'68 c10 build

[Camaroguy]

This build started on 09/26/2016 as a father and son project with the idea of selling it when complete. I decided to start a thread today so I'll be adding a bunch of pics in a row.

I don't have a lot of information about the truck to begin with but we started with a 1968 cab. The frame VIN matched the cab and is a short bed. It is a leaf spring truck which isn't anything I have dealt with before on these.

My dad owns his own hot rod shop (Wild West Street Rods) and they work on it it periodically throughout the day when waiting on stuff for other projects. Due to my work, I am only able to devote about three hours a day, four days a week to it.

[Camaroguy]

Here is the frame we started with. It was in really nice condition. We added a Brother's bolt in c-notch (welded) prior to sending it out for powder coating.

[Camaroguy]

This truck had rust in both rockers and cab corners.

[Camaroguy]

Rust repair continued on the other side.

[Camaroguy]

Rust repair continued on doors. Additionally, speaker holes were filled, and rust preventer put on the cab floors. The cab floors were actually pretty solid. We also added a high-hump transmission tunnel.

[Camaroguy]

Started smoothing the firewall and the beginning of bodywork.

[Camaroguy]

Body work roughed in on cab and it is sprayed in primer. Also, continuing bodywork on doors.

[Camaroguy]

Frame came back from powder coating. It is a chrome-ish color.

[Camaroguy]

Now the fun part (for me) begins. Assembly of suspension. We went with a 4" drop leaf in the back with a 2.5" drop shackle. We did it this way instead of flipping it, but in retrospect, I would have probably flipped the axle on top and ran a stock spring. Also, we put a 9" inch rear end in it because it was the only axle housing we had that was the proper width. It currently has 3.73 gears. I also added rear disc's. I don't remember what brand they are but I ordered them from Summit. I used dupli-color caliper paint but thinned it a little and shot it through a gun.

[Camaroguy]

On the front suspension, I used McGaughy's 2.5" drop spindles, with their disc brake kit. I also used a 2" drop spring from Brothers. Will most likely end up changing it to a 3" drop spring once it's all said and done. I also got the front steering re-installed.

[Camaroguy]

The wheels came in around Thanksgiving. I initially ordered Boss 338's but the rears I needed were back-ordered for about 10 weeks. Plan B was US Mags "Rambler" wheels. They are 20x8 front and 20x9.5 rear. I used Nitto 420S tires. I can't remember the sizes off the top of my head right now, but I think they were 255/45 and 275/55.

Also, you can see the rear discs in the final picture. They are an 11" caliper and look really small in the 20" rim. We might end up buying bigger brakes.

[Camaroguy]

Now to the motor. My dad had previously bought a motor from a 2009 G8 GT and decided we could use it for this build. It's a l76/6l80e combo. Only had 11k miles on it and is really clean. After reading up on these motor's they are pretty cool. Approximately 370 hp stock and 400 possible with tuning. We did have to order a new accessory drive to get everything to fit properly. Ended up ordering a kit from Holley but haven't received it yet.

We installed it with stock frame mounts moved about 3" back, and Dirty Dingo sliders. After the initial install and putting the cab back on, we decided it was way too tight against the firewall. To fix this, we installed a GMPP Muscle Car pan and put the frame mounts back in the stock location. In the first set of pics, you can see the motor is too close to the firewall.

[jricharc]

Sick build, gonna be bad ass!

[Camaroguy]

These pics are with the motor moved forward. It looks a lot better. We will be using stock exhaust manifolds because they fit great inside the frame. Ignore the Corvette engine cover, we were just coming up with ideas.

I don't have any pics yet, but we built a two piece drive line utilizing the factory G8 front driveline which bolts to the transmission.

[GR8-68]

This is one sweet build, also building a 68 myself

[Camaroguy]

Originally Posted by GR8-68

This is one sweet build, also building a 68 myself

Thank you. I checked out yours as well. Keep up the good work.

[Camaroguy]

Originally Posted by jricharc

Sick build, gonna be bad ass!

Thank you!

[Camaroguy]

Here are a couple of other pics I wanted to upload. It shows the test fitting of the door and filling of the gas tank filler.

Also, the Boss 338's we originally wanted to go with. I'm a little disappointed we couldn't use them because I'm partial to them on these trucks; however, there sure are a lot of these truck out there with them on it.

[FRCvette]

Sweet build man. I will b watching this so keep the pics coming.

[Camaroguy]

Originally Posted by FRCvette

Sweet build man. I will b watching this so keep the pics coming.

Thanks! I will be posting pics at least weakly. The goal is to have it painted by March or April.

[forcd02]

Great job, thanks for the pics-i am just starting my 70 build
Did you use the stock frame brackets? mine has a 6 banger, have
a 5.3 LS going in-the 6 banger used a single bolt motor mount,
I have some DD engine adapters from another project, thought I
could use them
Keep the pics coming

[Camaroguy]

Originally Posted by forcd02

Great job, thanks for the pics-i am just starting my 70 build
Did you use the stock frame brackets? mine has a 6 banger, have
a 5.3 LS going in-the 6 banger used a single bolt motor mount,
I have some DD engine adapters from another project, thought I
could use them
Keep the pics coming

Yes, we used the stock frame mounts and a stock rubber mounts bolted to the Dirty Dingo Sliders on the engine. Hopefully these pics help.

[forcd02]

Thanks

[GAc10boy]

Love the US Mags. Glad you went with those!

[Camaroguy]

A few pics of the two piece drive line. We used the factory G8 front drive line into a carrier bearing.