Son's 68 c10 Short Bed

[Camaroguy]

Couple more pics. I like the one of my son with his Papa.

[MDPotter]

Awesome. I'm sure he was grinning ear to ear on his first drive on the road. That color really works on this truck and it's something for all three of you to be proud of for a long time.

So what's on the punch list? Any lessons learned?

[Camaroguy]

Originally Posted by MDPotter

Awesome. I'm sure he was grinning ear to ear on his first drive on the road. That color really works on this truck and it's something for all three of you to be proud of for a long time.

So what's on the punch list? Any lessons learned?

Well, I still need to work through some issues. Relatively minor stuff to be honest.....

Passenger side window is really hard to roll down. I tried to re-use the old regulator and it isn't going to work. So, I ordered a new one and need to replace it.

Driver's side window isn't working properly. On the one piece glass kit, you have to trim the slide on the top door hinge or it impacts the track. Apparently, I was too conservative when I did this and the door wont close with the window down. So, I need to pull the hinge and fix that.

I need to order a new windshield. The one that is on it is fine and I never planned on replacing it, but it really detracts from the rest of the truck now that it is all done.

Install the side trim when it gets in.

Get it aligned and replace the front tires.

Probably the most important part, stop stressing out so much when I let him drive it.

As far as learning, honestly, since I did another one of these about 3 years ago, things went relatively smoothly. However, I regret not buying a shorter steering column. Also, it ended up being a WAY nicer truck than I intended and I spent A LOT more money than I expected.

[MDPotter]

Originally Posted by Camaroguy

Probably the most important part, stop stressing out so much when I let him drive it.

As far as learning, honestly, since I did another one of these about 3 years ago, things went relatively smoothly. However, I regret not buying a shorter steering column. Also, it ended up being a WAY nicer truck than I intended and I spent A LOT more money than I expected.

One day when I have kids I'll understand the stress of seeing my kid driving. The time and money invested in the truck just adds stress I'm sure, but also a proportionate add in pride I would hope.

And yes, I know what you mean. I started out just thinking about leaving the body as-is and redoing the chassis and now look what I've done. But even when I've tried to save a few bucks and buy a less expensive part, I usually ended up regretting it.

[Camaroguy]

Originally Posted by MDPotter

One day when I have kids I'll understand the stress of seeing my kid driving. The time and money invested in the truck just adds stress I'm sure, but also a proportionate add in pride I would hope.

And yes, I know what you mean. I started out just thinking about leaving the body as-is and redoing the chassis and now look what I've done. But even when I've tried to save a few bucks and buy a less expensive part, I usually ended up regretting it.

Nothing can prepare you for turning them loose in this world. Also, there's nothing you can do about it but hope and pray that you've prepared them for it.

You're right about the less expensive parts. This is especially important when referencing fuel lines. Just buy the good stuff. I learned that one for sure.

[Camaroguy]

My son took his truck to youth group tonight. I was “out and about” and had to swing by to check on his choice of parking. He did good.

The yellow ‘71 is my nephew.

[KevinK7]

Originally Posted by Camaroguy

Nothing can prepare you for turning them loose in this world. ...

Congrats on the 'journey', ...and I say this partly for the project of the truck itself (Wow, ...amazing) but also for the lessons and experience you've conveyed to your son, ...priceless.
He's got to be one really happy kid to be driving that truck, MORESO since you got him involved building it, ...(aka respect). It's one thing to have these 'toys', but when you go through the process of building them, ...you learn to appreciate the effort and sacrifices it takes to own them. The parking lot photo says it all, he worked hard on that truck and parked it away from everything to protect it. Good for him, ...great for you to have built this truck with your son, and in the process as best you can, prepare him for life ahead.

[Camaroguy]

Originally Posted by KevinK7

Congrats on the 'journey', ...and I say this partly for the project of the truck itself (Wow, ...amazing) but also for the lessons and experience you've conveyed to your son, ...priceless.
He's got to be one really happy kid to be driving that truck, MORESO since you got him involved building it, ...(aka respect). It's one thing to have these 'toys', but when you go through the process of building them, ...you learn to appreciate the effort and sacrifices it takes to own them. The parking lot photo says it all, he worked hard on that truck and parked it away from everything to protect it. Good for him, ...great for you to have built this truck with your son, and in the process as best you can, prepare him for life ahead.

All true words. Thank you for saying them.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by KevinK7

Congrats on the 'journey', ...and I say this partly for the project of the truck itself (Wow, ...amazing) but also for the lessons and experience you've conveyed to your son, ...priceless.
He's got to be one really happy kid to be driving that truck, MORESO since you got him involved building it, ...(aka respect). It's one thing to have these 'toys', but when you go through the process of building them, ...you learn to appreciate the effort and sacrifices it takes to own them. The parking lot photo says it all, he worked hard on that truck and parked it away from everything to protect it. Good for him, ...great for you to have built this truck with your son, and in the process as best you can, prepare him for life ahead.

Agreed!

I'll add..... Get that thing 'secured' ASAP. Alarm. Kill switch. Tracking device. Kids love to drive them & hang out w/their friends. Sometimes they get so involved in what they're doing they don't consider the security of things.

[Camaroguy]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Agreed!

I'll add..... Get that thing 'secured' ASAP. Alarm. Kill switch. Tracking device. Kids love to drive them & hang out w/their friends. Sometimes they get so involved in what they're doing they don't consider the security of things.

