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#926 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Dawson, Ga
Posts: 498
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Re: Frankentruck
Guessing the alignment turned out ok this time.
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#927 |
Senior Member
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Location: Hickory Flat, GA
Posts: 4,460
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Re: Frankentruck
It turned out much better this time.
The truck no longer wanders between the lines like it did before, and there's no bump steer. I highly recommend the caster mod, even on a bone stock truck. Every other c10 that might come along in my future will get the caster mod
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Christian Carpenter 1963 C10 - Frankentruck 283, Muncie 3 speed with overdrive Overdrive wiring here1963-ish truck bed trailer - Half-Wit 1981 C10 - Penny 305, th350 --> Soon to be 350, Saginaw 4 speed 1995 Dodge Dakota Sport "I'll put it simple: if you're going hard enough left, you'll find yourself turning right." - Doc Hudson |
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#928 |
Senior Member
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Location: Hickory Flat, GA
Posts: 4,460
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Re: Frankentruck
I "cleaned up" the wiring under the hood by wrapping it in electrical tape. It was just the wires ziptied together before, so you could see all the different colors
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Christian Carpenter 1963 C10 - Frankentruck 283, Muncie 3 speed with overdrive Overdrive wiring here1963-ish truck bed trailer - Half-Wit 1981 C10 - Penny 305, th350 --> Soon to be 350, Saginaw 4 speed 1995 Dodge Dakota Sport "I'll put it simple: if you're going hard enough left, you'll find yourself turning right." - Doc Hudson |
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#929 | ||
But Found Her 25yrs Later!
![]() Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Oregon City, Oregon
Posts: 10,525
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Re: Frankentruck
Quote:
Quote:
The reason I ask is I wonder if the caster got increased with the 73+ trucks in that they all had power steering. The way I understand it is the older non-power steering trucks had less caster because more caster makes them more difficult to turn the steering wheel without power.
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I lost my 65 - Found it 25 years later: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=426650 66 C20 Service Truck: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=428035 |
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#930 | |
Senior Member
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Location: Hickory Flat, GA
Posts: 4,460
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Re: Frankentruck
Quote:
I'm not sure on the squares if additional caster was used compared to the 63-72 stuff that was more commonly manual gears. What I do know is that the steering feel on the road at speed has improved so much that I wish I had done this years ago. How much it has affected the parking lot/low speed turning, I haven't done enough to really tell, but hasn't seemed too bad yet. As I drive the truck more and break the trailer out of hibernation if the back yard isn't too soft, I'll update on how it feels in parking lots and dealing with a trailer. I believe I have what I need on the engine side of things for a power steering conversion if I decide to go that route, but since I replaced the manual steering gear with a Redhead gear, I'm not too inclined to change it just yet. If the manual steering with additional caster ends up being too much of a pain, I will probably convert to power steering before I revert to stock caster. Another note on the steering feel. I've really only driven my truck, so I haven't felt how a truly stock suspension c10 drives. When I bought my truck, the previous owner had put the upper control arms on backwards at some point. I did not know that at the time, and since I didn't remove the uppers until last week for paint and new control arm shafts, I didn't know that they were on backwards. I only found out when I ended up with +11* of caster on one side and +9* on the other. The shop couldn't align it like that. I also can't find the alignment sheet from when I first got it aligned after installing the disc brake kit. It's possible that I already had some additional caster, but camber was more on the positive side of life. That might, and I mean might, be why the steering input doesn't seem more challenging that before. Sorry for the essay, but I hope that answers your question!
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Christian Carpenter 1963 C10 - Frankentruck 283, Muncie 3 speed with overdrive Overdrive wiring here1963-ish truck bed trailer - Half-Wit 1981 C10 - Penny 305, th350 --> Soon to be 350, Saginaw 4 speed 1995 Dodge Dakota Sport "I'll put it simple: if you're going hard enough left, you'll find yourself turning right." - Doc Hudson |
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#931 |
Senior Member
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Location: Hickory Flat, GA
Posts: 4,460
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Re: Frankentruck
Ok, a report on the caster mod. I took an hour drive to a junkyard to get some parts. It had a couple miles of interstate driving. I don't have to steer between the lines anymore! There's no more heavy steering fatigue, so I definitely feel like I could drive all day without getting really tired. A couple years ago, I would have been completely worn out from driving over an hour one way. I definitely recommend this mod. The parking lot turning has not gotten harder, and almost seems a little easier. I believe that since the arms had been swapped before I purchased it, there was already some additional caster, but I had way too much positive camber. Unfortunately, I can't find the alignment sheet from 6 years ago, so I can only guess at this point.
