How to: Ruin a perfectly good C10

[smbrouss70]

Originally Posted by gringoloco

thinking of painting them my favorite shade of vht...

YES!

[regan wilson]

Originally Posted by gringoloco

It’s like you’re in my brain. I actually have the gate leaning against the wall. Planned to use it for that as well as using the lettering on the rear of the raised floor. Won’t happen right now as I’m running out of time and need to focus on more pressing things, but sometime in the future, maybe? It’s all built in my head...

Now that's funny. Bad thing is if this was 20 years ago I would have the piece to give you.

[smbrouss70]

The picture is dark, we can't see anything bad. Besides, I know a guy.

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by smbrouss70

The picture is dark, we can't see anything bad. Besides, I know a guy.

I assure you, it looks like butt. Oh well for now.

In other news, as if by some glorious accident, what was supposed to be a primer coat on the tubs actually looks pretty good, maybe.

I’m not sure exactly how I feel about it, but I’m pretty sure I don’t hate it. In fact, I think I might kinda like it. Plan was to paint them blue, but for now they’re gonna stay like this. For now. I maintain the right to change my mind on this at any moment

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by gringoloco

I assure you, it looks like butt. Oh well for now.

In other news, as if by some glorious accident, what was supposed to be a primer coat on the tubs actually looks pretty good, maybe.

I’m not sure exactly how I feel about it, but I’m pretty sure I don’t hate it. In fact, I think I might kinda like it. Plan was to paint them blue, but for now they’re gonna stay like this. For now. I maintain the right to change my mind on this at any moment

My plan has always been to paint mine black & leave them that way.

[regan wilson]

It looks clean.

[gringoloco]

Glove box is back in, and along with it mounted the ECM and handheld. What this really means is that all of the under dash ac stuff is back in place and working. Just needs plumbed under hood and charged and the cold air will be blowin’ again. Forgot how much ‘fun’ it is laying on your back on the floorboard plumbing ducting, wiring, and cables...

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

My plan has always been to paint mine black & leave them that way.

How are you always two steps ahead of me Scoti?

Originally Posted by regan wilson

It looks clean.

Thanks! It’s growing on me

[knomadd]

Wow, Chris! I've been gone for 3 months and you've done a lot. I love your build. I'm fighting home deficiencies from winter storm that us Houstonian's aren't prepared for, and a drivetrain update on my GTO, otherwise I'd be doing similar things, like the latches and door rebuilds...

Your bed floor turned out great! My plan is what you still think you want to do... metal floor with bedliner, which I currently have. The liner the PO used was a cheap one, so it's flaking, and there's some rust that needs to be tackled before I do anything, but I've considered paint matched, since everyone is right, a black liner is always dirty, unless it's brand new. Even my new GMC, which came with one from the factory, and now has a tonneau cover, is still filthy. Not sure if a body colored liner would be any different, just that it wouldn't look as dirty as quickly... Just like your current color vs a black truck.

Oh, and the color fading, like Scoti said... a non-color matched liner would look funny regardless of the color (light blue instead of medium blue?). But, pink would be awful...

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Mine is Black. I considered Red for a nano-second. But if the RED faded.... It might appear pink & that is a no-go.

Originally Posted by knomadd

Wow, Chris! I've been gone for 3 months and you've done a lot. I love your build. I'm fighting home deficiencies from winter storm that us Houstonian's aren't prepared for, and a drivetrain update on my GTO, otherwise I'd be doing similar things, like the latches and door rebuilds...

Your bed floor turned out great! My plan is what you still think you want to do... metal floor with bedliner, which I currently have. The liner the PO used was a cheap one, so it's flaking, and there's some rust that needs to be tackled before I do anything, but I've considered paint matched, since everyone is right, a black liner is always dirty, unless it's brand new. Even my new GMC, which came with one from the factory, and now has a tonneau cover, is still filthy. Not sure if a body colored liner would be any different, just that it wouldn't look as dirty as quickly... Just like your current color vs a black truck.

Oh, and the color fading, like Scoti said... a non-color matched liner would look funny regardless of the color (light blue instead of medium blue?). But, pink would be awful...

Hm, I’ll have to do some more research before committing. Appreciate the positive comments.

Made some progress on the front tubs: got the passenger side bolted in and fitting nicely. Also started the process of modifying the drivers side and after removing and reinstalling the fender and inner at least 37,000 times, I have finally got it fitting the way it’s supposed to and have the panel tacked together using my new toy. Finish weld, grind, and hopefully body work tomorrow, then paint sometime in the future?...

