Project "Just an Old Truck"

[C10_ustacould]

I guess it's multiple things to include non-truck related issues. But mainly it's just things I would have done differently if I had known more. I created a Lessons Learned post and I think now is a good time to post it. Some I'm going to post it now and put a big CORRECTED or a ACCEPTED by each one as I correct them or simply accept them. Some may seem petty but they all bother me on some level. It will take a while, but I believe that fixing these issues (along with the vibration) will make me happier with the truck in the long run. Well, here it is...

Lessons Learned

In any build there are things that could have been done differently. I figured I would write a post to highlight the things I would have done differently on mine. I figure the best way to do this is to start at the front of the truck and work my way rearward.

Radiator - I like the entropy radiator and fan set up but if I had it to do over I would have used a factory hose configuration (non-dual pass) and use the factory truck hoses. I would have had to plumb in the steam vent hose, but that has proven to be a simple task with many clean solutions.

Brake Booster/Master Cylinder - The CPP unit I have works great, but it is a monster and I like the clean look of the Wilwood or CPP MCPV-1 units.

Front Suspension Crossmember – I swapped the original ’68 crossmember for a 73-87 unit. The later crossmember does not have tabs for the early brake lines. Knowing what I know now, I would have kept the original and simply bolted new control arms to it.

Control Arms – I rebuilt factory 73-87 control arms, and with all that went into doing them I would have been smart to buy aftermarket tubular control arms at the start. Note: I have Porterbuilt Forward Arms waiting to be installed!

Brake Lines – If I had kept the factory crossmember I would have been able to use new factory bent lines with conversion rubber hoses for the disk brake upgrade. This would have been much cleaner.

Trailing Arm Crossmember – I used an ECE unit because it is what I learned of first, and it is a beefy piece that will work great for many years, but when you drop a step side it moves the wheel rearward in the wheel well. I have ordered a Porterbuilt custom configured adjustable crossmember that will allow me to adjust my wheel placement and my pinion angle. I wish I had learned about the Coil-over Drop Member sooner!

Fuel Tank – I have a Boyd Welding tank and an external pump. When making right turns the fuel sloshes away from the outlet, which almost kills the engine. In retrospect I should have used the tank with the internal Aeromotive pump.

Wheels – I have a good-looking set of wheels, but they are not what I really wanted. I picked an alternative because the wheels I wanted were out of stock… I should have waited. My truck needs a set of gun metal grey five spokes.

Well, that is what I can think of right now. If I remember anything else I will add it. I didn't intend for this to be a therapy session or to degrade the help I have received from many of you, you guys are AWESOME!! I guess I just needed to vent.