1966 C10 Project Truck

[scoot_mcgrute]

Originally Posted by doublebeetx

I started this process recently also. Something I did notice when drilling spot welds on the inside of the panel, the outside panel isn't cut flush with the inside panel. I haven't put a ruler on it yet , but I'd guess it's 1/8 to 3/16 difference in some areas. I'm going to make a pattern of mine before I take it apart to make sure and transfer the opening to my truck so the glass fits right. I read something not long ago about a guy who cut his out and his glass was "loose" as he described it. That makes me wonder if it the outer panel needs that little extra length.

That's great information, thanks for sharing. My original plan was to use the inner panel as the template but maybe the best way to go about it is to make a template of the outer panel. I have some layer board I can steal from work so I will most likely use the outer panel for the template when I get to my conversion.

[scoot_mcgrute]

Hit up another autocross yesterday, I'm very happy with how it does out there. I do have a list of things to fix this winter and maybe before then. I need a bigger sway bar and/or stiffer springs up front, the open diff is killing me, the steering isn't up to snuff, the bench seat is less than ideal and my anti-squat is all jacked up so I can't really put any power down in the corners. I'm going to see if I can swing a new front sway bar before the next event in September but the rest will come later.

My second lap, I decided to see what the threshold was for the crossover. Carried too much speed and well you'll see
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWeNC8rFHX8

My best and last lap, ran a 42.815 which for the bumpy course, I was stoked to hit!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UmdmEzzpEY

[scoot_mcgrute]

Couple pictures from the last autocross. I'll be doing quite the teardown this winter to address a few things, the smoke from the tailpipe is top of the list. I'm hoping it's something easy...

This is from my spin, love how the picture turned out


Smokey

[scoot_mcgrute]

Beat on the old girl pretty hard over the weekend with two autocross events, this thing is so much fun! I'm starting the winter upgrade list to get it to handle better and get it more competitive on the autocross course with the teardown coming soon. First thing will be to buy the Porterbuilt adjustable trailing arm crossmember so I can get proper traction to the rear tires and then a lot of little things to help the front suspension out.

Fastest test and tune lap
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lylr5cBSBH0

Fastest autocross lap
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuNJmnnYO08

Instructor lap
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WM-TOka5jlw

[SKT]

.

Can't believe I missed this thread!

Wow, what a SHARP looking truck - job well done w/ this build!

.

[Bomp]

Killer build in the making.

[scoot_mcgrute]

Originally Posted by SKT

.

Can't believe I missed this thread!

Wow, what a SHARP looking truck - job well done w/ this build!

.

Thank you, I appreciate the kind words!

Originally Posted by Bomp

Killer build in the making.

Thanks Mr. Bomp!

I ordered the Porterbuilt crossmember last week, just waiting for them to build it and ship it. I'm estimating just a couple more chances to drive it this year so the teardown will happen fairly soon. There's another autocross on the 15th but the weather doesn't look promising so I'm guessing that I'm done for the season.

On the docket for this Winter:

99-04 Mustang 8.8 rear axle
Porterbuilt crossmember
Rear panhard bar
New rack and pinion - maybe
Caster correction
Camber correction
Front and rear shock relocation
Rear C-Notch
Big back window
Cab rust repair

Check back in for some build updates in the coming weeks

[TJ's Chevy]

[shearjs]

Great build! I've read through all of Hackster's builds which lead me to follow yours. Both of you guys are giving me the inspiration I need to tear into my 54 F100 this winter and get started. Looking forward to seeing your upgrades and progress!

[scoot_mcgrute]

Originally Posted by shearjs

Great build! I've read through all of Hackster's builds which lead me to follow yours. Both of you guys are giving me the inspiration I need to tear into my 54 F100 this winter and get started. Looking forward to seeing your upgrades and progress!

I'm honored to have you watching and following along, Hackster does some great work and it's finally rubbing off on me. He has been a large part of what the Army Truck is and always willing to lend a hand when I need it, good dude for sure

[rusty76]

Just spent some time going through your build. Really cool truck.

[Mack B]

I just found this, and went back and read it all. I like what you are doing here, Great build!

[scdude37]

New member here, and I love this write up. Very impressed and jealous. Just bought my first project 1965 c10 lwb. this gives me a lot of inspiration. Cant wait to follow this build through the winter with all the ideas you have to improve it.

[scoot_mcgrute]

Thanks for the kind words, everyone!

I got my Porterbuilt trailing arm crossmember the other night and my excitement level immediately went to a head scratching fest. The reason why I went with theirs is because of the fine adjustment in anti-squat, I actually have a model drawn up that looks identical to theirs, and when I pulled it out of the box there were only 3 holes. Not what I want. I'm going to decide whether it's worth cutting their brackets off and doing my own or send it back and start from scratch.

Their website picture, notice the "scalloped" hole design with a lot of adjustability


And what I got


They changed the design about 6 months ago and haven't updated the website yet if anyone is curious.

[CruizinKev]

Love this build! btw sent you PM

[scoot_mcgrute]

Picked up a new axle for it today, it's an 8.8 out of a 99 Mustang GT with a limited slip, disc brakes and a 3.30ish gear ratio. Should compliment the motor quite well!

[Captainfab]

I'm curious as to what the width is of that 8.8........

[scoot_mcgrute]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

I'm curious as to what the width is of that 8.8........

62.5 wheel mount to wheel mount. Can't get a whole lot closer to what our 12 bolts are

Got it on the dyno yesterday at a local Subaru shop open house and dyno day. Didn't throw down the numbers I was thinking it would but their dyno is very stingy on the power numbers. It put down 234/261 which is not horrible, I just loved seeing it on the dyno!

4th gear pull, took a little long to get going

https://youtu.be/e6TCPwesH5Y

3rd gear pull, he stabbed it a little hard and spun

https://youtu.be/GtGHxZRWfg4

3rd gear pull, tighter straps and ballast

https://youtu.be/GyNwb00aBTo

[aggie91]

One more question about the Mustang 8.8. Is the pinion centered? I know that on an Explorer 8.8 it is offset to the passenger side.

[scoot_mcgrute]

Originally Posted by aggie91

One more question about the Mustang 8.8. Is the pinion centered? I know that on an Explorer 8.8 it is offset to the passenger side.

I believe it is, I know the shafts are the same length but I will confirm if it's centered tonight.

[scoot_mcgrute]

Originally Posted by aggie91

One more question about the Mustang 8.8. Is the pinion centered? I know that on an Explorer 8.8 it is offset to the passenger side.

It looks to be centered up, if not it's like 1/2" off side to side.

[aggie91]

Thanks, I used a 8.8 from an explorer, it is something like 59.5" wide at the WMS, but the pinion is offset to the passenger side like 1.5"-2". It works for now, but I might have to look for a mustang unit...

[scoot_mcgrute]

I spent the weekend helping my buddy get his new shop setup, we hung some cabinets and built a huge workbench. They're moving about 2 hours away so I won't be able to bug them all the time but they're still somewhat close by. When I got home, I had some more truck parts waiting for me. I got the Performance Online axle swap kit, well built and comes with what you need to put a different axle under your truck. Can't wait to start working on things again!

[LostMy65]

Nice!
Is the bar adjustable?

[scoot_mcgrute]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

Nice!
Is the bar adjustable?

Yep, it's adjustable on both ends which nets 4" of adjustability. It'll be way nicer to get things centered up with the adjustments on both ends because you can loosen the jam nuts, spin the bar and then tighten the nuts back up when you're done.