How to: Ruin a perfectly good C10

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by smbrouss70

The picture is dark, we can't see anything bad. Besides, I know a guy.

I assure you, it looks like butt. Oh well for now.

In other news, as if by some glorious accident, what was supposed to be a primer coat on the tubs actually looks pretty good, maybe.

I’m not sure exactly how I feel about it, but I’m pretty sure I don’t hate it. In fact, I think I might kinda like it. Plan was to paint them blue, but for now they’re gonna stay like this. For now. I maintain the right to change my mind on this at any moment

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by gringoloco

I assure you, it looks like butt. Oh well for now.

In other news, as if by some glorious accident, what was supposed to be a primer coat on the tubs actually looks pretty good, maybe.

I’m not sure exactly how I feel about it, but I’m pretty sure I don’t hate it. In fact, I think I might kinda like it. Plan was to paint them blue, but for now they’re gonna stay like this. For now. I maintain the right to change my mind on this at any moment

My plan has always been to paint mine black & leave them that way.

[regan wilson]

It looks clean.

[gringoloco]

Glove box is back in, and along with it mounted the ECM and handheld. What this really means is that all of the under dash ac stuff is back in place and working. Just needs plumbed under hood and charged and the cold air will be blowin’ again. Forgot how much ‘fun’ it is laying on your back on the floorboard plumbing ducting, wiring, and cables...

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

My plan has always been to paint mine black & leave them that way.

How are you always two steps ahead of me Scoti?

Originally Posted by regan wilson

It looks clean.

Thanks! It’s growing on me

[gringoloco]

No big news, but here’s a pic of the bed with all of the bolts installed and snugged down. If I had more time, I might do some things differently, but I don’t, so here it is:

[Kronald_70GMC]

What would do differently just out of curiosity. Where I'm sitting it looks like you nailed it out of the park! Just a phenomenal job, it looks so clean!

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by Kronald_70GMC

What would do differently just out of curiosity. Where I'm sitting it looks like you nailed it out of the park! Just a phenomenal job, it looks so clean!

Thanks Kyle. I do like it and think it looks pretty good, but the attention to detail is not to the level I typically prefer. Given more time, I would either 1) cut my own boards for the outside edges or 2) use a flange to bolt through at the bedsides. There is an unsightly (and uneven) gap where the wood meets the bedsides. I also would paint the tubs and rear sill blue for a more ‘factory’ look, just personal preference. I also can’t shake the idea of a clean, painted (or color matched bedliner) metal floor. This will do for now, though. I need to move on to getting the front tubs installed...

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by gringoloco

Thanks Kyle. I do like it and think it looks pretty good, but the attention to detail is not to the level I typically prefer. Given more time, I would either 1) cut my own boards for the outside edges or 2) use a flange to bolt through at the bedsides. There is an unsightly (and uneven) gap where the wood meets the bedsides. I also would paint the tubs and rear sill blue for a more ‘factory’ look, just personal preference. I also can’t shake the idea of a clean, painted (or color matched bedliner) metal floor. This will do for now, though. I need to move on to getting the front tubs installed...

Devils advocate.... The textured Line-X floor for my dually is always dirty & there is no wiping it down. And because of the 'rake' in the chassis, when you do clean it you're having to push it to the tailgate area because the drain holes @ the front panel end of the floor don't allow draining fast enough for the volume of water (dirty water).

[smbrouss70]

Originally Posted by gringoloco

I need to move on to getting the front tubs installed...

Get those installed! Can't wait to see them all done.

[regan wilson]

Originally Posted by gringoloco

Thanks Kyle. I do like it and think it looks pretty good, but the attention to detail is not to the level I typically prefer. Given more time, I would either 1) cut my own boards for the outside edges or 2) use a flange to bolt through at the bedsides. There is an unsightly (and uneven) gap where the wood meets the bedsides. I also would paint the tubs and rear sill blue for a more ‘factory’ look, just personal preference. I also can’t shake the idea of a clean, painted (or color matched bedliner) metal floor. This will do for now, though. I need to move on to getting the front tubs installed...

The bed liner in my truck always looks dirty. You will probably hate it you do it.

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by smbrouss70

Get those installed! Can't wait to see them all done.

Up next! ...along with a million other things around the house...

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Devils advocate.... The textured Line-X floor for my dually is always dirty & there is no wiping it down. And because of the 'rake' in the chassis, when you do clean it you're having to push it to the tailgate area because the drain holes @ the front panel end of the floor don't allow draining fast enough for the volume of water (dirty water).

Originally Posted by regan wilson

The bed liner in my truck always looks dirty. You will probably hate it you do it.

Valid points, both. Is that for black only? I’ve never dealt with color matched liner.

[SCOTI]

Mine is Black. I considered Red for a nano-second. But if the RED faded.... It might appear pink & that is a no-go.

