1969 C10 SWB - Big Block project

[Bennett68C10]

Nice find on the tailgate, how are you coming with the rest of the bed parts

[Rusbuilt]

Looking good my friend!!

[CC69Rat]

I have a long time friend that owns a Chevy restoration store. That's where I was getting the three-spoke steering wheels a while back. Just out of curiosity I called him and found he can get ADM bedsides. I think this is a company called 'American Direct Metal' (?) Something like that.. you guys ever heard of them?

He said they were as good or better than OEM. I can get both bedsides, out the door for $1,000. Just looking for experience with ADM ? Or it might be AMD ..

I have ordered the rear panel and cross sills from Mar-K. Still looking for a good wood floor front bed panel.


I appreciate all the encouragement fellas. I have been in a fog for the past few months no doubt. Done and said some bonehead stuff, some days are better than others. One thing I do miss is time with my old man. Once the weather clears up I'm planning to hit this truck pretty hard. It has been sitting for way too long.

[lolife99]

Chad,... it's Auto Metal Direct.
https://www.autometaldirect.com/

I've heard lots of good things about them from the Mopar guys.
I know a guy that restores Mopars and this is what he's been using for the the last few years.
I don't know anything about the fit of the GM panels.

I this is about the only way to build a quality shortbed anymore, short of finding good NOS panels.

[Bennett68C10]

My front fenders are from Auto Metal Direct and they are Tri-Plus. I can say the fit is pretty much spot on. Only needed a little hammering on the flanges where the front grill mounts to fit right, overall very impressed. When I spoke to AMD they stated that they carry Tri-Plus panels, so I would bet the bedsides are Tri-Plus.

[Johnnyfever]

Auto Metal Direct! I stop by to pick up parts a lot since they are in Buford, GA. Great guys up there - I usually talk to Jeff when I'm up there. Great parts and their stock keeps growing so much that they had to get rid of the classic car showroom....bittersweet I guess.

[CC69Rat]

Ok, .. done deal. I had considered SoKy before, then had some issues getting the $ together and had to hold off .. but I'll just go this route.

Next question. I'm considering 20x12, and putting a 2" (?) band in factory wheel tubs. For the most part on a factory wood floor the boards that wrap around the wheel wells I would just offset it back what .. 2" or so? and make that inner edge of the wheel well even with the edge of the frame rail. I'm sure it has been done before do you guys know of a write up on it ? Pics ? The second board from the outer edge of the bedside would just be cut off like the first one and the wheel tub moved over to mount on the third board instead. I guess I'm explaining it right .. 335/40/20? How much tire can you get on a 12 ? Thanks.

[lolife99]

The worst part about a 12" wide wheel is finding a tire that fits.
I'm not sure if anyone make a 40 series 335.
Here's a 30 series at $551 each!
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....=yes&tab=Specs

[Bennett68C10]

Like Keith said trying to find a tire for a 12" wheel is hard. Seems like most people either run a 315/35/20 or step up to the Mickey Thompson SR. Check out hart_rob's 68. I think he is running a 31x16 on a 20x12. I'm pretty sure bowtie468 is running the same.

I'm still planning on going with Soky Classics for my bed because they make the custom bedsides with no side markers lights or stake pocket holes.

[aggie91]

Here is a 345/30/20 that will work on a 12" rim...a little less expensive at $485 each...

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....=yes&tab=Specs

[CC69Rat]

.. may just stick with a 20x10.. . I have the early housing so the wheels will 'look' plenty wide. I did some research earlier and I don't see paying $500 a tire.

22x12 ?.. humm.

[Bennett68C10]

If you did a 20x12 on a 315/35/20 it wouldn't cost you $500 per tire. You can get the Toyo ST II for around $200. Might not give you the sidewall height you are looking for though. I also discovered yesterday that they no longer make the 31x16x20 Mickey Thompsons any more, only the 31x18x20.

[CC69Rat]

Just thinking a 315 might be stretched a little on a 12" wheel. I haven't seen one mounted up though. Some people like the stretched look though.. I'll check it out and see.

[nlped]

Here's a camaro with a 20x12 forgeline on the rear... Looks mighty sexy to me

[Bennett68C10]

This is painterd's old truck with 315's on a 20x12, looks pretty good to me.

