Project: Blank Slate

[72BlckButy]

As some know, back in January ’09 I acquired a 1969 Chevrolet CST-10 SWB truck. Since purchasing this truck, I have had to pinch myself each time I walk into the garage to make sure I’m not dreaming.

Click here for the official introduction of this truck… Time for a Name Change.

Since I was able to start with such a plain-Jane truck, I came up with the name Blank Slate. Thanks to a quick turnaround by Scorp I was able to have this posted for some inspiration.





Initially, the truck started its life being built at a St Louis Plant, sold new in Chamois, MO, and since that time it has spent its life within the state. I am truly amazed how rust free this truck is as it has lived its entire life in the rust belt; but I'm not complaining. Thanks to two buddies I was able to locate this truck and bring it home, thanks Keith and Mike!

Luckily I was able to talk my wife into letting me bring another truck home, with the stipulation I would sell my ’72 C/10. After several months I was able to sell the truck and then the official start to the ’69 could begin.

The truck originally came with a 250 I6 backed by a 2 spd. Powerglide transmission. Over the first couple of months my wife and I took the truck out on several trips and the MPG ranged from 12-21. The motor will be staying in the truck, but I'm considering a few minor upgrades to it as well as the transmission. The truck’s exterior was repainted once in the ‘80s, but still holds a strong color, so I will be able to save money on the body and paint work. The PO replaced the stock steel rims with a set of rally wheels, and unfortunately his son hacked the radio portion of the truck. Outside of these minor changes, the truck is bone stock!





For the concept behind this build, I wanted to have a truck that would fulfill my love for the body lines and history of this model. In my mind, I am doing what Chevrolet should have done. I wanted a truck that would retain the original appearance (paint, interior, engine…), but with a tasteful custom flare to it. And unless my plans change in the future, any modifications that will be done will be easily reversed. (Unless if a few other members can persuade me to take the build a little farther…. you know who you are!) After talking with several board members, we were been able to pull together a good plan for the build, and can’t wait to get started.

Here's the basic plan:

Interior Mods:
- Install a new radio (radio area was already cut)
- Radio Mod (stay tuned for more info…)
- Upgrade the speakers currently in the truck (no hacking)

Engine/Tranny Mods:
- Retain the Inline 250
- Rebuild the 250
- Determine the best transmission
- Rebuild the 2 spd. Powerglide
- Upgrade to a 200R4

Exterior Mods:
- Wheels/Tires (still TBD)
- Add T-3 Headlights

Suspension/Chassis Upgrades:
- Lower the truck
- Upgrade the brakes
- Install Sway Bar

Needless to say, I should have started this thread about 4 months ago, but since I didn’t we need to play a little catch up.

Stay tuned... (Updates to come this weekend w/ pictures)

[tcb-1]

anxiously awaiting the "build", my friend!!!!

[OARNGESI]

This should be pretty good how low are you going

[72BlckButy]

Originally Posted by OARNGESI

This should be pretty good how low are you going

Keep posted, I should have some specs up this weekend. As I said, I need to catch up, so I will not only have specs, I will also have pics....

[72BlckButy]

During a nice weekend back in February/March I decided to pull the truck out of the garage and see how truly clean this truck was. My main concerns were with the rockers and cab corners. As you can tell from the pictures below, it truly was cleaner than we could have asked.

We pulled the seat, and the carpet, and started cleaning up the floor of the truck. The paint was in excellent condition, it just had 40 years of grime to clean up. The cardboard gas tank cover was still in great shape so that was wiped down and thrown back in. The rockers (inner/outer), cab corners, and every other inch of the cab is nothing but original sheetmetal.

As you can tell the PO installed an aftermarket radio in the dash, and a set of speakers, with amp, under the seat. For right now this will suffice, but this will change. I need to pull the seat and carpet again, but I'm waiting until I finish up with a few other projects before I begin work on the interior.

[Skirkpat]

It's like the Eva Logoria of MO Trucks!!

[72BlckButy]

One late night in April, I got a bur and just had to take a trip to the past... When I purchased the truck I received the original AM radio, 4 original steel wheels and 4 original dog dish hubcaps. For a while I had seen these pieces sitting in the corner of the garage and I couldn't take it any longer. I backed the truck out and threw on my spare tire and then attached the cap. Aside from a little air in the tire, I didn't think it looked to bad.

[72BlckButy]

Okay, back to the progress...

Since I haven't owned a tape for over 15 years, the old tape deck had to go. I finally located a headunit that would blend in with the color options and still provide the functionality I wanted. So I ended up purchasing the Kenwood KDC-MP442U.

During the installation, I ran into a few issues, but after breaking out the test light it was a breeze. Here's the connections anyone will need when hooking up an aftermarket radio, with being able to use the accessory switch on the ignition.

Before you begin installing any electrical device, disconnect your battery!!!

The following fusebox photo has been around the board a time or two, and I have lost track of who exactly labeled it. So thanks to that member!



Yellow Wire (Constant Power Feed) - I tied the constant power wire into the secondary lead coming from the cigarette lighter. My cigarette lighter terminal had a splitter with an empty terminal. Since power from the battery is constantly on, I used this to power the memory functions of the radio.

Red Wire (Ignition Wire) - I tied this wire into the terminal marked radio. Initially I though I had an issue with radio terminal, but it turned out to be merely a bad fuse. By using this terminal you will be able to turn the radio off with the key, and be able to turn the ignition over to accessory function to power the radio.

