Project "CSautosports 69"
 

I didn't need another project, but I have been looking for a 1969 truck to build for a long time. It got so bad that my wife would come home after being out of town to tell me about all of the '67-'72 trucks that she found for us. I didn't want to get one that was complete or even almost finished. I really wanted one with no motor or transmission. I think that I added all of these requirements just so I wouldn't find one for a long time.

Every Friday for years I would check out craigslist. Then in 2010 I found this one only 20 miles from my house. We ended up going over there that day and picking it up. It sat in my shop while I worked on a lot of other projects.

One day my wife and I went to the shop and just started tearing it down.

As of today, 7/4/2015, we have set the motor and transmission between the frame rails. We have a long way to go, but we are really starting to make a lot of progress. I will start from 2010 to current and document the process.
Hopefully to completion in 2016 or so depending on paint.

For me it's also pretty cool to watch how our shop changes over the years.

Thanks!

Chris

Re: Project "CSautosports 69"
 

Just playing around with some wheel combinations. I was pretty set on 6 lug Rally Wheels but I just wanted to make sure. I pulled the 20 inch wheels off my Tahoe just to see what they looked like.

Chris

Re: Project "CSautosports 69"
 

Starting dis-assembly.

Chris

Re: Project "CSautosports 69"
 

Dis-assembly 2. As you can see the truck was not lowered properly. I found a shock cross member to replace the flat metal they replaced the cut out one with. I ended up getting it from another board member.

Chris

Re: Project "CSautosports 69"
 

I was VERY surprised to find a 6 lug 3.73 posi rear end in the truck!

Re: Project "CSautosports 69"
 

One picture is the corner of parts before I moved them to another building to get them out of the way. The last two pictures are 2 years apart. I wasn't able to get much if anything done on the truck from 2012 to 2014 except pick up a 4L80E transmission and a wide bed I found near Elgin Oklahoma. Even was a factory wood floor bed.

Re: Project "CSautosports 69"
 

Nice project... I am following along...

Re: Project "CSautosports 69"
 

Thank you very much!

I will post some more pictures today. The last one I have already posted was from 2014. I really have made a lot of progress the last few months.

Thanks,

Chris

Re: Project "CSautosports 69"
 

Great project!
How big is your shop?

Re: Project "CSautosports 69"
 

lolife99, I have two buildings. The one shown is a 70x40 but I have a 60x30 next to it. I pretty much use the smaller shop for storage. I try to keep this one pretty clean and use it as a man cave also. It has an upstairs and a downstairs room. The upstairs room is made up like a really small apartment. My wife hangs out there when she comes down to the shop and doesn't feel like working on the car or truck.

I got them off a repo deal my bank had. Ended up being much cheaper than any other options.

Thanks,

Chris

Re: Project "CSautosports 69"
 

January 24th I took a load of parts to the local sandblaster. He did a great job.

Re: Project "CSautosports 69"
 

Sprayed everything with 2 part epoxy primer to seal everything. I am going to spray it all with Eastwood Extreme Chassis semi gloss black.

I still have to replace the rear shock cross member, trailing arm cross member and the small front cross member.

Chris

Re: Project "CSautosports 69"
 

sweet stepper! That shop doesn't suck either!

Re: Project "CSautosports 69"
 

Thanks!

That stepside bed was extremely rusted out. The truck was a wide bed and he sold the wide bed and traded for the step side bed. The fenders are the only thing savable at all.

I am going wide bed now.

Chris

Re: Project "CSautosports 69"
 

I placed an order from ECE today for a 4/6 drop kit, new crossshafts for my a-arms, front end rebuild kit, front sway bar and front disk brakes! I am pumped and ready to get this thing back on the ground!!! They were extremely helpful on the phone.

Thanks,

Chris

Re: Project "CSautosports 69"
 

These are pictures of the three cross members I swapped out.

Chris

Re: Project "CSautosports 69"
 

Pictures of the installation of the C-Notches. I am only going with a 4/6 drop but I figured this would be good insurance. That way I don't have to worry about it bottoming out.

Chris

Re: Project "CSautosports 69"
 

Picture of my wheels that I have restored. I am going with the 6-Log Rally Wheels off of a square body.

Thanks!

Re: Project "CSautosports 69"
 

Spraying parts and getting the frame ready to paint.

