71 C10 LB: Code Name Sloth

[rechinca]

Lots of starts and stops and picking up small items. But, today we got the radiator support, radiator, hoses and some priming of interior parts (glove box door and ash tray) done. Battery tray and battery installed. Have to heat up the wiring gutter for the headlight harness and straighten it out. It was curled up for a long time and put a bad curl in it. Heat gun should fix that tomorrow. Trying really hard to fire it up before I go back to work on the 31st!

[rechinca]

Yeah buddy, the Sloth is alive! Got it broke in yesterday at noon. A bit of work next Wednesday and she just might make a trip around the corner to see Blue! Needs tires in a bad way. Break-in oil came out good, no concerns so maiden voyage next week.

[LT7A]

This thing is cool. I enjoy the fix what's broke mentality and getting it back on the road.

[rechinca]

Originally Posted by LT7A

This thing is cool. I enjoy the fix what's broke mentality and getting it back on the road.

Thanks LT, it’s been a fun challenge since I started. I’ve spent countless hours in research and learning how to do the work. I prefer to take care of wear and tear and not repeat jobs. I’ll say it again though, in the 50 years this truck has been around, some people put wrenches to it that should stay away from them!

[Ol Blue K20]

Originally Posted by rechinca

Yeah buddy, the Sloth is alive! Got it broke in yesterday at noon. A bit of work next Wednesday and she just might make a trip around the corner to see Blue! Needs tires in a bad way. Break-in oil came out good, no concerns so maiden voyage next week.

Yeah buddy!!! Congrats!!

[rechinca]

Couple updates then going for a drive. Going to paint my rally wheels body color 516 Orange and ordered up my Cooper Cobras. Got the new/used grille shell installed with the new insert. She’ll courtesy of Vintage Chevy Trucks in Fremont, CA. All new shocks installed and the exhaust done. Then it wouldn’t start but had power...ah, the 50 years ignition switch fell apart into a bunch of pieces when I went to pull it out. NAPA had a new one so that is fixed!

[OL SKOOL]

Your truck is looking great. If your doing all that work on that sloped driveway my hats off to you. That steering wheel, who thinks like that? Keep up the good work.

[rechinca]

UNBELIEVEABLE! It runs AND drives! Made a quick 2 mile run down the road and back! A few items on the check-off list, but nothing noteworthy or worrisome. Fires off right away, runs smooth, absolutely obnoxious with the Flowmaster downpipes with 8” old school Cherry Bombs and immediate turndowns (cheap exhaust for temp fix). Off to work for 4 days and then back at it Monday! I’d share the videos, but no idea if that can be done. Gonna be like Ralphie dreaming about his Red Ryder all weekend!

[rechinca]

UNBELIEVEABLE! It runs AND drives! Made a quick 2 mile run down the road and back! A few items on the check-off list, but nothing noteworthy or worrisome. Fires off right away, runs smooth, absolutely obnoxious with the Flowmaster downpipes with 8” old school Cherry Bombs and immediate turndowns (cheap exhaust for temp fix). Off to work for 4 days and then back at it Monday! I’d share the videos, but no idea if that can be done. Gonna be like Ralphie dreaming about his Red Ryder all weekend!

[Ol Blue K20]

Congratulations! Have fun at work. Hear ya when you get back.....lol

[rechinca]

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

Congratulations! Have fun at work. Hear ya when you get back.....lol

No doubt! I’ll swing by. Tires are shot so not too much running around until I get them replaced hopefully this week.

[rechinca]

Pulled the rear diff cover a couple of days ago to drain and refill it. Wow that was some nasty stuff. Not real happy with the look of it, so it will get run for a couple of months and then cleaned out again. Best guess, due to bad stamping location on the ring gear, makes me believe this is a 3.08 open rear. Should be just fine for my 350/3 speed combo.

Man it sure looks goofy without that rear drop! But it’s on the way now, so today we run it down for a front end alignment and new tires. Due to some issues, they will have to get blasted and painted at the house with the tires on. Not optimal, but that’s what is going to have to happen. Still have to address the inner fenders, window felts and a couple of small things. But it’s getting closer every day.

