Project Ants Marching 1965 C10 Short Step

[67pete300]

I cut off 1/2" of height on the front coils which is about 3/4 of a coil. I think it is too low although there are no shocks in these pictures. Since I need shorter shocks anyway and the rear springs are pretty much toast I just ordered a matched set of 1" and 3" front and rear drop springs and shocks to go with the 2.5 drop spindles and 2" drop blocks I have. Hopefully this works out with a bit more room for the 235/70/15 tires.

[67pete300]

On to the booster and master while waiting for the springs and shocks. This is how to install the CaptainFab bracket upside down. It is a nice piece and a great fit (once rightside up.) Looks like the shaft will be perfect fit without cutting.

[67pete300]

Got the booster fully mounted and the linkage hooked up. It was very fiddly getting the linkage put together as there isn't much room between the brake pedal and the steering column. But in the end it was a perfect fit with no cutting with the CaptainFab bracket and pieces supplied with the kit. If I had used the booster bracket it came with it would have been too short!

[67pete300]

Got the new 1" drop springs swapped in and they gained me back about an inch which is perfect. New front shocks installed as well.

[67pete300]

Have a mysterious situation where the passenger toe (out) is way out of whack after swapping in the new spring. Didn't change anything else. Disconnected the spindle end of the (new) tie rod and the upper ball joint stud, swapped the springs, and put it back together. Took all the adjustment out of the tie rod to get it back close. I swear it wasn't like that after putting it all together the first time (with the cut springs.) When I built the tie rods I made them the same length as the old ones. The steering box is centered. I have no idea what could have changed.

[northern 85]

Love the new stance! It looks in your pictures that they were both towed out a little. Hard to tell from the angle of the pics.

[67pete300]

Originally Posted by northern 85

Love the new stance! It looks in your pictures that they were both towed out a little. Hard to tell from the angle of the pics.

Thanks. I haven't actually done the rear yet. The current "stance" is from the saggy/heated rear springs. I have 3" drop springs and 2" drop blocks to go in soon.

[jmcintyre]

When you change the spring height and therefore the ride height, you effect the camber. Any effect on camber has a direct effect on toe. This is why when you align the truck it is always camber,caster and then toe. I would bet if you get it aligned and ask for a pre and post alignment printout, you will see a big difference in the before and after camber measurements

[67pete300]

Frigid weather slowed me down, but finally got it on the road today!

[67pete300]

Sunny and 60 degrees today! Perfect day to be back on the road.

Gotta get to the rear springs and drop blocks now.

[JamieGallien]

Truck is coming along! I just ordered a disc brake kit for mine as well. Should be here tomorrow. I can't wait!

[67pete300]

This was the plan: 2.5" drop spindles up front with 1" drop spring. 3" drop spring in the rear with 2" drop block for a 3.5/5 static drop. Despite conventional wisdom that says drop the rear 2" more than the front, that was too low in the rear for several reasons.

[67pete300]

Pulled the block out and it is perfect with 3.5" in front and 3" in rear. Loving the new stance! Drives great too.

[67pete300]

The upper bolt on the rear track bar is not coming out without a serious fight and I dont have a replacement so the original one is still in. Thinking about rear shock relocators too.

Also still have a front sway bar to install.

[JamieGallien]

Looking good! Love the stance.

[67pete300]

Went to drive it last weekend and the column shifter was frozen. Managed to take it all apart and shoot some lithium grease around and got it back together. Not before losing track of how all the little springs in the blinker switch go together. Took a while to sort that out. Documenting here for future reference.

Still have some work to do on the horn switch....

[67pete300]

Then got it out for a short drive between monsoon rains today. The new suspension really just soaks up the bumps. Brakes are great.

[67pete300]

Next major investment: one of these and some sheetmetal.

[Rusty63]

Love the stance, nice work!

[Jferrante]

Nice! You got the vulcan or the millermatic?

[Clyde65]

Nice job!!

[67pete300]

Originally Posted by Jferrante

Nice! You got the vulcan or the millermatic?

That's the $500 question.

[67pete300]

Pulled the trigger on the full Harbor Freight setup. Got it last Sunday was looking forward to playing this weekend and we had no power for two days after "Winter Storm Riley."

Finally got it set up and pulled my first flux core beads on a piece of 1/4" scrap. Will keep messing around with it with the hopes of eventually tackling floors and rockers. Need to get a bottle and build a cart.

[DPowers]

Very nice. You will see a big difference in handling with the sway bar installed.

[67pete300]

Playing with the new welder. Built a mobile base for a cabinet I had already. From an old bed frame. Zero dollars in it. Had the casters.