Project: Tiki Express, '65 C10 Panel Truck Build
 

Well, my vehicle ADD kicked in and I ended up buying a '65 C10 Panel truck. I have wanted something like this for a while and it makes hauling the dog, with the wife and I, to shows and cruises much easier. We found this one on Craigslist and overall it is in nice shape with fresh paint but mechanically it had some issues.

The suspension was basically all original, right down to the original ball joints. The PO cut the front coils at least a 3"+ drop and heated the rear coils for an unknown amount of drop. It also had some 22"x9.5" "bling" wheels that had the wrong offset and rubber bands for tires. This cause rubbing issues in the rear inner wheel well. In an effort to "fix" this, the PO used some 1/4" spacers on the stock drum wheel studs. Needless to say, there was not much thread holding the lug nuts on. About 3 blocks from his house the driver rear wheel came off and dropped the panel onto the rear corner, denting it fairly good. He lost interest and decided to sell it.

I am going through it and fixing the hack job stuff, putting correct wheels and hopefully will end up with a nice ride for us. I am starting with redoing the suspension and converting it to disc brakes. I am using CPP parts. I really like the modular spindles I put on my other '65 truck, as they do not space out the wheels like other spindles do. The spindles drop the front 2" and I am using springs for another 1", for 3" total. The rear I am using their 4" HD drop springs that are made for panels and suburbans. New ball joints and tie rods with their one piece adjusters. I am putting a deluxe track bar that will clear the finned diff cover I have. Topping it off, I am putting Bilstein shocks all around.

So in the tear down I found the lower control arm shafts, which are the original ones, had too much play. The upper arms actually are still tight so I am going to just clean them up and use them as is. I also found that the PO used the center steering link as a tow point. Needless to say the U shape it's in is not how it should be. Luckily I was able to pick one up from a local guy.

Okay, I am sure some people are asking about the name. I want to do a mural on the sides of the panel (likely a vinyl wrap) that will have Tikis and a Hawaiian theme to it. The inside will have a similar theme to it. My wife and I collect Tikis, hence the theme. :)

Alright, on to the pictures... ;)

As it came home on the trailer
http://gallery.lisaandmike.org/album...l/PICT6222.jpg

Engine as I got it
http://gallery.lisaandmike.org/album...l/PICT6224.jpg

Interior
http://gallery.lisaandmike.org/album...l/PICT6226.jpg

Bling wheels...
http://gallery.lisaandmike.org/album...l/PICT6227.jpg

Slot mags the PO gave me
http://gallery.lisaandmike.org/album...l/PICT6229.jpg

Stock front suspension
http://gallery.lisaandmike.org/album...l/PICT6239.jpg

Tear down, spindles and lower arms removed, upper ball joints removed
http://gallery.lisaandmike.org/album...l/PICT6240.jpg

Lower arms, all original
http://gallery.lisaandmike.org/album...l/PICT6241.jpg

Lower arms cleaned up, shafts removed and new ball joints installed
http://gallery.lisaandmike.org/album...l/PICT6242.jpg

New cross shafts installed
http://gallery.lisaandmike.org/album...l/PICT6243.jpg

Well, that it for now. Need to paint the arms, install them and get the spindles/brakes installed. Hope you will enjoy my build. :chevy:

Re: Project: Tiki Express, '65 C10 Panel Truck Build
 

Wow! Almost 100 views and no comments... guess there's no love for the panel... LOL

Well, made some more progress this past weekend. Getting the front end back together, piece by piece. On to the pics!

Fresh painted arms and spindles
http://gallery.lisaandmike.org/album...l/PICT6244.jpg

Springs and arms all back together. These are CPP 1" dropped coils
http://gallery.lisaandmike.org/album...l/PICT6245.jpg

Original center link with a smile. This is why you DON'T pull from them...
http://gallery.lisaandmike.org/album...l/PICT6246.jpg

CaptianFab's steering box mount template. Shine a light behind the frame to line up the "original" hole marks.
http://gallery.lisaandmike.org/album...l/PICT6247.jpg

Test fitting the bracket before I weld it to the frame. I did mount the box and center bar up to check everything, no pic though
http://gallery.lisaandmike.org/album...l/PICT6248.jpg

Box I got from another member, all mounted up
http://gallery.lisaandmike.org/album...l/PICT6249.jpg

Need to finish the steering and put the brakes on. Run new lines, mount PB setup, PS pump, etc., etc. It never ends. :)

Re: Project: Tiki Express, '65 C10 Panel Truck Build
 

Looks killer C/M!!:metal: I dont think that quarter will be too hard to fix either. I cant believe you have another set of vintage slots, too. Do you know what the backspacing is on them? I never see any with more than 3 5/8's''.

