Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop

[Bennett68C10]

Sweet Chad can't wait to see the new drop on the truck and also can't wait to see what you do for wheels too

[WIDESIDE72]

I missed out on a set of NEW NEVER MOUNTED Coys C-57's on the local C-LIST FOR $700 (obo!)

[big_al_71]

Getting excited for you Chad, looking forward to the truck with the parts INSTALLED!!!

[CC69Rat]

I went to Pops yesterday to work on the truck as we usually do. It was just a random 'piddling' day as we call it, just cleaning here and there. I have a cupholder console I am working on to restore a nice local show / nice driver quality black one to sell and make a little to just put back into parts money. I am also seriously considering a soda blaster setup for my garage and start saving these consoles. Not to make a bunch of money but I really like the bucket / console trucks.

I got the console stripped as best I could and just sat it aside. I think I'm going to blast it, I just can't get it clean enough. I'm pretty particular when it comes to stuff like that.

Next project - The bed. I hate it. I hate looking at it. It takes so much away from my truck and could be so much more. I have all the parts to convert it over to wood but it's all the rusty original crap that really makes it look bad. Someone put some kind of sealer over the bed years ago and it's rusting from the inside out. Dad and I pulled the old fender wells out of it and to both our suprise the bedside mounting points look really nice, original paint, etc. This mystery covering / sealer stuff appears to have saved the bolt holes but just rusted out the bottom edges and around the fenders. Let's just say we broke most of the bolts loose by knocking the rust out of them. Both inner fenders are out of it now. The plan was to get the inners out so my Media Blast guy could get the sides really clean.

After they're blasted and EPrimed, the bed comes off. I will pull it all apart and come back with all nicely refreshed GM front panel, cross sills, rear panel, super nice inner fenders, polished stainless strips and bolts.

While the bed is off, Dad and I will do the cleaning / blasting and painting. 4 wheel disc conversion, springs, shocks, etc. Bed goes back on.

Front drop, discs, .. hard lines, all that good stuff. Maybe by that time my wheels will be in. I have decided on the Centerline Sundance Boulevard. I know they're expensive but I have found myself in a little more than 'driver' in this truck.

Sorry for the novel, but I couldn't believe this.

My mother is the sweetest woman in on the planet. When I come to work on my trucks she has always understood, my time with Dad is precious to me. .. but still I really try not to work on them without at least asking her how she is doing and maybe get her and the wife to go shopping or something. I love my momma as much as my own self but there is somewhat of a line between trucks and mom. Know what I mean? I don't mean for there to be but I just don't see my mom up to her elbows in grease.

I say all this to say my mother still tries to be a part of my time with dad. I still want her to be but it's just more of a dad / son thing I would never want her to feel ignored. She still tries none the less.

As Dad and I were beating the bolts out, cutting, grinding, etc. It caught her attention. "What the $#@^& is all that noise?"

Shes walking to the garage. She see's my bucket seat sitting up in the GMC. The bench is in the floor beside the truck. "WE NEED THESE SEATS IN THIS TRUCK !" Don't put that one back in. .. But, Mom. I'm going to to good to get a cover for this one.

NOPE. I'll buy them. Huh? Soo .. Mom's putting buckets in my GMC. I was shocked. No, don't sell that console. Put it in this truck.


I just want to say I thank god every day for my parents. I am 39yrs old, I'm not a kid. I make good money, I work in IT for a fortune 250 Insurance company. Money is not even close to what matters most to me. At the end of the day, my family is what matters most to me. This has really made me realize my Mom is more a part of this than I ever knew. While she may not know which direction to turn a bolt, .. She too wants to help me, and even at 39 be my momma.

This old truck has really meant a lot to me man. I really don't think it will ever leave my hands. .. and I owe it all to my family.

[darkhorse970]

You have a great thing going with your dad and you truck hobby! Enjoy it as much as possible while you can. I'd say that mom might be more interested in the trucks than you think, she has good taste in seats!!LOL
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[CC69Rat]

I know it man.. I didn't know what to do or say. I guess that time means more to mom that I ever knew. I was into cycling years ago and spent every minute I had, on my bike. I never ever knew what I was missing and the time I gave up being without my family. I had no idea. It really hit me hard that she too wants to help and really that's all she knows to do. As she said "I'll put the icing on the cake" .. That's my momma.

