BP68 Official Build Thread

[cable666guy]

That came out beautifully!!

[BP68]

Been a while since I posted. Mostly been busy and saving up for parts. Snagged a set of 454 SS truck wheels last weekend, ordering front and rear bumpers this week. Savin up for tires now (plan to run 275/60r15 all around).

Will try to post up some pic soon, once I get her cleaned up.

[70_BBC]

I love your truck. I can't wait to get home so I can get back to work on mine. One Day I hope to have it look as good as your's, very impressive truck.

[BP68]

Test fit of my new wheels till I can save up for 20's

Also test fit of 275/60R15 Tire

[BP68]

Need opinions on tire size. I was planning 275/60r15 in a BFG Radial TA. The test tire in the pic is a Cooper Cobra. It almost seems a little taller that I was expecting compared to the same size bfg on my uncles truck.

Should I maybe be looking at a 255/60r15

The 275 bfgs on my uncles truck look/appear to have a shorter side wall and look perfect. The Coopers on my truck appear taller???????

[BP68]

I am thinking it may just be the sidewall design on the BFGs that make the diff. Here are same 454 ss wheels with the bfg 275/60r15 on a 98 with 4/6 drop (my 68 has a 4/6 drop also) and the have the look I want. The cooper test tire I have looks taller for some reason?

Thoughts/opinions anyone ?

[spike38]

I've had cooper cobras on a camaro. The traction was good,
But the wear rate was bad. I had to slam the brakes one day,
For a lady on a cell phone, And one of the tires separated down to the cords
So be careful

Spike

[BP68]

Originally Posted by spike38

I've had cooper cobras on a camaro. The traction was good,
But the wear rate was bad. I had to slam the brakes one day,
For a lady on a cell phone, And one of the tires separated down to the cords
So be careful

Spike

Thanks for the heads up. But I wasn't going to run the Coopers. I am for sure getting BFGs, just need to decide size. The Cooper is worn out and for test fit only.

[BossHogg69]

I thought the 275's all the way around looked good on your '68 - filled the wheelwell up nicely. The 255 BFG's might be a little short on all four corners with that drop, but might look good if you have 255's in front and the 275's in back. I guess it depends on the look you're after and how much being able to rotate your tires means to you. I had a '92 chevy xcab like the one pictured above, but with a 5/7 drop and I ran 235/60/15's in front and 295/50/15's in back and it sat perfect (to me, anyway). To me, with a 4/6 drop (or 5/7) on a GM half ton a 1/2" to 1" taller rear tire compared the the front gives a nice 'rubber rake' to the stance - not too much in the air, but just a tad more than level for a nice hot rod look. This is all just my humble opinion of course...

[BP68]

Originally Posted by BossHogg69

I thought the 275's all the way around looked good on your '68 - filled the wheelwell up nicely. The 255 BFG's might be a little short on all four corners with that drop, but might look good if you have 255's in front and the 275's in back. I guess it depends on the look you're after and how much being able to rotate your tires means to you. I had a '92 chevy xcab like the one pictured above, but with a 5/7 drop and I ran 235/60/15's in front and 295/50/15's in back and it sat perfect (to me, anyway). To me, with a 4/6 drop (or 5/7) on a GM half ton a 1/2" to 1" taller rear tire compared the the front gives a nice 'rubber rake' to the stance - not too much in the air, but just a tad more than level for a nice hot rod look. This is all just my humble opinion of course...

Thanks for the input. I really prefer to run the same size front and rear, or at least same diameter with no rake. I am thinking the 275 BFGs will have the look I want. Something about the cooper just makes it look taller I think.

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by BP68

I am thinking it may just be the sidewall design on the BFGs that make the diff. Here are same 454 ss wheels with the bfg 275/60r15 on a 98 with 4/6 drop (my 68 has a 4/6 drop also) and the have the look I want. The cooper test tire I have looks taller for some reason?

Thoughts/opinions anyone ?