Now on to the parts I went to get. The last modification I plan to do before heading back to Milledgeville for my last semester is new door check links. The aftermarket, stock set I got a couple years ago have already failed. I harvested a pair from a decent XJ Cherokee to swap in. The driver's side door of the Jeep was wedged against another truck, so I had to take it out of the driver's door and reinstall in the passenger door to make sure that it was still good. Thankfully it was, because most of the XJs there had already been picked over on the door checks. Best part was someone had already pulled the inner door panels, so I didn't have to fool with that ![]()
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Christian Carpenter 1963 C10 - Frankentruck 283, Muncie 3 speed with overdrive Overdrive wiring here1963-ish truck bed trailer - Half-Wit 1981 C10 - Penny 305, th350 --> Soon to be 350, Saginaw 4 speed 1995 Dodge Dakota Sport "I'll put it simple: if you're going hard enough left, you'll find yourself turning right." - Doc Hudson |
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#932 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Beautiful BC, Canada, eh?!
Posts: 2,228
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Re: Frankentruck
Increased caster improves road "feel," self-centering, and stability at speed.
While you are attributing the "Caster Mod" as a worthwhile improvement (and it is, it is), what you are really seeing is your truck's "UNcaster mod" - getting the caster angle back to sensible. I would imaging with 11° caster, you would have very heavy steering effort, which no doubt would tire you out.
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1961 Apache: "Grabber Orange" Shortboxed, pancake, step-notch, air-ride, boosted-LS 1977 Silverado: Shortboxed & dropped, potato-potato V8 Pontiac Firefly (Chevy Sprint): The ultimate engine swap: 5.7L in a 1.0L bag Lotus Super 7 Replica: Scratch-built street-legal rollerskate |
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#933 | |
Senior Member
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Location: Hickory Flat, GA
Posts: 4,460
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Re: Frankentruck
Quote:
It drives about as good as my 95 Dakota now, so I'm going to have a hard time choosing which one to drive until summer rolls around and the no a/c makes the decision for me on most days ![]()
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Christian Carpenter 1963 C10 - Frankentruck 283, Muncie 3 speed with overdrive Overdrive wiring here1963-ish truck bed trailer - Half-Wit 1981 C10 - Penny 305, th350 --> Soon to be 350, Saginaw 4 speed 1995 Dodge Dakota Sport "I'll put it simple: if you're going hard enough left, you'll find yourself turning right." - Doc Hudson |
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#934 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Beautiful BC, Canada, eh?!
Posts: 2,228
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Re: Frankentruck
You can piece together a complete under-dash AC system pretty gosh darn cheap. I think I'm into mine for aboot $400 CDN, shipped, minus the pump.
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1961 Apache: "Grabber Orange" Shortboxed, pancake, step-notch, air-ride, boosted-LS 1977 Silverado: Shortboxed & dropped, potato-potato V8 Pontiac Firefly (Chevy Sprint): The ultimate engine swap: 5.7L in a 1.0L bag Lotus Super 7 Replica: Scratch-built street-legal rollerskate |
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#935 |
Senior Member
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Location: Hickory Flat, GA
Posts: 4,460
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Re: Frankentruck
It's been awhile since I've looked at A/C systems, so I should probably look again, but also thinking of starting the rust repair before I do any A/C stuff
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Christian Carpenter 1963 C10 - Frankentruck 283, Muncie 3 speed with overdrive Overdrive wiring here1963-ish truck bed trailer - Half-Wit 1981 C10 - Penny 305, th350 --> Soon to be 350, Saginaw 4 speed 1995 Dodge Dakota Sport "I'll put it simple: if you're going hard enough left, you'll find yourself turning right." - Doc Hudson |
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#936 |
Senior Member
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Location: Tucson, Arizona
Posts: 2,070
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Re: Frankentruck
I'm happy to see your camber mod problem has been solved. IMHO I would agree with you, rust is your biggest enemy and is only going to get worse. I'm also without AC but it is going to wait. I have found a couple of under dash units for that nostalgia look. As the weather warms up here in southern AZ it will become a bigger priority.
