68 c10 2wd in Sacramento, CA

[no1udknow]

oh... side note, on further inspection, the fuse box is all rusty at every terminal. It looks like I may be replacing that too.

[jimbosprint]

Does it have a fusible link? That should melt before the rest of the wiring.

[no1udknow]

Originally Posted by jimbosprint

Does it have a fusible link? That should melt before the rest of the wiring.

I dont see one, and frankly I don't want to take the cjance, I've seen how an electrical fire under the hood plays out and I'm not interested

[crazychevyc10]

Wow!! Amazing job! I saw those rims in Craigslist too!! I totally was going to buy it too lol! I'm in Elk Grove maybe we ll see each other driving one day! Keep up the work

[no1udknow]

I found that there was a circuit that had been cut, and another wire attached to it. It appears to be power for an electric choke. The end was an open eyelet and it was taped up against the firewall and the tape gave loose letting it lay on the manifold which caused it to short out and melt that one wire.... I clipped it and stubbed it properly. Ran the truck, and no more smoking wires. It did melt a section of the primary wire for the coil so I ran a new 12g wire from the fuse box in preperation for my HEI. I also diagnosed my non operating headlights to the floor switch but I intend to redo the switch and make a headlight relay harness. I pulled the plugs to see how the color was. I think I need to do valve seals I am seeing a bit of oil but I don't think it's rings, the motor doesn't have many miles on it but it did sit for many years.

I drovebtge truck around and it does have an oil leak around one of the valve covers, and it sounds like I have a substantial exhaust leak to track down.... getting that "flap flap flap" sound when I stomp on it. Other than that it needs some adjusting and I will feel comfortable driving it to work to lower it.

[jimbosprint]

Good job finding that electrical issue without having to rewire everything.

[no1udknow]

just an update....I have done nothing lately. I couldn't afford the registration so I put it on no op. I did a little sanding on the front fender, but it has become apparent that I will need to take it to work and hit it with the d/a (my little compressor at home can only run it for about 2 minutes), but no tags means o driving it to work. I also need money to work on the suspension. need some lowering springs in the rear. I've taken on a 2nd job on the weekends so hopefully I can get a little breathing room.

[crazychevyc10]

Originally Posted by no1udknow

just an update....I have done nothing lately. I couldn't afford the registration so I put it on no op. I did a little sanding on the front fender, but it has become apparent that I will need to take it to work and hit it with the d/a (my little compressor at home can only run it for about 2 minutes), but no tags means o driving it to work. I also need money to work on the suspension. need some lowering springs in the rear. I've taken on a 2nd job on the weekends so hopefully I can get a little breathing room.

i feel you on that too buddy. i have to take one item,at a time haha

[benner]

Originally Posted by no1udknow

just an update....I have done nothing lately. I couldn't afford the registration so I put it on no op. I did a little sanding on the front fender, but it has become apparent that I will need to take it to work and hit it with the d/a (my little compressor at home can only run it for about 2 minutes), but no tags means o driving it to work. I also need money to work on the suspension. need some lowering springs in the rear. I've taken on a 2nd job on the weekends so hopefully I can get a little breathing room.

You've come a long way no1udknow, having read your original post at start. Quite an undertaking! Would like to put a short wide, stepside on mine for looks, but alas, that would mess with my practicality, carrying capacity for pine needles and wood hauling! So maybe just dreamin' again...

[Saclandman]

I've given myself a $200 budget each month for truck stuff. Doesn't take much to eat that up. Little stuff adds up pretty quick.

[gt40racing]

Good work!

[no1udknow]

A little update. I found a new parts shop that is literally less than a mile from work. I happened to be perusing Sacramento CL for 67-72 parts, and I saw an ad for a new shop in the old Chevyland building down the street, so I had to go check it out. They have a nice catalog full of parts for my truck at compareable prices to CPP and LMC, but with them being so close I won't have to pay shipping. So I rolled over there and picked up some taillight lenses for 8.99 each, and got my taillights squared away. Now all my lights work. Next order of business is the wipers and heater/blower system so I can start driving it to work occasionally.

The shop here has a website too (this is not a promotion and I have no affiliation with them, just want to share for my local guys) http://www.supermuscleparts.com

[Saclandman]

Originally Posted by no1udknow

A little update. I found a new parts shop that is literally less than a mile from work. I happened to be perusing Sacramento CL for 67-72 parts, and I saw an ad for a new shop in the old Chevyland building down the street, so I had to go check it out. They have a nice catalog full of parts for my truck at compareable prices to CPP and LMC, but with them being so close I won't have to pay shipping. So I rolled over there and picked up some taillight lenses for 8.99 each, and got my taillights squared away. Now all my lights work. Next order of business is the wipers and heater/blower system so I can start driving it to work occasionally.

