68 c10 2wd in Sacramento, CA

[Saclandman]

I gave up trying to keep track of the $$. I'm pretty sure I have more into it than what it is worth and it's not even on the road yet. I'll keep throwing hundos at it until I have it the way I want it. Better than spending my cash on hookers and blow.

[no1udknow]

Well the thrasher is back in the shop for some body work. Starting with some cab corner work.

here is the smashed cab corner


so I cut it out and found some rot in the cab brace so I patched in a piece of sheet steel.
I also put a piece of metal on the inside as a backing to help the patch for to the curve of the corner and make it easier to weld.



I was able to get the patch cut and spot welded in place, tomorrow I will finish welding the patch in and smooth the welds.

[no1udknow]

So a little throw back Thursday. Here is a pic of the truck when I first got it.


and here's the thrasher today....

[no1udknow]

I know someof the purists will saythis is blasphemy, but I cut my dash for a newer single Dinn stereo. I cut a piece of plexiglass to fit the indentation where the stock radio sits. Then I painted the backside of it black and tapped some holes to secure it to the dash.

[magwakeenercew2jh]

Originally Posted by no1udknow

I know someof the purists will saythis is blasphemy, but I cut my dash for a newer single Dinn stereo.

It's your truck, Bro.

And BTW, if it weren't for you, this truck's life would likely have been way shorter.

[Average Joe]

Originally Posted by no1udknow

So a little throw back Thursday. Here is a pic of the truck when I first got it.


and here's the thrasher today....

That 'ol truck sure has come a loooonnng way. Keep up the good work and dont feel bad about the radio. I cut mine too.

[no1udknow]

Well, since I totalled my 2001 gmc sierra, it is down until I can rebuild it. So the Thrasher is my new commuter... that being said, I had to do something about the 1:1 final drive of the TH350... so SAY HELLO TO MY LITTLE FRIEND.

a fresh rebuilt th200r4, direct swap. Came with the torque converter, tv cable, and dipstick tube for 500$.

[Saclandman]

I had to bail out of coming out to your work today. My job gets in the way a lot lately. Sorry, and I hope you didn't wait around for me. Maybe I'll try again some other day.

[no1udknow]

Originally Posted by Saclandman

I had to bail out of coming out to your work today. My job gets in the way a lot lately. Sorry, and I hope you didn't wait around for me. Maybe I'll try again some other day.

nah, I have a wife and kids.... so I usually kick around here for an extra hour anyways playing with my truck

[no1udknow]

Tuesday, I installed the new 200r4, Then I realized I did not have all the right stuff for the lock up TC, so I ordered the TCI lockup kit from Summit, should be here in a few days. The job took me about 4 1/2 hours. It would have been faster if I hadn't screwed myself... When you install a 200r4 the trans x-member gets moved to the th400 mounting location, the frame is already drilled for the mount to be located there. The problem is that when I shortened my frame, that is exactly where I cut it, and on top of that, I welded in boxing plates. So I had to cut 2" out of my boxing plates in order to move the x-member back far enough, and then drill a few new holes. It worked out, but I had to do all the cutting with a die grinder and wheel since the fuel line was back in place......ARGH!!

The payoff was well worth it, now I cruise at 70mph at about 2200-2500 rpm, which will be even less once I get the lockup kit.

[no1udknow]

My next adventure will involve relocating the fuel tank. I hope to get a late model k5 tank in the next week or so, but most of my money is tied up rebuilding my gmc that I crashed. In case you didn't hear about that one, I have been working a lot and early morning shifts (4 am) and had been cheating myself out of sleep. Well it caught up to me and I fell asleep behind the wheel and hit a toyota tacoma head on in my neighborhood doing about 25-30 mph. It totalled my truck but since it was the last thing I got from my dad before he passed, I decided to keep it and now I am rebuilding the front clip.
It was a big wakeup call for me and I cannot stress how much sleep and being healthy are more important than making that extra dime. What good is money if you aren't around to enjoy it with your family. My accident happend 20 ft from a school crossing that was packed with jr. high students. I could have killed myself or worse, someones child. Be Safe.

[Xeen]

Yikes!
I'm glad to hear no one was hurt.

[no1udknow]

Cost update...

$1000 for the truck that I traded for this truck :-)
$ free new front suspension and disc brake system
$ 60 new tires and an extra set of rims
$ 40 cpp 6 lug rotors
$ free drive line
$ 30 u-joints
$ 20 exhaust gaskets
$ free bedside, fender, and cab patch
$ 20 brake line and adapter
$ 35 title transfer
$ 15 coolant
$ 10 brake line
$ 20 jug of dot 3
$ 5 carb adapter nipple for the booster
$ 20 bed hardware
$ 10 new headlight adjusters
$ 100 cpp 5" lowering springs
$ 29 adj, panhard bar
$ 0 Hei distributor (thanks to my brother)
$ 30 Hei coil
$ 0 Hei plug wires (leftover from a previous vehicle)
$ 35 Cab corner patches
$ 65 Rocker panel outer patches
$ 70 Paint supplies including paint.
$ 500 transmission
$ 85 lockup kit
$ 25 new gas pedal
$ 20 6' vent hose
_________________________
$2150

I only keep a running total for the low budget build thread. Not rubbing it in or anything, just want to show people that it can be done.

[shawno72]

Sounds like a sweet deal. Keep up the good work

[Average Joe]

2150 thats freakin awesome! This is my kinda build.

[jimbosprint]

I am jealous of the low budget build. I have an idea of what I have spent so far, but I probably don't want to actually add up the receipts.

Sorry about your other truck - good that nobody was hurt.

[no1udknow]

Thanks Jimbo,
I just finished repairing the damage, had to cut the tip off the frame, straighten it all out and weld it back together, replace the hood, rad support, fender, headlight mounting panels, bumper, grill, and headlights. but it looks good now, just needs paint. I like the powder coat semi black though, maybe ill just paint the whole truck.

[no1udknow]

Sadly, I sold my truck the other day. Luckily enough, it is still in the family and my wife's younger brother is driving it now. I realized that it wasn't the right time to own this project, it just sat and sat. It did not get good enough gas mileage to commute in, and didn't have enough room for the whole family, so it literally sat in the driveway. I used the money to buy a bike which I am commuting on now (50mpg is pretty nice). As my little brother and I (I've known him since he was 8 and now he's 26) continue working on the truck I will post pics. See you around.

[shawno72]

Bummer but Atwater you can still see and help with the progress. Who knows, you may even buy it back some day

[bluesuede65]

Awesome story, but I got one for you also. My dad and I built that truck when I was in high school. My senior year I got t-boned and broke my back. Years later and two days after replacing the bed side and door on the pass side, we sold it. I've left rubber all over California in that truck! Still holds the title of most sideways without losing it, with my buddies! Have been talking about building a tribute truck with my dad because his health isn't great. Just poking around on the old interweb, and there was our truck! Would love to see it again!
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[no1udknow]

Willie?

[no1udknow]

Originally Posted by bluesuede65

Awesome story, but I got one for you also. My dad and I built that truck when I was in high school. My senior year I got t-boned and broke my back. Years later and two days after replacing the bed side and door on the pass side, we sold it. I've left rubber all over California in that truck! Still holds the title of most sideways without losing it, with my buddies! Have been talking about building a tribute truck with my dad because his health isn't great. Just poking around on the old interweb, and there was our truck! Would love to see it again!
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If this was your truck than you know who I am lol. CHS? Whiffle ball at Kirks?