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Sanity'66 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=515110 Long bed, Fleetside, Small back window I've Done So Much, With So Little, For So Long, That Now I Can Do Anything With Nothing. ![]() |
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#937 | |
Senior Member
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Location: Hickory Flat, GA
Posts: 4,460
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Re: Frankentruck
Quote:
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Christian Carpenter 1963 C10 - Frankentruck 283, Muncie 3 speed with overdrive Overdrive wiring here1963-ish truck bed trailer - Half-Wit 1981 C10 - Penny 305, th350 --> Soon to be 350, Saginaw 4 speed 1995 Dodge Dakota Sport "I'll put it simple: if you're going hard enough left, you'll find yourself turning right." - Doc Hudson |
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#938 |
Senior Member
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Location: Hickory Flat, GA
Posts: 4,460
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Re: Frankentruck
My toes, hands and face are cold, but the new to me door checks are in. It's a brisk, high 20s here in Hickory Flat today.
Since I was able to find the versions with rubber stops, I decided to trim one stop into 3rds rather than halves. I wanted a smidge more opening than what the cut in half gives. It worked great and the doors are still far from the front fenders. I am getting about 30 inches of opening from the body line point to the door frame on both sides. This is another mod that I recommend for all 60-66 trucks!
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Christian Carpenter 1963 C10 - Frankentruck 283, Muncie 3 speed with overdrive Overdrive wiring here1963-ish truck bed trailer - Half-Wit 1981 C10 - Penny 305, th350 --> Soon to be 350, Saginaw 4 speed 1995 Dodge Dakota Sport "I'll put it simple: if you're going hard enough left, you'll find yourself turning right." - Doc Hudson |
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#939 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: yamhill OR
Posts: 852
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Re: Frankentruck
Good work Christian. Keep it up!
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1965 chevy c20 292 4speed http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=777601 1976 chevy c10 250 4speed http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=787037 1978 chevy c20 350 4speed 1998 chevy c1500 4.3L 5speed 2002 Chevy s10 4.3L auto 4x4 Plus a Mercury & some Fords... To many projects! |
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#940 |
Senior Member
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Location: Hickory Flat, GA
Posts: 4,460
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Re: Frankentruck
Thank you! Won't be too much going on other than driving around for the next couple months as classes start back on Monday
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Christian Carpenter 1963 C10 - Frankentruck 283, Muncie 3 speed with overdrive Overdrive wiring here1963-ish truck bed trailer - Half-Wit 1981 C10 - Penny 305, th350 --> Soon to be 350, Saginaw 4 speed 1995 Dodge Dakota Sport "I'll put it simple: if you're going hard enough left, you'll find yourself turning right." - Doc Hudson |
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#941 |
Senior Member
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Location: Hickory Flat, GA
Posts: 4,460
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Re: Frankentruck
OSHA would not have approved.
The frame that I got my bed off of is headed to Alabama to go back underneath a truck
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Christian Carpenter 1963 C10 - Frankentruck 283, Muncie 3 speed with overdrive Overdrive wiring here1963-ish truck bed trailer - Half-Wit 1981 C10 - Penny 305, th350 --> Soon to be 350, Saginaw 4 speed 1995 Dodge Dakota Sport "I'll put it simple: if you're going hard enough left, you'll find yourself turning right." - Doc Hudson |
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#942 |
Senior Member
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Location: Hickory Flat, GA
Posts: 4,460
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Re: Frankentruck
And now, Frankentruck is back in Milledgeville for the next couple months. Interstate driving is much less sketchy now.
I've got 3 classes this semester to finish, then I will be graduating at the beginning of May.
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Christian Carpenter 1963 C10 - Frankentruck 283, Muncie 3 speed with overdrive Overdrive wiring here1963-ish truck bed trailer - Half-Wit 1981 C10 - Penny 305, th350 --> Soon to be 350, Saginaw 4 speed 1995 Dodge Dakota Sport "I'll put it simple: if you're going hard enough left, you'll find yourself turning right." - Doc Hudson |
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#943 |
I'm just glad to be here!
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Longview, TX
Posts: 4,788
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Re: Frankentruck
That looks like John's Truck Farm with United by Trucks!
