How to: Ruin a perfectly good C10

[72Teeroy]

What a beautiful truck buddy

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by smbrouss70

All back together, just needs the A/C charged, a couple of wires connected, and to change out an O2 sensor that crapped out. Oh yeah, she needs a bath too, but it'll probably be driving in the rain leaving my house, so I'll clean it up once we get there. So who's coming out to Lebanon, TN this weekend for the Southeastern Truck Nationals to see Gringo's famous truck for it's first big show appearance?

Bath!? Has it been a year already Wish I could be there

Originally Posted by 72Teeroy

What a beautiful truck buddy

Thanks a bunch. It’s finally coming together. Still needs wheels, maybe some day…




Complete truck again and lookin’ good

[Kronald_70GMC]

Awesome 👌 Now if only you could drive it

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by gringoloco

Bath!? Has it been a year already Wish I could be there

Thanks a bunch. It’s finally coming together. Still needs wheels, maybe some day…




Complete truck again and lookin’ good

I know you've had them for a while but.... They still work very well on this truck.

Getting different (new) wheels would likely mean you'll have similar wheels as many similar trucks & be spending similar money. I get the desire for something new/diff to you. But... from another's perspective, what you've got on there still works very well visually.

[smbrouss70]

If you buy polished wheels while you are overseas, they will still be in the box when you get back! These wheels are perfect. No polishing required.

[smbrouss70]

I'll have 39° air blowing on me while driving to TN!

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by Kronald_70GMC

Awesome �� Now if only you could drive it

I know, right! I’ll leave the driving to Steven for now, as he’s doing a great job of shaking it down and eliminating all the bugs

Originally Posted by SCOTI

I know you've had them for a while but.... They still work very well on this truck.

Getting different (new) wheels would likely mean you'll have similar wheels as many similar trucks & be spending similar money. I get the desire for something new/diff to you. But... from another's perspective, what you've got on there still works very well visually.

Appreciate the perspective, Scoti. I do still like them, but feel like wheels could bring it to the next level.

Originally Posted by smbrouss70

If you buy polished wheels while you are overseas, they will still be in the box when you get back! These wheels are perfect. No polishing required.

No polished for me, I think. Learned that lesson the easy way from watching others I’m thinking I’d like to do the US Mags Indy, brushed and cleared with a step lip. Like below, but in a 20”

Originally Posted by smbrouss70

I'll have 39° air blowing on me while driving to TN!

Sweet! Now put some miles on that thing and enjoy the fruits of your labor

Oh, and we’ll need some finished pictures of the bed and underhood when you get parked and cleaned up

[TA_C10]

Looking good fellas, gringo you got a lot of good help going on here man.

Question on the a/c to smbrouss. Did you guys take it somewhere or fill it yourself? I'm on the fence whether or not to do this with my new vintage air system. Sanden compressor. Read a few things like some of them don't come properly filled with oil. Do garages now have some new fangled system that connects up and does everything for them now or are they still using the same manifold gauges like I have?

[darkhorse970]

Originally Posted by gringoloco

Oh, and we’ll need some finished pictures of the bed and underhood when you get parked and cleaned up

I will take plenty of pics during and after the cleaning! ��

[smbrouss70]

We did it at my house. I have a buddy with a vacuum pump, gauges, and the expertise to get it done. From my understanding, the Sanden compressors come with the proper amount of oil required when you purchase them new.

The shops do have machines that can do it all very easily. They will vacuum it down to check for leaks and remove any moisture then charge it with a specific weight of freon. Vintage Air says to charge it with 1.8 pounds of R-134a and using the 12 oz. cans like we did is hard to get that specific, you would need to be able to read the gauges and adjust as needed.

In short, if you or a buddy doesn't already have the equipment and experience, it would probably be better and maybe cheaper to bring it to a shop.

[smbrouss70]

Double post, sorry

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by TA_C10

Looking good fellas, gringo you got a lot of good help going on here man.

The best! No one else I’d trust

Originally Posted by darkhorse970

I will take plenty of pics during and after the cleaning! ��

Awesome, thanks! Hope you guys enjoy

Looks like she’s about ready to hit the road:

[smbrouss70]

Just need to take a shower and throw my clothes and laptop in there for a 3 hour run up to North LA for the night. Then a 9 hour run to TN tomorrow.

