1972 Medium Olive SWB Driver Build-“Chester”

[Advanced Design]

Looking good Ryan.

[slowcpe]

Originally Posted by Advanced Design

Looking good Ryan.

Thanks Doug!

Spent a little time out in the garage today and crossed a few things off the punch list. Nothing real exciting but all little things that I never seem to get around to.

The biggest accomplishment was doing the headlight relay mod. Pretty simple and it appears to make a huge difference. I didn’t get a chance for a test drive as it started raining right when I finished. Looks real bright in the garage.

I took a pic of both Chester and Laymond and thought it turned out well.

[slowcpe]

Got another day out in the garage and knocked a few more things off the list. Got the heater controls working and finally took a spin to checkout the headlights. Quite possibly the best mod you can do for the money.

Now I need to make a decision on which route I’m going with my new suspension so I can get it ordered. Going with a true 6/4 drop with sway bar, track bar and new shocks.

Pic from my drive.

[bozly]

I've been following this thread since I picked my grandpa's 1971 c10 because its green as well, but has a yellow cab (which I haven't seen another one like it). I replaced dash lights to LED after I saw your post, too. I have my 5/7 drop parts sitting in the garage for a sunny day install. Just wanted to say keep up the good work. I definitely dig it!

https://i.imgur.com/OzQTn43.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ddc80ib.jpg

[zicc1835]

Originally Posted by slowcpe

Got another day out in the garage and knocked a few more things off the list. Got the heater controls working and finally took a spin to checkout the headlights. Quite possibly the best mod you can do for the money.

Now I need to make a decision on which route I’m going with my new suspension so I can get it ordered. Going with a true 6/4 drop with sway bar, track bar and new shocks.

Pic from my drive.

Attachment 1852659

you may have it in here somewhere but can you post the head lights you installed
thanks

[zicc1835]

Originally Posted by bozly

I've been following this thread since I picked my grandpa's 1971 c10 because its green as well, but has a yellow cab (which I haven't seen another one like it). I replaced dash lights to LED after I saw your post, too. I have my 5/7 drop parts sitting in the garage for a sunny day install. Just wanted to say keep up the good work. I definitely dig it!

https://i.imgur.com/OzQTn43.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ddc80ib.jpg

thats a really nice rig you got there Bozly can you show us the yellow cab

[bozly]

Originally Posted by zicc1835

can you show us the yellow cab

Sorry Slow, not trying to detract from your thread.

This likely shows the best look of what the original colors looked like. This cab/bed area was protected by a canopy top from purchase date until now.

https://i.imgur.com/jB5bilI.jpg

First time pulling it in the driveway before cleaning it all up a bit.

https://i.imgur.com/zt2zOrF.jpg

Here is a picture of the build specs. I have had to show it to more people than you would expect in person. People around here often say it's not a factory color so I have to prove it to them.

https://i.imgur.com/bnFKb2H.jpg

[slowcpe]

Originally Posted by bozly

I've been following this thread since I picked my grandpa's 1971 c10 because its green as well, but has a yellow cab (which I haven't seen another one like it). I replaced dash lights to LED after I saw your post, too. I have my 5/7 drop parts sitting in the garage for a sunny day install. Just wanted to say keep up the good work. I definitely dig it!

https://i.imgur.com/OzQTn43.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ddc80ib.jpg

Thank you

Originally Posted by zicc1835

you may have it in here somewhere but can you post the head lights you installed
thanks

I’ll be honest I don’t know what they are. A buddy of mine has a local shop and picked them up to try. It’s a clear 7” housing that takes the newer style bulb.

Originally Posted by bozly

Sorry Slow, not trying to detract from your thread.

This likely shows the best look of what the original colors looked like. This cab/bed area was protected by a canopy top from purchase date until now.

https://i.imgur.com/jB5bilI.jpg

First time pulling it in the driveway before cleaning it all up a bit.

https://i.imgur.com/zt2zOrF.jpg

Here is a picture of the build specs. I have had to show it to more people than you would expect in person. People around here often say it's not a factory color so I have to prove it to them.

https://i.imgur.com/bnFKb2H.jpg

No big deal.

