Project: "ResuWrecktion" '71 Custom Deluxe C-10
 

The truck:
1971 Custom Deluxe C-10, Long Bed Fleetside. Two tone blue & white, 350 (ZZ3 Crate engine) with TH 350.

I bought this truck from the original owner in the summer 1984. I worked my butt off hauling hay and working at a lumber yard to save the $1500 it took to buy it, I was a sophomore in high school! The original owner kept it in mint condition everything on it work, had a camper shell with wood paneling inside and carpet on the bed floor.

After several years of having my way with her, in 1990 I decided it was time for a rebuild. Had paint and body done with a smooth tailgate skin, interior was updated. Basically a 90 model seat and steering wheel with door panels, armrests and visors covered in the same style cloth as the new seat. Found a factory tilt wheel, added factory power brake booster and inserted new manual gauges in the factory cluster.

GM was just coming out with their crate engine program and I snatched up ZZ3 crate engine. Did a ton of head work and changed the cam and lifters, added a serpentine belt accessory drive system and some 8" Rally wheels. It was just about perfect!

It sat in my shop with a cover and would only get driven when I wanted to race or cruise. About 1999 or 2000 my buddy and I were drinking beer in the shop, he was struggling with finding a truck for his son to drive. Kid was a bout to turn 16, I reached into the desk drawer and tossed him the keys to ol' Blue. With the only stipulation of NEVER SELL the truck because one day I may want it back.

That day has come! I am calling this the ResuWrecktion because I am resurrecting my first truck from the wreck that she is now. So if you've made it this far, I'll get on to some pics.

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...psa8bdf044.jpg

Probably happier at this moment than the day I bought it.

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...psjj5i3llb.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps325fad25.jpg

The kid had a wreck, hit pretty hard in the front and has everything pushed to the right.

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...pse909cfc9.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps72e181f9.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps589517be.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps22c52ff4.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps6aede61f.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...psc1c00bbb.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps77b56fb5.jpg

Truck has the cancer in spots that we're all familiar with on these trucks, rockers, cab corners and kick panels.

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps654242cf.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...psae70c782.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps46ee1801.jpg

As you can see, I have my work cut out for me. I have owned literally a dozen of these trucks over the years but have always kept my first true love :lol:

This will be a slow build but should be fun, thanks for reading.

Re: Project: "ResuWrecktion" '71 Custom Deluxe C-10
 

Ignition switch was so worn out it took 10 minutes of fiddling with the key to get it to crank. Out came the tumbler and an order was placed with Brothers for a new switch and keys.

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps72bcc390.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps0f21f30b.jpg

Re: Project: "ResuWrecktion" '71 Custom Deluxe C-10
 

Started the tear down, trying to asses the damage and get somewhat of a game plan. I've always been that guy that just "wings" it. But since I no longer have a shop to scatter parts in, I have to do this differently now and not kick the wife out of the garage, yet.

Remember the old Pioneer Super Tuner III's.:metal:

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...psdfe8329c.jpg

Stripping the front end down.

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...pse7a9d6ca.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps4686cf90.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps349ac33b.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps6fa0992b.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps9bfccb03.jpg

Re: Project: "ResuWrecktion" '71 Custom Deluxe C-10
 

Knowing I need most of the front sheetmetal I called my buddy at Eckler's and ordered both front fenders, Core Support the center grille brace and core support mounting kit.

Got a new battery tray from LMC. Trying to strip down the old stuff and see what I can re-use and what is too far gone.

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps06efa2d0.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...psoeutxxbs.jpg

Re: Project: "ResuWrecktion" '71 Custom Deluxe C-10
 

So the front end damage is more than just sheetmetal, both frame rails are pushed over and have kinks just forward of the crossmember:

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps691f7e05.jpg

Right side kink, going down.

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps9583cf2d.jpg

Knowing how soft these frame rails are, I decided to cut out the factory core support crossmember and see if I could straighten them myself. So after a few hours of tugging with a come a long and hammering, their straight enough for me.

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...psec697418.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps7f6ba017.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...psee5uwasp.jpg

I figured I would get a new core support crossmember from Porterbuilt, so I contacted Laid Back Recreations about a few things and they got me fixed up.

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...psf1c80dfd.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps6849e886.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...psa3039afb.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps61fb6e3b.jpg

Re: Project: "ResuWrecktion" '71 Custom Deluxe C-10
 

After reading Rokcrln's thread on Porterbuilt hinge install, http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=374708, I thought I was ready to tackle at least part of the install.

