Son's 68 c10 Short Bed

[Camaroguy]

Originally Posted by KevinK7

That truck is looking great, ...and I love that color too Awsome work

Thank you. It will hopefully start coming together quick. The boy is getting excited for sure.

[Camaroguy]

I ordered a "smoothie" bumper for the rear of the truck a couple months ago. It finally came in the other day and looks real nice. This is the match to the front bumper I had previously purchased a few years ago.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Camaroguy

I ordered a "smoothie" bumper for the rear of the truck a couple months ago. It finally came in the other day and looks real nice. This is the match to the front bumper I had previously purchased a few years ago.

Can you get/post a pic of the inside (back-side)?

[Camaroguy]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Can you get/post a pic of the inside (back-side)?

I have it boxed up and put away for now. I have used these in the past though and there is a tab welded on the inside of the bumper that your bolt slips into. The shoulder of the bolt holds it in place and it is then bolted to the factory brackets. Basically it is exactly the same as an original bumper but instead of the bolts shouldering through the bumper they rest on the tab.

Hope that makes sense - I will see about getting a picture this evening.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Camaroguy

I have it boxed up and put away for now. I have used these in the past though and there is a tab welded on the inside of the bumper that your bolt slips into. The shoulder of the bolt holds it in place and it is then bolted to the factory brackets. Basically it is exactly the same as an original bumper but instead of the bolts shouldering through the bumper they rest on the tab.

Hope that makes sense - I will see about getting a picture this evening.

Thanks. That's what I wondered. I did mine back in the early 90's before stuff like this was available. I used hardware bolted to the factory brackets w/a plate sandwiched between them on the inside of the bumper. Installed the bumper, tacked/welded the plates to the back of the bumper & the hardware to the plates. Then cut the heads off the hardware & welded the holes up from the front.
In retrospect, I should have just welded regular hardware to the plates on the inside vs the bumper face & the plate. The plates helped spread any impact load (which worked). But, since the bolt was still welded in the OE holes as well, they puckered when it was involved in a fender-bender. You know what they say about hind-sight....

[Camaroguy]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Thanks. That's what I wondered. I did mine back in the early 90's before stuff like this was available. I used hardware bolted to the factory brackets w/a plate sandwiched between them on the inside of the bumper. Installed the bumper, tacked/welded the plates to the back of the bumper & the hardware to the plates. Then cut the heads off the hardware & welded the holes up from the front.
In retrospect, I should have just welded regular hardware to the plates on the inside vs the bumper face & the plate. The plates helped spread any impact load (which worked). But, since the bolt was still welded in the OE holes as well, they puckered when it was involved in a fender-bender. You know what they say about hind-sight....

That makes sense. I had a dog run out in front of me while I was driving this truck a few years ago. I couldn't even react before I hit it. That stinking thing wadded my front bumper up like I had hit a brick wall. The worst part was both of my kids were with me. I pulled over and they were crying, I was fighting tears too, but it was for a totally different reason.

[Camaroguy]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Can you get/post a pic of the inside (back-side)?

Here are the pics...

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Camaroguy

Here are the pics...

Awesome & appreciated! What's your opinion of the bumper quality?

I know when I did my 74 & was looking for new bumpers the aftermarket stuff was crap (you could easily twist the bumper end-to-end). It took a while but I found OE units. I had OE units on my '89 dually until it got tagged in a p-lot. I was having a hard time finding another rear so I tried one of the LMC Premium units (along w/one of their Blazer gate panels). The aftermarket unit for that was as nice as my original OE unit. Weighed about the same & zero twist/flex end-to-end.

[Camaroguy]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Awesome & appreciated! What's your opinion of the bumper quality?

I know when I did my 74 & was looking for new bumpers the aftermarket stuff was crap (you could easily twist the bumper end-to-end). It took a while but I found OE units. I had OE units on my '89 dually until it got tagged in a p-lot. I was having a hard time finding another rear so I tried one of the LMC Premium units (along w/one of their Blazer gate panels). The aftermarket unit for that was as nice as my original OE unit. Weighed about the same & zero twist/flex end-to-end.

This is the 4th of this style I have bought and have no complaints. Jegs offers the best price I’ve found.

[Camaroguy]

Yesterday, we got the inside of the bed done. Came out pretty slick. Today, we finish sanded the bed sides and they will get sprayed on Tuesday.

[cornerstone]

Originally Posted by Camaroguy

Yesterday, we got the inside of the bed done. Came out pretty slick. Today, we finish sanded the bed sides and they will get sprayed on Tuesday.

Looks as good as a brand new one piece floor. Do you still think you would have been money ahead if you bought a new floor?

[Camaroguy]

Thank you. I definitely would have been better off just buying a whole floor. This floor was all new, just came in two sections. Honestly though, the floor has been all done by my son. He cut it out, welded it back together, ground it down, filled it, and did 3-4 rounds of sanding it. It came out nice and it really is the one part that has been all him. That in and of itself, is probably worth it.

[cornerstone]

I totally forgot about that aspect... excellent point and so true.

[KevinK7]

Originally Posted by Camaroguy

... Honestly though, the floor has been all done by my son. He cut it out, welded it back together, ground it down, filled it, and did 3-4 rounds of sanding it.

There is so much to be said for things you do and learn first hand. Along with the sense of accomplishment, you truly appreciate and respect the things you have built.
No doubt he will treasure this truck for many many years to come, due to lessons learned, but even more importantly........time spent with Dad
That truck is truly something to be proud of on many fronts, for both you and your son

[Camaroguy]

Originally Posted by KevinK7

There is so much to be said for things you do and learn first hand. Along with the sense of accomplishment, you truly appreciate and respect the things you have built.
No doubt he will treasure this truck for many many years to come, due to lessons learned, but even more importantly........time spent with Dad
That truck is truly something to be proud of on many fronts, for both you and your son

Thank you for saying that. All true words, for sure. Too many people in today's world have no concept of problem solving - in any aspect. One thing you learn when working on this stuff, is how to do just that. Solve the problem. Hopefully it translates to other things.

One of the biggest parts of this, for me, is him understanding and grasping his "Papa's" legacy.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Camaroguy

Thank you for saying that. All true words, for sure. Too many people in today's world have no concept of problem solving - in any aspect. One thing you learn when working on this stuff, is how to do just that. Solve the problem. Hopefully it translates to other things.

One of the biggest parts of this, for me, is him understanding and grasping his "Papa's" legacy.

Props to you for recognizing that need & doing something about it. Too many people these days don't do that either....

[Camaroguy]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Props to you for recognizing that need & doing something about it. Too many people these days don't do that either....

Yes sir, we're both blessed for sure.

[MDPotter]

That is a slick bed floor, your son did a great job on it.

[1971Stepside]

Wow! From the old bed liner to this. A lot of work that he can be proud of for sure.

[Camaroguy]

Originally Posted by MDPotter

That is a slick bed floor, your son did a great job on it.

Originally Posted by 1971Stepside

Wow! From the old bed liner to this. A lot of work that he can be proud of for sure.

Thank you both. They are painting the outside of the bed today while I'm stuck at work. Hoping I will get some pics at some point.

[Camaroguy]

I’ll get some better pictures when I can. From what I’m told, it came out great and is really straight. Pretty happy about that, because it was pretty rough.

[SCOTI]

Looks good from here. 🤓👌

[Camaroguy]

I just ran down to the shop and snapped a few pics. It still needs to be color sanded but looks pretty good.

[Camaroguy]

Continued:

[Camaroguy]

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