I hear ya and we should be good in that regard.

My brother had a 67 Camaro Convertible stolen when we were just a little older than my son. It was recovered a few days later but it was a lesson learned.

[Scurry67]

just went through your build thread again. Some really good looking work by you guys. pretty inspirational stuff right there. i’ll be excited if my truck turns out half as nice.

[Camaroguy]

Originally Posted by Scurry67

just went through your build thread again. Some really good looking work by you guys. pretty inspirational stuff right there. i’ll be excited if my truck turns out half as nice.

Well thanks, keep it up on yours and you’ll be cruising in a hurry.

[Camaroguy]

This morning we got the slide that goes through the top hinge on the drivers door clearing the one piece door glass; so he can actually close his door now with the window rolled down. Had to pull the door three times which wasn’t fun. All good now though.

Also, I have no pictures because everything is crammed behind the seat, but this afternoon we got the stereo stuff in. I’m not a stereo guy by any means so I called a buddy to come over and look at the stuff I had and point me in the right direction. He shows up and goes, “Yeah, I’ll be back in a little while.” Shows up about a half hour later with a new sub, a second amp, and a bunch of cables and connectors and all sorts of gadgets. Refuses to let me pay him for any of it too. About 6 hours later we were done. Again, I’m no stereo guy but it is stupid loud. Sounds really clean and crisp too.

I’m not even trying to hide my jealousy anymore when it comes to this truck.

[Camaroguy]

My son has been putting some miles on his truck. No problems to speak of. I got both window's working properly as of last night and it is scheduled for an alignment tomorrow. Still need to buy a windshield and front tires. Also, still patiently waiting for the trim.

He sent me these pictures yesterday...

[Kronald_70GMC]

You know, the more I see of the red letters on the tailgate, the more I love it! I wish I had something that awesome to drive when I was his age. He must feel like a million bucks cruising down the road in that thing.

[Camaroguy]

Originally Posted by Kronald_70GMC

You know, the more I see of the red letters on the tailgate, the more I love it! I wish I had something that awesome to drive when I was his age. He must feel like a million bucks cruising down the road in that thing.

Thank you. I matched the bowtie in the grille to the letters last week too. I think the red letters turned out to be a good idea as well. He definitely thinks he's pretty cool.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Camaroguy

Thank you. I matched the bowtie in the grille to the letters last week too. I think the red letters turned out to be a good idea as well. He definitely thinks he's pretty cool.

Don't they all? Lol....

[TA_C10]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Don't they all? Lol....

LOL. Uh. Yes. They all do.

I'm interested in your alignment cost if you don't mind divulging that info. I also would like to know what technology they use to do the alignment. And last, I would like to know if they end up scratching up your a-arms or anything when they do the job. These are the things I think about when its time for mine.....

.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by TA_C10

LOL. Uh. Yes. They all do.

I'm interested in your alignment cost if you don't mind divulging that info. I also would like to know what technology they use to do the alignment. And last, I would like to know if they end up scratching up your a-arms or anything when they do the job. These are the things I think about when its time for mine.....

.

It's just math if you know what needs to be done. They want you to think there's some kind of voodoo involved but it's math & a flat surface. Alignment racks w/lasers just make it WAY easier & consistent. If the tech doing the alignment is clueless on the how/why & can only do what the book tells them, you still can get a crap job.

[Camaroguy]

Originally Posted by TA_C10

LOL. Uh. Yes. They all do.

I'm interested in your alignment cost if you don't mind divulging that info. I also would like to know what technology they use to do the alignment. And last, I would like to know if they end up scratching up your a-arms or anything when they do the job. These are the things I think about when its time for mine.....

.

Yes, they all do.

I have used this place a couple of times and they do a lot of stuff for my dad's company so I am not really concerned about them being rough or tearing stuff up. I am more concerned about greasy hand prints on paint, interior, etc. We will see though.

Last time I used them, I think it was roughly a hundred bucks. I am expecting about that this time too.

[Camaroguy]

Well, maybe I spoke too soon. We dropped the truck off for alignment on Friday morning and picked it up a couple hours later. After paying, my son walked over to get in it and says, “What in the world!?” I walk over to the driver’s side and the door glass is cracked.....

The night before we took it, we wiped the whole truck down, glass included. Once finished, we rolled the windows down and that’s how it was dropped off. When we picked it up the driver’s side door glass was rolled up. The only thing I can figure is the door got slammed with the glass partially rolled down. With the one piece glass kit, the window isn’t very secure unless it’s up or down all the way.

The company said they would take care of it. I told the owner I needed to buy some front tires in a couple of weeks and to just treat me right on those and we will call it good.

The glass guy is going to cut me a new piece next week.

On a positive note, the truck drives nice and straight.

[TA_C10]

Ouch man it almost feels like i jinxed your trip... Sorry to hear it, glad they offered to fix it too.

[Camaroguy]

Originally Posted by TA_C10

Ouch man it almost feels like i jinxed your trip... Sorry to hear it, glad they offered to fix it too.

Nah - little issues are to be expected when you first finish one, right?

[Camaroguy]

I promise I’ll quit posting pics soon. Anyway, I backed the cars out of the garage today to do some cleaning and thought I’d seize the photo opportunity.

[SCOTI]

Driveway envy....