[knomadd]

Wow, Chris! I've been gone for 3 months and you've done a lot. I love your build. I'm fighting home deficiencies from winter storm that us Houstonian's aren't prepared for, and a drivetrain update on my GTO, otherwise I'd be doing similar things, like the latches and door rebuilds...

Your bed floor turned out great! My plan is what you still think you want to do... metal floor with bedliner, which I currently have. The liner the PO used was a cheap one, so it's flaking, and there's some rust that needs to be tackled before I do anything, but I've considered paint matched, since everyone is right, a black liner is always dirty, unless it's brand new. Even my new GMC, which came with one from the factory, and now has a tonneau cover, is still filthy. Not sure if a body colored liner would be any different, just that it wouldn't look as dirty as quickly... Just like your current color vs a black truck.

Oh, and the color fading, like Scoti said... a non-color matched liner would look funny regardless of the color (light blue instead of medium blue?). But, pink would be awful...

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Mine is Black. I considered Red for a nano-second. But if the RED faded.... It might appear pink & that is a no-go.

Originally Posted by knomadd

Wow, Chris! I've been gone for 3 months and you've done a lot. I love your build. I'm fighting home deficiencies from winter storm that us Houstonian's aren't prepared for, and a drivetrain update on my GTO, otherwise I'd be doing similar things, like the latches and door rebuilds...

Your bed floor turned out great! My plan is what you still think you want to do... metal floor with bedliner, which I currently have. The liner the PO used was a cheap one, so it's flaking, and there's some rust that needs to be tackled before I do anything, but I've considered paint matched, since everyone is right, a black liner is always dirty, unless it's brand new. Even my new GMC, which came with one from the factory, and now has a tonneau cover, is still filthy. Not sure if a body colored liner would be any different, just that it wouldn't look as dirty as quickly... Just like your current color vs a black truck.

Oh, and the color fading, like Scoti said... a non-color matched liner would look funny regardless of the color (light blue instead of medium blue?). But, pink would be awful...

Hm, I’ll have to do some more research before committing. Appreciate the positive comments.

Made some progress on the front tubs: got the passenger side bolted in and fitting nicely. Also started the process of modifying the drivers side and after removing and reinstalling the fender and inner at least 37,000 times, I have finally got it fitting the way it’s supposed to and have the panel tacked together using my new toy. Finish weld, grind, and hopefully body work tomorrow, then paint sometime in the future?...

The new Hobart welder was long overdue. I don’t know how I’ve survived this long without it. When I welded the passenger side fender the Eastwood was being weird and blowing through. When I did the exhaust it would not penetrate and just piled up. When I welded the bed floor mounts it made embarrassing looking not so sticky boogers. Last straw. There was no way I was attempting to mod this fender with that “welder” after how it had been acting. The difference between the Hobart and the Eastwood junk is astounding. Smooth as butter, making all the right bacon noises and nice little puddles...

[smbrouss70]

Very Nice!

[Palf70Step]

[regan wilson]

That looks nice. I hear you on the welder thing. Sometimes I hate mine. But then again it could be the Operator.

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by smbrouss70

Very Nice!

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Originally Posted by regan wilson

That looks nice. I hear you on the welder thing. Sometimes I hate mine. But then again it could be the Operator.

Thanks all, looking forward to wrapping this up. I felt the same way, like, did I forget how to weld? Are the settings right? Am I out of gas? Polarity reversed? Power feed problems? Nope, turns out it was a junk-a$$ welding machine. Not sure what happened, it seemed ok at first, but got worse with time. So happy to find out it wasn’t completely my fault and that I can still lay a decent bead.

[regan wilson]

Originally Posted by gringoloco

Thanks all, looking forward to wrapping this up. I felt the same way, like, did I forget how to weld? Are the settings right? Am I out of gas? Polarity reversed? Power feed problems? Nope, turns out it was a junk-a$$ welding machine. Not sure what happened, it seemed ok at first, but got worse with time. So happy to find out it wasn’t completely my fault and that I can still lay a decent bead.

Haha I think I need a new welder.

[lolife99]

Love the inner fenders!

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by regan wilson

Haha I think I need a new welder.

Do it. Don’t think, don’t look back, just do. The last ten years of my life would have been soooooo much better if I’d just bought the good welder to start with. Not joking. Do it.

Originally Posted by lolife99

Love the inner fenders!

Me too! They are a ton of work, but the look is unbeatable

[gringoloco]

Tack, tack, tack. Grind, grind, grind. Repeat. It’s a process...

PSA: Harbor freight $2.99 moving blankets are highly flammable

[gringoloco]

After MUCH swearing, it is bolted back together. Not perfect, but it’ll do for now...

[regan wilson]

That looks very nice.