Project G-TR, Gearbox Garage Shop Truck

[GEARBOXGARAGE]

We've been working on this '71 C10 for about 8-1/2 years, in-between working on other projects, raising a family, working full-time careers, and running a part-time Hot Rod business. We are in the final assembly process now, but will post pics from beginning to present. Hope you enjoy!

[GEARBOXGARAGE]

The engine block was a pull-out from a '91 1-Ton with the factory 4 bolt bottom end, 1-piece rear seal and, best of all, a factory roller block. Performance Automotive in Hillsdale, Michigan performed the machine work, rebuilding the rods with ARP bolts and installing Speed Pro pistons, and balancing the rotating assembly. The engine specs out fairly similar to the ZZ430 that GM Performance had several years back, should be a fun little package for cruising and occasional Autocrossing.

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Assembly was performed by Dewy Demerest, who previously worked in the engine room for the late Indy car racer Scotty Braighton from Coldwater, Micigan.

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The original intent of this build was to just make a comfortable cruiser.... A mild drop, some minor updating in the braking and throw in a 700R4 to help out on the highway. But as you will see later, many of the mild drop components will go to the wayside for much improved handling and breaking.

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Body work and trial fitting some of the Goodmark pieces...

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The first attempt to get the body work done turned into a dead-end. Needless to say, the truck was pulled out of there when it was in mostly bare metal before any more half-a$$ed work could be done....

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While we were on the hunt for a new painter, work continued on the build. Billet Specialties Anthem wheels were chosen (18" x 9.5" rear, and 18" x 8" front) and Nitto NT555 tires. Billet Specialties was kind enough to send us a pic of the wheels during the machining process.

[Palf70Step]

Another one to keep track of for sure. Truck is coming together nicely!

[GEARBOXGARAGE]

This is where we started turning more toward a Pro-touring flavor and started developing our G-TR Rear Coil-over suspension in the fall of 2011. Seeing that there were still many C10 owners that prefer a static drop, but are never really sure how low they want to go, we developed a kit that is adjustable from approximately 4"-6" in drop and incorporates a double adjustable Chrome-moly panhard bar with XM series heim joints.

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At the same time, we updated the rear axles to Dutchman Motorsports Forged units, a DTS T/A diff support cover and Wilwood 4 piston Dynalite brakes.

[trent_44]

Looks awesome, can't wait to see more. I'll be subscribing to this, good luck!!

[GEARBOXGARAGE]

Thanks for the compliments, guys!

[coueshunter]

So far so good

[GEARBOXGARAGE]

To further the handling department, several Hotchkis items were sourced. The rear blade style sway bar, front sway bar, upper A-arms, and 2" front drop springs were added. Eventually we'll add the lower A-arms to compliment the uppers.

[GEARBOXGARAGE]

At this point, we were back on track with getting the body work done. You will probably notice several shades of primer. This is where we used an Omni 2K primer to cover any bare steel and help protect it while we were waiting on a new painter. Finally, we found a reputable painter in Bronson, MI, Greg Fowler. He was a body shop owner in the Elkhart, IN area for 25+ years, said he was tired of dealing with lazy employees who wanted to cut too many corners, so he sold the business and semi-retired. Now he works out of a shop at his house restoring cars, taking on only one project at a time. These photos show the last mock-up before we sent it out for some real body work and paint.

[GEARBOXGARAGE]

Greg wasted no time on getting a better fit with the panels. Everything is aftermarket, so there was definately some massaging that needed done, especially since there quite a bit of questionable work done by the previous body shop. He took quite a bit of it back down to bare metal and started fresh.

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More bodywork pics....

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Finishing up on getting things smoothed out. Starting the guide coat/block sanding process....

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And more blocking/guide coat/blocking....

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Finally the paint goes on! Took forever to decide a color. I was originally gonna go with Medium Olive, a popular color when these trucks were new. Considering that the truck was originally Ocre, I also looked at some metallic yellows, but I thought maybe that after a while I would grow tired of the brighter colors... Looking at some of the new Silverados, I started favoring Graystone Metallic. It's a simple color but looks awesome in the sunlight and the grays and silvers seem to never go out of style.

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A few more pics of the paint and getting it assembled. These are pics before it is buffed out...

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And these are after buff...

[GEARBOXGARAGE]

So one of the "problems" I discovered while builder a truck over a lengthy period of time, is that sooner or later, new products come out and grab your attention. This time, it was the Holley Terminator EFI. This, of course also lead me to buying an electric fuel pump. With all of the buzz at SEMA about the new Aeromotive Phantom fuel system, I thought it would make a perfect compliment to the Terminator considering I have a fuel tank already mounted in the frame.

[GEARBOXGARAGE]

Final Assembly has begun. We're starting off with some Hushmat for the interior of the cab to quiet it down. We'll finish that up and start on the wiring soon. We've also started putting on ods-and-ends around the truck...

[butternut1972]

Very nice....awesome detail work.