1968 C10 Stepside Restoration Project

[68 C10 Driver]

I also coated the outer part of the kick panel where the cowl drains (and part of the A pillar as well with Raptor Liner in an effort to stop any future rust from forming. I also coated the inside of that cowl area where it drains with Raptor Liner too. I sanded some of the texture down and primed that...it will get painted along with the rest of the cab.

[raggedjim]

Nice work, Rg

[68 C10 Driver]

Thanks, I appreciate it! I am just trying to build a tribute truck to my father-in-law that will survive me and give the kids something to remember me by after I am gone (their grandfather passed several years before they were born).

[A1971Blazer]

Shaun...very nice progress on the cab....what I thought was a solid cab on my '67 has turned out to be not so solid.....some slightly rusty (looking) places on the outside turned out to be some really bad (hidden) rust inside...

I'm knee deep in cab repair....have a new roof, new rear panel, front windshield header panel and nearly every other patch panel known to man....

the good news is that the panels available now days seem to be a better fiy than the ones in the past...I hope that holds true....

Keep up the good work...I'm following your build...
BTW I found that little bracket for the spare tire mount....I thought I had sent it...sorry...I'll put it in the mail

[68 C10 Driver]

Originally Posted by A1971Blazer

Shaun...very nice progress on the cab....what I thought was a solid cab on my '67 has turned out to be not so solid.....some slightly rusty (looking) places on the outside turned out to be some really bad (hidden) rust inside...

I'm knee deep in cab repair....have a new roof, new rear panel, front windshield header panel and nearly every other patch panel known to man....

the good news is that the panels available now days seem to be a better fiy than the ones in the past...I hope that holds true....

Keep up the good work...I'm following your build...
BTW I found that little bracket for the spare tire mount....I thought I had sent it...sorry...I'll put it in the mail

Attachment 2142903

Attachment 2142904

A1971Blazer, sorry to hear about the rust you have encountered. I bought a borescope like device that I snaked through all of the cab cavities and found only surface rust. I have sprayed Rust Mort where I could, but the WaxOyl should get to those areas I may have missed up in that roof cavity.

I am with you, most of my patch panels have been good quality (knocks on wood), I hope that trend continues. I am about to seam seal the drip rails, luckily I have only found minor surface rust under the old seam sealer that has been there since 1968. Not bad. Most of my rust has been in the lower 1/4 of the cab.

Great news on that bracket, thanks for looking, send it when you get time.

Cheers-

[A1971Blazer]

Been following since we connected on that fender....
I'm envious of the progress you've made on your build...I'm ready to move from the "cutting out" to the "welding in" stage on mine...
I get anxious but I'm learning to be more patient so I can do it right and not get frustrated to the point of quitting.
Since the time has changed...I hope to get in several hours a night and make some real progress soon...

[68 C10 Driver]

Originally Posted by A1971Blazer

Been following since we connected on that fender....
I'm envious of the progress you've made on your build...I'm ready to move from the "cutting out" to the "welding in" stage on mine...
I get anxious but I'm learning to be more patient so I can do it right and not get frustrated to the point of quitting.
Since the time has changed...I hope to get in several hours a night and make some real progress soon...

My build has been a challenge, but I have learned so much. I can now weld, have really improved on my body work, and know how to spray on Raptor Liner and Lizard Skin. You'll get there, I can't wait to see your progression.

So today I put down the SEM self leveling seam sealer. Lots of great YouTube videos on how to apply that stuff. Here are a few pics of the results...

[68 C10 Driver]

Taking advantage of the last 70 degree day (according to the forecast) for about a week.

So today I thought I would seam seal around the door jambs and that area between the firewall and cowl...I was pretty pleased with the results. I am also working on fixing a few minor dents along the rear cab roof seam. The seam sealer is pretty filled that seam and after priming with the filler primer, that seam has all but disappeared. I kind of wanted to keep that seam very visible as that is something you don't see in newer trucks, but as it is it will not allow any water to sit in the seam and get rust started. So, I guess I am good with it not being visible.

[68 C10 Driver]

Got the speaker panels in today. I put seam sealer around the edges to secure the panels better so they don't rattle if I have the volume up.

[Kronald_70GMC]

Those are neat! Where did you get them?

