Travis' Tribute Truck - 65 Chevy C-10 Camper Special

[scottofksu]

Engine nearly done!

[dtkarst]

Really? Crazy how small of a world it is haha do you have a lot of family here in Hays?

[C@rnut001]

I really like what you are trying to do with your truck. I hope that you will be successful in your efforts. Like you, I am trying to finish my PhD (in Education for me). Good luck and keep us posted on how you are doing. It is a lot of work trying to build a truck while working full time and going to school too. Keep up the great job!

[scottofksu]

Thank you Owen, and good luck with your degree as well! Currently the biggest constraint on my build is not necessarily school or work so much as it is my two boys. Let's just say they are "high strung" and require lots of attention... I wouldn't change them for the world, though!

[scottofksu]

Truck Progress (or the lack thereof)

Currently I am still in the process of welding in my first patch on the truck floor. By first patch I mean first patch on the truck and first patch/MIG welding experience I have ever had. It has taken me some time to get the welder set up to my liking, but I am feeling much more confident. I thought I had it finished (after MUCH welding wire and grinding), but then I put my light behind the panel and found numerous pin holes between my tacks. I hope to fill these over the weekend and to start on the next patch.

Next up:

I've ordered the good Captain's power steering mounting plate and plan on installing a quick-turn steering gear box very soon.

I'll be ordering new cab supports (since I'm welding new metal on top of them I figured I might as well replace them now as they are about shot) and new rockers very soon. I plan on ordering them from TABCO. Please, if this is not the best place to get body panels, let a guy know!

I'm continuing to monitor sales on engine parts as I slowly accumulate parts for my eventual engine build. Things are going good on this front as I've recently scored an Edelbrock 7501 Air Gap for $140! Next up for the motor, disassemble, inspection, blueprinting, and then off to the machine shop! I plan to order a balanced, forged, rotating assemble comprised of a SCAT crank, Pro-Comp Rods, and forged ICON (Keith Black) dished pistons. That won't be for some time though. I am thinking more and more about getting my engine put together along with my trans and rear-end. That way, once I finish the necessary restoration of all things from the cab forward, I can start to drive the truck while I work on restoring everything from the cab back.

I can't tell you how excited I am to drive this truck again!

[likaroc13]

yet another inspiring story...i look forward to following your build progress

[scottofksu]

Thanks (likaroc13)!

[scottofksu]

Updates of Minor Progress

Rust repair continues within the cab (First Picture). Call me crazy, but hear me out. I have an idea for the cab supports. Would it be a horrible idea to replace the existing cab support system either entirely or partially with square tubing? The second picture shows what areas I am planning or could replace with 1/8 wall square tubing at roughly the same diameter of the existing cab supports. The reason I'm considering this is that most of my supports for sure need replaced and the condition of the others is suspect. That is, they don't look horrible from the outside but the rust that ate the others started from the inside. So I'm somewhat inclined to replace all of the supports. Plus, this tubing will give me a solid, low mount for a cab cage system, in addition to providing increased rigidity to the cab. My only concern is that removing the flex from the cab will result on increased torsion to the cab mounts... Oh, and the figure you see in the center of the second picture, which is from Alan's Vitamin C Build originally, is how I plan on going from a full square tube to a half square tube in the transmission tunnel. The areas with the hash marks are the ones that I would use half of a square tube to provide drivetrain clearance. Let me know what you think!

[scottofksu]

Well, progress has been SLOW, but I am making progress just the same! I've removed the drivers side front cab support am currently in the final stages of installing a new support after some fitment issues. I'll then finish replacing the drivers side floor pans before moving on to the rockers. Currently, I have acquired almost all of the pieces I need to convert the truck to hydroboost disc/drum brakes. This and power steering will be my next mechanical jobs. I'll post some pictures when I complete the cab support install!

[BLUIDVL]

Still keeping an eye on this thread. Let me know if i can offer any advice.

[scottofksu]

Originally Posted by BLUIDVL

Still keeping an eye on this thread. Let me know if i can offer any advice.

Thank you sir! I definitely will! It's nice to know that there is someone out there if I get stuck! I must confess that this project is somewhat intimidating to me given the sentimental value of the truck and my inexperience with, well, mostly body work! However, out of both necessity (i.e., I'm poor) and desire, I am pushing on and learning instead of having a shop do the work. I figured that I would start on the areas where I can hide my ugly welds a little easier as I improve... Once I hit the mechanical aspects of the build you will be seeing much more activity, and likely many more questions as I will both know what to ask and will have ideas that I need vetted. Once again, thanks for your interest and offer of assistance!