[CC69Rat]

Pics of my drop parts and McGaughy's 4 wheel big brake kit. The rotors are 13", 2.5" drop spindle. Shocks coming soon .. just thought you might like to see.

Oh, and the buckets are on order. I have been working with Jonathan to get them put together for me. He has the cores, we're just getting the covers and installation worked out. 69-70 style with the scroll, Sandalwood color, matching cupholder console coming soon. (as soon as I can finish it up )

[lolife99]

Very nice!

[gringoloco]

Nice brakes! Especially affordable if you're already needing spindles. Are you aware of the rear rotor register issues?
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[shawno72]

Nice stairs.

[CC69Rat]

Thanks guys, gringo I actually read where you had to grind a little off the mount to get them to sit flush (?) Tell me what you mean by register issues please sir? Just want to be sure its the same thing. The guy with the black 68 and Boyd crown jewels... dont recall his forum name has or had this setup at one time I think?
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[LEX]

Nice. Can't wait to see the seats.

[CC69Rat]

Originally Posted by gringoloco

Nice brakes! Especially affordable if you're already needing spindles. Are you aware of the rear rotor register issues?
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Just wondering if you're referring to the center hole in the rotor not fitting over the flange on the rear axle? I am going to be running Moser conversion axles and you're right the center hole in the McGaughys rotor is slightly smaller than the flange and it will have to be machined... sigh.

We're not talking about a lot, just about 1/64 or so. Working on it, I will update. I have some connections and I'll come up with something.

[gringoloco]

Yup, that's it. You've done your homework! Did you find a good deal on them? If so, mind sharing? I was looking at piecing together a C5 setup, but if this could end up cheaper/easier...
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[big_al_71]

AAAAhhh the sweet smell of new parts!!!!!

[Bennett68C10]

Those brakes look familiar, nice parts Chad
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[CC69Rat]

Didnt you do Moser axles Keith? Dad looked at them and said we would need to machine off just a few shavings, not really much to speak of. I have a friend at Hudlow axle in Ringgold GA so.. Ill get there. we'll get it figured out.
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[Bennett68C10]

Yeah I have Moser axles but only did the front Disc Brakes, still rockin the drums in the rear. I didn't have the extra money at the time for the rear discs plus all my drum parts were given to me as a Christmas present from family so I'll run them for a while and switch to rear discs someday after the truck is finished lol.
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[VA72C10]

That was so cool of your mother! And those brakes look AWESOME!!!

[CC69Rat]

Thanks for all the compliments guys! As it looks right now, I can order my wheels 8/10/12. That just leaves shocks, balljoints, some grinding and sweating.

I have been eyeballing some StrongArms (UCA / LCA) .. but we'll see.

[Leroy-B1]

Looking forward to seeing it all together buddy!!!!! I am jealous just a little bit....my mom doesn't even know I have a truck I think or would care if she did know....if its not a caddy or lexus she thinks it junk...lol

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by CC69Rat

I have been eyeballing some StrongArms (UCA / LCA) .. but we'll see.

Check eBay for the CPP tubular arms-- ~$750 for the set w/ free shipping...

[CC69Rat]

We'll see how the $ goes, but right now I'm just trying to finish up the Interior, get the bed off and re-worked, wood in, all painted, etc.. Then I'm going into the suspension. I'll probably take a week off or something and just put the truck up on 6 jack stands or so with the bed off and just start detailing, painting, and puttin the good stuff back on.

My plan is to order the wheels after I can put the front end at ride height and measure the Backspacing. Then of course, another couple weeks on jack stands. .. or, put my Billet Specialties on it just so it's mobile.

If this kit goes on like I hope, I might get one for my 68 too. I really like the look.

Keith, do you know if the ZO6 caliper will work with this setup?

[Bennett68C10]

I'm not sure Chad, I never looked into it. If you investigate it further, let me know what you find out.
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[CC69Rat]

Form what I understand, the rotors are basically C5 Corvette, drilled and 5x5 pattern added.

So, .. maybe C5 calipers would work? I'm going to check it out.