!

[moregrip]

so it's a little better but not perfect, used the heat gun/compressed air method and then some hot glue on the end of a wooden dowel.......eeeh, was a fun experiment I guess.....as previously stated, metal is too thick for these processes to be a slam dunk I think.


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[daddyjeep]

Definitely improved. I'll stop laughing now.

[moregrip]

couple of pics:

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[rusty76]

Glad to see you back at it. I will be following along.

[moregrip]

Originally Posted by rusty76

Glad to see you back at it. I will be following along.

thanks man! feels great to have another squarebody build project!!

[rusty76]

I know it does.

[moregrip]

so after much contemplation I think my only way forward with this build is to actually build 2 trucks.

1st and primary truck is going to be a lowered 5 lug C10 using my current chassis and hopefully the motor/trans/rear end that came with it, barring any surprises. I will install my:
Belltech 4/6 lowering kit with shocks
PBFab 1" forward lower control arms w/stock rebuilt upper control arms
Wilwood front D52 calipers on stock diameter Raybestos rotors on Timken bearings
Rebuild the rear drum brakes and calipers, install the new stainless brake lines, new proportioning valve, new master cylinder and brake booster
Replace all ball joints, idler/pitman arms, and tie rods with Moog replacement parts
Install newer doors with power door locks/windows,
Install newer tilt column with cruise control and windshield wiper controls on the column
I would like to get the stock A/C system working again
Assess the condition of the SBC and TH350. If all checks out, rebuild the Quadrajet 4 barrel, re-use the Edelbrock performer intake manifold, find/fix all leaks and probably keep the stock exhaust manifolds running a budget dual exhaust system
Same sort of scenario for the transmission and rear end
For interior I'm leaning towards mostly stock but using aftermarket bucket seats and sound system
For exterior paint it will be most likely be a simple single color paint job using some sort of budget application system that's beginner friendly
Wheels and tires are undecided at this point

Some firsts for this builder (aka me) will be:

1. Doing all my own metal work
2. Doing all body work
3. Garage paint job
4. Successfully rebuild a Quadrajet carb
5. Install first ring/pinion and limited slip

I guess the theme of this build will be a true do it myself project.......As painful as it might be I want to do it all or as close to doing it all myself as I can possibly get! and it would be "REAL COOL" if she handles fairly decent at the end of it all.

The 2nd truck will be built using all the leftovers of the 1st truck or whatever I don't primary source in truck #1.......going in the direction of a solid driver mechanically, stock height, prettymuch stock everything, a good reliable daily driver with less focus on looks. This truck will in all likelihood be completed first and become my 15yr olds first truck when he turns 16, Dec of this year.

That's the general direction I'm headed, we'll see how well this 3 car garage of mine contains all this awesomeness!

[moregrip]

moving right along, this is the rust I'm looking at on the drivers side:


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passenger side is a little better, but not much:


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so if I hold onto this cab, plenty of metal repair needs done