Used my 5/16- 18 tap and tapped out all threaded holes, making sure everything was nice and clean.

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...psc8f32280.jpg


http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps497db559.jpg

Then shot some primer on all the parts.

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps4d41089d.jpg

Made my marks and templates and started cutting.

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps93c809d7.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps69c3f46f.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps138a1d32.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps8b4ad6eb.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps13c0475b.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps83f65201.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...psdb4f2dd9.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps24180b11.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps46735d5d.jpg

Re: Project: "ResuWrecktion" '71 Custom Deluxe C-10
 

After feeling successful with the hinge install I couldn't resist at least bolting what sheetmetal I do have on the truck. So the battery tray and core support got slapped together and the left front fender got bolted on.

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps46735d5d.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps9f43cc6c.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps481f3f29.jpg


And that brings this thread to where I am now, waiting on right front fender and core support mounting kit. I have a long way to go, probably take years but I'm happy to have my old truck back and be turning wrenches on an old C-10.

Re: Project: "ResuWrecktion" '71 Custom Deluxe C-10
 

Looks good so far..

Re: Project: "ResuWrecktion" '71 Custom Deluxe C-10
 

Thank you sir.

Re: Project: "ResuWrecktion" '71 Custom Deluxe C-10
 

Making some good progress,I'm also building a 71 custom/10 deluxe.
Sheet metal looks like it lines up pretty good.

Brian

Re: Project: "ResuWrecktion" '71 Custom Deluxe C-10
 

Thanks Brian, with the primered black fender it's kind of hard to tell but the fender is going to take some tweaking. The body line is a little high right now, I plan to kind of flatten out some of the arch in the upper mounting flange. If I'm thinking about it right, that should bring the fender down and in. If it's too far in I can shim it back out. I'm no body man so we'll see. :lol:

Re: Project: "ResuWrecktion" '71 Custom Deluxe C-10
 

Looking good, I'll follow along. :)

Re: Project: "ResuWrecktion" '71 Custom Deluxe C-10
 

Jarrod, did the cab/bed move a little bit on the frame from the fender bender? Now I know the story behind the truck, too cool!!! This explains why you are partial to these trucks! I am subscribed bud!!:metal:

Re: Project: "ResuWrecktion" '71 Custom Deluxe C-10
 

David, I don't think the cab has moved much if any. I've crawled around under it and tried to see if there is any more damage from the front end hit. Haven't seen anything blatantly obvious, plus the bed to cab gap is equal all around. :lol:

The rear bumper is tweaked up on the driver side but looks like he may have attached a chain or something to the frame and got pulled out, twisting the bumper up?

I've decided to get new cab mounts installed before I align the front sheetmetal, if I can get it pretty close I'll call it good enough and save the finish work to the body shop when I blow it apart for paint. My thinking is to go with a Porterbuilt front dropmember as opposed to having a custom setup built. My reasoning: PB stuff is jig built and will arrive perfect. Custom setup wouldn't be and if my frame is still a little tweaked, it will forever remain that way. :waah:

This will be an extremely slow build, maybe ready for LST 2016! If they'll let me register it. :lol:

Re: Project: "ResuWrecktion" '71 Custom Deluxe C-10
 

Very nice looking project. I'm gonna follow along too.

Re: Project: "ResuWrecktion" '71 Custom Deluxe C-10
 

Seemed like one of those weekends where nothing went as planned and progress was small.

Dragged my 25 year old Snap-On mig out to the backyard after doing a little sheetmetal practice in the garage. The results weren't anything to brag about but they were adequate. :lol:

Had big plans of running my mig off of my generator, that didn't go so well for spot welding! Genny wouldn't spool up fast enough to strike a stable arc.:lol:
Worst part is, I know better but nothing ventured, nothing gained right! So I rounded up some heavy duty extension cords and was back in business, going to run a temporary heavy duty circuit out back soon.

I decided to start tackling the firewall smoothing panels since I need practice on sheetmetal welding and this would involve overlapped metal so less chance to blow a hole in something.

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...psbe42f640.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps747b5e8d.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps3206d351.jpg

My Jackson quick change helmet finally gave up the ghost, so a trip to Lowes and I picked up this Kobalt hood for $100. So far I like it and it had good reviews.

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps596a0ec0.jpg

More tacks and more tacks.


http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps9ae5857f.jpg

And a lot of grinding, using a cutoff wheel on the grinder to knock down the highest spots (read about it in one of the metal working threads here) and finished up with a 2" roloc sanding disc.

