The Color of Money

[C10-Driver]

Originally Posted by VA72C10

Where's those interior pictures???

You're going to shame me into this aren't you .

I only have a few... We have done most of the construction and are getting into the "covering" phase. I have gone with a high-quality leather in a single color. We have punched a hide to add some different texture on the panels. I was afraid too many colors would start to look too busy.

Here are a few pictures of the door and kick panels. I have added power windows and locks with switches mounted in the new console. Also, we built a "pocket" into the armrest to hide the door handle. It's hard to tell from the pictures but the punched material is installed around the armrest.

These pictures don't really do it justice... I will get some more this weekend.

[Palf70Step]

Sweet!

[VA72C10]

That is simply AWESOME....your truck is a solid show truck with that interior....great work!!!! Hope my interior comes out that nice.

[MisterE72]

Man that looks sweet. Nice work.

[my67chevytruck]

awesome...

[72BlckButy]

Man that's slick.... beautiful door panels.

[C10-Driver]

I'll get some more (and better) pictures this weekend. I am really happy with the way it is turning out. While building my truck I have tried to maintain some of the classic styling with modifications that "enhance" the look. It's probably not everyone's cup of tea but hopefully I have achieved that.

I have a good friend doing the work that, lucky for me, happens to put out world class interiors. If he wasn't a friend, I likely couldn't get him to do the work. If anyone has heard of the 1955 Chrysler wagon 'Revolution' that won a Great 8 Riddler award and is going up for auction tomorrow in Scottsdale, he also did that interior.

[67cheby]

Wow !!

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by C10-Driver

I have a good friend doing the work that, lucky for me, happens to put out world class interiors. If he wasn't a friend, I likely couldn't get him to do the work. If anyone has heard of the 1955 Chrysler wagon 'Revolution' that won a Great 8 Riddler award and is going up for auction tomorrow in Scottsdale, he also did that interior.

very cool to have friends like that. From the pictures I could tell whoever was doing the interior has some serious ability....

Originally Posted by C10-Driver

I'll get some more (and better) pictures this weekend. I am really happy with the way it is turning out. While building my truck I have tried to maintain some of the classic styling with modifications that "enhance" the look. It's probably not everyone's cup of tea but hopefully I have achieved that.

Same thing I'm trying to do with mine....I'm shaving everything but other than that not chopping or modifying any body lines. Personally I think you've done an excellent job achieving the enhanced look and think your truck is right up there with the truck that just sold at Barret jackson now with the custom interior.

[vegaschevy]

Who did the panels and interior? Were the kick panels custom made or a fiberglass base to start with? Love every detail. I want to do custom door panels as well.

[C10-Driver]

Originally Posted by vegaschevy

Who did the panels and interior? Were the kick panels custom made or a fiberglass base to start with? Love every detail. I want to do custom door panels as well.

All the panels are custom... The friend I have doing the work is Lee Baxter. As I mentioned in a previous post, he does high-end custom interiors and I am lucky to have him as a friend. As far as the construction goes, he uses wood to build all the panels. For the most part, he uses 1/4" material and builds it up in layers to create relief in the panels. Then, some of the areas are covered in foam and some are not. He does also use fiberglass for pieces like the armrests. I have been working with him through the process and it has been quite interesting for me to watch him bring my ideas to life... He is definitely an artist.

[dakman]

Hi, very nice... definately one of my favorites. Wish I had your skills. I have a leaf spring rear as well with only two soft leafs over top of the axles. The PO notched the frame. I wanted to go lower and flip the rear but can't find any info on a flip kit or spring packs/spring rates that work and keep the rear in check without hitting the notch and keeping the wheels centered in the wheel wells, yours looks perfect. Any tips or info, part numbers pics etc.. etc.. would be great. Thanks from the east coast.

[C10-Driver]

As promised, I got some better pics of the interior progress. It is coming along nicely. The carpet is in, door and kick panels complete, console covered and the stereo is alive and kicking (and it Kicks!). The console fits flush to the underside of the dash and the build includes a complete underdash from door to door. (Even so, it will still have functioning floor vents.) The amp and sub will be frenched into the rear panel along with a storage hatch on the driver's side.

