1969 C10 - Project Rot Box

[Alex69c10]

So after having a baby last year and selling my project the year before to buy a house, it was a F**d, the boss has said I could get a new project. I’ve always wanted a C10 and I’ve never owned a Chevy before.

So I bought a local 1969 C10 for cheap with rust, as it had all the parts, ran and drove as well as having a decent frame. So I hauled it home and started poking about. Well it turns out the cab is made from rust! Oh well, it’s cheap and from Florida, so I’ll deal with it.

The plan for this is to go on the Power Tour 2022 in June, so this is a two part project!
1) make it last the power tour
2) Pro touring build

My wife’s dad has some cool 49 step sides and suggested going the LS route with a 4l80, make some good power for reasonable money.

To get this heap of rust to do the power tour I’m going to do the following;
[B]Replace the brakes so they work
Service everything with new fluids, belts and consumables
Fix the suspension
Seal the frame
Replace the cab
Replace the front end panels
Patch the bed supports
Plus a lot more!

I’m going to need a lot of help as I know almost nothing about old Chevys. So please bare with me. I’m trying to learn and search, though not a lot of time.

Here’s some pics of the pile of rust I call mine!

[Alex69c10]

As I won’t have a lot of time to get my heap ready for the tour, I decided to try and source a new cab with minimal rust. So, luckily, Bobvilla67 on here was selling a good condition cab, though it was 1,100 miles away in Tx.

So last weekend I drove there and back, though ended up buying the whole truck. He was an extremely honest and great guy to deal with, I appreciate his help so much!

So here’s my donor for the cab!

[raggedjim]

That second trucks really looks nice. I'd think real hard about which one to build.

Good luck, Rg

[Alex69c10]

Originally Posted by raggedjim

That second trucks really looks nice. I'd think real hard about which one to build.

Good luck, Rg

Oh that’s a tough decision at the moment! Seeing what works better for my overall plan. Though I think it’ll be a bit of both!

[Alex69c10]

Started tearing into it today, took off the front flip and poked around.

Core support, battery tray and all supports look good. The wiring loom is an aftermarket American Autowire item, so that’s a huge plus. The frame is in good shape, though needs a clean up.

That’s it for today, next to rip the cab interior and glass out!

[kev2809]

wow..that 2nd truck looks immaculate. does it not have a title?

I'd pull that auto wire out and use it on the green truck and build it!

the 1st looks like it just needs a cab. man I'd probably try to end up with 2 builds lol

[Alex69c10]

Some pictures from the other day, just to show how nasty my cab is;

[Alex69c10]

Well the other truck had a bent frame, plus I kinda like this one. I met the previous owner last weekend, who called the car “Sunshine”.
In “hooker” orange… a new color to me!

So truck two was taken from a king bed to a… super short bed…

[Alex69c10]

Went through the engine, all cylinders at 120psi, running beautifully and everything worked. So looking like a great motor. Transmission was rebuilt less than 250 miles before he parked it up.

Carried on stripping. Only have the fuel tank and brake booster on the cab left. Cab coming off, engine and gearbox out and bed off this weekend.

Then I’ve got to strip all the suspension and running gear off the frame! Going to sandblast and powder coat next week! I’ve not stopped. Project Power Tour 22 is a demanding mistress.

[Alex69c10]

Also, apologies for all the sideways images. I don’t know how to make them normal!

[bobvilla67]

Alex. It was pleasure meeting you. You didn’t waste any time getting after it. Good luck with the project.

[Alex69c10]

Originally Posted by bobvilla67

Alex. It was pleasure meeting you. You didn’t waste any time getting after it. Good luck with the project.

Thank you, Robert! A pleasure meeting you too. Not got enough time to be hanging around! Got to get it built and the nice cab on it. I’m excited to drive it.

[LT7A]

Good luck with all this. Beware of buying nice parts trucks. That's how I ended up with a couple of keepers, haha.

[Alex69c10]

Originally Posted by LT7A

Good luck with all this. Beware of buying nice parts trucks. That's how I ended up with a couple of keepers, haha.

Thanks! Though I agree… it’s easily done. I’ll have to keep my focus so I finish the one I have and not start 8 others!

[Alex69c10]

Stripped out the cab entirely, ripped off the bed and then the cab, now to get the motor off and all the running gear. A little slower progress the last couple of weeks with work and the baby, though another 12 weeks to have a driving c10… no big deal, right?

[Alex69c10]

So the frame, engine, running gear are all really good, so I’m happy with my initial checks. Got a lot of goodies coming to get it running and reliable!

Frame will be at sandblasting this week, hopefully. Then off to powder coat!

One a bad note, the bed is just pretty bad. So might order a repop. Might as well have a pretty bed to go with the pretty frame.

[Alex69c10]

Well it’s been a busy few weeks, babies and wife needing me more than I’d hoped. It’s finally all apart. Now to get it off to sandblasting!

I need the rear light buckets and rear trailing arms. The trailing arms are one bump away from splitting down the middle.

[Alex69c10]

Also, went to a closing down sale of a garage to see if I could snag some tools… anyway, I walked away with a 1970 Plymouth Duster… it was a bargain and rust free. Guess I’m a mopar guy too now.

[68 C10 Driver]

Hey Alex69c10! You definitely have a job ahead of you, mine wasn't as bad. I only had the usual rust to fix on the cab.

I wish there was a good place near me to take my frame to for sandblasting and powder coating, but I have been told by many the local shops either take forever or do a really half-a$$ed job that would need be redone.

I look forward to reading your posts and seeing how you approach various tasks. best of luck on the project, I know you'll end up with a truck that will be the envy of the local car shows.

Cheers-