Project#1: Bright Horizons - 68 Swb big block on Air!

[big_al_71]

great job!!!

[FrankieD]

In my life I have had chances to start a business but never took that leap of faith I always stuck to the safe and secure road it take's a person with a passion and a special wife that will put up with the long hours. good luck

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by big_al_71

great job!!!

Thanks, and glad to hear a potential future customer approves

Originally Posted by FrankieD

In my life I have had chances to start a business but never took that leap of faith I always stuck to the safe and secure road it take's a person with a passion and a special wife that will put up with the long hours. good luck

Thanks! I won't be giving up the cabinet business entirely as I can make a decent amount for a small amount (time) of design or consultant work. But am devoting the majority of my time to the truck business. I've been spending a minimum 20 hours a week online looking for parts for over a year anyways. And these trucks are definitely a passion for me!
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[VA72C10]

Here are some more parts pictures
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[VA72C10]

And a few more of the parts.....

The tach dash will receive a complete restoration like the others that I sell here. The air pressure gauge will be used to monitor the pressure in the air tank for the air ride system. T the piece with the chevrolet script will be a theme on the truck. Those that followed my first build (70 longbed) have seen this and the matching custom tailgate I never got to complete....looking forward to doing it for this build!
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[VA72C10]

Few more parts. Gmcpauls push in door seals and in the bag is a nice factory tilt column I will paint up. Also a set of deluxe pedals
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[Xeen]

Looks like a good start, Im jealous as hell about the factory tilt column, Im getting a CPP tilt column for mine because they are inexpensive.
It looks like alot of the dirty work has already been done on the truck, this will be enjoyable because you wont get grimy working on it.
I cant wait to see the build start moving!
Good luck on your new venture I wish you success 10 times over!

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by Xeen

Looks like a good start, Im jealous as hell about the factory tilt column, Im getting a CPP tilt column for mine because they are inexpensive.
It looks like alot of the dirty work has already been done on the truck, this will be enjoyable because you wont get grimy working on it.
I cant wait to see the build start moving!
Good luck on your new venture I wish you success 10 times over!

Thanks! With the column I actually have a brand new cpp rag joint and a blasted factory intermediate shaft. Should make for a really nice looking under hood setup once painted up.

[VA72C10]

In the last set of pictures you can see the vhcoachworks ground strap kit. It looks to be a nice kit and a big upgrade over stock.

I also got their headlight relay upgrade. About the same price as the lmc kit but muuuuuuuuuch nicer

Looks great and I know I could build It myself but I have to save time at some point if I don't want this build to take too long...
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[Xeen]

while we're on the subject of CPP parts have you had a chance to use the CPP tubular auto transmission crossmember on any of your builds and if so what do you think about the design and quality?

[VA72C10]

I haven't used that particular part but I've used many others and always have been happy with them. I have had several shipping and customer service issues with them, so I recommend buying through one of our board vendors who stocks their products to avoid that issue... also early classics enterprises specializes in 67-72 trucks and has an overall great reputation for products and service.
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[Xeen]

Thanks I appreciate it.
I checked out Early Classics AT Crossmember and I like their design.
The OD Trans conversion kit is really nice but at $299 its not in my price range.
Maybe someone on the board knows a way to do the conversion cheaper.

[67cheby]

cant wait to see it come together !

[lolife99]

VA,... props to you for starting a new business.

I have a hard time investing in my own trucks and not being upside down in them.
(having more in them than they are worth)
I'll be watching your build to see how you actually make money doing this,...

[XxCHEVYMANxX]

Originally Posted by VA72C10

I also got their headlight relay upgrade. About the same price as the lmc kit but muuuuuuuuuch nicer
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Good to know, I haven't got mine yet. Isn't lmc's yellow too, so you would have to wrap it or it would stand out like a sore thumb.

love the parts pics !! lots of good stuff. LED tail lights.

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by Xeen

Thanks I appreciate it.
I checked out Early Classics AT Crossmember and I like their design.
The OD Trans conversion kit is really nice but at $299 its not in my price range.
Maybe someone on the board knows a way to do the conversion cheaper.