[slowcpe]

So I decided my big winter project will be to get the suspension dialed in. I’ve never been thrilled with the stance and the ride so after countless hours trying to put together a nice cost-effective setup I threw all that out the window and ordered the Ridetech StreetGrip kit yesterday.

[Advanced Design]

Originally Posted by slowcpe

So I decided my big winter project will be to get the suspension dialed in. I’ve never been thrilled with the stance and the ride so after countless hours trying to put together a nice cost-effective setup I threw all that out the window and ordered the Ridetech StreetGrip kit yesterday.

Cool, go big or go home...!

[Scurry67]

Originally Posted by slowcpe

So I decided my big winter project will be to get the suspension dialed in. I’ve never been thrilled with the stance and the ride so after countless hours trying to put together a nice cost-effective setup I threw all that out the window and ordered the Ridetech StreetGrip kit yesterday.

I dig your trucks. I'll follow along. I'm interested in the streetgrip kit as well. I'm in between that and QA1 kit. Looking forward to see how it goes on your truck.

[slowcpe]

Originally Posted by Scurry67

I dig your trucks. I'll follow along. I'm interested in the streetgrip kit as well. I'm in between that and QA1 kit. Looking forward to see how it goes on your truck.

Thank you. Ridetech is about an hour from me so I know a few of the guys there and.have been to their shop. Real cool place. Back in April I got to take a spin in their ‘72 shop truck with the StreetGrip kit. It was amazing how good it rode and drove. I’ll keep this thread updated on the install. Kit is suppose to be here next week.

[slowcpe]

Today I was finally able to swing by and pick up my suspension kit. It came in a little over a week ago but I decided to blow out my knee at the gym so that slowed things down a bit.

I can tell you one thing, that big box is HEAVY! Now I hope to finally get my garage cleaned up this weekend and get started on installing the kit.

While I was at the local speed shop I went ahead and ordered a CPP 500 series steering box and the other misc. items I need to convert to power steering.

[slowcpe]

Took today off work to finally get started on the StreetGrip kit. The front end took longer to get apart than I expected. Biggest issue was the back u-bolts for the lower control arms. With 47 years of gunk and the POS long tubes that are on this truck make something simple take a couple of hours, some choice works and busted knuckles.

Kit all laid out ready to install.



Reference point: 1-coil cut and CPP 2.5” spindles up front and CPP 4” springs out back.

[slowcpe]

Truck on jack stands ready for some new parts.



About 4-hours later

[slowcpe]

Slow moving progress but getting there. I'll share a few of my trial and tribulations on this install.

Go ahead and purchase (2) sets of Dorman 13503 lower control arm u-bolts for a C30. A nice cheap upgrade and will make installation much easier. The toughest thing I've encountered so far was getting the back bolts out. Most of that has to do with my long tubes.

The instructions for the StreetGrip kit are less than to be desired. For an extreme novice like myself I had questions that the instructions did not answer. I found the Strong Arms instructions to be much more detailed.

I paid to have my bushings and pressed in and shafts installed. I assumed they were ready to install but found the nuts to be zipped on with an impact to the point you could do pullups on the arms and the dowel pins for easy install were the wrong measurement. I found this out once I had already installed them and found a lower arm to be hitting the crossmember. So MEASURE before install.

The Delrin bushings are very tight so don't expect the arms to move as freely as the factory. A Ridetech dealer and one of their guys both confirmed this was normal. Knowing this would have saved me several hours.

BTW I've had great tech support from my dealer and George at Ridetech. Both dealt with me via text late on Saturday night when they didn't have to.

So while waiting on responses on the front I started on the rear. I'm to the point I'm ready to cut in the c-notches but at that point in the evening I was several beers in and figured I'd wait until I have a fresher mind. Still probably going to need few to take the edge off of cutting the frame.

Once I got the info I needed the front went together very easy. I would be completely done with the front other than I couldn't find the shock bolts.

I also cleaned up the fender wells a little and threw some paint on to give it a better appearance.

Hope to get back at it this weekend and possibly finish up.

[Leonard1]

Are those spindles the same drop as you removed?

[slowcpe]

Yes. The kit comes with the same spindles I robbed off of my ‘67.

[Advanced Design]

It is good to see the progress and to learn about the challenges too. Thanks for sharing, Ryan.

