ThreeQuarter's 1968 C10 Build Thread

[ThreeQuarter]

I've been noticing a vibration that coincided with road speed (not engine speed) but the frequency was higher than tires/wheels/brakes would normally produce. I had been running the original driveshaft for the time being, so I decided it was time to replace it with all new parts. No dice.

I started looking into driveline angles and it turned out that my factory setup was pretty bad. All of the u-joint angles were around 2.5deg (reasonable), but the arrangement of the angles was not ideal. After some measuring, drawing, and calculating, I ordered 1/2" worth of transmission mount spacers, 4deg axle shims, and some new axle u-bolts (because I had cut my existing ones to exactly the right length). The results were very satisfying! That vibration is gone and I can ride easy now knowing my u-joints aren't aching.

[cericd]

Any updates on this beautiful truck?

[ThreeQuarter]

Hey Chris, thanks for checking on me. I haven’t been on the board much lately because there hasn’t been a lot of work getting done on the ‘68. Been driving it some—just turned 5K miles on Monday, which is not as much as I intended to drive it. Still need to get HVAC installed. At some point I just gotta prioritize it and get it done!

[cericd]

Glad to hear that it's getting some drive time. I need to get mine our more now that we're back in Texas. Years ago I bought some original style base trim level black vinyl seat trim from SMS but haven't had the seat recovered yet. I probably should've let them make the cover. Yours turned out great! Excellent work on the painted pine bed floor. I almost never see anyone go that route. It makes me wish my truck had a wood bed to restore. To me, nothing looks better than one of those body colored wood bed floors.

Where did you get that vintage cruise control kit? I'll bet it makes longer drive much more enjoyable.

Can't say enough good things about your truck, just love what you've done with it.

[68Gold/white]

Ben,
Good to hear from you. I hope you all are good!!!
Any of those tornados close to you?
I'm guessing you are still in Iowa?
Jeff

[Shifty One]

Gorgeous....there are about a million words I could use, but gorgeous seems to cover it...

[ThreeQuarter]

Aw, shucks—thanks guys! I’m happy that I’m so happy with it—not too many regrets on doing it the way I did.

Chris—I’m very pleased with the quality of the SMS seat cover. It goes a long way in completing the original experience. My cruise is a kit that came from Roger Koop here on the board. He’s in KC and I’ve visited him a few times and also had him restore my vent windows. When I got this close to the end of the project (and being the cruise control addict that I am), I decided to splurge a little on cruise. There are a few things I allowed myself to not “cheap out” with (paint, stainless windshield trim, seat foam & upholstery, cruise) and so far I have no regrets in making those calls.

Jeff—how’s is going in OK? Tornadoes all around but not at my house, thankfully. Two layoffs and I’m still in Iowa. If you had tried to tell me 15 years ago I’d still be here, I would’nt have believed you. But Iowa has some good things going for it. Winter’s not one of them.

Thanks, Shifty! GM did all the heavy lifting, I just colored inside the lines they drew.

[LT7A]

Originally Posted by ThreeQuarter

Glad to hear some appreciation for the build. And thanks for the advice on the belt webbing. It's probably one of those things that only bothers owners and concours judges.

I got the chance to catch up on your truck and am glad to see you keeping the theme of 99+percent stock. It looks great.

I agree with your comment on the seat belts. I don't think they would stand out to the casual observer. If they do bug you, as the owner, as you said - I did see that Rit makes a gray dye that could darken/dull them a bit. Move them toward the insert color. Don't mind me - I'm a detail guy and pondering this for my own belts. Mine cleaned up in general so nice that now you can really see the stains, haha.

[68Gold/white]

Ben,
You doing OK?
Still in Iowa?
Jeff

[ThreeQuarter]

Thanks, LT7A! I'm getting used to those seat belts, don't think I'll be changing them anytime soon.

Hey Jeff, I'm still kicking, still in Des Moines. Still planning to install the A/C someday... Hope you're doing OK in OK.

[raggedjim]

This is a beautiful truck, great job. The pic of the cab in post 8 is shocking! It's come a long way.

[SCOTI]

Agreed!

Great truck. Great story. Great rebuild.

[ThreeQuarter]

I appreciate it--really.

Jim: my body shop asked me multiple times if I was SURE I wanted to keep that cab!

I'm replacing repops with OEM parts as the opportunities present themselves. I found a takeoff tailgate to replace the repop one I have now--it's at the body shop and will have painted lettering instead of the stickers on the repop. Also taking a swing at restoring some OEM side view mirrors to replace the modern ones I'm using now. The modern ones are pretty good but they have huge black rubber gaskets holding the glass in. The OEM ones were never meant to have the glass replaced in them but I have some ideas. This spring I'll be upgrading to some 235/75R15s.

Anyway, it's hard to muster the will to install A/C in Iowa in the wintertime! Here are a few pics from last summer...new door panels (SMS Auto Fabrics) and armrests (OEM); a rural Iowa drive; a show in Grinnell; the info sheet I display at shows

[68Gold/white]

Ben,
Do you still have the original hubcaps?
When you DO get around to the AC, you gong O.E. or something like Vintage Air?
You will need to make sure you have enough amps in your alternator to run your AC system, typically 60-70 will work...
I like P235/70-15 tires. they look a little nicer, not quite as skinny looking.
Jeff.

[SCOTI]

Four Stars for this as part of your display....