I'd put a post in the engine/drivetrain forum.

Originally Posted by 67cheby

cant wait to see it come together !

Thanks for dropping by...now get back on that wiring

Originally Posted by lolife99

VA,... props to you for starting a new business.

I have a hard time investing in my own trucks and not being upside down in them.
(having more in them than they are worth)
I'll be watching your build to see how you actually make money doing this,...

Thanks, shrewd parts purchases/trades as well as finding a vehicle for a good deal are really the only way I can make money. I won't get rich doing this...but there's a lot to be said for doing what you love. Still selling parts and also doing the occasional cabinet job will supplement my income...

Originally Posted by XxCHEVYMANxX

Good to know, I haven't got mine yet. Isn't lmc's yellow too, so you would have to wrap it or it would stand out like a sore thumb.

love the parts pics !! lots of good stuff. LED tail lights.

Thanks, yes, these are better all the way around...

On the Led tail lights, he's going to drive this so I want people to see him! Also, the headlight upgrade will help at night.

[RocketKing]

Congrats on the new business! I know the dedication and work that it will take and I wish you the absolute best!

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by RocketKing

Congrats on the new business! I know the dedication and work that it will take and I wish you the absolute best!

Thanks!

Looking forward to making some good progress this week. Might have to work on some of the parts like tach dash because looks like we might get a lot of rain this week depending on the track of Isaac.

[Tinkermc]

commimg along very nicely Jonathon

[PHAT TONY]

How about "Virginia C-10's"? "VA-C10's"? Your plates could be "VAC10-1" then -2 etc.
"Big Jon's C-10's"?
Just be careful; it's said that "If you turn your hobby into a career you'll always be happy", but I can tell you it sometimes means you need a new hobby!
If I could "pigeon-hole" myself into just old GM trucks, I'd do it in a heartbeat! Good luck man, hope it works for ya.

[67c10rustbuket]

Great progress, I LOVE THE CHEVROLET SCRIPT!!! Seen you post the old gate elsewhere and it makes me drooool. How thick is the plate they cut that into? I would love to have a gate like the old one you had made.

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by Tinkermc

commimg along very nicely Jonathon

Thanks John.

Should be some real progress next week! Also might have the big block out of it sold...guy wants to come mon or tues to look and he's got a 1970 swb chevy truck for it to go in!

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by PHAT TONY

How about "Virginia C-10's"? "VA-C10's"? Your plates could be "VAC10-1" then -2 etc.
"Big Jon's C-10's"?
Just be careful; it's said that "If you turn your hobby into a career you'll always be happy", but I can tell you it sometimes means you need a new hobby!
If I could "pigeon-hole" myself into just old GM trucks, I'd do it in a heartbeat! Good luck man, hope it works for ya.

Thanks and thanks for some name ideas!

Originally Posted by 67c10rustbuket

Great progress, I LOVE THE CHEVROLET SCRIPT!!! Seen you post the old gate elsewhere and it makes me drooool. How thick is the plate they cut that into? I would love to have a gate like the old one you had made.

I can't remember right now for sure but think 3/16ths on the tailgate plate...

[NewType72]

man seeing all those new parts makes me drool ugh I love present shopping on my own truck but when it's a blank check? oh that's just game no offense to the owner that is haha just like the idea I hope i get to that point someday

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by NewType72

man seeing all those new parts makes me drool ugh I love present shopping on my own truck but when it's a blank check? oh that's just game no offense to the owner that is haha just like the idea I hope i get to that point someday

No blank check here I offered the truck for a set price and then any additions I write change-orders for so that the expenses don't get out of control and surprise either one of us by the end of the build.

Thankfully I have done really well sourcing the majority of these parts so I was able to keep it lower than most. I see (very nice) trucks for sale on ebay for 40-50k Buy it now's.... and while I realize they very well may have that much in parts into them but that's a truck I can build just as nice for 25-30K with frugal parts purchases like finding things on sale or deals on new or almost new parts.