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...pse737eaed.jpg

Biggest thing I've learned is that I am rusty at welding sheetmetal, bi-focals stink and I don't know how long it will take me to get used to them. I'm determined and I have more time than money. :lol:

Thanks for reading and following along.

Re: Project: "ResuWrecktion" '71 Custom Deluxe C-10
 

So you are joining the dropmember crowd!!:metal: I knew this was gonna be awesome!!!

Re: Project: "ResuWrecktion" '71 Custom Deluxe C-10
 

Looks good to me! I'm gonna follow along...sub'd

Re: Project: "ResuWrecktion" '71 Custom Deluxe C-10
 

Not a ton accomplished this weekend between dr's appointments and my daughters birthday, but some progress is still progress.

Started off by cleaning up the blower hole and prepping it for blanking off. Scratched around with a wire brush the best I could and sprayed some rust preventer inside. Let that dry and shot some rubberized undercoating in there.

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...pseef6a114.jpg

The undercoating wasn't my brightest idea! When welding the blank over the hole the it caught fire. :devil:
Good thing I had the water hose handy. :lol:
Anyway didn't get a ton of pics but got the blank welded up good enough.

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...pszrm7i0en.jpg

Then started to get the curved piece put on.

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...psdnxspwps.jpg

It's pretty well tacked up just have a bunch of grinding to finish up, back was giving me trouble from stooping over grinding. So I called it quits early, I'll get more done next weekend hopefully.

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...pse80350bc.jpg

Scored a high hump from the parts board and member nlped, pretty happy with the purchase.

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps93301d76.jpg

And scored a pair of NOS rocker panels from 60-66 on the parts board.

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...psfaa7d70d.jpg

Ran a temporary power line out to the work area and the welder worked much better, no voltage drops. Made a trip to the welding supply store today and grabbed some .023 wire and contact tips. I'll get that rigged up next weekend and see if it works better for me than this .030 wire on the sheet metal.
Planning to hit the swap meet Friday afternoon in Conroe and see if I can pick up a few items.

Re: Project: "ResuWrecktion" '71 Custom Deluxe C-10
 

Lookin good

Re: Project: "ResuWrecktion" '71 Custom Deluxe C-10
 

Very nice bud, keep it up

Re: Project: "ResuWrecktion" '71 Custom Deluxe C-10
 

Subscribed and watching. ..one of my favorite color combos

Re: Project: "ResuWrecktion" '71 Custom Deluxe C-10
 

Thanks guys, my progress will be at a snails pace at times but I'm having fun.

Re: Project: "ResuWrecktion" '71 Custom Deluxe C-10
 

Great build! Looking forward to more!

Re: Project: "ResuWrecktion" '71 Custom Deluxe C-10
 

Not a progress report but more of a throwback Thursday post. My wife ran across this pic and sent to me via text, said it was dated 1993. Back when it still had some shine to the paint and hadn't been wrecked or ragged out.

Hope some day to have it looking better, restored to it's former glory.

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...psecmxcszc.jpg

Re: Project: "ResuWrecktion" '71 Custom Deluxe C-10
 

Will I see you at Autorama this year?

Re: Project: "ResuWrecktion" '71 Custom Deluxe C-10
 

Unfortunately, no. I have to take my ship to the shipyard in Charleston, SC, we will leave 11-21 and probably not get back until after the first of the year. You will see me at LST 2015.:metal:

Re: Project: "ResuWrecktion" '71 Custom Deluxe C-10
 

This dang truck looks so freaking familiar. The timeframe is all wrong for the one I'm thinking of jt this one could be its twin. Plus, we both live in Burnet. Ok, I have to ask, it wasn't JR Box ya loaned to truck to as a kid was it.??!

Re: Project: "ResuWrecktion" '71 Custom Deluxe C-10
 

No, I loaned it to a buddy in Fairfield. I lived there for a long time and moved here to Burnet about 12 years ago. My wife is originally from Burnet and I didn't really have any family in Fairfield anymore so where we lived didn't matter to me.

About the only time this truck pounded the Burnet pavement was over 15 years ago when we would come down to visit.

Re: Project: "ResuWrecktion" '71 Custom Deluxe C-10
 

Ahh, I see. I went to school with a guy, had one damn near identical. Early 90s. Mine is similar, although in a million pieces. 72 Cheyenne Super. Med Olive/White/Med Olive.

