Restoring 1980 C10 big ten.

[Bloodhound]

Wow, you're getting me motivated! I'm in the same spot you were as far as removing the cab and stripping the front end. I need to pick up the progress!

[jgorzitza]

Originally Posted by Bloodhound

Wow, you're getting me motivated! I'm in the same spot you were as far as removing the cab and stripping the front end. I need to pick up the progress!

Don't feel to bad, this has been a multi year expedition for me.

[cottonme173]

What was your procedure on the frame? It looks great BTW.

[jgorzitza]

Originally Posted by cottonme173

What was your procedure on the frame? It looks great BTW.

I did the frame in two steps, previous posts show me doing the back end with the box removed. I did the front half once I got the cab/clip off. Pretty straight forward wire wheeled off the old undercoating, dirt, grime and loose paint. I used a hobby sandblaster in areas that were tough to get at with the wire wheel that I picked up at princess auto $40 (kind of like harbor freight in the US).
Once cleaned I used a product called KBS rust seal, it's very similar to POR15 and other rust type paints. I followed the instructions they provide so clean with De-greaser, use metal prep product (this is phosphoric acid and some other stuff), and finally apply the coating.

I Top coated with princess auto flat black anti rust paint just to provide some UV protection and I preferred the flat black look.

Seems to be holding up well as I have had wrenches slip on me, kid run into it with his bike, outside in the elements for over a year.

[jgorzitza]

Next Steps

I have ordered new steering components, wheel bearings, brake hoses, and finally my sheet metal for fixing the cab.

I figure the order of operations will be

- Clean and paint the Control Arms, springs, front steering stuff ect following the same process as the frame.
- Install the new steering components, brake stuff, and mount the wheels
- Get the motor and transmission put back, ensure the drive train is all lined up.
- Paint the cab floor with the rust seal up to the area where the rockers will be cut out.
- Install cab on frame before repairing cab corners and rockers - Cab floor looks good. (thoughts on doing it this way vs repairing while off frame?)
- Get box transferred from donor
- Get front fenders ect. transferred from donor.

All of this is good news on the progress front.