My 86 C10 Project

[JW76]

I figured it was time to start a build thread. I have been working on my truck fixing little things here and there since I bought it four years ago. This winter I decided I wanted to clean up the frame and while I was at it I figured I would put in my new transmission. One thing lead to another and now the frame is detached from the body and there is no turning back.

[JW76]

Bought the truck when I was 16. I was walking around a local junkyard in search of fenders and a door for my 82 c30 dump truck. My father saw the grey pickup and asked how for a price on some parts. The junkyard owner said that he was selling it whole. After some pleading with mom and dad I was allowed to purchase the truck. It cost $600 for the truck and delivery.

[JW76]

some pictures

[silvereagle07]

Looks like a good deal at $600. How is the body? It doesn't appear to have much visible rust. Let's see some progress pics! All torn apart.

[JW76]

I will post more tonight... Architecture school seems to take away all my free time... lol

[JW76]

The truck was in the junkyard because it had a bad 4.3 in it so my father bought me a used 350. I cleaned up and painted the 350.

[JW76]

Here are some pictures of the engine before and after.

[JW76]

We put the truck in the garage and buffed it out. The paint came out real clean for original paint. The body was perfect. There was not a single dent in the whole truck. The only problem spots were the cab corners. The fenders, floors, bed, etc. were mint.

[JW76]

I'll post the frame off that I am doing now soon.

[86er]

You have a very clean truck keep up the great work.

[JW76]

thanks for the compliments!

[diponyou]

nice bro.
im jealous

[JW76]

Here is a photoshop rendering of how it should sit after my drop. I have 3" springs for the back and need a shackle for another 1". The front will be 2.5" spindles and a 2" spring. I also want to put the white letters back on the gate. I added in the bumper which I bought but was not actually on when the picture was taken.

[silvereagle07]

Wow, the truck turned out great. What a deal. It reminds me of my old long bed. Wish I still had it.

[menace121978]

very nice! !

[GMC Guy]

dude that thing is sweeet

did you ever figure out what happened to the first 350?
and boy did you luck out with that paint and body...that paint looks amazing, and all it took was some elbow grease...
if i did that to mine, i think all the paint would end up chipping off

oh and what wheel size and backspacing are those new rallies?

[kghtrdr272]

Great job on the truck, can't wait to see the progress. I'm currently working on a frame off on my '85 GMC. I'll be posting a build thread soon.

[JW76]

With some inspiration from Wild83c10 I am going to continue my trailing arm conversion. I did all the research last year but decided to wait. Well after talking with CPP and Steve at HRH its a go. I am going to have HRH build my crossmember, I will use stock arms, and I am going to use the CPP notch/spring mount and springs. Hopefully my build will help people with longbeds utilize trailing arms.

[JW76]

Some updates... its been a while

These are cell phone pictures I snapped after working this weekend. I have the trailing arms all mocked up and am finishing up welding. Finally, a long bed with trailing arms!

[JW76]

I will take good pictures once I finish welding everything up for good. This was the tacking and mockup stage so unfortunately it is all disassembled again.

[JW76]

Just got my new fuel cell. This weekend I should be able to get the trailing arms back on, the leafs off, and that all finished. I would also like to get the fuel cell in. My goal is to have the truck ready for the Powertour in June! It seems ambitious but doable!

[JW76]

I've been reading Robnolimits suspension thread and intent to incorporate a few of his suggestions such as x bracing and boxing a few important locations on the frame and the strategic placement of weight. My fuel cell is going between the frame rails after the axle to put that weight in the ideal location. instead of a few hundred pounds hanging off the drivers side like the old saddle tank. The battery will also be relocated in a saddle box off the rear rail. I am working on a deal also to acquire a NOS cheater kit. My new engine should be 525 on motor + 250 shot of nitrous. I would also like to use a snow meth injection setup. Should be fun when combined with the new 12 bolt with 3.73s and my new TH400 with reverse shift pattern manual valve body and 2800 stall converter!

[Driveway Dreams]

Man alive! That is a sweet looking truck. I always love to see one "saved" from a yard. Good job on it! Keep at it, it sounds like you will.

[JW76]

Thanks for all the comments. The first 350 was just tired. It had been rebuilt twice and was used hard. I got it cheap enough that I could run it for the summer while building a good motor. The paint is really good on the truck. The roof paint is thin though with primer poking but you can't see that at a car show. I hit it with some spray can which matched close. The paint dulls out pretty quick so I just wash and wax it every other week and the looks good.

[JohnC]

Nice looking truck. It has come a long way. Keep up the great work, and the updates.

On a side note. What belt bracket setup are you using?