1972 C10 2wd LWB First Timer Tangerine Dream

[smitroc]

More control arm dreams

[smitroc]

I'll have lots o space... Thanks honey!

[smitroc]

She's the best

[smitroc]

This one gonna be the daily driver when mechanic gets her safe!

[smitroc]

So yeah there she is... My knowledgeable mechanic is taking care of the engine/tranny... I'm tasked with getting the frame straight/repaired ie trailing arms are a worry, brakes, and interior... Think that body rust can wait for the big bucks for all that patch work needed... So my question is strip it to get sandblasted and rustbullet or just go ahead with my brakes/suspension/interior and get the engine/tranny done in the spring no frame work? I am in Alaska some it's a long winter I won"5 be driving her until April/May... On the other hand I don't see a 15k frame off in my future with body work to boot... What's the priority here folks?
Want a summer daily driver occasional tire burn and safe comfortable ride where the chassis drivetrain can handle oh 400-450lbs of torque.
Thx ya'll this forum is truly awesome and the people are the best ever!

[smitroc]

I think all in all she looks good... Frame rust is minimal if you don't count that trailing arm... I'm thinking of getting that sandblasted and rustbullet it to start... Brakes and suspension then throw that so-so body back on until I can afford top notch body work... Get that tranny rearend and motor in then calling it good until money grows on trees for better body/paint?

[smitroc]

Went searching for the build sheet, looks like its long gone oh well... This is all thats left besides the build plate.

[smitroc]

Decoded

[smitroc]

well I think I'm gonna flip the script and go with the beginning body work since my mechanic was given instructions to just have everything ready for spring driving season up here.... so in the spirit of the many Alaska pioneers that have come before me. I will attack the body work and suspension knowing next to nothing about them!!!!
Got a Mig welder no bottle yet, anyone know where a guy can find a bottle and supplier for my mig welds, and scrap 22g sheet fabricate with.
the bed is going to need to come off for sure as repairs will involve cross members and bushings and such.... keep you posted on my progress soon. waiting on a decent cutting wheel since I don't have a shop size steel bandsaw for patch fabs..... gonna be a long cold winter of body work over here!

[smitroc]

Also missed out on an 64 Impala SS this weekend... talked him down to 7500 and he didn't want to consent to a buyers inspection I would have paid for... beautiful car too... you know you wanna se it!!!!

[smitroc]

I did get the rotors and bearings done... Master and brake booster next... Just want to make sure it can be a daily driver if need be... The body is going to be my main thrust though... Got a mig, bottle, soda media, etc on order to begin that... Should be here within a week... Anyhow some progress is good progress as i see it!!!
Check out that old rotor!!!! Looks like the rings of Saturn!!! And there was a steel nail where the cotters should have been in the spindle through the castle nut!!! Awesome!

[smitroc]

Some work is good work!

[smitroc]

Looks like Saturn!

[trac209]

Looks like a good project so far. The way you can attack a truck build is by first deciding how much money and time you have really. If either are no object then go for a full frame off. Personally I'd fix that trucks rust issues first as they will only get worse. Then make it road worthy.

[smitroc]

Ya trac was thinking of getting start on that rust... not too many donor trucks up here to choose from. Shipping on replacement panels to AK is murder. Any ideas on a budget friendly way to go about it? I was thinking just starting from the rear and working my way forward one piece at a time. got a mig welder on order.

[smitroc]

My only other avenue is thankfully I work for Ak Airlines and get dirt cheap shipping. But I'd need some on the receiving end in the lower 48 to be able to get to an ak air warehouse for cargo and they could then ship to me at no cost to them and I pay my employee rate when it shows here... Imagine it'd be hard to get complete strangers to sign on for something like that though.

[smitroc]

You'll be happy to know Trac i've begun the body inspection to see where the cancer needs attention... Rockers are in better shape than i thought! Inner lower door skin and outer lower door skin leave much to be desired... With being in Alaska and murderous patch panel shipping i'm going to need to get a comprehensive list together before i start work and fly down to get the panels i need to ship back on my bennies... Oh well, a trip to the lower 48 in winter is like going to Miami for us Alaskans! Just need to find the best patch panel joint in terms of quality and selection of parts... Feel free to suggest away folks... Gonna need door skins, possibly the entire pass door, wheel wells bed, some patch panel lower front and rear cab, floor pans, inner and outer rockers(i know just because they look decent doesn't mean they don't carry the cancer!), bed rails, possibly cab mounts, drip rail does anyone make this part?

[smitroc]

Driver door off

[smitroc]

There she is... Looks pretty good for her age

[smitroc]

Rocker, not to bad. Replacing anyway

[smitroc]

More rocker... Gonna bust out the real digi camera from now on... Phone camera is blah

[smitroc]

Bed is ready to come off just need to make room here to store it... Found the i think original jack... Going to need a hazmat suit to touch it! Looks like a black bear was living in here.

[smitroc]

Got this attached to the seat... Still no build sheet that i can see

[smitroc]

Gas tank coming out next the floor not too bad... Covered in epoxy in some places... Not cool... Any tricks/tips on this gas tank removal for safe clean no spill removal?

[smitroc]

Rustbullet finally got here so I can start on the frame! My lowering kit is on back order.... Blahh... Going to start with the back bed frame area first as a section then hit the front once I can figure how to get clearance between the cab and frame and core support and frame.