Take a deep breath and count to 10 build

[tattooedblue]

I always have way too many projects going on at once... and here is another.

Picked up this 69 C10 last weekend..

Definitely have some plans for it, but one of the first things is that 88-98 bed that is on it HAS to go... Anyone need one?

I have a front, and both sides, still need a tailgate, wheel houses, and floor (going wood floor) I am hoping to get started on that this weekend.

Anyway, here are a couple quick photos.

[tattooedblue]

When I bought the truck the guy said that there would be a pop in the front end once in a while. Yesterday I jacked up the front end to take a look. I grabbed the front wheel, and had lots of play in the steering. When I looked under it, I thought it was clear what the issue was. Upon closer inspection, what I thought was a worn tie rod end turned out to be the wrong size tie rod!

As most of you probably already know, when converting to 5 lugs on these trucks, when you use a 73-87 spindle, you use the newer matching ball joint, and you are supposed to use a matching tie rod end. Whoever did this one put the smaller tie rod end in the larger opening and just tightened it real well.
I don't know how you could not feel this in the steering, but the only notice to the driver was a clunk on certain bumps.

So.. of course, the issue then is that the 73-87 newer tie rods are 11/16 threads, and the older ones are 5/8".. So I can't just thread the new tie rod end into the old adjuster.

Solution? Buy adapter sleeves, OR, try a solution I saw dirtyjim post here in another thread.. You use a 95 Chevy Astro inner tie rod, (it has the smaller taper with the larger 11/16 shaft), then use the 73-87 C10 tie rod ends, and adjustment sleeve.. I am trying this since it is all off the shelf parts.

I picked up all the parts last night, and will pop off the old stuff tomorrow and try it, but the measurements seem to work out.

I am going to have to keep a list in case I ever need replacement parts, lol.

[tattooedblue]

Quick update. Astro inners, C10 outers work perfectly!

Also, Started mounting original style bed.. Muuuuch better already.

[hewittca]

That fleetside bed looks much better! I was just reading through some tie rod threads the other day and saw that Astro tierod trick when using 73-up spindles and wondered if it would work. I'm glad to see that someone gave it a try and it worked out. Looking forward to seeing more progress.

[mooseknuckles]

that bed was hideous, such a huge improvement!

[tattooedblue]

Put my 10yr son to work today (he actually asked to do it)
He knocked down the surface rust starting in this old bed, and covered it all in rust encapsulator to try to seal it up before it gets worse.
He did a good job, I didn't have to touch up that much once he was done putting a few coats on.

He's a good little helper

Don't mind the temporary tail lights. I just ordered new correct tail lights this past week. I hope to order a tailgate this week.

[tattooedblue]

Spent a little time with the truck yesterday.

Stripped out the interior, laid down sound deadener, carpet, painted doors, (used 66 Mustang arm rests instead of the big stock ones) installed a new fuel sending unit, some LED tail lights.

Just trying to get the truck to a good spot so that I can get back on the Mustang. once I sell that I can go deep into the truck

Interior before



Getting a little better.



and new tailights

[GR8-68]

It is looking great, although those beds line up amazingly well I am glad to see you removed it and put on a bed that was original to the truck Keep up the great work and it is good to see the kiddo out there putting time into it also

[raggedjim]

Nice work on this truck, like the red interior. Are you staying white in the exterior?

Those later-style beds never look right unless you take the time to change the square wheel opening to match the round front opening. Most people don't do it.

Good luck, Rg