Scott

[gimmy 64]

lots of guys on here have never welded before. but they jumped right in and started tearing there floors apart and did a really nice job. the more you do the more you will get used to it . and less intimidating it will be. lots of people on here willing to help all you have to do is ask.

[scottofksu]

Originally Posted by gimmy 64

lots of guys on here have never welded before. but they jumped right in and started tearing there floors apart and did a really nice job. the more you do the more you will get used to it . and less intimidating it will be. lots of people on here willing to help all you have to do is ask.

Man, if that isn't the truth! Grinding welds makes me want to be a better welder...

I think that most of my welding issues now are related to preparation. That is, making sure I have clean metal for both my ground and my welds on BOTH sides of the metal I am welding. I'll figure it out, and then I'll patch the fenders and tailgate! I really can't complain, I've seen trucks with WAY more rot to repair!

Thanks for your support!

Scott

[scottofksu]

I've made some decent progress lately! Some on the truck and some on my confidence in working on the truck. I've managed to attach the new, drivers side, front cab support to the lateral support and the inner/outer rocker! In doing so I found the quality of the replacement panels fit to be, well, apparently normal for what everyone else finds! It barely fit at all! Sure, it looked like the original equipment, but the dimensions were off in a couple key areas. As a result, the mounting tabs that connect the support to the lateral support (i.e., the support that runs parallel to the frame) wouldn't reach unless I straightened them out completely... I didn't want to do this so I "fabricated" extensions to the mounting tabs (Pic 1) and welded these to the cab support and to the lateral support. (Note, Pic 1 was taken before I used the dremel tool to shape the mounting tab extension.) Best of all, my last welds actually look like welds (Pic 2)! Now I just need to replace the floor section that covers the cab support before moving on to the rockers! I'm starting to believe that I may be able to drive this truck before I start collecting Social Security (roughly 30 years from now)!

[Bomp]

Along for watching the build.
Im going at about the same pace on mine.
Sub'd

[scottofksu]

Made a little progress over the weekend... Welded in the largest remaining patch on the drivers side floor. I also cleaned-up/cut out some small areas that still need to be patched. Starting to get a little confidence that I might be able to weld decently someday!

First Pic is the patch sat in place prior to shaping and welding. Pic 2 is the patch shaped to match the remaining floor sections and welded in.

[scottofksu]

Still working on tin work... Learning lots, but it is taking forever! :0)
Getting ready to bolt on all of the front-end parts I have purchased, and to build the motor.

Here's the link to the motor discussion:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=630566

I really want to have this thing on the road - in whatever condition - by the end of the summer...

Thanks for all of your support!

Scott

[TJ's Chevy]

Good to see an update! Look forward to seeing the finished truck to!

[Mjminino]

Hello, I just wanted to stop by and introduce myself. I was reading someone elses build thread and noticed an "Omaha Ne" and my first thought was "I didn't post anything! what is this witchcraft!". It is nice to see someone else from Omaha. IDK where you are at in Omaha, I am right off of 63rd and Blondo. Grant it your last post was 6 months ago , I am at the same stage you are at (in this thread). I'd love to meet up and see how you're going about stuff. Feel free to PM me

[scottofksu]

And Hello to you!

I'm WAY out West (204th and Q). Currently I'm completing the drivers side of a power steering/power disc brake upgrade/3.5" drop project. Today I finished welding the steering coupler onto the steering shaft. I also installed new grade-8 bolts in the upper control-arm bracket. Tomorrow I'll paint everything with 2-3 coats of POR-15, and then 2-3 coats of POR-15 chassis black. Then it will be time for reassemble in the next couple weeks.

[scottofksu]

Steering Shaft

[scottofksu]

Today's Theme: Painting.
Items Painted: Driver's side upper and lower control arms; all sway bar brackets; radiator brackets; top, bottom, and outer face of frame on driver's side; and the outer 1/3 of the crossmember (also on the driver's side).
Paint: POR-15 (3 coats) and POR-15 Top Coat (Chassis Black;2 Coats).

[scottofksu]

Frame

[Mjminino]

I sent you a pm

[scottofksu]

Finished the driver's side!