Decade of Dedication, A Boys Dream 72 C-10

[Bagd72Chevy]

Since my original thread didnt have much in it and was in the wrong place I will start this one. 10 years, 6 months, and 8 days ago I started a thread on here about my 72 C10 that I was building. I was 17 years old.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ad.php?t=85667

The truck was never finished but I still own the truck and it has been hidden from the eyes of society for over a decade. I have gone to College, Graduated Mechanical Engineering, got my Professional Engineering License, bought a house, bought a mill, 2 lathes, a cnc plasma, gone through a few girlfriends, tinkered with other junk, and now decided it is time. I built the original chassis a decade ago with bolt on type parts (which there werent many at the time). Redid the suspension 9 yrs ago to make it lay frame. Should have left it alone! LOL. The body work is perfect, paint is astounding, and the chassis is crap. So I will be updating this thread with my work as I finish the truck I started long ago and have dreamed of completing. I will be building this truck for myself, my way, and driving it all over this great country.

Here are some pictures of the road to get us to here:

How I bought it in November 2003.



bagged, lt1, 700r4, 20" Billet Specialties



Then I decided it wasnt low enough and I did this. Back when you needed a welder, torch/plasma, and balls to lay out a C10.











Which brings us about to present day. The main reason I never finished the truck is the entire bed is shaved and the stock chassis flexes alot making me nervous it would crack the tailgate skin.

I have a 69 Chassis that I will be building to swap into the truck and finish it out.

[Bagd72Chevy]

Plans:

Shorten LWB frame to SWB
CPP Trailing Arm crossmember (unsure if I will get tubular trailing arms or not)
Notch Rear and Fully Box Frame reinforcement in steering box area
Bags in place of Springs
2" Drop Blocks
Relocate Shocks to behind axle and as far out as reasonable
Fr and Rr Sway Bars.


Parts to take from existing frame:
Aluminum Fuel Cell
Ride Tech Control Arms
Baer Brake Kit
12 bolt rear axle with Eaton Posi and 3.42 gears
Power Steering Box and associated parts
LT1 engine and 700r4

[HSRACER]

I will watch. Good luck getting it going.

[Xeen]

Nice looking truck.
You may have other options that should be considered here instead of starting over with a new frame.
You could reinforce the frame with steel tubing as you would for autocross.
Box only the sections of the frame where the most flex happens.
I have seen several guys do it here on the board with success.

[Bagd72Chevy]

There is a whole lot more than just the flex issue. The chassis that is in my truck has been cut up pretty bad. The 3 link geometry is way off, the notches are Fubar, it's Z'd, and pancaked the front crossmember. That is just not what I want anymore. I'm still on the fence between bags and coilovers but that will iron itself out pretty quick. I grew up in my dad's shop, and I've built 2 other ISCA winning trucks so I'm not the new kid on the block. I'm taking the quickest path from where I am now to driving my truck. We will likely redo the chassis that is in my truck right now to put in my friends C10 down the road. Right now my truck can remain in storage in its semi-assembled state while I build the chassis and then swap everything over as my garage isnt big enough to store an unassembled truck and have room to work on it.

Today I received the CPP Trailing Arm crossmember and I went and had some U-Bolts made at the spring shop for the rear axle. I picked up some 2" Aluminum Square Stock that I'll make some lowering blocks out of. Should be able to blast the chassis Sunday.

[Bagd72Chevy]

Started out by getting the frame into the garage and squared/leveled up. My garage was a car port so the slab leans heavily to one side. I tack weld legs to the frame to hold it in the air level, then I put scissor jacks on the back so it is adjustable. I added legs just in front of my cut so the front section wouldnt move. The jacks are used to get my chassis level and it has worked great in the past. Take all my angle readings at different points, then slice it to a shorty.





Installed the CPP crossmember after it was welded back up. The rails did not want to be straight up and down so I tacked them to the crossmember with help of a friend. It will be welded in solid later.



Moved the body mounts back and began backing and welding up some of the holes. One of the mounts was cracked so I cut a groove and Tig'd both sides up then finished it out.


I helped my little brother (cajundragger) move into his first house this weekend and while I was in Houston I picked up some tubing to do the inner structure with.

Then my metal rack didnt want to hold all my junk so I had to beef it.


I decided to build my own trailing arms so I picked up some 2.63 Ballistic Joints for them. With a .120 spacer they will match the exact width of the stockers and use the stock size bolt. Along with 2" 1/4 wall DOM we should be good to go.


Should be moving along pretty quick now. On August 30th I will be removing my truck from its Tomb, stripping some parts off of it like Cadillac in Compton and transporting it to its new temporary home.

[mikeleeshields]

Looks like a fun fast moving project. At least you have a good body to work with. Get the base done the way you want now.