The new Hobart welder was long overdue. I don’t know how I’ve survived this long without it. When I welded the passenger side fender the Eastwood was being weird and blowing through. When I did the exhaust it would not penetrate and just piled up. When I welded the bed floor mounts it made embarrassing looking not so sticky boogers. Last straw. There was no way I was attempting to mod this fender with that “welder” after how it had been acting. The difference between the Hobart and the Eastwood junk is astounding. Smooth as butter, making all the right bacon noises and nice little puddles...

[smbrouss70]

Very Nice!

[Palf70Step]

[regan wilson]

That looks nice. I hear you on the welder thing. Sometimes I hate mine. But then again it could be the Operator.

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by smbrouss70

Very Nice!

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Originally Posted by regan wilson

That looks nice. I hear you on the welder thing. Sometimes I hate mine. But then again it could be the Operator.

Thanks all, looking forward to wrapping this up. I felt the same way, like, did I forget how to weld? Are the settings right? Am I out of gas? Polarity reversed? Power feed problems? Nope, turns out it was a junk-a$$ welding machine. Not sure what happened, it seemed ok at first, but got worse with time. So happy to find out it wasn’t completely my fault and that I can still lay a decent bead.

[regan wilson]

Originally Posted by gringoloco

Thanks all, looking forward to wrapping this up. I felt the same way, like, did I forget how to weld? Are the settings right? Am I out of gas? Polarity reversed? Power feed problems? Nope, turns out it was a junk-a$$ welding machine. Not sure what happened, it seemed ok at first, but got worse with time. So happy to find out it wasn’t completely my fault and that I can still lay a decent bead.

Haha I think I need a new welder.

[lolife99]

Love the inner fenders!

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by regan wilson

Haha I think I need a new welder.

Do it. Don’t think, don’t look back, just do. The last ten years of my life would have been soooooo much better if I’d just bought the good welder to start with. Not joking. Do it.

Originally Posted by lolife99

Love the inner fenders!

Me too! They are a ton of work, but the look is unbeatable

[gringoloco]

Tack, tack, tack. Grind, grind, grind. Repeat. It’s a process...

PSA: Harbor freight $2.99 moving blankets are highly flammable

[gringoloco]

After MUCH swearing, it is bolted back together. Not perfect, but it’ll do for now...

[regan wilson]

That looks very nice.

[smbrouss70]

Originally Posted by gringoloco

After MUCH swearing, it is bolted back together. Not perfect, but it’ll do for now...

Your good enough is most people's "perfect." I'm looking forward to seeing it.

Originally Posted by darkhorse970

Very nice Chris! You have convinced me that my ‘67 needs those Inner fenders and to be lower!

After all the convincing that I did, this is what gets you?

[regan wilson]

What kind of welder had you been using. Mine is an old Millermatic 120. I really think it just needs some work. As far as power settings it's just 1,2,3 and 4. I think an adjustable dial in smaller increments would be an improvement. It's difficult to weld thin metal without blowing holes in it.

[nlped]

FYI, for the next floor welding project (or interior even more so), harbor freight sells welding blankets that work quite well

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by regan wilson

That looks very nice.

Thanks! Glad to be “done” with them

Originally Posted by regan wilson

What kind of welder had you been using. Mine is an old Millermatic 120. I really think it just needs some work. As far as power settings it's just 1,2,3 and 4. I think an adjustable dial in smaller increments would be an improvement. It's difficult to weld thin metal without blowing holes in it.

It was the Eastwood gas mig pictured below. It probably just needs adjustments, but good luck finding someone willing to work on it. Super happy with the Hobart 140 and if it starts being weird, I know I can have it serviced.

Originally Posted by darkhorse970

Very nice Chris! You have convinced me that my ‘67 needs those Inner fenders and to be lower!

Yay! Definitely do it, but be prepared for copious amounts of swearing. I think I’m more excited about your GMC project than I am about my own junk.

Originally Posted by smbrouss70

Your good enough is most people's "perfect." I'm looking forward to seeing it.

I’m honestly embarrassed at the state of it, but I am looking forward to you fixing it

Originally Posted by nlped

FYI, for the next floor welding project (or interior even more so), harbor freight sells welding blankets that work quite well

But, those are like $8, I can get the others for $3 and have a more fun welding experience

[gringoloco]

Drive your junk to work day. The plane in the background was already 10 years old when the truck was born and is planned to be in service for another 30 years. The ‘75 C10 is a factory big block short bed, bagged on full PB front/rear, owner’s grandfather bought it new.