I had a 90 454SS with the same tires. The 275/60-15 is 28" tall and has quite a bit of sidewall. Not the best for handling but they do OK. Not a high performance tire for sure though. The sidewall will flex over an inch to the side under heavy lateral load and rub if you don't have the clearance.

I would try for a little larger diameter wheel to knock that sidewall height down a bit if your wheel choice can be had in a bigger diameter. Even one or two inches larger rim diameter would make a big difference.

[gringoloco]

I think the wheels are temporary until bigger ones are in the budget...

A 275/60-15 works well out back, paired with a 255/60, 235/70, or 215/75 up front. All depends on wheel width and personal preference for the fronts. Truck looks good!

[BP68]

Thanks for the input all.
Yes these wheels are temporary. I eventually want to save up for 20x8.5 front and
20x10 rears. I just thought the chrome steel wheels looked a little better than the aluminum ones.

[71meangreenc10]

What upper radiator hose did you use?

Thanks

Smitty

[BP68]

I think I got the rad hoses from brotherstrucks.com or LMC

[BP68]

Hey all, been a while since I updated. I have had the truck at work doning a bunch of odds and ends. Leaking axle seal, two bad fuel pumps. Carb and timming setup/tuning. Little wiring.
If all goes well, I will drive her home tomorrow after work. Once I get her cleaned up I will post some current pics with the new wheels and BFG tires. Also working on some door panels and saving up for carpet and grille moldings.

Little by little getting closer.

[hgs_notes]

There were a couple reasons why the test tire looked like it had a taller sidewall compared to the newer truck. First, you had a blackwall compared to a white letter showing, which changes the perspective. The green truck was also much higher with larger wheel openings, making the tires seem smaller and shorter sidewall. I used 235-70-15 up front and 275-60-15 in back on mine so the sidewall would be a close match. I just have a 3.5" static drop all around. I like the rake.

Good luck with the tuning, etc. Other than windows, grill, front lights and door assembly, that's pretty much where I'm at now also.

[BP68]

Attachment 795192

Attachment 795204

Attachment 795205

Attachment 795206

Attachment 795207Finally some progress pics!!!!
She made it home on her maiden voyage (not couting coming short distance home from bodymans house and some very short trips around town.

Got the leaking rear axle seal fixed, clean out axle tubes and installed new outer bearings. Wired up fuel pump realy and cooling fan relays are just about done. Got B&M lockup control hooked up for 700r4, carb dialed in nice and timing pretty close, may come down just a hair.

She ran good, never got hot, and did fine. Did a quick clean up at home tonight. Should be ordering carpet soon, working on door panesl now (pics to come)

Also, front bumper outer brackets did not quite fit and it sticks out too far on pass side. Gonna get my body guy to help me out with that this soon.

Enjoy

[VA72C10]

Looks really good! Maybe the wrong brackets for the bumper? Or they could be tweaked slightly....I've run across both issues in the past.

[BP68]

Originally Posted by VA72C10

Looks really good! Maybe the wrong brackets for the bumper? Or they could be tweaked slightly....I've run across both issues in the past.

Yeah, not sure. Brackets are old and came with truck, but no bumper installed. They also did not come off this frame. They look right going by LMC catalog pic but bumper is repop and bracket is close. I would say when bolted to frame both brackets are out of line with the outer holes in bumper by abour 3/8 of an inch.

I think we maybe able to shorten them and get everything to work ok.

[67cheby]

Looks super clean and slick !!

[VA72C10]

do you have a picture of the brackets? I am thinking maybe they are 71-72 specific brackets....slightly different than the ones made for 67-70.

[68 TT]

Truck looks great.

Glad she made it home safely.

[BP68]

Thanks for the kind words everybody. I will try to post a few more when I get some more cleaning done, especially under the hood.

[yawdie1]

the truck looks great! But what happened to the Boss wheels?
Here is a pic of my blazer. (Hope this works)