Project Ants Marching 1965 C10 Short Step

[67pete300]

Needed a project thread name and my first project was to exterminate about a billion ants that had infested this thing so hence Ants Marching.

Bought it from craigslist a few weeks ago. First is brakes and suspension, next is interior (and maybe floors and rockers), and eventually new drivetrain.

[67pete300]

While I'm researching brakes and suspension, I've been ripping out the interior to kill ants and getting rid of the objectionable (to me) flat black paint somebody liberally doused various bits with. Found more rust--with the ants--must be a rare species of rust-eating ants because there are no french fries.

[67pete300]

I'm looking to go to a two tone blue and white theme and get rid of the black. Did some experimenting and found Rustoleum Biscuit Appliance Epoxy is pretty close to the stock color and less than $4 a can. Still have to do the light surrounds, accent color on the grill letters, and mirrors. I'm thinking of painting the roof the same color but will think a bit more before going that far. Probably will get the wheels too when they are off for brakes.

I'm sure I've not painted this exactly how the factory did it. I'm not concerned (Rustoleum-obviously!) There are great threads about it. And I may have to put some black back on behind the grill for contrast, but it was easier to go all white first than figure out where the transition needed to be since the body color option was already gone. I'll also repaint the bumpers to match.

[67pete300]

Grill work.

[67pete300]

Now the good part: brakes and suspension plan and questions.

Been researching CPP, ECE (my first choice), and POL. I like ECE for all the American made stuff, but struggling with the $premium. POL is 10% off everything before 10/1 and sounds at least like the spindles are of equal quality. Not sure about the rubber bits, but the $500 in savings will go a long way towards more parts.

Here is the thoughts:
1. 6 lug 2.5" drop spindle disc brake kit (hope the rotors fit behind the wheels which I believe to be Wheel Vintiques 15x8)
2. Booster & Master cal
3. SS brake lines
4. Front sway bar
5. Upper and lower control arm cross shafts
6. Maybe idler and pitman arm. Manual steering will have to stay until engine upgrade later. Not messing with PS on the 230 (been there, done that before.)

Now the drop question. I don't want it to be "slammed", but definitely lower for a cool look and improved cruising.
The truck sits level now. The front looks like it can drop 4" easy (2.5 spindle plus 1.5 more spring). The rear does not look like it can take 6" by a long shot. Is it possible the current springs have sagged and a new drop spring might not be a true drop (or even a lift?)

I'm thinking of just ordering a 2" drop block kit for the rear, going with the 2.5" spindle on the front, and maybe cutting a bit off the front if I want more. I can add lowering springs to the rear later if the 2" blocks are not enough.

This complicates shock ordering. I think I need a shorter shock for the front no matter what (2.5" or 4" depending) but can stick with the current rear shocks with 2" blocks. Then I would need shorter rear shocks if I added lowering springs later. Is this right?

[Katrina/10]

Good idea with the grille. Looks like you got some nice steel wheels, too.

[aggie91]

Nice starting point, even with the ants and the minor rust.

Shocks - For the front, if you just do the 2.5" spindles, then you can use stock length shocks as the spindle does not effect the distance between the mounting points. If you cut a coil on the spring, then could use a upper shock mount relocation to keep the stock length shock. I believe that ECE and many others sell a set of those brackets.

For the rear, stock length is fine until you get to a 4" drop spring. Then you need to look at mounting point relocation, not just shock length. There are many ways to do this. Just search the forums for how it can be done.

[67pete300]

Front end transformed. The white is a bit creamier than I imagined when all put together, but once I paint the bumper to match it will look better.

I also pulled the trigger on a big stack of brake and suspension parts this afternoon....

[TJ's Chevy]

Very nice!

[aggie91]

Much better than the black.

[67pete300]

FYI for those interested.

I ordered about $1400 worth of brakes and suspension from Performance Online yesterday (online order.) They have 10% off everything until October 1st which helped sell me.

It just so happened that the paper catalog I paid them $5 for showed up in the mail a few hours after I placed the order. In the paper catalog is a more complete brake kit (including the booster and master cylinder) than is listed online and at a lower price than buying them separately. One phone call today and they sent me a refund, but I can't find that big kit listed online. There may be other things like that. The $5 investment in the catalog saved me $62 (with the 10% discount.)

[67pete300]

Got a pile of parts in the mail!

Discs, calipers and spindles are all assembled but I feel like I should probably paint the calipers and spindles right?

Guess I need to blow them apart anyway?

[scdude37]

along for the ride on this build! like how you changed up the front end. Really wanting to swap my front end to disc brakes as well and stay 6 lug. Keep up the great work.

[DPowers]

Looks great.

[67pete300]

Finally got some time this weekend to make some progress. Think I'm gonna rename this Project Rustoleum.

[67pete300]

More

[67pete300]

I have a good feel for reassembly of this side and then repeat on the other side but not so much for the booster/mcyl part.

I bought pre-bent SS brake lines for the front. I'm wondering if I should replace the lines before I put this side back together? Or just wait for the booster install?

[Captainfab]

You're going to have to drill holes to mount that booster with the supplied booster bracket.

[67pete300]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

You're going to have to drill holes to mount that booster with the supplied booster bracket.

If I buy one of your brackets, I won't have to drill holes, but what happens to the length of the pushrod that comes with my POL booster/master cylinder combo? Any different that what I have to do already?

[Palf70Step]

Nice looking truck. I am going to enjoy watching you build it!

[Captainfab]

With m y booster bracket, all of the factory mounting holes are used to securely attack the booster/master to the pedal bracket on the inside of the firewall. This is very important. When you drill new holes to mount a booster that is not designed for the vehicle, you do not get that secure connection to the pedal bracket. The pushrod should just need to be shortened and connected to the pedal. Just trying to help people upgrade their brakes correctly and safely.

Originally Posted by 67pete300

If I buy one of your brackets, I won't have to drill holes, but what happens to the length of the pushrod that comes with my POL booster/master cylinder combo? Any different that what I have to do already?

[67pete300]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

With m y booster bracket, all of the factory mounting holes are used to securely attack the booster/master to the pedal bracket on the inside of the firewall. This is very important. When you drill new holes to mount a booster that is not designed for the vehicle, you do not get that secure connection to the pedal bracket. The pushrod should just need to be shortened and connected to the pedal. Just trying to help people upgrade their brakes correctly and safely.

Thanks. I'll send a PM.

[67pete300]

Slow progress with only getting an hour or two at a time to work on it and learning something new every step of the way. But progress nonetheless.

[67pete300]

With the 2.5 inch drop spindles I want another inch or 1.5 of drop tops. I cut off 0.5 inch of height which was less than a full coil. Theoretically will give 1 more inch.

[67pete300]

Chipping away at it. There were so many alignment shims on the passenger side the new nylock nuts don't fit (not enough thread protrusion to get to the nylon.)