What else is in the plans? Hows the truck club going?

Re: Project: Tiki Express, '65 C10 Panel Truck Build
 

Thanks P/T64. I don't think it will be too hard to do and my neighbor has a bumper repair business and said he can blend in the paint, no problem. It is a factory GM color.

Plans are to finsh the brakes and drop, get it running solid and do the interior up. Fix the random little things and then drive the heck out of it. :D

As for the slots, you are going to kill me but I picked up another set, 15x8.5 and 15x10 in six lug. Figure I'll do the same setup as my '65 truck, 15x7 front 15x8.5 rear and in the distant future, mini tub it for the 15x10's! The ones on the panel are 15x7's.

Truck club is going slow. Can't seem to get anyone to reliablily show up to meetings and events. Oh well, that's how it goes.

Re: Project: Tiki Express, '65 C10 Panel Truck Build
 

The slots look 100% better and that wood flooring is killer.Did all those panels come with wood flooring like that? Nice ride and you have a lot of room for the wife and dog:)

Re: Project: Tiki Express, '65 C10 Panel Truck Build
 

Thanks. Yep, the panels came with the wood floor but unlike the trucks, it's actually plywood floors with strips on top. This keeps it sealed from any exhaust fumes.

Re: Project: Tiki Express, '65 C10 Panel Truck Build
 

The slots look 100x better. You're making quick work of getting the brakes and suspension upgraded. Thanks for including pics of the steering box adapter :)

Re: Project: Tiki Express, '65 C10 Panel Truck Build
 

Looks good, I'm thinking of doing the same things to a burb we just picked up. Thanks for the pics!

Re: Project: Tiki Express, '65 C10 Panel Truck Build
 

thats a clean looking truck. Since joinig this forum, I'm starting to get a soft spot for the panels. They look so cool, I think.

I really dig that wood in the back. :metal:

Re: Project: Tiki Express, '65 C10 Panel Truck Build
 

That looks awesome.

Re: Project: Tiki Express, '65 C10 Panel Truck Build
 

how are you doing the rear drop? hd springs from cpp? i assume heavy duty? do those fit trucks also? great panel!
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Re: Project: Tiki Express, '65 C10 Panel Truck Build
 

how are you doing the rear drop? hd springs from cpp? i assume heavy duty? do those fit trucks also? never heard of the hd springs esp dropped hd springs. great panel!
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Re: Project: Tiki Express, '65 C10 Panel Truck Build
 

Thanks guys!

hopped up - yes, I got the HD 4" springs from CPP. I would imagine they fit the trucks as they all use the same mounting setup. I think in a truck, since it's lighter in the back, would not net you the same 4" drop due to the higher spring rate.

Re: Project: Tiki Express, '65 C10 Panel Truck Build
 

Good looking rig, that rear quarter panel just makes you cringe to look at, what a shame that some people have more money than sense.
Too bad you are going to have to spend time and money fixing things that stupidity broke, or bent as the case may be.

Looking great as a start, good luck on this!

Re: Project: Tiki Express, '65 C10 Panel Truck Build
 

How hard is it to rebuild the lower a arms? Did you just need some big wrenches? I need to do mine because the grease boots rotted off. Need to do the uppers too.
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Re: Project: Tiki Express, '65 C10 Panel Truck Build
 

It's not hard... if you have the right tools. The "nut" size on the lower bushings is 1 5/8". I had a socket and breaker bar and couldn't budge them. I bought a large size impact socket set (1"-2") and used that and my Snap On 600 ft. lbs rated impact gun and it was working hard to get them off. Once off, everything else was easy to do.

Re: Project: Tiki Express, '65 C10 Panel Truck Build
 

that is me with my cab mounting bolts... Next for me is going to try heating them up with the torch...

Re: Project: Tiki Express, '65 C10 Panel Truck Build
 

Just found this thread.
You are definitely changing things for the better!

Re: Project: Tiki Express, '65 C10 Panel Truck Build
 

I've mentioned this on the board a few times, but my buddy and I took them off by using two 3/4'' drive ratchets and standing on them. We were rocking back and forth and bouncing on them; stupid funny!!:uhmk:

Re: Project: Tiki Express, '65 C10 Panel Truck Build
 

Hey PT64, I finally measured the wheels BS. The 15x7 are 3 3/8", the 15x8.5 are 3 1/2" and the 15x10 are 3 3/8".

Re: Project: Tiki Express, '65 C10 Panel Truck Build
 

Nice job! I like where your going with this build!:metal: We are going to be starting a 65 panel build soon, cant wait:chevy:

Re: Project: Tiki Express, '65 C10 Panel Truck Build
 

Thanx C/M!!! Why are they so shallow?? The spindles that you use must help quite a bit. I guess the bs on the 6-lug Rallys is similar from what lolife99 has posted in another thread. Never measured my Rallys but they are tight in the front.

