Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build

[Mike Bradbury]

I'm thinking on doing the same as the side logo and distressing the final product so it matches the truck, so it has got to be paint. But I think yours just finishes off the tailgate so well.

[hgs_notes]

Oh yeah, your patina look. Just takes a lot of taping but should look good like your doors.

Since I'm on a new page I'm moving my punch list over.

Punch list:
fan/headlight wiring upgrade
adjust e-brake cable
horn
Cowl shims
Washer pump
finish exhaust/install closed loop O2 sensor
upholstory recovered
alignment
stereo (eventually)
floor mats

[hgs_notes]

Stopped by the store and found this.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Palf70Step]

That is sweet!!
Your truck makes it look so much better too!

[67cheby]

She looks beautiful man !
Posted via Mobile Device

[VA72C10]

Posted via Mobile Device

[hgs_notes]

Never thought I'd see the day when a toyota would make my full size longbed look like a mini truck.
Posted via Mobile Device

[VA72C10]

Posted via Mobile Device

[longbed67]

The funny thing is, Is that your 2wd truck is still built heavier duty than his POS Yota that is has lifted trying to look tough! (key word trying)

[hgs_notes]

Originally Posted by longbed67

The funny thing is, Is that your 2wd truck is still built heavier duty than his POS Yota that is has lifted trying to look tough! (key word trying)

I actually like the toyotas. The only vehicle I ever bought new was a 1989 SR5 with a V-6 and 5 speed, xtra cab, 31" tires. It was an excellent truck that I put 100k on before I sold it when we had our 2nd kid (no room for seating or we would probably still own it). We put 5000 miles on it the first 3 weeks we had it, then had it out off roading in the western washington woods and mud a week or 2 after that. Loved that truck.

I also had an 83 celica GT that was a good car. I sold it to my cousin who slid it sideways off the road and into a tree about 3 weeks later. I saw it at a junkyard a few months later and was pissed at him all over again. It was in great shape and fun to drive (another 5 speed, rwd).

Remember the supras with the inline 6 turbo engines? Don't knock them too bad. I've considered getting another early 80's celica and dropping a small block (or maybe now an LS) into it and a stronger axle, something like frizzlefry is doing with the sunbeam (check out the alternate tinkerings part of the board).

I'll admit I don't know a lot about the current line of toys. I'd be surprised though if they weren't built fairly stout.

[hgs_notes]

This thread went over 100,000 views last night. Thats pretty cool for a pretty tame build compared to so many others on here. Probably has something to do with longevity, but I hope its been informative or entertaining at times along the way. Thanks for the kind words and support.

[bollybib]

congrats on 100k, your truck looks really good

[Low Elco]

Sounds to me like good work being appreciated. I personally like how you've gone from the usual fear of body/paint to seemingly effortlessly handling things pros would think twice about. Congrats on the 100k.
Posted via Mobile Device

[hgs_notes]

Originally Posted by bollybib

congrats on 100k, your truck looks really good

Thank you, you have a good solid truck too and I think I'll be getting myself one of those napa light warning buzzers. Good idea.

Originally Posted by Low Elco

Sounds to me like good work being appreciated. I personally like how you've gone from the usual fear of body/paint to seemingly effortlessly handling things pros would think twice about. Congrats on the 100k.

Thanks a lot. Yeah, I've learned a lot the past couple years. Some of my best work is on the jimmy project when it comes to making something from nothing.

Its amazing how much your confidence grows when you get a welder that works good too. By far the best investment I made in tools. I have a couple more ideas that I'm going to try on this project or the jimmy or both that I wouldn't have even considered 3 years ago. Now my future shop, barring any major mishaps, will be much larger, with a separate area for fab equipment/tools, a car lift and maybe a paint booth. I have a mental list of some of the bigger tools I'll be getting to fill it as well as upgrades to some of what I have now. I'm hoping that by the time I can retire I'll have a shop where I can basically do anything I want in-house. I'm kinda thinking about supplementing my retirement income by flipping cars or other mechanical equipment. Something to keep me busy doing what I like, but at my own pace.

[Low Elco]

Hmmmmm? New shop? Evil new shop plans afoot? Good luck!
Posted via Mobile Device

[hgs_notes]

Originally Posted by Low Elco

Hmmmmm? New shop? Evil new shop plans afoot? Good luck!

Nothing soon. Niether my wife or me are from this area we live in. Once our youngest is done with high school in a few years there is nothing to tie us to this area. Our friends here are mainly through our kids activities. My job allows me some freedom on where we chose to live because I cover a territory from a home based office. So the plan for now is to see what our options are once the kid graduates.

We would prefer to be out of town. Preferably in an area that is more wooded and not quite so flat. In other words, off the prairie. We both have things we would want in our next house. For me its either got to have a fairly large building (a barn or machine shed) as a shop to start with or room to build one of my own design. The wife wants a bigger kitchen and more open floor plan among many other things.

