1969 Chevy Stepside Restoration/Build up

[matthew20061]

I mounted up the customized 72 gas pedal and drilled a new hole though the firewall to install the cable. Then installed the cable and connected it up to the gas pedal. It just so happens that the s-10 cable was the same length and just fit right in. Now I can press the pedal to the floor and the engine opens up all the way, let off and it goes back to idle, this just amazed me that I didn't have to do any modifications to the setup.

[matthew20061]

Well got back to working on the truck today, and installed/converted the front end to the disc brakes. I pulled all the crappy old drum stuff off, and cleaned the spindles up. Then bolted on the caliper mounting bracket, packed the bearings with grease and installed the hub/rotor assembly. Being that I haven't bought any rims yet I had to find something that would fit just temporarily so I can roll it around. The fix was some random 90's camaro rims that I randomly had. They have a lot of backspace so but they just barely clear enough to roll it around. Another interesting thing was that the front end had some lose spots in it. I thought that the driver side lower ball joint and outer tie rod end was bad but... Turns out they were fine just that someone never tightened the nuts whatsoever. They weren't even finger tight, after removing the cotter pins and tightening the nuts up there's not a bit of play in the steering at all. In fact it looks as if someone else changed the upper ball joints and many other parts in the front end as well. Greased all the grease points up and the front end is basically done. Here's some pictures:

[matthew20061]

Here's some updates of what I've been doing over the last couple weeks.

The wiring harness for the engine turned out to be too short so we decided to lengthen it about 2 feet.....
Since there was no way that I could possibly do this I called up akman360 and convinced him to do it.






What a lot of wires!

Last wire!!

Done....Time too put on a plastic split loom.

[matthew20061]

Built a new transmission crossmember, sandblasted, painted it, and installed it!

[Eturnit3]

Good work man, I'm envious.

[matthew20061]

Originally Posted by Eturnit3

Good work man, I'm envious.

Thanks!


I ordered new rear axle shafts from Moser to match the front disc bolt pattern. They have a 5 on 4 3/4 bolt pattern and the drum register is stepped so that it fits a passenger car style rim but steps up to the larger size to pick up the original drum, which I need to have redrilled to the 5 lug pattern. Anyway they came in today so here some pics:

[akman360]

Haha! That was a project. Sure beats buying a new one though. Looking good! Can't wait to see that thing running.

[matthew20061]

Well, I've been hard at work on the truck throughout the last week! I had a completely new driveshaft made by Youngs Gear here in Anchorage because the old one was too short. Here's some pics...

[matthew20061]

I completely installed the extended wiring harness into the truck. I routed it though the floor right into the center console. Then I wired up all the power wires with relays, hooked up the starter wires, temperature gauge, ran the tach wire, and most of the other miscellaneous wires. I also installed the diagnostic plug in the center console.

[matthew20061]

I started it for the first time last Tuesday and it started right up but I didn't have power going to the fuel pump the howl time so it just ran for a bit until it ran out of gas. Also the fuel pump that I had in the bucket was only a 12 psi fuel pump and the 5.3 needs a lot more than that. I need to make the exaust system now so that it's got oxygen sensors!

Here's a video

YouTube - 69 Chevy C-10 Update: First Start 5.3...

[matthew20061]

Well I've been bad about keeing this updated I've been super busy with stuff and the truck but here's a update.
Took apart the rear end finally and discovered that it is a 3.73 posi 12 bolt! So that was good news, I pulled out the old axles, put in some new bearings and seals and slipped in the new 5 lug axles. I got the brake drums redrilled by a local machine shop to fit the axles. The rear brakes seemed to be in good shape so I just cleaned them up with some brake parts cleaner and slipped on the drums. Sandblasted the cover and painted it then installed it with a new gasket.

[matthew20061]

Now that I've gone to all this work to change it to a 5 on 4 3/4 bolt pattern your probably wondering what rims I'm going to use...
I got some rims from wheel vintiques, they are the SS 396 chevelle reproduction rims. I got 15X8's for the front and 15X10's for the rear. Then to finish them off I got some Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 tires to go on them, with 255's for the front and 275's for the rear. The front tires are still on order but the rear tires were in stock so I got those mounted right away. Heres some pictures.

[my67chevytruck]

keep after it.

[BACKYARD88]

looking good man!

[OARNGESI]

Nice rim choice

[RCbowtie69]

hey from N.C. it's looking good keep up the hard work & pictures coming

[matthew20061]

Originally Posted by my67chevytruck

keep after it.

Originally Posted by BACKYARD88

looking good man!

Originally Posted by OARNGESI

Nice rim choice

Originally Posted by RCbowtie69

hey from N.C. it's looking good keep up the hard work & pictures coming

Thanks, and I'll try to keep the pictures coming...

Here's some more:


Got a cool wood steering wheel front summit racing to put on!


Got the inner fenders on....


Also I installed the core support and radiator and hoses

Got some parts from classic parts to finish up the interior and a couple other things.

[Hoffman65burb]

looks good! suscribed! anymore pictures of the truck with those SS rallys

[matthew20061]

Originally Posted by Hoffman65burb

looks good! suscribed! anymore pictures of the truck with those SS rallys

Actually, yes I just got the new front tires mounted on the SS rims. I'll get some pics tomorrow when I put the tires on the truck.

[Blue'72]

Nice!!!

[matthew20061]

Here's some more pictures of the SS rims and tires! Now there on the front and the back. I got a new windshield but I'm not exactly sure I want to install it my self.... Got the weatherstripping installed off of a 90's chevy and it fit great and looks great. It appears to be the same thickness of the original stuff so I hope the doors close right.

[matthew20061]

Well long time no post, I've been hard at work on the 69 just haven't had the time to post updates. Anyway got the windshield installed with the factory chrome trim and a new gasket, it looks great! But the biggest accomplishment is painting both front fenders and both doors!! Also the rear fenders are now literally perfectly straight and primed and sanded. We got the bedsides primed, along with the cowl panel. We also painted the tailgate, the steps, and the front bed part they also look awesome. Also painted the glove box and ash try. Anyway here's some pics:

[nuke1]

I have not checked in awhile, and you have has some major accomplishments happen, from firing up the engine to having most everything painted, the truck is gonna be a knockout. way to go.

[matthew20061]

Originally Posted by nuke1

I have not checked in awhile, and you have has some major accomplishments happen, from firing up the engine to having most everything painted, the truck is gonna be a knockout. way to go.

Thanks, hopefully I'll be getting more painting done today on the bedsides and cowl.

[checkmate]

WOW! You have done as much work on your truck as I have to do to mine. It looks amazing man.