Project annabelle

[panhead671]

OK guys,
here is my 85 C/10 that I got off of ebay a couple of months ago...in her former life she was a well taken care of shop truck. Everything on her is original and in excellent shape, with only 1 little surface rust spot on the bed rail where a bed liner used to sit...

Now, the reason for the post...Annabelle has survived better than most mid eighties C/10's and she is ready for a visit to the plastic surgeon...her paint is a little tired and she has a few bumps and brusies - that part I have figured out...where I need help is with her performance - and I am asking for advice/suggestions.

1st handleing...she goes down the road like a john boat in rough seas...I plan on a full bushing/mount replacement with poly bushings, but beyond that I am lost (been away from cars too long and spent last 20 years on harley's, so I am a little behind)...need suggestions on all suspension parts...she is a long bed, so I don't want to slam her, but she could drop a couple inches...also, don't want to go the airbag route...I want her agressive and I want her to handle very well....

I have been thinking about some American Mags (had em on my 1st car - 69 GTO convertable and they are still my fav)...I want to fill in the wells as much as possible without rubbing (no low profile here!).

Interior is perfect and won't be touched for now (NO CRACKS IN DASH)...I did put in an Alpine, and yes I did cut the sheet metal - sorry purists.

She needs new bumpers (think of sport style for rear) and I have a couple of ideas for the grill that I will post if they work...

Well, there you go...have at it...hit me, hit me hard...pass the thread on to your friends...I want all I can get...

Thanks in advance,
Mark

[panhead671]

OK, for some reason...I am not allowed to post attachments...I will work on it and get back to you...
Mark

[tvblazer78]

Click on Manage Attachments and then upload them from your computer. Make sure they are not to big.

[glock35ipsc]

Originally Posted by panhead671

OK, for some reason...I am not allowed to post attachments...I will work on it and get back to you...
Mark

I saw that Josh had posted this:

Attachments have been temporarily disabled and may be halfway missing for awhile due to migrating to a new server. Hopefully I can have everything migrated before the end of the week. You may notice some downtimes and erratic behavior on the site during the next few weeks also. I'm going to try and keep the downtimes to the off peak hours whenever possible.

Josh

[panhead671]

Thank you Josh and Bob...

Bob, one thing I forgot to mention is that annabelle has the rare 85 only v6 w/ 4 bbrl from the factory...I would like to put a small block in her...am I gonna have a lot of modifications here?
Mark

[glock35ipsc]

Everything should bolt up except for the exhaust. You might have to move the engine mount stands forward. But a tape measure will tell you that once you have the V6 out, and can compare engine mount hole to the back of the block measurements.

The V8 will bolt up to your trans, wiring should be in the right place with out any lengthening, except for maybe the alternator. Hopefully you can get a small block that already has brackets on it (alt, PS, etc.).

[panhead671]

I have read several articles about tremendous handleing improvement, by simply switching all the stock bushings and mounts for the new poly type... has anyone tried this and what were the results?

Thanks,
Mark

oh yea...attachments are still down, but there is a pic of annabelle on the "how about some pictures of long beds" thread...at the bottom of the last page...

[crazydave203]

[panhead671]

Josh put out a message the other day stateing that pics are down until further notice - due to switching to a new server...I also posted some pics of her on the long bed thread before the pics posting went into limbo - and I put in my question where to find them...sorry if you were annoyed...

[crazydave203]

Originally Posted by panhead671

Josh put out a message the other day stateing that pics are down until further notice - due to switching to a new server...I also posted some pics of her on the long bed thread before the pics posting went into limbo - and I put in my question where to find them...sorry if you were annoyed...

I was just interested in seeing your truck sorry for being rude.

[panhead671]

Dave,
I didn't take it that way...just frustrated that I can't upload a pic yet, cause I am chomping at the bit to get some of the work done before the temp gets into negative digits here...again...when the pics are up I will post and any input would be appreciated!
Mark

[aggie91]

another way to post pics is to upload them to a place like photobucket and then link them to your post.

I know quite a few do it that way.

[panhead671]

Thanks Karl...I will give it a try!
Mark

[panhead671]

PICS AT LAST...here she is as she sits right now

Mark

[LiveAnimals]

Gorgeous, I remember when my 77 was nice and shiny when I bought it.

[crazydave203]

Truck looks very nice

[panhead671]

thanks guys...

I talked to the tech at No Limits and we discussed lowering and handling...he suggested drop shackles and hangers for a 2 1/2 drop in rear and sport springs for a 1 1/2 drop in front, with high-end blisteen shocks all around...also a beefier sway bar up front and one for the rear...any thoughts on this??? it sounds resonable and affordable...I want a little drop, but I don't want it in the weeds...please share your thoughts...
Mark

[nbpro]

any progress