A lot can happen in a few years though. My wife is planning to go back to school this winter. Since I have flexibility in where I live, the next location might be determined by her job. She is also from SE Idaho and her family is there. We have bounced the idea around of moving there again, but then my job might prevent it. So for now we day dream and wait for the circumstances to unfold.

I would love to live out west again. Easier climate, mountains, more open land, less rust, sand dunes, closer to the coast, desert racing, bonneville salt flats, and much more. But I'm from MN and love it here too. We keep the riff raff out by complaining about the weather.

[nuke1]

I am liking the idea of movement and change, after all Idaho is a lot closer to Saskatchewan in a round about way! I want out of the city back into the country. I totally understand what you are feeling and my wife is the same way about our house, hopefully bigger soon. You know what, just move up here, climate is close to yours, mountains are close, sand dunes..... Job structure is fantastic right now. All is good. What do you think! Hehe
Posted via Mobile Device

[hgs_notes]

Originally Posted by nuke1

I am liking the idea of movement and change, after all Idaho is a lot closer to Saskatchewan in a round about way! I want out of the city back into the country. I totally understand what you are feeling and my wife is the same way about our house, hopefully bigger soon. You know what, just move up here, climate is close to yours, mountains are close, sand dunes..... Job structure is fantastic right now. All is good. What do you think! Hehe
Posted via Mobile Device

Can't do it. For my job in Canada I'd have to work for the government. I did that a couple times (once in the navy and once for the state of MN), not going to happen again. But there are some ASME code shops up there to support the oil boom that would be an option and I have some experience with that, hmmm. But when you say the climate is close to ours, what you really mean is that it is not way worse, just marginally worse. There's mountains by Saskatoon? I can get to the Black Hills in 8 hours, where's your closest mountains? Although I am a hockey fan...but I'd be at the games in my Wild gear and getting jeered. Nope, can't do it.

How about if you and me both move our families to Idaho instead. You'll love it.

I have no regrets about where we live now. Its a good place to raise the kids and its a good community. I'm 2 blocks from the parts store, 1 block from the body shop, 1/2 block from the gas station and the dairy queen (Mmmm blizzards). I grew up in a small town and/or out of town and its where my comfort zone is. We just want better scenery out the window.

[hgs_notes]

Went to an estate auction today. Ended up buying an old bedroom set for my daughter, among other things like a spear fishing gun and a scythe and a giant sledge hammer, etc. Sure is nice having a truck to haul stuff around...

[Palf70Step]

Glad to see a real nice truck still being used as a truck!

[hgs_notes]

My truck has been in storage for a few weeks now. I miss it. First time in many many years it hasn't been on my property for me to trip over, work on, ignore, pile crap on, stare at and wonder what's next, take for a drive, or just to see it sitting there waiting for me to acknowledge its existence. I really do miss it.

I even have new parts to put on once I bring it home. Like gifts for my spouse after a long trip away. Welcome home sweetheart! Do you like the new heater motor switch, tachometer and air filter nut I got you? I hope the valve cover breather fits now with the new grommet. Didn't you miss me?

Weird, I know.

[hgs_notes]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=d9l1xE8PqDY

[Palf70Step]

Originally Posted by hgs_notes

My truck has been in storage for a few weeks now. I miss it. First time in many many years it hasn't been on my property for me to trip over, work on, ignore, pile crap on, stare at and wonder what's next, take for a drive, or just to see it sitting there waiting for me to acknowledge its existence. I really do miss it.


Weird, I know.

Mine both seem to be all of the above except the "work on" part. Kno0w what you mean about the odd feelings.

[Steve-W]

Originally Posted by hgs_notes

My truck has been in storage for a few weeks now. I miss it. First time in many many years it hasn't been on my property for me to trip over, work on, ignore, pile crap on, stare at and wonder what's next, take for a drive, or just to see it sitting there waiting for me to acknowledge its existence. I really do miss it.

I even have new parts to put on once I bring it home. Like gifts for my spouse after a long trip away. Welcome home sweetheart! Do you like the new heater motor switch, tachometer and air filter nut I got you? I hope the valve cover breather fits now with the new grommet. Didn't you miss me?

Weird, I know.

Well I know what you're talking about..I got in heaps of trouble the other day when my wife asked me:"It seems you love your truck more than me" and I didn't come up with a satisfying response inmediatly...

[hgs_notes]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Mine both seem to be all of the above except the "work on" part. Kno0w what you mean about the odd feelings.

I hear ya.

Originally Posted by Steve-W

Well I know what you're talking about..I got in heaps of trouble the other day when my wife asked me:"It seems you love your truck more than me" and I didn't come up with a satisfying response inmediatly...

LOL, I almost snorted pop out my nose when I read that. Dude, you have got to work on your communication skilz. That would mean the look of death in my house.

Here are some handy lines...
"It's a different kind of love, it can't compete with you."
"No matter how much time I spend with it, it is not a replacement for you."
"I just love having something to work on. If it wasn't this, it would be something else."
"Don't worry, it doesn't love me back like you do."

I'm sure there are many others that have their favorite lines to appease the spouse. Go ahead and share them here if you like.