Lattimer's 1970 C-10 build

[swamp rat]

Looks nice!

[Lattimer]

Didn't do anything this week except drive it. Last weekend I decided to cut out the old manual trans crossmember that I left in there when I swapped in the TREMEC. It was in the way all the time, and was not useful anymore. I should have removed it when the engine and trans were out, but oh well.

5 hours with an angle grinder and a sawzall------not fun. Had to take it out in pieces too. But now I can access the clutch cover, and I can actually see the throwout bearing, which allowed me to adjust the clutch much better.

[Lattimer]

Haven't done anything but drive the truck in quite a while. Work has been crazy, and I just haven't had time or energy.

However, I decided to get a few small things done over the last few weeks.

I took the original grille, beat out most of the dings, and had my powder coating guy strip it an coat it. The color is called mirror silver, and looks pretty good. There are still enough dents to match the patina, and its not to shiny, but looks very good. I also had the bezels powder coated. I used Krylon Fusion paint on the inner grille, got new lenses for the turn signals. I painted the turn signal metal parts with some silver metallic paint from rust-oleum. They turned out nice and reflect the bulbs a lot better now. The black part of the outer grill I masked off and painted with Rust Oleum auto trim.




While I had the bumper off, I decided it would be a good time to replace the cab mount bushings. They were all in sad shape except the one I had replaced when I did the floors, and that was an LMC piece that never did quite fit. I bough the full kit from Classic Parts almost 2 years ago and never installed it.

And tonight I just finished up my new pedal install. The old gas pedal linkage was very stiff, and if I drive over an hour I got a cramp in my calf. So a few months ago I ordered the Lokar gas pedal and pedal pads in black from Jegs. The gas pedal was backordered and took over a month to get.

So, between last weekend and tonight I got that completed. Took it for a test drive. What a difference! The pedal is soooooo much easier to move. Also, I apparently never had full throttle before with the old linkage, so I have new found power I never knew existed. Always wondered why I had to have it to the floor to get the secondaries to come on at all. The looks are also vastly improved.

[zicc1835]

everything looks really great Shawn .... thanks for sharing

[Lattimer]

Originally Posted by zicc1835

everything looks really great Shawn .... thanks for sharing

Thanks!!

Its at the point where I drive it a lot more than I work on it. Actually not much left unless I decide to do upgrades or decide to paint it.

[mcbassin]

Your truck looks great! Cool pedals too.

[kitsbeach]

Lattimer I didn't see if you used a front mount shifter or a mid mount shifter for your TKO install. How did it fit with the bench seat.?

[Lattimer]

Originally Posted by kitsbeach

Lattimer I didn't see if you used a front mount shifter or a mid mount shifter for your TKO install. How did it fit with the bench seat.?

It is the mid mount shifter with the American Powertrain Quicksilver shifter. They also supplied a 3" offset on the shifter base. It fit ok with the bench set, but only with the seat all the way back.

If my engine was in the V-8 position it would have been perfect, but mine is mounted in the L-6 position.

[kitsbeach]

Originally Posted by Lattimer

It is the mid mount shifter with the American Powertrain Quicksilver shifter. They also supplied a 3" offset on the shifter base. It fit ok with the bench set, but only with the seat all the way back.

If my engine was in the V-8 position it would have been perfect, but mine is mounted in the L-6 position.

Thanks that helps. Mine is in the six position now because it is a six.!

I'm thinking of putting in the TKO 600 now so I have overdrive and later on I want to drop in an LS motor (maybe also in the 6 cyl position).

But, given what you said, it looks a little tight. I just quickly threw a tape measure in my truck and they say the mid-mount is 12.68 back from the front of the tranny and that is pretty close. The front mount position at 7.02 back would be just perfect but I can't find that kit and it looks like it was $900 when they made it.

[Lattimer]

Originally Posted by kitsbeach

Thanks that helps. Mine is in the six position now because it is a six.!

I'm thinking of putting in the TKO 600 now so I have overdrive and later on I want to drop in an LS motor (maybe also in the 6 cyl position).

But, given what you said, it looks a little tight. I just quickly threw a tape measure in my truck and they say the mid-mount is 12.68 back from the front of the tranny and that is pretty close. The front mount position at 7.02 back would be just perfect but I can't find that kit and it looks like it was $900 when they made it.

Like I said, I added the 3" offset on the shifter handle, and got it to where it would work. Wasn't ideal, but it worked.

I think the forward mount shifter never sold well so they quit making them.

[70 shorty]

I paged through this thread and have to say, I LOVE your truck. It's set up almost exactly like I'd like my 70 short/step set up. I prefer a fleetside, a small block and a 4 spd, or a 5 spd even better like you swapped to. Nice ride man, and I'm definitely jealous.

[Lattimer]

Originally Posted by 70 shorty

I paged through this thread and have to say, I LOVE your truck. It's set up almost exactly like I'd like my 70 short/step set up. I prefer a fleetside, a small block and a 4 spd, or a 5 spd even better like you swapped to. Nice ride man, and I'm definitely jealous.

Thanks!!!

I have almost 3 years and an absolutely obscene amount of money in it, but I'm pretty proud of it!