[rechinca]

Both of the 6.5” rally’s are on the fronts now with the new Coopers. Took it out today for about a 25 mile drive before the rain hits to shake it down a bit more. Temp doesn’t climb over 1/3 and the oil pressure is up on the top end during driving. Yep, still happy I kept my 3OTT! And if you look close, you can see the shorty exhaust ending right about the back of the cab. Made a lot of people turn their heads and smile on an early Sunday drive.

[Ol Blue K20]

Originally Posted by rechinca

Both of the 6.5” rally’s are on the fronts now with the new Coopers. Took it out today for about a 25 mile drive before the rain hits to shake it down a bit more. Temp doesn’t climb over 1/3 and the oil pressure is up on the top end during driving. Yep, still happy I kept my 3OTT! And if you look close, you can see the shorty exhaust ending right about the back of the cab. Made a lot of people turn their heads and smile on an early Sunday drive.

You didn't pick me up?.....

[rechinca]

Buttoned up a couple small things today before the weather got cold and windy. Bought a set of surplus 88+ centers from a dealer on eBay and got the front two mounted. Definitely line them better.

[rechinca]

Picked up a POL adjustable track bar a few days ago for $100 new. Today I ordered up new 5” drop springs, u-bolts, shock relocating brackets and spring mount kits from GMCPauls. I went with them for the rear springs on recommendations. Hopefully by the time I get back taking the daughter on recruiting trip to Boston, NYC and Illinois it’ll all be in so Inhave something to do during my mandatory work 2 week quarantine when I return.

[TA_C10]

Curious, what other kits we're you looking at, and what differs with gmcpauls?

[rechinca]

Originally Posted by TA_C10

Curious, what other kits we're you looking at, and what differs with gmcpauls?

I read some posts where guys had good success with them. I don’t know where they source their springs from, but you place the order and then they email you and ask year, make, model, engine, trans, AC, LB or SB. Once they get the information back they order your springs made for the application and then have the manufacturer drop ship them to you. I looked into a local company near me that manufactures coil springs custom to what you want and specific like this. GMCPaul was cheaper, but should get them in about the same amount of time. They said 10-14 days and they will come direct from the manufacturer for my set-up.

I looked at CPP and POL as well as the various others, but I like how specific GMCPaul was. So I will let you guys know when I receive them. I’ll measure them up and post the specifics. I like to support the smaller guys who are out there working to provide us with quality products so I figured $115 (I think that was the cost?) was worth the shot. He had all of the shock relocating brackets, new u-bolts and spring cups in stock too.
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[rechinca]

Got all my parts in while I was out of town doing college visits with the daughter. Unfortunately shortly after returning I had emergency gallbladder removal. So the rear drop will have to wait at least a month between healing and two weeks of online school for work. Stand by.

[Ol Blue K20]

Originally Posted by rechinca

Got all my parts in while I was out of town doing college visits with the daughter. Unfortunately shortly after returning I had emergency gallbladder removal. So the rear drop will have to wait at least a month between healing and two weeks of online school for work. Stand by.

If ya need anything just holler.

[rechinca]

Still not cleared to do any heavy work but I did score today. Went to pick up an old CRAFTSMAN grinder on a vintage tool stand. Ended up with that, about a dozen files, 8 pair of old original Vise-Grips and a 3/4” drive SK Tools socket set including the ratchet and a breaker bar. Best $100 haul I have had in a while. Almost forgot the vintage Dorman all metal bolt/nut organizer too! Never enough tools!

[Ol Blue K20]

Nice score!

[Kronald_70GMC]

Very nice build you have going here. I'm in!

[rechinca]

Dang, it’s been a LONG time since I have really been able to work on this thing! Drove it looking like a cat in heat the last two years without finishing the drop kit by installing the rear 5” drop springs, CPP adjustable track bar and shock relocation kit. Finally said the hell with it and went outside and just did the work this last week. That and because they were jackhammering out part of the slab inside the house to fix a broken pipe in the slab I figured it was as good of a reason to be forced into the work. All in all, about 4 hours in the street with some jackstands, a Jack and patience! I had been spraying the bolts for about 3 months once or twice a week so I didn’t have any stuck or broken fasteners. A bit of a challenge with the bed still on and trying not to get run over! But it is done and looks much better. The ride is pretty good, just need to trim the rear bulb stops and get an alignment this week.

[Ol Blue K20]

Looks good!