1965 C10 Long Bed

[Lowl!f3]

Since I had the day off and someone to help. I decided it was time to try out that pancake xmember. Got it put in the truck with only the upper bag plates on it. No spring, it's sitting on the bump stops. Also need to order the drop spindles.
Then take it back apart to plate the lowers and install bags and spindles.

[rusty76]

That looks good.

[Lowl!f3]

Originally Posted by rusty76

That looks good.

Thanks man, been working at it slowly when I can.

[Lowl!f3]

Well well I found a box this evening.
Look inside and its a set of drop spindels woot!

[TJ's Chevy]

Looks good!

[Lowl!f3]

wow, photobucket has ruined my build thread.......

[Lowl!f3]

Originally Posted by Lowl!f3

wow, photobucket has ruined my build thread.......

Well I guess I can atleast keep going. Since its going to be road worthy by end of summer this year.
What it looked like when I got it.


Alot of work has been done to suspension. Setting it up for bags.
The rear is going to be reworked for a better/stonger 2 link.
And a 4.8 Vortec will be installed.
Here is the latest images I have.
Laying on pancaked Crossmember and drop spindles installed.




Here is a shot with the Vortec just sitting in there.



And just to show off a buddy of mine. And member of this sites truck.
Mark aka Realnoisy. Now if this doesnt make you want to get back to work. Then you cant be helped lol.

[Realnoisy]

Your truck is looking good! I noticed your mounts are in the 6 cylinder position. I moved my engine mounts forward to the V8 position. Not sure if you will be able to use those mounts you have with your Vortec. I can't believe your steering shaft doesn't hit your upper control arm.

How did you do that? And when are you going to drop the horns?

[DaddyOh]

Real noisy, when you moved your mounts forward, how did you address the lack of hole on crossmember? Did you drill for hole or weld mount in? Either way....any issues? I noticed the engine mount bracket is slotted somewhat....any specific placement when moving?

[Realnoisy]

Originally Posted by DaddyOh

Real noisy, when you moved your mounts forward, how did you address the lack of hole on crossmember? Did you drill for hole or weld mount in? Either way....any issues? I noticed the engine mount bracket is slotted somewhat....any specific placement when moving?

DaddyOh, I pancaked my Xmember 1.5 and moved it forward 1 inch to center the front wheel in the well when aired-out. I moved the mounts to the V8 position bolted them down on the rails and drilled new holes in the xmember. It is a PIA to get the bolt tightened on the xmember...you need small hands to reach inside the xmember to get the bolt started. I believe I made the hole a little oblong for some adjustment. I personally wouldn't weld it in in case you should have to make an adjustment. I hope this helps.

[DaddyOh]

Perfect, thanks.

[Lowl!f3]

Things are starting to pick up again. Got my truck out of My garage and over to my God sons shop. And he is helping me out now. So it will get finished.


Carrier/ dragline crossmember built to replace old drag links for something stronger.

Crossmember installed. And you can see how it is going to have the new drag links now.

Boxing in the frame as well. And you can see the upper bag plates.




Tank mounted


Here is how she sits laid out.


Last night I pulled the oil pan on the LS. To install the shorter oil pan for clearance.

[Lowl!f3]

Oil pickup tube, vally and pan is installed.

[Realnoisy]

Looking good!

[Lowl!f3]

Originally Posted by Realnoisy

Looking good!

Hows the rear links working now brother? Get that carrier bear replaced. Honestly I would upgrade it to an 80's model carrier. Then make a new bracket.

[Lowl!f3]

Time for an update,

Ordered trailblazer manifolds and put them on the LS. Then hauled it to the 65. Removed the cab from the frame and laid the engine in it on blocks.
My help fabbed up some mounts and tranny crossmember. Also replaced the front radiator xmember.
Fabbed up the air compressor mounts. And got a new gas tank as well. Ordered it from brother truck. It is a little longer then the factory one. Guess I have a larger fuel capacity now. It said it was a direct factory replacement. It does look like it. Just a bit longer.

[Lowl!f3]

Cab is back on the monster. Now to order some more parts.

[Lowl!f3]

Update,
YouTube video of the rear cycling.
https://youtu.be/6warIl9dWMU

Got something done this weekend, just needs final welding up and the rear fab is complete.

[Realnoisy]

Looking really good! Can't wait till your cruising behind me! LOL!

[aggie91]

nice fab work. Won't that diagonal brace cause binding in the rear suspension? That looks like with will really limit the articulation of the rear...

[Lowl!f3]

If it does cause an issue. I will change to a watts link.
May cause more stress on the bushings. Hmmmm.

[Lowl!f3]

Originally Posted by aggie91

nice fab work. Won't that diagonal brace cause binding in the rear suspension? That looks like with will really limit the articulation of the rear...

After thinking about this. If you look at how the original 2 link was. It really think it didn't have much movement either since it was bolted solid to the axel. So the articulation on that wasn't much if any.
Also a couple guys trucks that I know have the same setup with around 50k miles on it.
So I guess I will see if it works or not. Wouldn't be hard to cut that off and stick a watts link if it fails.



Just got my reworked driveshaft today. And ordered a few more parts from rockauto.com
Radiator, O2 sensors, Exgaust gaskets and studs with nuts.
Also ordered a few brake parts from Orileys that should be in for pickup.
No pics yet of the new parts.