Her name is "Ralph"

[bdydrp97s10]

First off, this "build thread" is starting halfway through the build.

It all started back in december 07 when i decided that i needed a new project. I always wanted an old C10 and i happened to see one for sale in the local trading post.. so i went out and looked at it.

It was very rusty. the fenders were rusted out, the rockers, cab corners, Apilars, and radiator support. but it was a 68 short fleet, and the floor of the bed was solid with only surface rust. NO rust through. It had a mid seventies 350 in it that the owner told me had ran the previous summer(that was a lie) and it had previously been wrecked and somebody put a 69 front end on it.

anyway..for $1500 dollars i fugure the tuck was worth it.

heres some pics of what it looked like when i first got it.

[bdydrp97s10]

Then the first thing i was concerned with was getting the crappy 350 running.. everything was disconnected and halfway taken apart which leads me to beleive that it never previously ran.. and the fact i couldnt get it to run. and i tryed for a few days..

so i just yanked it out(at this point i wasnt sure if i should rebuild or buy a crate, you will see later though)

so project number 1 for the truck was 5 lug swap. i started by getting a 73 up front cross member from BILLSBOWTIE on here. Hes a great guy to deal with by the way.

and i switched the brakes over to a power brake booster i got from BARRYB(another board member).I also got the 5 lug rearend from him but i have no pics of that install, but im sure you could imagine.

I also had to cut out that front crossmember that a PO hacked up for no apparent reason and replace it with a good one from BILLSBOWTIE.

And i ran all new brake lines from front to rear-hard lines and hoses- everything was all brand new


so i started by cleaning the frame off and getting it ready for the new crossmember.. heres pics of the crossmember from bill. and all the new brake lines

[bdydrp97s10]

this brings us up to february now.. its time to start body work

heres some before shots of the truck and body work..

and the grille i bought from BILSBOWTIE. i had to do a little repair on it.. it had a bullet hole in it

and the rocker panel that was missing i had ripped it out with my hands.. the PO or whoever "fixed" the truck the first time did an awesome job of welding and bodywork.. the doors were both rusted through and they just slapped bondo in the rust holes on both sides and called it good. both doors had rust throuh like the one in the pics. heres pics

[bdydrp97s10]

more grille and body work pics

[bdydrp97s10]

by this time its march and i have bought a crate engine and had my turbo 400 rebuilt

[bdydrp97s10]

and im still doing busy work at this point trying to get everything straight, ive bought a brand new set of 20"rims.

Ive put the engine in the truck, and i installed an EZ wiring 12 circuit harness.

i installed two aftermarket fenders, and the right hand door is aftermarket too.

BUt the engine starts and runs fine- and bodywork is 95% done

after installing inner and outer door bottoms on the driver side i decided i wouldnt do that again. But im still having problems getting the gap between the fender and hood right.. Its really tight in the back on the hood but at the front it has 1/2" gap on both sides.. and i cant bring the front of the fenders on because the grill holds them aprt.. so im stumped for now.

any body have ideas??

heres pics of how it sits as of now- 6 months later.... keep in mind the engine is just wired up to make it run. I will clean it up later

[BarryB]

Hey looks like your on the right way to recovery. Keep up the good work, and for when you can't find something to do.JUst remember I still have this one over here in Blountville that is crying for some attention.
P.S. I like those wheels, what kind and where did ya get'em

[Spray-Bomb]

Sweet

[Richard8971]

I have to respect the '67-'68 grille.... but shave the side markers... imho

[bdydrp97s10]

Originally Posted by BarryB

P.S. I like those wheels, what kind and where did ya get'em

teh wheels are boss 335's. i got them from a friend of a friend who owns a used car place but also sells new rims in kingsport.

the wheels were $1550- that was for the wheels brand new, new tires, all the lug nuts, and mounting and balancing

[Blue'72]

Nice progress!!

[my67chevytruck]

lookin good...

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Looks like she is gonna be a sweet ride when shes done..

[big_al_71]

looking really good!!!!

[bdydrp97s10]

this weekend i didnt get much done my girlfriend came over, but i gave her some old work cloths and made her help me.. i just had her sanding the rotors, and i had her install the calipers

I had to put longer wheels stud in the rotor because i had to put wheels spacers on the truck because the centersap wouldnt fit on the truck.

heres some pics

[72BlckButy]

Nice progress... keep up the good work!

[Richard8971]

Good to see the woman getting dirty and helping. Nice progress on the ride.

D

[Cyclone44]

Looks great....Nice truck...

[bdydrp97s10]

thank you for the comments

not too much progress right now, im still trying to raise the cash for a paint job

[bdydrp97s10]

UPDATE---ok i had to put new cab bushing under it because the cab was sagging and then i had to realign all the front end pieces..

so now im going to fab up the exhaust this week, so my friend can come over and set the timing and adjust the carb..

then its off to to paint, if the paint guy can get it done in time..

he told me today he wasnt sure if he could have it done by march, he tells me his body dhop is slow on work right now, so hes working on his house boat.

and im trying to send him some work but i guess he would rather work on his house boat... doesnt make sense to me, but i guess he has wnough money(must be nice)

so ill be looking for another painter. uggggh

[bdydrp97s10]

ill be sure and take pics of the exhaust install i know you all love pics..

[VA72C10]

Looking good...nice work so far

[nuke1]

way to go, paint is always expensive, i know b/c that is what i do, even i do not have enought money for it, thank god that my shop lets me charge it and work it off, really like the looks of your truck!

[robmrtnbb5]

Lqqkin good
bob m

[Blitz]

Originally Posted by bdydrp97s10

thank you for the comments

not too much progress right now, im still trying to raise the cash for a paint job

Paint? I wouldn't bother with it. I loved the flat black look on your truck so much I saved it for inspiration. Keep up the good work.