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Karl ![]() 1965 Chevy Stepside(Grandpa's Old Blue) and (July 2015 Shop Build!)(2020, the Saga Continues) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=372424 The LST Challenge: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post7812257 Korbin's 1st Square: "Sunburn" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=418618 1985 GMC Sierra: "White Trash", Korbin's 2nd now... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=632305 Henry - 1984 Chevrolet, Owen's 1st Square |
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#944 |
Senior Member
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Location: Hickory Flat, GA
Posts: 4,460
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Re: Frankentruck
I figured someone would recognize the building at some point
![]() It is John's (Flashed) Truck Farm, but John and UBT are no longer working together.
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Christian Carpenter 1963 C10 - Frankentruck 283, Muncie 3 speed with overdrive Overdrive wiring here1963-ish truck bed trailer - Half-Wit 1981 C10 - Penny 305, th350 --> Soon to be 350, Saginaw 4 speed 1995 Dodge Dakota Sport "I'll put it simple: if you're going hard enough left, you'll find yourself turning right." - Doc Hudson |
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#945 |
I'm just glad to be here!
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Longview, TX
Posts: 4,788
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Re: Frankentruck
Did not know they parted ways. I met John a couple years ago, really great guy!
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Karl ![]() 1965 Chevy Stepside(Grandpa's Old Blue) and (July 2015 Shop Build!)(2020, the Saga Continues) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=372424 The LST Challenge: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post7812257 Korbin's 1st Square: "Sunburn" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=418618 1985 GMC Sierra: "White Trash", Korbin's 2nd now... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=632305 Henry - 1984 Chevrolet, Owen's 1st Square |
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#946 |
Senior Member
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Location: Hickory Flat, GA
Posts: 4,460
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Re: Frankentruck
No snow here in Milledgeville, but mom sent me a couple pictures from back home that almost made a big sad.
For the stuff I can't keep in the garage, a tarp over the trailer is the next best storage spot. I have 3 rear bumpers keeping the tarp from holding a bunch of water ![]()
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Christian Carpenter 1963 C10 - Frankentruck 283, Muncie 3 speed with overdrive Overdrive wiring here1963-ish truck bed trailer - Half-Wit 1981 C10 - Penny 305, th350 --> Soon to be 350, Saginaw 4 speed 1995 Dodge Dakota Sport "I'll put it simple: if you're going hard enough left, you'll find yourself turning right." - Doc Hudson |
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#947 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: sanford nc
Posts: 499
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Re: Frankentruck
Nice looking build. Your truck is the same green mine came from the factory as. Mine was also a long bed.
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#948 |
Senior Member
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Location: Hickory Flat, GA
Posts: 4,460
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Re: Frankentruck
Thank you! I noticed the green in your windshield frame when I was reading through your thread. Seems to me that the dark green was chosen for new trucks much less than other colors
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Christian Carpenter 1963 C10 - Frankentruck 283, Muncie 3 speed with overdrive Overdrive wiring here1963-ish truck bed trailer - Half-Wit 1981 C10 - Penny 305, th350 --> Soon to be 350, Saginaw 4 speed 1995 Dodge Dakota Sport "I'll put it simple: if you're going hard enough left, you'll find yourself turning right." - Doc Hudson |
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#949 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Bridgewater, MI
Posts: 10
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Re: Frankentruck
Did you end up not doing the ball joint flip? I still need to swap the 87 parts I got onto my 61 and plan on doing the caster mod, but was not aware of the ball joint mod. I know taller ball joints are popular on Chevelle front suspension's.
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#950 |
Senior Member
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Location: Hickory Flat, GA
Posts: 4,460
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Re: Frankentruck
I chose not to use a taller ball joint for one reason. The ball joints I installed 6 years ago were still in good shape. I might go that route when they need to be replaced again, but that'll hopefully be a long time from now
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Christian Carpenter 1963 C10 - Frankentruck 283, Muncie 3 speed with overdrive Overdrive wiring here1963-ish truck bed trailer - Half-Wit 1981 C10 - Penny 305, th350 --> Soon to be 350, Saginaw 4 speed 1995 Dodge Dakota Sport "I'll put it simple: if you're going hard enough left, you'll find yourself turning right." - Doc Hudson |
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