Overbuilding - Looking for advice on how not to

[RdoubleU]

Brake Plumbing:

Now on to actually making the truck stop. I bounced around between power or manual brakes and ended up deciding on manual brakes and have no complaints.

Here's the summary brake down of my research with references to other threads with good info:

Wilwood Tech Recommendations:

MC Recommendations: Biggest issue is how you like the pedal to feel
7/8 Bore: creates more pedal pressure to calipers
- A spongy feel to pedal
- More like a power brake feeling
- 2-3" Pedal travel before engaging

1" Bore: High and firm feel
- Most people want a more firm pedal
- 1" pedal travel before engaging

Line Recommendations: 3/16" Front to Rear for Discs
- 1/4" is for drum brake applications

Braided Lines for Stock D52's:
- 7/16"-20 Banjo Bolt Style

Final result I put on the truck:
- Front: Wilwood D52's
- Rear: Wilwood D154 e-brake kit for the C10 (decided I needed an e-brake and had zero luck finding the eldorado calipers with the much needed brackets and the re-pop ones were just as expensive and still have the leaking and adjustment issues as the factory caddi calipers so I went with Wilwood for the same price as it was going to cost me to stay GM)
-Master Cylinder: 1" Bore Wilwood - Wilwood Tech Dept confirmed this is what I needed and it works with the stock mounting holes and stock pushrod, it is also compatible with a power booster if I decide that manual brakes just arent enough
-Hard Brake Lines: I went to napa and purchased 3/16" pre-flared lines and bent them myself with Eastwoods DIY tools: http://www.eastwood.com/tubing-bende...liers-kit.html

Here's some more info for you on the bore and pushrod: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=500636

And here's another thread I made about the MC Bore Size and Line Sizes Needed and what Wilwood Tech Department told me: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=511378

Big Al's setup when he answered one of my questions: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=502724

If you decide to start shopping for Wilwood Parts Contact Justin at Scotts Hot Rods (Board Name: Scottshotrods) and he can also discuss what you need and give you good pricing - he was the most knowledgeable and best deal I found

[RdoubleU]

Alignment:

With my steering, suspension, brakes, and wheel/tires done i needed it aligned.

Since I was following the Make It Handle Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=419251

I wanted more than just a factory/neutral alignment and I found a great thread on the subject by member BMERDOC : http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=487363

He goes into all the details and logic behind it all so check it out

I summarized the whole thread and discussion down to a simple chart (mainly so i could understand it myself)

[RdoubleU]

My results are on posts #205 and #206 : http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=487363&page=9

I was able to achieve the below specs
Camber .3*+
Caster 6*+
Toe In .1*

Unfortunately I was unable to go negative Camber on the passenger side due to limitations of the stock crossmember on my truck. They were able to get the driver side negative. They fully removed all shims on the passenger side and milled the factory shim down to its least amount while still maintaining its integrity but could only achieve .3* on the passenger side. So I chose to have each side equal the .3*

For the impressive Caster numbers it was due to me investing in Porterbuilt's (Nate) Forward Arm series. And I am very very happy with this decision and the result it produced: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=537266

The truck tracks straight has good road feel now (aside from the easy effort factory power steering box) and is also very confident in its driving characteristics

[RdoubleU]

As exciting as all that brake plumbing and alignment talk is (it's a necessary evil) on to some eye candy next

Bed Wood:

Here's some shots of the shape the original bed wood was in

[RdoubleU]

Next it was time to strip the old wood out

[RdoubleU]

Cleaned, wire wheeled, and painted the cross braces

[RdoubleU]

Since I wanted to keep the paint as it was with the patina, I did not want perfect looking bed wood with no character, I wanted wood with lots of character

So I found a local hobby lumber dealer and he had just the thing for me: hickory with tons of color and character to it

To cut the boards I followed GMC Pauls measurements as many forum member suggest and everything fit perfect: http://www.gmcpauls.com/47-72_BedWood_Info.htm

For the bed strips I cleaned and urethane'd the original strips to keep some of the original green paint showing

[RdoubleU]

Again since i didn't want a high gloss finish I didnt want to take the typical approach of a thick urethane or clear coat on the wood

So i soaked it in water sealant until the wood wouldn't take anymore then did about 5 coats of Wipe On Poly so it had a low sheen (wipe on poly soaks in more than just giving a think coat)

[swamp rat]

That hickory looks great! thanks for posting the link for the board sizes too, bookmarked for future reference.

[jasonhall]

Awesome job !!

[faribran]

RdoubleU, I am enjoying your build, esp the wheels. What city in AL are you located?

[gringoloco]

Dig this truck and your simple, clean approach.

[RRR18]

^^^ I agree.

[RdoubleU]

Thanks all - I've been enjoying the truck for awhile just got out of the habit of updating the thread...def need to get back on and share some of the updates

[cooperhw]

Very cool truck. I might be a little partial as I am also building a 68 step side.

[Pick]

I really like your approach and the information in your updates! Looking forward to more!

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by RdoubleU

Thanks all - I've been enjoying the truck for awhile just got out of the habit of updating the thread...def need to get back on and share some of the updates

We love updates, and pics! Also, the way you document by linking to the info you found on this board is very helpful to others; thanks, and keep it up.

Question: on your rear shocks, are you using the 'A' or 'B' length? What's the part number on them?

Thanks -Chris

[tommyd241]

Awesome build! Not sure how I missed this one.