I am using Eastwood Extreme Chassis Black Gloss.

Re: Project "CSautosports 69"
 

I was pretty happy with the way it turned out. I probably sprayed the frame a little dry. I should have turned up the paint output a bit. It went on a little dry. I touched up a few spots after I took it back inside.

The touch up I did a little wetter with more paint volume. It really glossed it up.

Re: Project "CSautosports 69"
 

I sprayed a spare fender I am not going to use with a couple of my blue choices. The rear of the fender is 1972 523 Dark Blue and the front is a color I noticed on a Camaro at SEMA.

I don't want a really dark blue on the truck. I love the color of the 523 dark blue outside in the sun. Under my shop lighting you can see in the last picture that the front blue looks lighter.

Most of the time the 523 blue looks lighter unless the lighting is just right. I wish the front blue looked lighter all the time, I do like the metal flake.

Any opinions? Anyone running 523 Dark Blue with opinions?

Thanks!

Chris

Re: Project "CSautosports 69"
 

Looking good so far. I'm just getting started on a 71. I'll be watching your progress and maybe learn a thing or two. So far so good!!

Re: Project "CSautosports 69"
 

Thanks Autocross!

I can't wait to see the progress on yours also.

Re: Project "CSautosports 69"
 

What color code is that camaro blue if ya don't mind me asking?! And by the way the build is looking great do far

Re: Project "CSautosports 69"
 

It is BMW Estoril Blue. It really does look great, just too dark in the sun for me.

Re: Project "CSautosports 69"
 

Looks like an excellent start to a really nice truck. Looking forward to following along.

Re: Project "CSautosports 69"
 

I got the 4L80E transmission ready to go. I also ripped off the drum brakes on the rear end, cleaned it up. Primed it and then got painted it with Eastwood Extreme Chassis gloss black.

It's a 3.73 Posi Rear. I am not sure exactly what converter I am going to go with. It will have a lock-up clutch. Once I choose the cam I will decide.

Re: Project "CSautosports 69"
 

I got all the parts that are ready to go laid out on the tarp and getting a lot more pumped about starting assembly.

I installed the Poly trailing arms bushing and the rubber rear end stops.

Re: Project "CSautosports 69"
 

Such a nice night the wife and I made a chicken strip run in the Nova!

Re: Project "CSautosports 69"
 

Your truck is looking great! I may be wrong, but I'm pretty sure we stopped in that Logstore on the way to Tenkiller last spring.

Re: Project "CSautosports 69"
 

Thanks jmking9!

That Log Store is right outside of Tahlequah. My shop is right up the street. You would have passed right by me!

Re: Project "CSautosports 69"
 

Cool Nova. It looks like you won't be doing any more of those huge wheel stands like in your avatar. Who doesn't like some chicken strips from the log store :chevy:

Re: Project "CSautosports 69"
 

Mcbassin,

HAHA, it really tamed them for sure. It's not near as exciting to race anymore. =)

Re: Project "CSautosports 69"
 

Built a roll around work stand for the bed. So I can get it cleaned up and start to work on some body work.

Re: Project "CSautosports 69"
 

Started rounding up a few parts for the engine. I am going to build a Pump gas 496 for this truck. Not sure on the heads or fuel injection vs carb yet.

I am still planning to use my 4L80E with my truck. It's a low hump cab and I have heard there are no clearance issues. Anyone else have a 4L80E in their truck?

Re: Project "CSautosports 69"
 

I would still install a high hump.
There is so much more room to work with,... plus it's an easy mod.

Re: Project "CSautosports 69"
 

I like your shop as much as the truck. Wish I had that much room.

Re: Project "CSautosports 69"
 

Summitflier, thanks! It is nice having that room for sure!

lolife99, does it actually hit anywhere or is it just super close? I would like to keep the low hump if I can.

Thanks!

Re: Project "CSautosports 69"
 

I haven't installed a 4L80E.
I just always install a high hump with TH400, and the 4L80E has to have a bigger case.
I even used one in my red '69 with a TH350.
(I plan to install an overdrive trans at a later date).
My opinion it just gives you more room to work when laying on your back under the truck.
(easier access to everything)

Re: Project "CSautosports 69"
 

I had to use a High hump with my 4L60E on my truck. I have my engine pretty far back against the firewall too. I think if you run a 4L80E you will have no choice but to run a High hump.