1986 Chevy C10 SWB Step Side

[Low Elco]

So they're 8's? Hmm.. this won't do.... here ya go! (Still love your truck)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JUST-POLISHE...367526&vxp=mtr

[LSX408]

Nice job, truck is looking good!

[aotte1]

LSX408 and Flyin Low, thanks for encouragement,

On the slots- fronts are 8.5s, I just got them on the truck for first time. Need to check them out for fitment/ clearances. With moving truck only around in driveway seemed good. Current and forecast cold weather and snow has slowed truck work. Will give full summary report on all the front stuff once driven some.

The rear slots are new American Racing, they maybe temporary. Thinking seriously about 10s. Been looking for about a year for 5x5 vs unilug, along with about 4 1/2" back spacing (BS). No luck, closest were 10s, 3 3/4 BS, with holes drilled for slicks. For all the looking, I would purchase them now if I could. Also, need to look at current rear rear/tire fitment to see what max wheel/tire combo would be, especially BS vs extending beyond fenders.

Les

[Low Elco]

Well, here's 10's on my 87. Not sure on the BS, but they have deeep barrels?

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=501150&page=4

[aotte1]

Low Elco thanks for photos, yes, the dish looks deep on your truck, maybe, BS is in the 3s. I will drop some stings from my fender edge to see how much extra depth I have. Back of envelope guess, I will need about 3 inches, for 10s with 3 1/2 BS.

Les

[aotte1]

HD Cooling 4 Core Radiator - Brackets for Top of Radiator/Fan Shroud

Test fitting top brackets that holds radiator and fan shroud. Using the two brackets vs the one metal cover. The brackets fit core support and hold 4 core radiator with rubber insulators correctly. The spacing horizontally is also correct for attaching the top of the big block fan shroud. Media blasted them and will coat them before install. Not sure what sheen of black to use.

The big block core support is from LMC. A couple of photos are included.

[aotte1]

The big block fan shroud from LMC.

[83swb]

Where does that hose below the radiator cap go on your truck? My radiator support came out of a diesel truck and the radiator that was on the support has the same outlet. I'm planning on using that radiator but I don't know what its for.

Edit: Just saw one of your engine bay pictures, guess its for heater core circulation, good to know I can block off the outlet on my water pump.

[sambrutay]

Nice build Les. I see you are in Louisville. Maybe I will meet you this summer @ a local cruise.
Bruce

[aotte1]

Bruce,

Sound like fun, just need summer to get her soon, so I can do my first drive.
More later.

Les

[jpnh]

Hey les how's it going haven't heard from ya how's the truck coming along??-Jeff

[jpnh]

Sorry les hope things get better for you.

[rip2174]

Sorry to hear about the health issues. Hope things turn around for you. Get some rest.

[aotte1]

My friend John is helping me clean up the interior and do some restoration on it. He is cleaning all the interior paint surfaces, then - compounding and polishing them. Installing new floor mat, with sound/heat material "Hush Mat" first.

Tach and fuel gauge combo, are replacing the fuel gauge only, along with two new gauge for oil pressure mechanical, and engine temperature. The tach /fuel gauge went in really easy and works nice.

Also doing the Hella headlights fixtures and bulbs (high performance 55/60), along with the front sway bar. For now leaving off the braces that C30s have from engine cross member to front frame horns ( this suggested upgrade for handling came from a fellow member).


I drive it for first time last Sunday over to his house. Lots of fun, just got on it just a little bit in 2nd gear, and had a big smile.

A couple of photos of it coming apart. Before starting work and parts in the bed.

Les

[Low Elco]

Hope you get to feeling better, Les.

[aotte1]

Flyin' Low

Thanks for the encouragement, I am taking it real easy.

My friend, got the new tach/gas gauge combo installed and it is all working. It is not like an Autometer, however, just responds a little slow.

Thanks,
Les

[aotte1]

Attached are a couple of photos of the tach/gas gauge being installed, with steering column removed and one with the column back installed. I purchased the tach/gas gauge from a vender in CA. referenced by another member.

You can also notice the gauge cluster, has the 4 speed black out, for the auto gear selector.

Note: After driving a few time, the tach and gas gauge are working very nice, totally happy with it.

Les

[aotte1]

Replacement tilt steering column w/ intermittent wipers

As part of restoring the interior, a tilt steering column is being installed that has intermittent wiper (IW) control on the stick. The original column did not have the intermittent wiper position on the stick ( it had Lo-Hi and pulse only). To make the IW function work, I needed to add a IW module ( I purchased a new one from my GM dealer) to the wiper wire harness on the lower part of the steering column. The other module connection is attached to the existing dash wiper wire harness. And it all works great.

The photo show the module used.$$$

Note: the module connection are really tight, go together hard!

Les

[aotte1]

Installing Rubber Floor Mat

Installing new rubber floor mat from Capt Koas, ( seat cover is also from Capt Koas too) it is thicker/heaver then the original one. Being thicker it is harder to get it to fit nicely initially. First day just let it set in truck and conform a little. Raining all the time here lately, so no sun to put it out in to make more flexible, before installation. Trimmed it a little to allow mat to slowly conform to floor. Have left all the edges untrimmed, while it is worked to fit better, over the next few weeks. Plan is to let truck out in the sun to warm, and then use weights to help conform new mat to floor shape. Photos are of the initial installation.

[jpnh]

Wow looks good/ clean/ jeff

[Low Elco]

Looks nice! All stock lookin'.

[aotte1]

Jeff and Flying' Low,

Thanks for the complements, yes I am going for the
stock look, except in the engine bay. The stock look their is not good!

The heavy duty factory sway bar was installed, as lots of members here have said, "it really makes a big difference". A few photos of it are below. Used new Moog bushings. The new cad bolts will get blacked out with ceramic coating.

Still have three other GM handling parts to install later, 1). the two cross braces for the core support that go across the radiator area, making an X; 2). the engine cross member to front frame horn braces from a C30; and 3). the rear sway bar ( will need to get the truck fully finished and see how it handles with out rear bar before installing).

[aotte1]

Caster Modification of 3/4 Inch- Report Back on Drivability

I did the caster modification of 3/4 inch as described earlier, and my initial drivability with wide tires is that it drives really nice. Have not driven the truck a lot, so will drive it a bunch more under different road conditions, and give more detail report later. So far really drives great on some very uneven roads. Will need to check, but think it gave me about 7.5 degrees of caster.

Les

[rip2174]

Looking very nice and clean.

[Low Elco]

Thanks for the report- been wondering!