[superflysteiny]

Originally Posted by CC69Rat

Just thinking a 315 might be stretched a little on a 12" wheel. I haven't seen one mounted up though. Some people like the stretched look though.. I'll check it out and see.

315 will almost be perfect on a 12 . i have a 305 on tootsie and it has a little stretch. I wanted 315 but they don't make them for a 22. But they make them in a 20. Just my 2 cents.

[CC69Rat]

Originally Posted by Bluechevy68

I forgot about this build but I am glad it is going again. Chad I think that you and your Dad are good members of this board and are a part of the reason it is so good. Keep the faith.

Thank you man. It has been a little while, I bought that black GMC truck originally to drive as my daily but decided to flip it and pay for a medical procedure. I made about $4,400 on that truck and I am eyeballing another one .. 71 SWB short fleet Big Block, 79k original miles. Stay tuned.

Originally Posted by ~Whitey~

Hadn't checked in on you in a while... That motor looks good in there. It's tight! Glad to see you're making progress. nice score on the tailgate.

Great to hear from you brother. I have my tailgate under a blanket in the garage just waiting for the new stuff to go on. I have arranged for my cross sills so with the bedsides and stuff I got a couple weeks ago I just need stainless strips and do my bedwood and it's oficially a fleet!

Originally Posted by superflysteiny

315 will almost be perfect on a 12 . i have a 305 on tootsie and it has a little stretch. I wanted 315 but they don't make them for a 22. But they make them in a 20. Just my 2 cents.

I'm still waiting on you to sell those off the Tootsie truck kidding .. Dont you need to buy some more for another truck and change your mind again? I like Billet Specialties.. just sayin.


Seriously, I have a lot in store for this truck it's just not going to go as fast as the GMC did. I was getting a lot of pressure from the wife to sell that truck so I did .. I never tore into it quite like I have this one, and I promise you it will be my best one yet.

If I can get that 71, flip it and make some $ I will be in the market for billets. Probably Racelines (Static 5) or Billet Specialties .. I like just about everything they sell.

[knomadd]

Originally Posted by CC69Rat

...I am eyeballing another one .. 71 SWB short fleet Big Block, 79k original miles. Stay tuned.
...If I can get that 71, flip it and make some $ I will be in the market for billets. Probably Racelines (Static 5) or Billet Specialties .. I like just about everything they sell.

Now that sounds like a great plan. If only I could convince my wife to let me do something like that.

I loved what you did with the GMC, so I'm excited to see what you and Pops do next. I'm sure it will be great, no matter how long it takes.

[CC69Rat]

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mtt-6620/overview/

Is there a link to one of the trucks running this tire ? Do you have to narrow the frame rails or will it fit just by widening the tubs ?

[CC69Rat]

Nm, found the thread. ..

[rwade]

I'm running a 14" wide rim with factory frame (with step notch) and they fit. You should have no problem with a 12"

Wade

[CC69Rat]

Looking a little more at the tires, what are you guys thoughts on running the SRs on the back with STIIs up front ? The tread pattern is pretty close. I know you have seen both tires, but just to see them side by side ..

[darkhorse970]

I think they would look good together. What sizes are you thinking?

[CC69Rat]

29x16 - 20x12
255/45/20 - 20x8.5

Both tires would be right at 4.5" sidewall height. Maybe drop to a 255/40 on the front I just worry about potholes. (4" sidewall)

I had 255/45 on the front of the last one I setup and I liked it. I wish they made a 30x16 in that SR tire. Chris is running 31x16 but the tires were discontinued, Im under the impression those might be a bit big on his truck though. 30x16 would be perfect. I may just go with a 20x10 and STII on the rear. We'll see how it plays out. You guys were right, tires are tough for a 20x12.

I'm considering narrowing the rear housing a little I have been working with Chris on his setup.

[aggie91]

Originally Posted by CC69Rat

...I may just go with a 20x10 and STII on the rear. We'll see how it plays out. You guys were right, tires are tough for a 20x12.

I'm considering narrowing the rear housing a little I have been working with Chris on his setup.

Chad - we went this route on my Son's truck. We put a 315/35/20 on a 10" rim in the rear. The front is a 255/40/20. Rides and handles well with the STII's.