[A1971Blazer]

I’m going to eliminate the kick panel vents…fabricate some speaker enclosures in the vent holes…my buddy is going to do some custom kick panels with hidden speakers for the front…would like to have the 6x9 in the cab corners…behind the seat…amp and sub maybe?

[68 C10 Driver]

Originally Posted by A1971Blazer

I’m going to eliminate the kick panel vents…fabricate some speaker enclosures in the vent holes…my buddy is going to do some custom kick panels with hidden speakers for the front…would like to have the 6x9 in the cab corners…behind the seat…amp and sub maybe?

That's an interesting concept...be sure to post some pics when you fabricate that. I want to keep the vents...I think they add that 'vintage feel' to the truck. Vintage is what I am going for with some very subtle modern touches that will hopefully go unnoticed.

I am relocating my gas tank to under the bed, so I will have that area behind the seat available. I am also thinking of an amp back there, along with a mobile ham radio. The 23 channel CB will be where you can see it under the dash.

[A1971Blazer]

Originally Posted by 68 C10 Driver

That's an interesting concept...be sure to post some pics when you fabricate that. I want to keep the vents...I think they add that 'vintage feel' to the truck. Vintage is what I am going for with some very subtle modern touches that will hopefully go unnoticed.

I am relocating my gas tank to under the bed, so I will have that area behind the seat available. I am also thinking of an amp back there, along with a mobile ham radio. The 23 channel CB will be where you can see it under the dash.

I have also moved the tank to the rear...my buddy that does upholstery already has some big ideas for behind the seat...
I'm thinking also of modifying the inner panel behind the seat, and the seat, to maybe create a couple of inches more leg room..we shall see
my rear cab panel should be here this week...
My plan is to keep some of the original look mixed with some modern upgrades and custom touches...

[68 C10 Driver]

Originally Posted by A1971Blazer

I have also moved the tank to the rear...my buddy that does upholstery already has some big ideas for behind the seat...
I'm thinking also of modifying the inner panel behind the seat, and the seat, to maybe create a couple of inches more leg room..we shall see
my rear cab panel should be here this week...
My plan is to keep some of the original look mixed with some modern upgrades and custom touches...

I can't wait to see what you do with the area behind the seat.

[Richard]

Feels good moving forward, even on the small stuff.
There is a guy on the forum that sells cab corner speaker brackets. I found the thread https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...peaker+bracket

[68 C10 Driver]

Originally Posted by Richard

Feels good moving forward, even on the small stuff.
There is a guy on the forum that sells cab corner speaker brackets. I found the thread https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...peaker+bracket

It does feel good making progress, even just a little..

I sent that guy a PM, but did not get a response, so I ordered them from Brothers.

[LostChord]

Great thread and build, have really enjoyed following along. Quite inspirational for those who have 'teaching ourselves to weld' on the to-do list.

[A1971Blazer]

your attention to detail is beyond reproach
that looks amazing!

[68 C10 Driver]

Originally Posted by A1971Blazer

your attention to detail is beyond reproach
that looks amazing!

Thanks, I appreciate the compliment. I try to do the best I can. I tend to be OCD when it comes to projects, especially automotive projects.

[68 C10 Driver]

So I was able to grab more Light Green paint and paint the floorboard of the truck, looks pretty good I think.

I also installed the speakers to 1) see how they look, 2) safe place to store them so they don't get damaged.

[68 C10 Driver]

I thought I would mount the vintage Fyr Fighter extinguisher to see how it looks. Yeah, it is a little off kilter but I purposely angled it to align with the door opening...however it is angled a bit too much.

Oh well, I'm going to live with it for now.

[68 C10 Driver]

I was able to steal away some time to work on the dash. surprisingly I was able to get that squared away in an hour. I will get this installed back into the cab tomorrow. I plan on using panel bond adhesive along the window pinch weld and clamp the dickens out of it.
Of course, I will also use the 6 bolts on the sides.

[darkhorse970]

Very nice work!

[68 C10 Driver]

Originally Posted by darkhorse970

Very nice work!

Thank you. I am trying to take my time and not get too eager to where I rush things. BTW, here is a photo without the clamps.

[68 C10 Driver]

So my next part of this project is to get the interior heater box modified to allow a better mounting solution of the under dash A/C unit. This is that NOS unit I was able to grab for $125. I think it will be a great period accessory for the truck.