Re: Project: "ResuWrecktion" '71 Custom Deluxe C-10
 

Put in an order with GMC Pauls and got these patch panels, inner rockers with floor extensions, kick panels, cab corners and lower A pillar patches.

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...psyhhcidhh.jpg

Started stripping the cab down,

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps83571fbe.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps10ad2b23.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps910593f9.jpg

Got the cab stripped down and then decided I would lift the cab. Since my lift was 200 miles away at a buddy's shop in Houston, I had to make do. Used a porta power and some wood and bricks got it raised high enough to clear the frame rails.

Slid a 2x4 and a 2x6 under the cab and put some pushrods between the boards and slid it off the frame.

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps7d8ed234.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps422e17bb.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...psfe2de026.jpg

Sketchy, I know, but it worked and there was no trip to the emergency room.

Found some 8" swivel casters laying around and whipped out a cab dolly out of the lumber used for sliding the cab off the frame.

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps107aab54.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps67caa5b8.jpg

Moves around pretty easy and should really be nice once I get it to the garage to work on. So since I was on a roll I hooked up the riding mower to see if it would tow it. lol

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps05cd3e69.jpg

And that will pretty much be my last update until after the first of the year, I have to take my ship up to Charleston SC for a shipyard period and that will go up through Christmas. Probably won't be home until well after the new year.

Re: Project: "ResuWrecktion" '71 Custom Deluxe C-10
 

BWAHAHHHAHAA!!!!!:lol::lol::lol: You ROCK Jarrod!!!! You still made progress so that's a good thing, so is not going to the emergency room!

Re: Project: "ResuWrecktion" '71 Custom Deluxe C-10
 

Not much progress as far as actual work getting done, ended up missing the whole holiday season and just got back home last weekend for a few days. But on the up side I made a few dollars. That allowed me to start stacking more parts, contacted Travis at AZ Pro Performance and placed my order for an entire Porterbuilt Extreme kit.

Front to back kit with everything including the Baer big brake kit and the new 24 x 15 rear dropmember. Also snagged the PB bolt on body drop kit to get me that much lower to the ground. I know it will be at least April before the PB stuff starts to ship, but I'm super excited.:metal:

Bought a pretty sweet interior out of a friends truck that he was selling so that puts me ahead on the interior side of things. (thanks David).

I will continue to tear the truck down and put the pieces in storage before I actually start any restoration work. So I started taking the bed apart and should get that finished this weekend. Some pics...

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps4ce18572.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...psfb1adc3b.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...psc176c8e8.jpg

Re: Project: "ResuWrecktion" '71 Custom Deluxe C-10
 

I just found this one... read the story on it... Great job... Keep up the great work...

Re: Project: "ResuWrecktion" '71 Custom Deluxe C-10
 

Thanks Dan, welcome aboard. It's gonna be a slow one. :lol:

Semi productive weekend:

Finally got the bed disassembled and removed, gonna cut out a few bed floor cross sills and trash the rest of the steel bed floor. Raised wood floor is the plan after the PB rear suspension is in.

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...psa779cb23.jpg

The goal is to remove everything from the frame rails and prep the rails for the new suspension. So I've been grinding factory rivets and removing brackets and cross members.

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps961b142c.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...pse01264db.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps457b66b9.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...pscb003725.jpg

And here's where I stopped for the weekend, only 6 more rivets and a few bolts and it will be stripped from the transmission back.

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...psb31ca1dd.jpg

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps8af1755f.jpg

Re: Project: "ResuWrecktion" '71 Custom Deluxe C-10
 

Great looking start and good story.

Re: Project: "ResuWrecktion" '71 Custom Deluxe C-10
 

That's some really good progress on it!!! Keep at it!!!:metal:

Re: Project: "ResuWrecktion" '71 Custom Deluxe C-10
 

Managed to get all the stock suspension removed front to rear. About the only thing I'll be re-using is the rear end. Front cross member is loose and engine perches are loose, I just need to get my engine hoist and trailer so I can remove the engine and trans and take it to storage. It'll take a couple of trips to the storage unit to get my back yard cleaned up again. Getting closer though.



http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps532ea417.jpg

Re: Project: "ResuWrecktion" '71 Custom Deluxe C-10
 

Nice progress on the tear down process.

Re: Project: "ResuWrecktion" '71 Custom Deluxe C-10
 

LST CRUNCH!!!! Hahahhaa. See you this weekend dude, I'm bringin my poncho and some refreshing adult beverages!! :metal: