project - what the hell am i getting into?

[scapegoat]

I figured I'd start one of these up seeing as how I'm going to be starting it...

I posted pics a while ago of the truck as I got here...

here they are again.





you just gotta love this hack job exhaust with the cherry bombs lol



so much room under the hood, this thing looks like a baby...


and the quick fix rear lights i put on before driving the truck to my parents to put in their garage

[scapegoat]

and this puppy is part of the project now... poor thing

my $400 steal





the reason I bought it... sitting in the box... power disc brakes



no bed! Hopefully that rear end is posi... i think my truck is uni, which makes me sad...



The first stage of my project is taking this truck apart... this weekend, I'm removing the wheels and putting it on jackstands and hopefully removing the front clip

[d10s69c10]

its a good plan. i like it. take the best from each and put it in one.

[scapegoat]

Originally Posted by d10s69c10

its a good plan. i like it. take the best from each and put it in one.

fortunately my truck is pretty solid... but its got the 6lug manual drums.

and there is a crack in the passenger side glass... so that will get plundered as well.

I figure, the best thing i'm getting out of the parts truck is learning how the trucks are put together... by taking this one apart before taking apart mine

i really can't wait!

[bad6772]

Good luck.........Take your time......And i am sure it will all work out...

[thelonerife]

we welcome another step-brother!!

[Richard8971]

Originally Posted by thelonerife

we welcome another step-brother!!

Agreeded! Welcome to the build page. Keep us posted with the progress.

Don

[scapegoat]

i most certainly will keep everyone posted.

I'm excited to get up early saturday and drive over to the garage to start taking the parts truck apart... plan on getting started around 8am and hopefully not stopping until the front clip is disassembled and removed.

I really can't wait to get things moving after having had this truck sitting around for 4-5 months

[Richard8971]

Originally Posted by scapegoat

i most certainly will keep everyone posted.

I'm excited to get up early saturday and drive over to the garage to start taking the parts truck apart... plan on getting started around 8am and hopefully not stopping until the front clip is disassembled and removed.

I really can't wait to get things moving after having had this truck sitting around for 4-5 months

Not to discourage you but take your time and do things right, even if it means being down for a little while longer. My stepper took me almost 2 years (and still not done) and I do this for a living... you will appreciate later taking the time to not cut corners now. Good luck!!!

D

[scapegoat]

I agree completely... people keep asking me "when's it going to be done"

my reply... 4-5 years... its a project, it'll get done when it gets done, and it'll be done when its "right"

[bad6772]

Thats a great out look........When i tor down Sweet Pea......I said.....Less than a year and i will have it done.....And i figured this would be an easy goal.....I do this kind of work everyday......But things happen....(me and the wife just had our first baby). and then there are days when you just say....I will do it another day.Or cash does not flow they way it needs to on a Project........Well i am over my year now....And still have about another 6 months till she is ready.......Take your time and do it right....My moto has been Do it right .....Because i dont want to do it again.........

[scapegoat]

I'm in no real hurry... this is a major learning experience... something to get me prepared for when I buy and build one of these...

http://www.factoryfive.com/rdsterhome.html

[72BlckButy]

Good luck with the project!

[thelonerife]

any updates?

[scapegoat]

yes and no..

my truck no longer runs... gotta be an electrical issue... but thats ok, i'm busy

the parts truck is in the garage and all the front sheet metal has been removed, so i can take out the power disc brakes this coming week... and borrowing a sawzall to take down the cab... which is completely rusted underneath unfortunately, so wouldn't be of any use :-/

[thelonerife]

keep us posted

[hotrod 80]

Nice project and im also wishing to do a FFroadster.

[scapegoat]

now... i am a complete novice when it come to these trucks, or this kind of work... so bare with me and my questions

what is the best way to remove the spindle from the control arms on the 72? and will this spindle bolt into the control arms w/o an issue into the 69? do i need to move over the steering components, or are those the same?

[byrd]

Originally Posted by scapegoat

now... i am a complete novice when it come to these trucks, or this kind of work... so bare with me and my questions

what is the best way to remove the spindle from the control arms on the 72? and will this spindle bolt into the control arms w/o an issue into the 69? do i need to move over the steering components, or are those the same?

The spindle can be unbolted from the upper and lower balljoint, but first put a jack up under the LCA as you will need something to absorb the spring tension. Once you have the jack putting pressure on the LCA you can unbolt the upper and lower balljoints to remove the spindle, it will most likely not want to come off easily and will need to be persuaded with a BFH( big hammer), once you have the spindle loose and off the truck you can slowly release the pressure off the jack and let the spring just fall out.I like to use a rachet strap around the UCA, frame rails and the spring to ensure it will not come flying out at me, safety first!! The lower balljoints on 69 are different than 72 and will need to be replaced to fit the spindle off the 72.

Good luck and keep us posted!!!!

[scapegoat]

Originally Posted by byrd

The spindle can be unbolted from the upper and lower balljoint, but first put a jack up under the LCA as you will need something to absorb the spring tension. Once you have the jack putting pressure on the LCA you can unbolt the upper and lower balljoints to remove the spindle, it will most likely not want to come off easily and will need to be persuaded with a BFH( big hammer), once you have the spindle loose and off the truck you can slowly release the pressure off the jack and let the spring just fall out.I like to use a rachet strap around the UCA, frame rails and the spring to ensure it will not come flying out at me, safety first!! The lower balljoints on 69 are different than 72 and will need to be replaced to fit the spindle off the 72.

Good luck and keep us posted!!!!

how different? should i just use the control arms from the 72 on the 69?

as far as the hammering... i've got the four small bolts on the top of the UAC out, and the larger single nut that sits on the long bolt underneath out... i take it... i just persuade that bolt to go up?

[byrd]

Originally Posted by scapegoat

how different? should i just use the control arms from the 72 on the 69?

as far as the hammering... i've got the four small bolts on the top of the UAC out, and the larger single nut that sits on the long bolt underneath out... i take it... i just persuade that bolt to go up?

The ball joint stays in the control arms, you do not remove them to get the spindle off, you want to remove the nut on the bottom of the UCA and the nut on the top of the LCA and the spindle will come off of them(with the help from a hammer as noted above..

As far as the ball joints go, they are different enough that the spindle will not seet right onthe 69 lower ball joint. THe upper balljoints are the same.
Yes you can us the control arms off the 72, but you still need to replace the balljoints while you are in there, they are 40 years old and I am sure they are wore out. The balljoint is a very important piece of the front suspension and you DO NOT want to reuse the old one. If the old one were to break(very likely) while driver you would loose all control of the vehicle.
You can do what you want on the balljoints, but if it were me and my family riding in that truck I would want the piece of mind that the suspention is not going to falter on me.




Next time you have a question you should try posting in the message board side, or better yet try the search option at first and most times you will find the info you need.

Also there is a truck tech section that has lots of FAQ's and lots of info on mods that you want to make to your truck.Please take the time to check it out as I am sure it will save you some time waiting on people to answer your questions.

Thanks,
Randy