Black Wire (Ground Wire) - This wire was tied into the chassis for a grounding point.

Orange/White Wire (Illumination Wire) - This is not a required connection. If you don't mind having your headunit at full light display, then the unit will illuminate once power has been applied to the unit. However, if you would like to be able to control the dimming of your headunit when you turn on your headlights, you will need to connect this wire. I connected the illumination wire to the terminal marked "Cluster Feed."

Blue/White Wire (Power Control Wire) - This is not a required connection. If you will be running an external amp, you must make this connection. In the event you don't make this connection, when you switch your headunit over to the CD/Ipod/USB mode, your unit will automtically shutoff your amp. By connecting the blue/white wire the amp will automatically remain on when you swap to a function other than the tuner.

As far as audio connections, I used the pre-amp outputs to provide sound from the unit. In the future I will be making changes to this configuration and will update this thread to document those connections.

Now for some pics from the install... the old unit was actually longer than the new one, so when it was installed it wouldn't "seat" into the space correctly.





For some reason, I didn't get a comparison shot of the two units side by side, but it was about 1" shorter, if not an 1.5", than the old unit.

[72BlckButy]

Once the unit was wired up correctly, and we ensured it powered up correctly, we installed the unit in the dash. There is a slight angle to the unit itself in terms of how it sits in the dash, but overall it is a lot more un-noticeable than it was before. The unit works great, charges my Ipod, and even has a remote.

Even though the unit is installed, the upgrade for the radio area, and the quality of sound, is far from over. More modifications will be made and updated after I collect a few more pieces. (Sorry for the quality of pics)

[lolife99]

subscribing,...
Keep the pictures coming!

[GRIMSS]

It's about time Nate.

Can't wait to see it in Sept.

[lks dcvn]

Looks good - that is a rare find for sure. Nice subtle mods.

[gcburdic]

subscribed Nate....Looking forward to seeing you mod this beautiful bone stocker!!!

[STOCKISH]

That has got to be one of the nicest trucks on this board. I love the overall look with the subtle mods but mostly stock appearance. Cant wait to see it dropped with some wheels. 20s maybe???

[bigguy69]

looking forward to this one!

[GR8-68]

That is one beautiful truck cant wait to see more pics

[68 short step]

keep going....this is a great truck

[brn agn]

That is an amazing truck (especially for being in Missouri it's entire life). I'm looking forward to this build!

[VA72C10]

I'll follow along as well...very nice starting point!!!

[sjarrett71]

Good luck with the build. Hope you get it exactly ike you want it, you deserve it. I will be watching this one....no pressure though!

[lolife99]

What,... no pictures?

[my67chevytruck]

nice progress..... Great choice on the radio

[tcb-1]

Originally Posted by lolife99

What,... no pictures?

x2!

[72BlckButy]

Okay guys... apparently a certain member out there has been receiving some pm's concerning the truck, and its current state. A few of the die hards out there might not like where this build has gone, but I think they'll reconsider once they see a few of the pics we have instore. I mean, I'm just building the truck Chevrolet was supposed too....

After talking with several members, and eventually making a trip to lolife99's, I was able to finally narrow down my selection. From builds such as n2billet's Lucy to HuggerCST's '70 SWB CST Build.... the choices were endless.

First things first..... this truck would not be in its current state had it not been for one of the best members on the site. I owe him a ton, or my truck would still be on the jack stands had it not been for his help, expertise, and tools.

Thank you lolife99!!!!
You guy's need to show him some mad props, this guy went above and beyond with helping me on my truck. lolife99, let me know when you need your yard mowed....

Now... down to the the decision. In my mind (and at the current moment), I wanted to lower the truck with bolt on pieces only, and/or with minimal body modifications necessary, all while retaining the 6-lug setup. Bags had crossed my mind, but with everything else I wanted to do (and stay married) I decided to lower the truck with a static drop. And, what better place to do a one stop shop than Early Classic Enterprises (ECE). So after making several calls to Stan/Mark, and with some strong persuasion from my wife, I finally placed my order. In less than a week, the following parts arrived at my door (and yes, I'm missing one box in the pic below):

4.5/6 Drop Kit - including 2.5" Drop Spindles, 2" Drop Front Coil Springs, 6" Rear Drop Coil Springs, 4 KYB Shock Absorbers, Super Track Bar Kit, and a Shock Mount Relocator Kit

6-lug Disc Brake Upgrade - Master Cylinder, Proportioning Valve, Brake Lines, Brake Hoses, Calipers, Pads, Rotors, Bearings, Seals, Dust Shields, Dust Caps, Castle Nuts, Slotted Washers, Banjo Bolts, and other misc. pieces

[72BlckButy]

What other inspiration do you need than new shinny parts, so it was time to do some clean up. With a day off from work, I pulled the truck out of the garage and grabbed the pressure washer and got to work.

If you are looking for a cleaning product that will not harm the paint (unless left on for years), rubber, or anything else, grab yourself a bottle of Simple Green. This stuff is awesome and really cuts through the gunk and junk.

I was still amazed with the small amount of grime under this truck, especially when compared to my old '72.









For some reason I didn't grab any after shots, but you will see plenty of the underside of this truck in a few more posts.