69, no wait, 71 C10 Project
 

I originally bought a 69 C10 in January of last year as my project truck. After getting it down to nothing but a frame, which was in real bad shape, I gave up on it, especially when my body guy told me the cab, after sandblasting, would require way too much work. I decided to part that one out to recover some of the purchase dough. Still doing that, albeit not very well as I have yet to become a paying member here to post the parts I do have. That will be coming soon.

So, I turned to this forum (which has been an unbelievably helpful resource) for leads on a "new to me" truck. Someone posted a Craigslist ad for a 71 C10 in SW Michigan. Turned out it was a gem and it has become my project. It is unbelievably clean and has 85,000 miles on it. I drove it home late last year from the Battle Creek area. It was well kept and garaged nicely.

The seller is a class guy and had tons of documentation from the original owner, from whom he had bought the truck. History of the truck was that 2 brothers bought identical pick ups in the Fall of 1970. This one spent a significant portion of its time in Florida. In fact, the now removed cap had a very well worn and faded "Florida County Sheriffs Association" sticker on the rear window.

Pics of my project below. Yes, that is some snow you see from inside the windshield. I had to let it spend a night outside of the garage and it snowed, of course. Since then, it's been in the comforts of my garage.

And so it begins. I am going to do a static drop of 4/6. I've got CPP front and rear disc brakes all the way around, with lowering coils, spindles and front shocks from CPP. I have Brother's tubular control arms for the front and ECE trailing arms for the rear, along with PB trac bar, frame cross members, c-notch, shocks and shock relocation kit.

The plan is to get the frame and suspension done before it gets nice enough to drive this Spring. The front suspension and cross member are off. Going to blast and powder coat (or simply paint) the cross member this weekend. I'll be doing the frame clean up and painting in stages, starting with the front. Bed comes off later when I get to the rear frame and suspension work. Update photos to follow.

Ultimate plan is to go to a newer drive train (maybe an LS) and to repaint it in original colors. That will likely be next winter as I want to start driving this thing as soon as possible.

Here goes nothing...

Re: 69, no wait, 71 C10 Project
 

Nice lookin truck!

Re: 69, no wait, 71 C10 Project
 

That thing is beautiful! Good luck on the build

Re: 69, no wait, 71 C10 Project
 

Look"n Good, Billy Ray!!!
A 71 is much better to start with, already being 5 lug and disc brakes, you've made some good decision making!!!

Is that a 307 engine???

Re: 69, no wait, 71 C10 Project
 

Thanks guys. It is a 307. Feeling good, Louis.

Re: 69, no wait, 71 C10 Project
 

Finally, some progress. It's been so cold here it's tough to spend much time in the garage, even with a propane heater taking some chill out of the air. But, I have removed the front cross member, control arms and steering. Peeled off the front bumper, grill and inner wheel wells. Had the wheel wells and cross member blasted. Passenger side wheel well lip near the battery tray had some pin hole rust. Everything else is looking good. Took a scraper and wire wheel to a portion of the frame to see how it would clean up. So far, so good. Just need some global warming to make it easier to work in the garage. This morning was -5 degrees so not looking good in the short term.

Re: 69, no wait, 71 C10 Project
 

Some more progress. A bunch of new parts painted or powder coated and ready to go. Going to get the radiator mount, battery tray and some other parts blasted next, but the front end is getting close to ready once I clean and paint the frame rails. And yes, that is an ice rink in its final stages in the background. Can't wait for it to be totally melted away and packed up.

Re: 69, no wait, 71 C10 Project
 

Holy Shnikes, thats a clean truck! I wish my 69 was that clean when I got it. Good looking project to start on. I'm excited to see how this one comes out. should be really great!

Re: 69, no wait, 71 C10 Project
 

More progress. Bed wood is out and my brother-in-law volunteered to see if it was worth re-finishing considering it was in great shape. We'll see soon enough. Rear tubs are out and bed supports are exposed for removal and blasting. Gonna lift the bed off in the next few weeks to go at the rear suspension and frame work--rear disk brakes, Porterbuilt shock relocators, frame cross members, lowering springs, shocks and Early Classic Ent.'s trailing arms. But, I plan on finishing the front end first to get it back to rolling around. Got to get this thing ready to drive now that spring is here.