[gringoloco]

Nice spot to stop for the night, despite the F*rd in the background

[lolife99]

Man the ride height is so perfect on this truck.
Love it.

[kehstr]

Originally Posted by TA_C10

Looking good fellas, gringo you got a lot of good help going on here man.

Question on the a/c to smbrouss. Did you guys take it somewhere or fill it yourself? I'm on the fence whether or not to do this with my new vintage air system. Sanden compressor. Read a few things like some of them don't come properly filled with oil. Do garages now have some new fangled system that connects up and does everything for them now or are they still using the same manifold gauges like I have?

I am a mechanic by trade, and about 98% of shops have a machine that vacuums the system down, and charges it. Most machines have the capacity to recover the refrigerant from the lines for servicing purposes also. The nice thing about using a machine like this rather then some gauges and 12 oz cans, is I have much more control over how much refrigerant goes in the lines. A custom application like a vintage air, can sometimes use a little more, or a little less then the standard charge amount for optimal function of the A/C system. So that control of adding refrigerant, helps to fine tune your system for optimal performance. At least easier to get there anyways. (r134 is very particular about the charge amount)

Many compressors say they come with a certain amount of oil in them from the factory, but I never believe it. I have had many come over or under filled with oil. So I always drain them, and fill them with the property amount of oil. That way I am 100% sure they have the proper amount of oil.



Gringo and all the guys helping him, you guys have some talent! I love watching the progress and updates continue on this truck!

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by kehstr

I am a mechanic by trade, and about 98% of shops have a machine that vacuums the system down, and charges it. Most machines have the capacity to recover the refrigerant from the lines for servicing purposes also. The nice thing about using a machine like this rather then some gauges and 12 oz cans, is I have much more control over how much refrigerant goes in the lines. A custom application like a vintage air, can sometimes use a little more, or a little less then the standard charge amount for optimal function of the A/C system. So that control of adding refrigerant, helps to fine tune your system for optimal performance. At least easier to get there anyways. (r134 is very particular about the charge amount)

Many compressors say they come with a certain amount of oil in them from the factory, but I never believe it. I have had many come over or under filled with oil. So I always drain them, and fill them with the property amount of oil. That way I am 100% sure they have the proper amount of oil.



Gringo and all the guys helping him, you guys have some talent! I love watching the progress and updates continue on this truck!

To expand on this.... Is there a 'source' to verify how much oil a certain compressor should contain? Is it a standard set by the vehicle manufacturer or part manufacturer?

[kehstr]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

To expand on this.... Is there a 'source' to verify how much oil a certain compressor should contain? Is it a standard set by the vehicle manufacturer or part manufacturer?

Generally the compressor says how much it should take when you receive it. Whether on the compressor or on a paper in the package. Normally the part manufacturer sets the amount of oil that is needed

[regan wilson]

Originally Posted by gringoloco

Nice spot to stop for the night, despite the F*rd in the background

Awesome pic. I didn't notice the Ferd

[3757chevy]

Originally Posted by regan wilson

Awesome pic. I didn't notice the Ferd

I notice it's parked.

[CG]

Sorry my PS skills are rusty. Used what I could find via your thread, the rear wheel dish is off. But maybe sorta a look you are thinking of?

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Man the ride height is so perfect on this truck.
Love it.

Thanks Keith. I know you have a keen eye for these things. Much planning and effort went into getting it to sit “just so”. Hearing this just adds to the feeling it was all worth it.

Originally Posted by regan wilson

Awesome pic. I didn't notice the Ferd

Originally Posted by 3757chevy

I notice it's parked.

Despite his questionable brand choice, the owner is actually a great guy, with a, dare I say it, really nice truck

Originally Posted by CG

Sorry my PS skills are rusty. Used what I could find via your thread, the rear wheel dish is off. But maybe sorta a look you are thinking of?

This looks killer, I love it! Definitely would go for a deep dish out back. I’m really liking them, but I’m not really liking the price…

[gringoloco]

Some updated pics from the guys on the way to the show:

[gringoloco]

Couple more, and the “completed” bed

[88Stanger]

Really nice job on the truck!!!