project "Cheap Bastard" 70 short wide..

[specialtyretail]

Doing the turn signal switch install today. I make jokes at work about my poor vision,,, damn, I anit kidding. Black interior, hokey trouble light, limited vision,, what could go wrong. I think i got it though. Thank god for factory assmebly manuals, even if they don't have an index. making progress,, slowly. Thanks, Fred.

[specialtyretail]

More progress.... Heading to the muffler shop today. Hope it is an uneventful trip. Yes, I did chain it down before leaving.

[specialtyretail]

Damn, I have an led not working on the rear. just noticed that.

[specialtyretail]

OK, it has been a while again. we have been rounding up parts from everywhere. Power steering changeover stuff, power brake booster kit, looking at the tilt column CPP has on ebay for our trucks. All kinds off odds and ends are in the bed, waiting for installation. Work and my side business are keeping me covered up,,, so we are taking it to a shop just south that has built a few of these to finish up the big stuff. Looking foreward to it.

[Spray-Bomb]

Kool truck, nice and simple

[specialtyretail]

Yeah, we like things uncomplicated. Love all the high tech rigs on here and am impressed with everyones abilities to run all the latest computerized combos, just not our style. Thanks, Fred.

[mcbassin]

Fred,
How did the exhaust turn out? Let me know if you pick up the cpp tilt and how you like it. Keep up the progress.

[specialtyretail]

Hey Mike. The exhaust is just an exhaust system, nothing special, just ran it out the back and dumped under the bumper. Sorry I haven't been giving regular updates. Playing grandpa, selling auto parts for my real job and selling stuff for people on the internet has had me covered up. But, I aint complaining, glad to have a good job, steady income and grandkids to love. It is good to be me...

[68 TT]

I like the new truck better, nice choice on the upgrade.

I have the same headers that were on the 454 when you got the truck. I had the same motor mount stand clearance problem too. I ended up fabricating my own stand that cleared the tubes when I had them in my 67 C10.

I kept breaking the original style mounts on my old big block truck so this time around on my 69 stepside project I used square body clamshell type stands instead and they clear the header tubes perfectly. The design is much stronger than the older style and easier to work with too.

I believe your new truck is a big window 67 and not a 68 unless someone filled in all the marker lamp holes.

[specialtyretail]

Hey 68 TT. Good eye on the marker lights. It is a 68, just has 67 fenders and the bedside lamps filled.

[specialtyretail]

Just tried my hand at tinting the back glass while it was out. Now I remember. Window film sucked in the late 70's and it sucks in 2011, glad to see some things never change.

[specialtyretail]

Well, CPP has really helped me out. I ordered the floor shift tilt column on January 3rd, just got an email telling me my column shift tilt column was backordered. OK, no biggie, i call and finally get thru, explain that I did not order a column shift but a floor shift. Guess what the order taker, not gonna give him the respect of calling him salesman, says?? The floor shift columns are backordered as well. Oh well, sorry for the 10 days you were putting going on to the next part of the project. Could not give me any time frame so I just told him to cancel the order. Did not seem to concern them or bother them that a $300 + order was just pissed away. OH well, sorry for the rant. Thanks, Fred.

[specialtyretail]

At least there some upside. have someone working on my truck and he is really getting after it. Power brake conversion (Non CPP) and upgrade to power steering. Wouldn't it have been easier to have bought a truck that already had this stuff????

[68 TT]

Who did you get the big block power steering brackets from? If they are not used originals how did you like the quality?

[specialtyretail]

I got the brackets off ebay and am very happy with them. I think the seller was hotrodbuilder. They are Alan Grove brand, great quality and good instructions.
Posted via Mobile Device

[mcbassin]

Man Fred, that sucks about the CPP back order and great customer service. I have heard a lot of negative stories about their phone system.

Looks like some really nice parts. Keep up the good work.

[specialtyretail]

Funny thing happened last night. Got an email from some some guy at CPP. Apologized for the poor customer service, the mix up on the order and assured he would get me one shipped out Monday. We will have to see it to beleive it. Will let you know.

[Camaro_nut2001]

Very nice work you're doin feller. I bought my Master cylinder/Booster combo from CPP but went through our board member & didn't have to deal with the phone support. I'm runnin the clam shell mounts on my '69 big block & bought Flowtech long tube headers from Summit. They fit really nice. Keep up the great work!!!!

[specialtyretail]

Thanks but I cant take credit for the latest work being done to it. Business commitments, poor vision lately and life in general deemed that if it was gonna get done, some of it was going to have to be farmed out. Have a local who has built several oc these and he just happened to have some time for mine. We have been really pleased with his work and how he has kept us posted on what is happening,, pics and all. Even during the steering column ordeal.
Posted via Mobile Device

[specialtyretail]

Finally got the steering column delivered on the 23rd. I wish they would have just kept it. No wiring adapter,, but when I called about it they offered to sell me one at cost. Not too bad if it wasn't already to be included in the price. They also couldn't tell me which intermediate shaft I needed. they had never heard of a 68 not having one. Went junking last night and found what we needed to finally get this behind us. My last time dealing with them.

[specialtyretail]

Alright, the truck has been back for a few days now. We are kicking an idea around, not really sure about it. Tell me what you guys think?? Don't know what to do for center caps so this is what we came up with. Don't be shy, tell me. Also any suggestions for any other centers that will work. Thanks, Fred.

[Low down and dirty]

Nice truck...I like the less is more idea also. Bare bones is the way to go. I don't like the center caps, looks better without them...just my opinion...

[specialtyretail]

Kind of what i thought. I may try painting the center cap argent to match the wheel, but i am leaning more towards the no cap look, kind of goes with the stripped down look of the truck. Never really noticed how big those caps were til we painted one a contrasting color. Man does it stand out,,, and not in a good way. Thanks, Fred.
Posted via Mobile Device

[tsnow678]

What about these centers? Of course you will need to get some lugs to work with the black caps. Just a thought! The caps are off of a 2000 truck.

[specialtyretail]

Yes, those are nice. Think we are just going to stick with the bare nuts look. Just keep it simple.
Posted via Mobile Device