The shop here has a website too (this is not a promotion and I have no affiliation with them, just want to share for my local guys) http://www.supermuscleparts.com

I've bought a few things from them. Seem like good folks.

[jimbosprint]

Someone up here just recommended that place to me a week ago. I might have to go check it out next time I am in Sacramento.

[dmack91]

A quick question on your front suspension swap.

When you swapped to the newer crossmember, did you swap in the newer steering box also? If so, was it a direct bolt-in? My understanding is that if you don't swap the box, you will have to get some weird tie rod adapters.

Any progress on your truck?

[no1udknow]

Originally Posted by dmack91

A quick question on your front suspension swap.

When you swapped to the newer crossmember, did you swap in the newer steering box also? If so, was it a direct bolt-in? My understanding is that if you don't swap the box, you will have to get some weird tie rod adapters.

Any progress on your truck?

I did not swap the steering box. My truck did already have power steering, I don't know if that was a factory installed option, or something a PO installed. Basically I used every piece of the front suspension and it was a near perfect bolt in. The only things I modified were 2 sets of holes where the xmember bolted up (hogged one set out a little and d4illed new holes for the other) and then the shock mounts are kind of angled the wrong way but will still bolt in. It just tweaks the bushings at the end of the shock. But I am going to build a new shock mount anyways. As far as the steering though, I unbolted the pitman arm from the steering box and the idler arm from the frame, and they bolted right in to my 68. I didn't take apart the tie rods or anything, just swapped it as an entire assy.

[dmack91]

Thanks, that is what I wanted to hear. His 68 already has power steering so I will do as you and just transfer everything but the box.

I am also assuming we will need to use the newer master cylinder and booster as the old MC was set up for drum/drum.

Thanks again.

[no1udknow]

Originally Posted by dmack91

Thanks, that is what I wanted to hear. His 68 already has power steering so I will do as you and just transfer everything but the box.

I am also assuming we will need to use the newer master cylinder and booster as the old MC was set up for drum/drum.

Thanks again.

Yes, also a pretty easy modification. I had to cut off part of the bracket from the m/c of the 85 because the top 2 holes wew not used, then I notchd the lower rh corner of the bracket to clear the steering column housing. If I were to do it again though, I would space the booster away from the fire wall about 1-2 inches because the column shifter hits the bottom. Then just lengthen the pushrod for the booster a little. I have a hard time puttin my truck in park sometimes.

[no1udknow]

well, I actually got a chance to do a little work on the thrasher today. pulled out the sander and some rattle cans and started to try and make it at least only 2 colors instead of 5

[no1udknow]

I also scored on a new passenger door. the current door I have has rot through the bottom and has been molested for speakers. it also looks like 5 different style mirrors have been mounted on it. The new one I just got was sitting in the garage at my buddies house, his uncle asked me if I could use it, if so, take it. it's a hugger orange, I hate to paint over it, but it has to happen

heres the old door


here's the rot in the bottom.





and here is the new door, If I can get the trim off without jacking it up, it is free to whomever want to pay for the shipping....

[no1udknow]

OK, so today I got a little crazy with my angle grinder ... The left side front fender and bed side are from a 67 parts truck that was in pretty dire shape. they had the original paint still on them and had sat outside in the mountains for years. All the paint was cracked and chipping and there was some surface rust. I tried to sand a little and paint it....no good. Then I decided to whip out my paint wheel on the angle grinder, and get to stripping.



then applied a base layer of primer/sealer. there were 2 spots with bondo so I smoothed them out a bit, and I will be putting a little more bondo over the seams where I shortened the bed.

[no1udknow]

So a few little updates:
Scored a drivers side door also. completely stripped and in awesome condition. Now I'm on the lookout for a pair of shorty fleet side panels.
Repaired my heater/defroster, had to open up the switch and clean all the crap out of the contacts, same for the windshield wipers. now all is working. Paid my registration and now she is road worthy, lights, heater, and wipers...

ordered a set of 5" lowering springs and an adjustable panhard from summit. will install and post pics soon :-)

[Saclandman]

Originally Posted by no1udknow

So a few little updates:
Scored a drivers side door also. completely stripped and in awesome condition. Now I'm on the lookout for a pair of shorty fleet side panels.
Repaired my heater/defroster, had to open up the switch and clean all the crap out of the contacts, same for the windshield wipers. now all is working. Paid my registration and now she is road worthy, lights, heater, and wipers...

ordered a set of 5" lowering springs and an adjustable panhard from summit. will install and post pics soon :-)

Very well done. I'm just itching to get mine registered and on the road.

[Average Joe]

Nice work!

[no1udknow]

Lowered the truck today. Used cpp 5" lowering springs in the back, and I cut 2 coils out of the front springs. ...ride is a little bouncy, but still better than the boaty stock ride.

before...



after