Re: Project: Tiki Express, '65 C10 Panel Truck Build
 

Have to say that I like your truck...keep us updated as you fix up the mechanicals and get it all running well. Also, I agree that the quarter panel might not be too bad to fix and repair. Hopefully the PO did not slab a bunch of bondo filler in the quarter. Anyway, nice truck and I like the theme you plan to use on the sides of it.

Re: Project: Tiki Express, '65 C10 Panel Truck Build
 

Congrats on the new addition to your family! My wife calls mine "the Other Woman". I think you're making really good progress already and can't wait to see what you do with her. Keep up the great work and keep us posted!

Re: Project: Tiki Express, '65 C10 Panel Truck Build
 

Well no new pics (will get some this weekend) but I finally had a little time without it raining. Been a wet week for San Diego. :(

Still working on finishing up the front end. Got the tie rods and steering finished up. Greased up all the new joints. Packed the bearing and got the rotors installed.

I also finally decoded the engine off the stamped block numbers (on the pass. front pad). Not surprising, the "400ci engine" is NOT a 400. It's a '83 engine built in Canada, April 22. It is actually a 305ci engine. Would have been nice to been a 350 but definitely happy it's not a 400. They are just a little to quirky for me. At least I can get a balancer ordered up as I have figured the timing ring has slipped on mine.

I'm still shooting to have it on the road for the March 17th CPP cruise. Fingers crossed...

Re: Project: Tiki Express, '65 C10 Panel Truck Build
 

Got some more progress and pics from the long weekend. Didn't get as much done as I hoped. Weather on Sunday didn't help.

One thing I have to say, redoing the brake lines with everything in place (engine, front clip, etc.) is a PITA. I changed the master cylinder over to a dual reservoir with a prop valve. This was definitely a good thing to do as when I went to drain the old MC, it was basically dry. :hh:

To mount the soft lines, I did it like the '71 and later style, with the lines mounting on the front side of the cross member. I built brackets that the soft line mounts to and the hard line goes from. Got the front one done. Still need to do the rear line.

Well, on to the pics. :D

Rotors installed (yes I know the cap is not on all the way, still needed to put the cotter pin in)
http://gallery.lisaandmike.org/album...l/PICT6250.jpg

Brake bracket (though I found I had in on backwards)
http://gallery.lisaandmike.org/album...l/PICT6251.jpg

Caliper installed
http://gallery.lisaandmike.org/album...l/PICT6252.jpg

http://gallery.lisaandmike.org/album...l/PICT6253.jpg

Old MC
http://gallery.lisaandmike.org/album...l/PICT6255.jpg

New MC and prop valve, mock up (sorry for blurry pics, it was getting dark)
http://gallery.lisaandmike.org/album...l/PICT6256.jpg

New hardline snaking up frame. That combo of bends was a PITA
http://gallery.lisaandmike.org/album...l/PICT6257.jpg

Tee off to both sides
http://gallery.lisaandmike.org/album...l/PICT6258.jpg

Bracket I made to hold soft line at frame
http://gallery.lisaandmike.org/album...l/PICT6259.jpg

Well that's it for now. Still have lots to do. Until next time...

Re: Project: Tiki Express, '65 C10 Panel Truck Build
 

Thanks for posting the pics, I'd like to do the same with our burb but am struggling with deviating from the stock look. I'm anxious to see the panel when you get the suspension done.
Looks like you are schedule for the Mar. 17th CPP cruise :metal:

Re: Project: Tiki Express, '65 C10 Panel Truck Build
 

Sweet panel. I really like those!

Re: Project: Tiki Express, '65 C10 Panel Truck Build
 

Any New pics? If your looking for a spot to store your 5 lug slots i have room for them in my shop:lol:

Re: Project: Tiki Express, '65 C10 Panel Truck Build
 

No new pics. Still working on brake lines. Had hoped to find some parts I am looking for at the Big 3 swap meet yesterday but found nothing. :(

Not sure what 5 lug slots you are referring to. I don't have any spares.

Re: Project: Tiki Express, '65 C10 Panel Truck Build
 

Well didn't get hardly anything done today. I swear, every time I think I am making headway, I find one or two more problems. More and more I get into this I think this panel hasn't been driven in a while as I doubt it would have made is more than a couple miles without stuff falling off or breaking.

Seriously some people should just NEVER be allowed to work on ANY vehicle!!! In this case the 2 previous owners (who are friends and sold between them). Seriously if I could sell this and recovery what I have spent, I would likely sell it off. Venting!!!! Blah!