[UniqueOdyssey68]

Nice!
I'm curious, alignment shims on control arm studs, how did you figure out how many to put back in? My front end suspension is all put together but I realized the alignment is way off. Not sure if I can remove any shims without taking it apart again..? Or if I should just wait until it's driving to mess with alignment.

Originally Posted by slowcpe

Slow moving progress but getting there. I'll share a few of my trial and tribulations on this install.

Go ahead and purchase (2) sets of Dorman 13503 lower control arm u-bolts for a C30. A nice cheap upgrade and will make installation much easier. The toughest thing I've encountered so far was getting the back bolts out. Most of that has to do with my long tubes.

The instructions for the StreetGrip kit are less than to be desired. For an extreme novice like myself I had questions that the instructions did not answer. I found the Strong Arms instructions to be much more detailed.

I paid to have my bushings and pressed in and shafts installed. I assumed they were ready to install but found the nuts to be zipped on with an impact to the point you could do pullups on the arms and the dowel pins for easy install were the wrong measurement. I found this out once I had already installed them and found a lower arm to be hitting the crossmember. So MEASURE before install.

The Delrin bushings are very tight so don't expect the arms to move as freely as the factory. A Ridetech dealer and one of their guys both confirmed this was normal. Knowing this would have saved me several hours.

BTW I've had great tech support from my dealer and George at Ridetech. Both dealt with me via text late on Saturday night when they didn't have to.

So while waiting on responses on the front I started on the rear. I'm to the point I'm ready to cut in the c-notches but at that point in the evening I was several beers in and figured I'd wait until I have a fresher mind. Still probably going to need few to take the edge off of cutting the frame.

Once I got the info I needed the front went together very easy. I would be completely done with the front other than I couldn't find the shock bolts.

I also cleaned up the fender wells a little and threw some paint on to give it a better appearance.

Hope to get back at it this weekend and possibly finish up.

[slowcpe]

Originally Posted by UniqueOdyssey68

Nice!
I'm curious, alignment shims on control arm studs, how did you figure out how many to put back in? My front end suspension is all put together but I realized the alignment is way off. Not sure if I can remove any shims without taking it apart again..? Or if I should just wait until it's driving to mess with alignment.

The instructions state to put the shims in exactly how they were. As soon as I get my truck on the together and power steering conversion it’s going to a local hot rod shop, which so happens to be my Ridetech dealer, to get aligned. I also got the steering kit from Ridetech which is new Moog inner/outer tie rod ends, sleeves and pitman arm.

[slowcpe]

This truck keeps fighting me, but slowly getting there. The front is now done with the exception of the sway bar. I also painted the calipers and rotor hats. Didn't spend a whole lot of time but looks way better than it was.

The rear is starting to kick my arse. The u-bolt nuts were rusted shut. My impact wouldn't break them free so I ended up cutting the passenger u-bolt. I thought installing the drop block and lower shock mount would be pretty easy but apparently my reared shifted back about 1/2" and was not able to get the bolts to line up with the trailing arm. I still have the CPP springs and drivers u-bolt still installed. Guess doing one side at a time is now off the table. Upper shock mounts were a piece of cake.

Completed front-end

[slowcpe]

Got some time out in the garage over the weekend but still not finished. I installed the swaybar, new idler arm, cleaned/painted/reinstalled the cross shaft, new pitman arm, and CPP 500-series power steering pump. The only thing missing on the front end now is the tierods and a new rag joint. I thought I was getting one from my buddy but he said I probably didn't need it. He was wrong. That power steering pump is a beast and a whole lot of fun to install by yourself btw.

The rear is now 100% ready for the c-notches. I've worried over them to the point I may have an ulcer. Seriously I've sat down about 4x times to start on them and I'm just not comfortable with the template to drill the wholes in the right spot. A buddy came over, whom is as machinist, and said he wasn't scared. So either he's going to help me or I'm pulling the bed off and drilling the holes from inside the frame.

[slowcpe]

So I went to pickup a new rag joint today and got this surprise at my buddy's shop. I originally ordered these for my '67 but starting to think they might look good on the '72.

[nlped]

Originally Posted by slowcpe

I originally ordered these for my '67 but starting to think they might look good on the '72

You’re gonna do it, aren’t yah?