[Ben_Yeaton]

Awesome work. I remember you and your brother from the GMFS forums. Always built amazing trucks. Looking forward to seeing this one!

[Bagd72Chevy]

I'm trying to work on it everyday, even if it is just small stuff. So I drilled the rivets and removed the bump stops. Then started making templates for my notch. I also burned out some 5/8" plate on the CNC to build a new electric hydraulic tube bender.

[nlped]

Nice looking project & awesome plasma table

[Hart_Rod]

Nice project.

[Bagd72Chevy]

I put some work in last night and got one of the trailing arms tacked together. I still need to add a plate between the sleeves. Built with a 2" drop. Just need to finish Tig'n them up.

[Bagd72Chevy]

Last week I finished tacking up my other trailing arm but I want to get the axle in before I final weld everything.


Then I made some good progress this weekend. Stripped the truck and moved it from Storage to another garage close to me. I removed the axle, front suspension, fuel cell, airbags, and valves. Then installed the 6 lug stuff and coils. Now I can finish up my chassis.







My buddy scored me a bench seat that is in cherry shape. Even has the factory cover under that red. I really want to go with a Blue/White plaid cover. And he got me some 68 metal door panels.




After moving the truck I made a second trip back to my dads shop for the parts I'm taking to my house.

[Bagd72Chevy]

I got some work done over the past week. Shades of the Past rod run in Pigeon Forge was great. Good enough to bring home a 67 GMC. I have been straightening the frame and boxing it as I go so the boxing plates are now tacked in from the firewall to the notch. I got the outside notch plates welded on and I'm going to get the insides on before I cut the frame and put the 6" pipe in. I also cut the 4 link mounts off the axle. Need to clean the axle up and throw it on the trailing arms.

[BigDaddyV]

Nice work, I'll tag along for the ride.
Sub'd

[Bagd72Chevy]

I've been working a ton, and off tinkering with my new to me 67 GMC but Im back on the 72 when I have time.

67 as acquired:



67 now (still working on that drivers bedside):





Axle in the chassis now on the 72. Next up putting the front crossmember in and making the trackbar. Then shock mounts and tubular frame crossmembers.

[Hart_Rod]

Nice build! Do you have any pictures or information on your tilt hood setup? TIA

[rwade]

Anyone know if a standard GM hubcap will fit those transport 22's? Like the ones in my picture

[Bagd72Chevy]

No cap "fits" the transit wheel. I'm looking for some factory caps and as soon as I get some I'll do a write up on attaching the caps. You have to use clips.

The flip forward hood used a Buick Lesabre(i think) hood hinge from the early 90's. You have to widen it and reshape the support bar around the radiator. It is kind of unstable and takes two people to open and close. I have all the parts for it somewhere, I wont be using it again. I like to drive alot and its too sketchy for me. Everyone was using those on here back in the early 2000's because the wheels took out the factory hinges when going that low.

[Bagd72Chevy]

Well, its been a rough month or two. 2 deaths in the family, holidays, and crazy work schedule. I did get a little bit done though. Front crossmember in, mockup motor/trans in, trans crossmember in. I used the 6 cyl mounts but moved them to the forward frame holes.

[JHT67]

Sorry to hear of your losses, always rougher around the holidays.

2 cool trucks in one build thread. Is your GMC a driver?

My nephew is planning on heading to college next year and going for mechanical engineering, my 12 year son talks about doing the same, your build is why that excites me. If all goes to plan, I'll be planning some awesome builds of my own with there engineering knowledge.

[Bagd72Chevy]

Thank You for the kind words.

Yes, the GMC gets driven alot. Id drive it more if I could get the wipers working

I highly recommend engineering to kids interested in the sciences. It's just applied physics, good to hear.

[Bagd72Chevy]

Well its been a few months but I threw a 4.8 in my 67 and did most of the Power Tour. Trans let go 1hr south of St. Louis. Back on the 72. I realized I accidentaly grabbed a TH400 case so I swapped it for a 700r4 and moved crossmember.

Front Crossmember was trash, so replaced.


Finally put lower notch in


Panhard Mount




Built new crossmember for area around Bag mounts to clear axle and driveshaft.





Capped Notches and more work on crossmember



Welded up panhard, got it in but didnt grab pics. Just need shock mounts and frame is basically complete.

[Bagd72Chevy]

Slightly off-topic but this is where the 67 ended it's power tour. The trans isnt worn out, its jacked. At first it would only go in reverse, then it locked up completely. Hard parts are broke. I have a 4L80 for it but I dont know a trans guy I trust so I may just build it myself. Motor/Trans is already out just awaiting parts.



Took the opportunity to clean up motor.

[Advanced Design]

Love that you are continuing the pursuit of a dream. Looks like your education and tools have advanced significantly in the last 10 years. Nice work, and I will be tagging along.