Project 1968 Custom (Get Shorty)

[robozride]

This is a little premature as I wont be starting the actual project until mid winter (Im finishing my 69 Elco) but, im on here lurking around and searching for ideas anyway so I may as well get the thread going so its ready when I am.
This is a 1968 c-10 custom I picked up over the summer. It had been restored 15 years ago by the original owners grandson. Its actually pretty solid with the exception of some needed floor repairs. I intend to leave the original (restored) paint and patina if possible BUT this will be a short bed, hence the title "Get Shorty". Tframe shortening doesn't scare me at all as I have done tons of frame modifications. The bed on the other hand is a bit intimidating but it will get shortened one way or another as I intend to cut it down. I have a nice newly rebuilt HP 327 on the stand and ready to go and ill be looking for a 4-speed. I picked up a bunch of static drop parts from 2002YANK and plan a 6-5 drop with the stock ralleys. So that's the plan and we will see where it goes but my plan is to have it ready to drive again by spring.

I do have a question to get started; IF I mess up my bed sides is there anyone who has shortened there metal floor and then installed new shorty sides onto it?

[Rusbuilt]

Nice looking truck to start with! You won't mess up your bed sides, there are several guys on here that have shortened their long beds. Do your research, measure twice and cut once!

[robozride]

Been working on my 69 Camino and she is getting close. I have two weeks off over the holidays so I hope to have it painted and rubbed out and then it can sit until spring. Im getting excited to work on the blue truck. I found a great deal on an m-20 Muncie and scrounged up a flywheel and bellhousing so im getting the parts pile ready to go. ive been reading all of your posts about shortening a long bed and im probably as ready as I will be, but if any of you have threads or inside knowledge that you think would help please send them along! Also who would have knowledge as to what axles will fit my 12 bolt or best route to get it switched to a 4.75 bolt circle so I can run car rally's?

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by robozride

Also who would have knowledge as to what axles will fit my 12 bolt or best route to get it switched to a 4.75 bolt circle so I can run car rally's?

You know you can buy aftermarket car rally wheels in the 6-lug truck pattern or the 5-lug truck pattern.
No need to switch your truck bolt pattern.
If you did want to go 5-lug,... I suggest the 5x5 truck pattern.
http://www.summitracing.com/search/b...-silver-wheels

[67ctener]

A nice upgrade would be 71/2 front disk. This would also get you 5x5 up front. You can even swap rear ends but it will get you the wider rear end.

[robozride]

Thanks, yeah I know I can buy them to fit but I have a near new set with tires layin around and am hoping to low budget the truck where I can. I will be updating to discs up front with 2.5 drop spindles but wont buy them until im sure of my direction.

[robozride]

I'm back....As with every project the Elco took longer than expected but it is now DONE! and I have a cool ride while I work on the truck. The 68 will be coming in the garage tomorrow and the box will come off to start the shortening process, i'm nervous but its gonna happen either way. I ended up buying the 6 lug disc-drop spindles for the front and some new car rally's. 15x8 with 275/60/15 and 15x7 with 235/60/15 coopers. Ill update some photos after I get started

[flashed]

That is one nice Elky ,love the color ,Im in for the truck build too.

[robozride]

I had painted the original rallys silver and driven it some since the last pics. I never liked the looks of the 8" wheels on the front with the offset. I wheeled it in the garage today so this is the last "whole" picture. If any one close by wants a FREE extang cover for a long bed pm me and you can come get it

[robozride]

oops..this is the last photo.

[robozride]

The box came off easy with one support across the center and a cherry picker. Im pleasantly surprised by the condition of the cab, I stripped the matt and the cab corners and rockers are really good. there is the typical floor repairs needed and some rot over the heater box but all in all easy fixes.

[2002yanks]

looks like a nice one to start with. looking at the 69 elco and the 56 gmc you did i would say you wont have any problems making it a swb(both look great--nice job). But why not keep it a lwb. long and low is cool!! nice to see the parts will get some use here soon.

[robozride]

A little more progress. I leveled the frame from front to back so its all square when it goes back together. I hacked off the back 8" because it was 8" i wouldn't hit my shins on! I removed the bump stops and marked axle center on the frame. I will be doing the frame behind the cab the way they did it in the classic trucks tech article. This means after I get the frame back together I need to move the trailing arm cross member forward 12"so I ordered a cpp cross member and started popping rivets with the plasma and air chisel. Removed the front box mounts and the back ones just move forward in place. supported the cab and popped out the rear cab mounts as the front cut runs directly through the center of it. lots of measuring...next photos it will be in two pieces!

[robozride]

The Truck now has a short wheel base. All in all not that tough of a job. lots of measuring and the plasma cutter is a life saver. all welded up, fish plated and ready to clean up the welds and get the cab mounts back on. waiting on the new cross member to arrive and when it does ill install it with boxing plates over cut area and weld it all in.

[robozride]

The back is all back together with 5" drop springs, 1.5" blocks, relocated and lower shocks and an adjustable track bar. welded and bolted the CPP cross member in and then moved to the front.

[kgmunro]

Nice so far!

[robozride]

One thing led to another....

[robozride]

Back on four wheels. sits pretty low now but it will be lower with weight and should have just about the rake im looking for. its nice to be able to move it in and out again.

[2002yanks]

Looking good. Any chance we will see it at the Syracuse nationals this year? Love the rims/tires. What brand are the rims/tire size?

[Odaroloc]

Really nice! Love the Camino! Keep it up!

Mike

[robozride]

Originally Posted by 2002yanks

Looking good. Any chance we will see it at the Syracuse nationals this year? Love the rims/tires. What brand are the rims/tire size?

Thanks! The wheels are from summit racing, 7" front with 235/60 and 8" rear with 275/60 the wheels were really cheap not even worth cleaning and painting and old set and they are 6 lug to boot!

[robozride]

Making room in the garage. It looks small in there.

[68c10ratrod]

Originally Posted by robozride

Thanks! The wheels are from summit racing, 7" front with 235/60 and 8" rear with 275/60 the wheels were really cheap not even worth cleaning and painting and old set and they are 6 lug to boot!

is that the same pattern as the the stock pattern? if so what pattern is that?

[robozride]

well.... after a year im back at it. pulled the truck out of the corner and dusted it off. I used the Muncie in a 66 chevelle project so the c10 will get a 350 turbo with a 2600 stall convertor. should be running in a couple weeks. Ill post some pics one the front end goes back on.

[bretcopsey]

Originally Posted by robozride

I had painted the original rallys silver and driven it some since the last pics. I never liked the looks of the 8" wheels on the front with the offset. I wheeled it in the garage today so this is the last "whole" picture. If any one close by wants a FREE extang cover for a long bed pm me and you can come get it

Great progress. I know I'm bit late, but still got that coverto get rid of?