Re: Project: Tiki Express, '65 C10 Panel Truck Build
 

Finally got some more time working on the Panel. I swear this project is going to be the death of me. I continue to find more issues but slowly getting things fixed correctly. I started to work on the rear suspension and brakes. Basically I am replacing every piece of the brake system so I will know it is all good. Glad I did.

Pulling the drums off, one must be fairly original and was deeply grooved. Had to really back of the adjuster to get it off. The driver side, when I got the drum off, I found the axle seal leaking. Well, I wanted to flush the fluid and put my finned cover on. I just wasn't counting on pulling the axles too. Luckily the outer bearing look good and the axles don't have any grooves. Pulled the seals and figured out why the driver side was leaking. Someone used screwdrivers or something to remove a previous seal and gouged the tube. A little coat of RTV and new seal installed, it shouldn't leak anymore.

After that I got the shoes off and found the contact pads on the backing plate very gouged. Pulled the backing plate and broke out the MIG to fill the grooves. Ground them smooth and flat again and all it good. Passenger side did not have all these problems. New seals, shoes, wheel cylinders, drums, done. Man I do realize I hate drum brakes. Got everything back together. Still need to make new hard lines.

Now time to get the torched rear coils out and the upper mounting bolt fought me. Had to cut most of the coil off and use a cut off wheel to cut the bolt. Finally got both springs out. Panhard bar is off too. Ran out of time so that's it for now. Next will be pulling the U-bolts so I can install the adjustable bar from CPP. Also need to do the shock relocation kit. I did find out I have 3.73 gears which is better than 4.10 that I figured it might have.

Here are a few pics. Worked more and ended up taking less pics. :(

http://gallery.lisaandmike.org/album...l/PICT6302.jpg

http://gallery.lisaandmike.org/album...l/PICT6303.jpg

http://gallery.lisaandmike.org/album...l/PICT6304.jpg

http://gallery.lisaandmike.org/album...l/PICT6305.jpg

http://gallery.lisaandmike.org/album...l/PICT6306.jpg

http://gallery.lisaandmike.org/album...l/PICT6307.jpg

http://gallery.lisaandmike.org/album...l/PICT6308.jpg

Re: Project: Tiki Express, '65 C10 Panel Truck Build
 

Looking good she will be rolling soon:metal:

Re: Project: Tiki Express, '65 C10 Panel Truck Build
 

Been getting some work done when I have time and motivation. Working on getting the rear suspension put together. Also figured out the slot mags I wanted to use in the rear are not going to work. They have the wrong offset to clear the fender lip, which is bigger then on trucks. I picked up a set of 15x8" stock type steel wheels which are likely going to be painted white like the roof and use center caps and likely trim rings. We'll see how they look.

Well, on to the pictures...

http://gallery.lisaandmike.org/album...l/PICT6309.jpg

http://gallery.lisaandmike.org/album...l/PICT6310.jpg

http://gallery.lisaandmike.org/album...l/PICT6312.jpg

http://gallery.lisaandmike.org/album...l/PICT6313.jpg

http://gallery.lisaandmike.org/album...l/PICT6314.jpg

Wheel lip clearance with CPP 2" modular drop spindles
http://gallery.lisaandmike.org/album...l/PICT6315.jpg

http://gallery.lisaandmike.org/album...l/PICT6317.jpg

http://gallery.lisaandmike.org/album...l/PICT6318.jpg

That's it for now...

Re: Project: Tiki Express, '65 C10 Panel Truck Build
 

That is looking great:metal:

Re: Project: Tiki Express, '65 C10 Panel Truck Build
 

any updates

Re: Project: Tiki Express, '65 C10 Panel Truck Build
 

Sadly no... :( I had lost a lot of motivation. When I finally got some again, the heat as been really bad. I think this is the hottest July/Aug. I can recall in the last 10 years or so.

I REALLY need to get off my butt and get this going again. I have tons of new parts piled up and I will likely forget what I bought. LOL

Re: Project: Tiki Express, '65 C10 Panel Truck Build
 

Badass panel man. Hope to see it around town one of these days.
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Re: Project: Tiki Express, '65 C10 Panel Truck Build
 

Cant wait to see this done.

Re: Project: Tiki Express, '65 C10 Panel Truck Build
 

Will be watching this one too.

Lovely project. But anything with Tiki in the title gets my attention.
Maybe I will show you a couple of Tikis I carved from a building brick and one I carved with a chainsaw out of a piece of railway tie.

Actually here you go.

Click the links.

http://www.retrorides.proboards.com/...&thread=119578

Railway tie Tiki

http://www.retrorides.proboards.com/...&thread=134140
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