I have to mention my friend Lee Baxter again. He is definitely someone to watch for. Until last week he has been doing interiors on the side while working a day job. Well, he has quit his day job and is doing interiors full-time now . (I guess he just retired and is doing what he loves.) He and his wife are such wonderful people and deserve it so much. With his talent, he is destined to to do well.

[72BlckButy]

I love how the door panels inset continues onto the kickpanels... awesome! Lee does some amazing work.

[C10-Driver]

Originally Posted by dakman

Hi, very nice... definately one of my favorites. Wish I had your skills. I have a leaf spring rear as well with only two soft leafs over top of the axles. The PO notched the frame. I wanted to go lower and flip the rear but can't find any info on a flip kit or spring packs/spring rates that work and keep the rear in check without hitting the notch and keeping the wheels centered in the wheel wells, yours looks perfect. Any tips or info, part numbers pics etc.. etc.. would be great. Thanks from the east coast.

I have a bolt-in c-notch welded into the frame. I did a rear flip by cutting the spring perches off the axle, re-welding them to the bottom and I re-used the existing u-bolt plates originally mounted on the bottom of the axle (now on the top-side). A flip kit would be a lot more straightforward... No cutting or welding - just bolt in. I believe DJM and others make kits for our trucks. I installed an Air-Over-Leaf kit from Air Ride Technologies and mounted the upper bag plates about 3/4" down from the top of the frame so that at ride height (about 7" drop), the tapered bag will be about 9" tall, which is the recommended ride height on the F9000 bags that came with the kit. They are also a bolt-on bracket which I welded to the frame before everything was podercoated.

My total drop is about 9-1/2" deflated. I got 5-1/2" from the flip, 2" from a re-arch of the springs then I added a 1-1/2" drop shackle and and custom lowering block that gives me about another 2". Part of the reason for the block is to offset the axle back about 3/4" which will move the rear wheels back towards the centre of the wheel opening. The hole and pin in the block are offest which sets the axle back 3/4".

I have included some pics during contruction Sorry, they're not the best).

As far as shocks go, I used Monroe Sensatrac PN 5850. I used Monroes mounting chart then the dimension chart to find the shocks I needed. They have an L2 top mount and LS47 lower which matches the factory mounts, a compressed length of 12" and extended length of 19". It was the closest thing I could find and is actually listed for a Corvette in the application guide. Hope this helps.

[meathead95]

tell your buddy he should keep templates of the door and kick panels so we can order from him.

[VA72C10]

Interior is coming along BEAUTIFULLY!!!

[JohnC]

Beautiful beautiful truck!

[JWall]

WOW! Very nice truck!

[dakman]

Thanks for the pics and writeup. Very helpful info for us leaf guys. Very tastefully put together, when I see finished results like yours it makes me want to get out in the garage and wrench on mine. Just need to find the time, spare $$ and temps above freezing and I'll be set.

[mcbassin]

Your truck is truly beautiful! I love the new leather too. Have to say, sorry you left the 70 grill behind though. I guess after this long, no plans to go back? Keep the pics coming.

[brad2]

Wow that pic of the door is awesome. I love those colors!

[yote1234]

ummmmmmmm. w o w !!! looks great

[CAL 58 GMC]

Originally Posted by C10-Driver

As promised, I got some better pics of the interior progress. It is coming along nicely. The carpet is in, door and kick panels complete, console covered and the stereo is alive and kicking (and it Kicks!). The console fits flush to the underside of the dash and the build includes a complete underdash from door to door. (Even so, it will still have functioning floor vents.) The amp and sub will be frenched into the rear panel along with a storage hatch on the driver's side.

I have to mention my friend Lee Baxter again. He is definitely someone to watch for. Until last week he has been doing interiors on the side while working a day job. Well, he has quit his day job and is doing interiors full-time now . (I guess he just retired and is doing what he loves.) He and his wife are such wonderful people and deserve it so much. With his talent, he is destined to to do well.

Man I love the kick & door panels! I'm looking foward to see when the rest is done. Nice job!

[C10-Driver]

Well, it's been a while but the interior is basically done. I still have a few small items to finish... The half-wrap on the steering wheel is being covered with the same leather as the interior, the side covers on the lower part of the seat need to be covered and installed, the ashtray needs is going to be painted green and the glovebox latch I fabricated needs a bit of adjustment. Anyway, on to the pics...