Buddies' Garage '69 Build

[Buddies'Garage]

I've been collecting parts since I picked up my '69 short fleet almost three years ago. It has not been on the road since 1987. The level of rust is "mild" in my opinion. My goal is to have a show worthy chassis & leave the body & interior alone as much as possible. Once I have driven it for a year or two I will tackle bodywork & paint.

I acquired the truck from a friend in southern Indiana. Along with it came a 6.0/4L80E from a 2005 model 2500HD and a complete Thorbecke P47 & three link suspension. There is much more backstory but it's not relevant to the truck itself.

I'm using Budnik Muroc IV wheels with Nitto NT420s tires; 22"x8.5" & 265/35 up front & 22"x10" & 295/30 out back. The suspension will be managed by an Accuair E-Level system. I'll include the rest of the parts info as I go along since some things are undetermined at the moment.

Hope everyone enjoys following along!

[Buddies'Garage]

These pics are shortly after unloading the truck & drivetrain.

[Buddies'Garage]

A couple more...

[Buddies'Garage]

I'm not using the chassis from this truck. It will be returning to the previous owner so he can use it to begin producing full custom chassis. When I acquired the truck it also included a pair of stripped & blasted frame rails.

[Buddies'Garage]

After cleaning out the bed.

[Buddies'Garage]

Removing the bed.

[Buddies'Garage]

I'll be using new body mounts too. These are also Thorbecke parts.

The old rear:


The new front:

[Buddies'Garage]

Here's what I've managed to accomplish so far:

[Buddies'Garage]

I still have a ton of work to do but I hope it will be rolling in a week or two. The centers of my wheels are already cut. Budnik is waiting for me to provide backspace measurements so they can weld them into the hoops & ship them out.

I'm not sure if this will stay a cooler or become a battery box but it's staying with the truck regardless. I knew when I saw it at the flea market it belonged with it.

[Rusbuilt]

This is gonna be a slick truck! Keep us updated!

[mcbassin]

Very cool project! love your plans for her. Subscribed.

[Buddies'Garage]

Thanks guys! My Rick's stainless steel tank came in; damaged by UPS. They call-tagged it & sent me a new one a couple weeks later. Pics are of the damaged one.







Even though I now have an undamaged tank I'm still disappointed. The brackets they include (no pics ATM) are intended to make the install easier. They make tightening the bolts a one-tool operation. They're a piece of stainless bar stock approximately 1.25" wide & 0.125" thick with bolts welded to act as studs.

My disappointment lies in the fact that these bolts are cheap zinc plated grade two. As expensive as this tank is I cannot believe they didn't use stainless hardware. I plan on contacting them to express my thoughts/feelings about it & see what sort of resolution they offer.

I should make some progress the next few days & will post pics ASAP.

[Buddies'Garage]

I spoke with Hector @ Rick's today. I expressed my disappointment with the brackets. His initial response was that they use grade 5 hardware because it is stronger than stainless. When I advised him that three of the four bolts used on my brackets were grade 2 there was a moment of silence...

He then asked what I wanted for a resolution. I requested a pair of brackets be made using HSS (high strength stainless) hardware. He agreed to start on them & call me when they were ready to ship.

My problem was approached with professionalism & courtesy. If I receive them I will be 100% satisfied!

[HotRod C/10]

nice......I am partial to red trucks.
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[Hardesty454]

This looks to be a GREAT start. Love the plans so far. I used to work in contractor sales for a company called Build.com and taking care of our customers was worth more than the product we sold. Im VERY harsh against bad customer service now. Im glad it sounds like they are taking care of the issue you had. I cant wait to see the outcome of this build!

[67c10rustbuket]

Looks like a great start! Love the suspension

Was the Thorbecke suspension bought recently? I wonder because everyone says they no longer make this stuff for the C10s and their website always shows "sold out" I really like their rear setup better than the other options out there.

[Buddies'Garage]

I have had it for three years. My friend who sold me the truck was an employee at SD/QAR/Thorbros for six+ years. It was his project but selling it to me helped him start his new business. He now makes parts for & builds custom Victory motorcycles.

I'm pleased that everyone likes my build. Ultimately I'm building it for me but it's nice that others share my enthusiasm. I'll have more progress & pics in a few days.

[808_67C10]

I am in to watch this one....
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[knomadd]

I'll follow along. I like where you're going with it.

[Buddies'Garage]

Here's a pic of the Rick's stainless steel 19 gallon tank. I'm still waiting for those brackets. The in-tank fuel pump supports 450hp. I should be maxing it out by the time I swap cams & Dyno tune this 6.0L.

[Buddies'Garage]

I had the seat upholstered locally. It's this material's version of black; IIRC it's called Allante. As you can see compared to the door panels it's almost charcoal. I'll be selling this one once I find another good seat to have upholstered. It IS comfy! I had an extra 1" thick foam topper added.

[dnd1978]

Good start.
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[lolife99]

Siging up to follow this one!

[Buddies'Garage]

Ready to measure track width! Then I can calculate the backspace for my front wheels. I still have to notch for/ install the rack & pinion but otherwise the front is mocked up.

[72BlckButy]

Nice work going on here. Keep those updates coming!