It's been a long time...new to me C20

[JMC1965]

Greetings,

my first car ever was a 1969 C10 that I received from my grandfather. It was a rusted out, used hard country truck....and I loved it.

Through the years I always told myself I'd have another 67-72 truck when I had the time and money to do it.

Fast forward 30 years...a few kids later that time has come.

So here's what's happening...I travel a lot for work...so I'm having a local shop work the big stuff for me...otherwise it would be another 30 years before I could drive it.

I followed the advice of the forum...if you don't have the garage space, tools and/or time...buy the best truck I can afford before starting.

So I did.

The PO did a good job w/ it...frame off clean up...straight body...
new crate 350 (364 miles on it), TH400, wood bed, new A/C, new carpet, twin electric fans, new steering column, Dakota Digital dash, and refinished bench seat

So for all that...whomever you are PO...I thank you (I got if from a dealer...who got it as a trade)

Not everything that was done was something I would have done (e.g. cowl induction hood with racing stripe)...but heck...the PO did a nice job so I'm keeping it for a while

Now I'm going through to make it my main vehicle when not traveling.

going to attached the pics from dealer to get going....then post updates

[JMC1965]

So here's the analysis from driving the truck a few days, making a "fix/do list" and prioritizing the list....

1. It starts right up...that's good
2. I goes forward, reverse, stops...
3. the A/C blows cold (good have in TX)
4. The gauges have electrical power to them...none are accurate
5. the firewall is not finished...ie, there are not plugs, grommets, etc...
6. the carrier bearing is shot
7. there are no windshield wipers (knew that from pics...but on the list)
8. afterrmarket steering column is from a column shifter (even though the shifter is on the floor)...so it's about 3-4 inches further to driver than it needs to be..it's tight
9. it's loud...way loud...small muffler, dumped at axle
10. the headers are not correct for the plugs (burned wires)
11. windows mechanisms need to be replaced or greased
12. vent windows are not "completely" installed (missing 3 screws at top of door)
    
    all that said...I LOVE IT
    
    few more pics from dealer
    
    

[JMC1965]

sorry for the quick posts...just getting through all the notes....

1. Power steering works...but steering box needs to be rebuilt
2. small oil pan leak (...cork gasket)
3. A/C duct on passenger side not connected properly
4. A/C ball housing outlet on passenger side broken
5. A/C cable to blend door needs adjusting
6. Front suspension bushings worn out

================

Here's the to-do list

Mechanical

1. FITech EFI
2. Change to OD transmission
3. Full conversion to disk brakes
4. Move gas tank to under bed
5. Lower rear gear ratio (going to be highway driving)
6. Change to correct headers and replace burnt spark plug wires
7. H-pipe, and run exhaust out under rear bumper and get a "closer to stock" muffler
8. Lower rear end (front already mechanically lowered 2 inches...I want it leveled)

Well...that the start of the list...let me see how far this comes along

[JMC1965]

1. FITech...in
2. Tank out of cab...new tank should be in this weekend
3. Damplifier Pro on cab floor and firewall (so far)
4. Disk brakes in....got to run the lines
5. 4L60E Stage 2 is in w/ new shifter

Drive shaft.....based on the reading from the forum here...I'm going aluminum one piece. the geometry works for me

Wheels should be in next week. AR VN327

===============

[68Gold/white]

Way cool!!!

After all those mod's I'd want front disc brakes!!!

[JMC1965]

oh yeah....full disc brake conversion....4 wheels. It's being done. front and rear suspension are out getting their work done now

I kinda splurged on the rear axle...new Quick Performance 9" w/ TrueTrac...3.5 gear ratio...and disc brakes.


pics....old stuff front and rear out....new QP rear axle in...still need to figure out the shock angle. Panhard bar is in also..but pic was taken before that.

PS: did a lot of research before starting this...this forum has some gifted, talented, and very knowledgeable people. Thanks to everybody

[68Gold/white]

Staying with 3/4 ton?

[JMC1965]

well....switching to 5 lug...so I guess no to the lugs. It's hard to know what the PO did...he dropped the front either by replacing or cutting springs. the helper leaf in the back is there and the springs in the back look to be the hefty variety.

[JMC1965]

New headers are in....

[JMC1965]

Gas tank is in....

waiting on driveshaft and AR wheels (shop wheels on it now)....

[JMC1965]

this is bad....right?

#8 plug is oil fouled....crap

Got new engine today

[Aus69c20]

Lookin good. Crate 350 I assume?

[GR8-68]

Great looking build and some fine work and quality choices. Keep up the good work.

[JMC1965]

ATK HP32C engine. 350 with Vortec Swapping carb to use my FITech from other motor

So far installed and fired up

[JMC1965]

ok...got the stance correct....GMCPaul's 4 inch 3/4 ton springs in the back. Not sure what the PO had done to the front to drop...but appears the springs were cut. So....they guys trimmed another bit to give me 3/4 inch more drop.

Shock relo installed...thanks to the members and especially Andy4639 for info on their set up.

Pics...new stance...new steering column.

[Aus69c20]

Looks great

[GR8-68]

very nice ride you have there

[JMC1965]

Alright ...been driving around town for a while and now I’m going on the first road trip. Taking it a couple of hours down the road. I’ve read the forum and prepared my truck travel kit, AAA card, and cell phone ready.

[hewittca]

Nice work! You definitely made some improvements to an already nice truck. The new stance looks great. Good luck on your first road trip! I know I'm always nervous when taking my truck out after some major changes.

[JMC1965]

Made it....

took one stop along the way to check fluid and stretch out.

It ran like a dream...wind noise and all.

Got some work to do on AC still (yep...needed it today in Texas).

[Orange67]

Awesome truck man. Love the stance.

[JMC1965]

Thanks Orange67. Got to thank GMC Pauls for having C20 drop springs....that let me remove the blocks and clean up the look.

[JMC1965]

Been a while....so here's the latest.

electrical problem fried the controller for gauges the PO put in...so I didn't waste the opportunity to upgrade (surprise)

Dakota Digital HDX....after reading LockDoc and Andy4639 post about their GPS speedometers that's the way I went

I tried to get too fancy and incorporate an additional unit...so I had to back off and just do the gauges and the GPS controller.

it's in...it also has the bluetooth system controls on my phone...gauge readouts, and lighting changes

also put in the JW Speaker LED headlights...need to adjust one of them...but they really light up the road...good upgrade. pricey but a good upgrade.

[JMC1965]

well....after months of fighting electrical gremlins and running in circles I gave in. I called my friends at CNC Customs here in Dallas and have them rewire the whole truck.

got it back last week. runs great, drives great, no issues.

Next up refinishing the wood bed!!!