'69 C10 - Black on Black

[MDPotter]

We managed to get the other side of the hood and tubs and both sides of the doors and cowl in primer Saturday.

Also pulled the cover on the rear end and was surprised to see 2.76 gears. The SPID says 3.07 but it rarely matches actual conditions. This explains why the truck was a little underwhelming on acceleration. We've got 3.42 gears and a limited slip diff on the way.

It was 70* here Saturday afternoon and then the storm came yesterday and started out as rain in the 50's and temps dropped to 30* and 4" of snow by the evening. Definitely unusual for this early in the season, but it's needed to help slow the fires.

[TA_C10]

Yeah I saw some of the tragedy's already from the fires. My buddy lives in Westminster and was telling me about it crossing the CD.

3.42 eh? Gonna be a highway cruising machine

[MDPotter]

Originally Posted by TA_C10

3.42 eh? Gonna be a highway cruising machine

At first I was thinking 3.73 but finding out that it's actually got 2.76's in it and the fact that the TH400 is not an overdrive transmission I decided to go with 3.42 as a good all around ratio. I don't see this as an interstate truck, but a highway truck and it should have good acceleration still. The 4.11's in my 68 have good acceleration but even with the overdrive 4L80E it still gets pretty high in the RPM's when you get to highway speeds.

[Low Elco]

Looks Great! Thanks for the Raptor review, bought a new project and it's gonna get a lot of it.

[MDPotter]

Got a few things done this weekend. Did a lot more welding on the cab as we had just tacked in a few things. Now the cab corners are fully welded in and all of the holes inside the cab around the rear window are closed up. Also committed a sin and cut the dash for a double din receiver. Lastly, installed new, longer wheel studs.

[1971Stepside]

Looks like a good weekend and good weather. There are days I wish I would have gone the double din route...

[TA_C10]

What were the holes in rear window?

[MDPotter]

Originally Posted by TA_C10

What were the holes in rear window?

I've had the same question since we got the truck. Of course there were the normal 4 holes for a gun rack, but the others looked very factory judging from how consistent and flat they were. I've never seen any kind of trim inside the rear window of these trucks and this truck was a low-option truck so I'm stumped.

[MDPotter]

Finally have everything in primer. We used a self-leveling 2-part product in the drip rail and then a 1-part non-sag product where the drip rail goes vertical and smoothed the transition and it turned out pretty clean.

I'm glad to have the metal work done so we can move onto filler. Not that I'm excited for filler work, but it's a milestone and a step closer to paint. I'm not sure yet whether it's better to start with a factory bed assembly or reproduction. The bed assembly cost less than repop, but had to be sandblasted and is going to require a lot of filler and time. The nice part is that the panels all fit together very nice.

[TA_C10]

Moving right along, looking good man. I loved that self leveling seam sealer in my drip rail, it works so easy and looks nice when done. I just let mine drip down the vertical part and stopped it with tape. And while it was setting up I would manipulate where it stopped in tape by wiping the excess out and then shaping it with razor blade at tip when got hard enough to take tape off but before it completely dried. Doing it the way you did it however I can see that would take a little less time so kudos.

.

[MDPotter]

Originally Posted by TA_C10

Moving right along, looking good man. I loved that self leveling seam sealer in my drip rail, it works so easy and looks nice when done. I just let mine drip down the vertical part and stopped it with tape. And while it was setting up I would manipulate where it stopped in tape by wiping the excess out and then shaping it with razor blade at tip when got hard enough to take tape off but before it completely dried. Doing it the way you did it however I can see that would take a little less time so kudos.

.

I did something like that on my 68, but I didn't manage it well and ended up getting a little stringy. So I was happy when this came out so well.

[cornerstone]

What was the brand name of the 2 part urethane for the drip rails? It looks different than the 3M that I used. Your channel look more full than mine does. I ran a little short and want to add some more...

[MDPotter]

Originally Posted by cornerstone

What was the brand name of the 2 part urethane for the drip rails? It looks different than the 3M that I used. Your channel look more full than mine does. I ran a little short and want to add some more...

It's an Eastwood product. It has a decent working time - as you probably already know, it's best to apply it and not touch it. With this stuff, you can go back and add a little bit if it doesn't quite flow out and fill the channel but you have to do it within 15 minutes or so.

[MDPotter]

We've spent the last two Saturdays doing filler work on the cab and bedsides. Mix it up, spread it, sand it, repeat. Not fun at all but the cab is 95% done and will be getting high build primer next weekend.

Also dug the bench seat frame from my 68 out of storage so we can use it on this truck. The seats that the previous owner bought were crazy expensive and not at all comfortable or appealing. So I ordered new foam and a houndstooth seat cover for this one. I almost wish I would have put a bench seat in my 68...

[1971Stepside]

Just looking at that makes my arms tired.

I'm glad I ended up going bench. I liked the buckets since it made it feel more sporty, but the bench is just classic truck.

[MDPotter]

Originally Posted by 1971Stepside

Just looking at that makes my arms tired.

I'm glad I ended up going bench. I liked the buckets since it made it feel more sporty, but the bench is just classic truck.

Yep, my arms and shoulders were pretty dead yesterday. But having the cab this far is a big hurdle - it is by far the most labor intensive of the bodywork process and once it's painted we can set it on the frame and free up a little shop space.

I don't feel like my buckets feel any sportier or nicer than a bench - they just feel kind of bulky and out of place. The new black covers will make it much better, but the bench is classic like you said. But the console is a good place to hide my PCM and OBDII and for some other storage so it's not bad.

[kev2809]

nice build ill be following along!

[sprint_9]

Making good progress. Im probably half crazy, but I think that looks like a lot of fun.

I like the modern split bench for its nice arm rest, but like you mentioned they are so bulky and the classic look of a bench is nice. Ill be excited to see how your bench turns out. Id really like a set of the old buddy buckets, but they are expensive and hard to find.

[MDPotter]

Originally Posted by sprint_9

Making good progress. Im probably half crazy, but I think that looks like a lot of fun.

I like the modern split bench for its nice arm rest, but like you mentioned they are so bulky and the classic look of a bench is nice. Ill be excited to see how your bench turns out. Id really like a set of the old buddy buckets, but they are expensive and hard to find.

You're welcome to come join us in the fun! There's plenty to go around! I'm just glad I have my dad to help because it's a bit daunting to think about how much work it is. But having someone there working on it with me keeps me going.

Buddy buckets are nice - but yes, hard to find and expensive just to buy and old worn out set.

[MDPotter]

And the sanding continues...

I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel on the bodywork. The cab now has high build primer and the bulk of the filler work is done on the doors and fenders.

[TA_C10]

Looks good man. You fill the roof seam?

.

[MDPotter]

Originally Posted by TA_C10

Looks good man. You fill the roof seam?

.

Nope, we left it as-is.

[MDPotter]

Getting really tired of sanding, but getting close to being ready for paint on the cab. I'm still not happy with a few spots so I'll have to do some more blocking this weekend and reapply. I'm nervous for this black paint job because it will show any imperfections in filler, blocking, pinholes, sand scratches, runs, sags, orange peel, dry spray, and dirt. I've considered going satin black but I think gloss black is timeless and right for this truck.

Going with the black theme, I sprayed epoxy on the radiator filler panels, radiator hold down, and inner fenders.

[TA_C10]

Looking good potter, nice to have a paint booth! Need one to finish my hood...

[1971Stepside]

looking good potter, nice to have a paint booth! Need one to finish my hood...

road trippp!!!