Re: 69, no wait, 71 C10 Project
 

Finally, some more work getting done. Front suspension is prepped and ready to go on. Outer front frame rails are cleaned and painted. Working on removing and cleaning up rust-proofing all over firewall. Took a tip from a thread here on heat gun and plastic scraper. That gets most of it off and then a little scrubbing with a mineral spirits soaked rag helps with the rest.

Re: 69, no wait, 71 C10 Project
 

I did the exact same thing when I started out with a 1968, then found out it was in way worse condition than I originally thought and have recently purchased a new matching short fleet title, frame, cab, and glove box door to replace it and I'm now in the process of swapping everything over.
You found a real gem there is no doubt, congratulations on a great find and happy building.

Re: 69, no wait, 71 C10 Project
 

Painstakingly slow movement due to not getting enough time to work on my truck, but finally an update. Front suspension and brakes are on. Nice rake with just the front lowered. Moving to the rear suspension and brakes in the next week or so. So far, all brakes, rotors, suspension stuff has gone on flawlessly. Really well-engineered stuff. Not the best photos, but more coming soon, I hope.

Re: 69, no wait, 71 C10 Project
 

Coming along nicely!

Re: 69, no wait, 71 C10 Project
 

Looks good...

Re: 69, no wait, 71 C10 Project
 

Pretty sweet!

Re: 69, no wait, 71 C10 Project
 

Nice upgrades man the truck looks great.

Re: 69, no wait, 71 C10 Project
 

Thanks guys. If all goes well, this Sunday it will see the light of day outside my garage so I can lift the bed off. If it makes it outside, better pics on the way.

Re: 69, no wait, 71 C10 Project
 

The beat goes on, a bit, at least. Bed off, power washed rear frame, etc. and the truck finally saw sunshine for the first time since last Fall. 12 bolt is out, cross-members out and Porterbuilt rear kit about to be installed. Those pics coming later, but the backyard sunshine ones included below. Also, my brother-in-law, along with some routing and planing by the local Amish mill near his cottage, has prepped, stained and sealed new red oak for the bed. Photos don't do the wood justice. It really came out great.

Re: 69, no wait, 71 C10 Project
 

Porterbuilt cross members, c-notch and shock relocation bar installed. Working on the differential this week installing rear disk brakes. I hope to have it re-installed with ECE trailing arms, CPP lowered springs and drop block by next weekend.

Re: 69, no wait, 71 C10 Project
 

Do you plan on cleaning up the rear part of the frame and painting it before final assembly?
If so here is something that will be of use to you.
http://www.harborfreight.com/4-1-2-h...eel-94017.html

Re: 69, no wait, 71 C10 Project
 

I do plan on doing that. And many thanks for that recommendation. The old wire wheel was making only slow progress. Heading to Harbor Freight today.
Phil

Re: 69, no wait, 71 C10 Project
 

The original plan was to have it drive-able by Dream Cruise, but that is not working out. Some real headaches on the CPP disc brake lines not matching calipers, etc, but working through that. Nonetheless, it's starting to shape up. Rear frame cleaned and painted up. Full Porterbuilt rear c-notch, rear cross members, shock relocator and track bar are in. ECE trailing arms too. CPP disc brakes installed and working through the plumbing issues. CPP lowering coils and spacer installed. Can't see it too clearly, but the ride height looks about perfect.

Re: 69, no wait, 71 C10 Project
 

Did you like that Polycarbide abrasive wheel?

Re: 69, no wait, 71 C10 Project
 

Xeen, I meant to mention that. They were awesome. Even the ones that came with off-center mounting holes. Made my Ryobi high speed grinder wobble, but they took off rust and paint like a charm. Thanks very much for that suggestion.
Phil

Re: 69, no wait, 71 C10 Project
 

In post #18, the hood almost looks like a sun visor.