'69 C10 - Black on Black

[MDPotter]

We got the rear gear/limited slip swap done last night. Manufacturing tolerances must have gotten tighter in the last 50 years because we ended up with no shims on the pinion and only a few small shims on the carrier compared to about 2-3X the shims that were on the carrier and pinion we pulled out. We got the lash in spec (.090), a good pattern, and the correct preload on the pinion. We just have to close it up and fill it and it'll finally be back on it wheels again.

This has been a learning experience for us - it's something that I had no idea how to do and now it's so simple. It takes a few special tools (and a lot of leverage to crush the sleeve on the pinion) but has been fun and it's a skill that we will use again for sure on other trucks.

[TA_C10]

Very nice. Yeah once you've done it once it's something you will always do now. I started out thinking I would just wait for limited slip later, but after feeling the power of the LS I might be doing this job sooner rather than later. I might do a junkyard unit to keep cost down, if the price is right, otherwise I may go same route you've taken. Your gonna be laying 2 stripes easy with that bad boy

[cornerstone]

Excellent work as usual Potter. I'm a bit envious of you for a few reasons, but the main reason is because just about every time you post you say "we". To have the opportunity to tackle all of the things you do, with your dad I presume, is fantastic. Thanks for all the posts!!

[MDPotter]

Originally Posted by cornerstone

Excellent work as usual Potter. I'm a bit envious of you for a few reasons, but the main reason is because just about every time you post you say "we". To have the opportunity to tackle all of the things you do, with your dad I presume, is fantastic. Thanks for all the posts!!

I appreciate the kind words. I do feel quite fortunate to have a dad that spends the time and money on this hobby that we both have come to enjoy so much. We keep eachother motivated and come up with solutions when we run into challenges. We both have office jobs so we enjoy doing things with our hands when we're not at work. It is time and money well spent.

[MDPotter]

We also had some time over the long weekend to work on some mechanical items on this truck. Fuel tank is mocked up and ready for install. This came from LMC and we welded nuts to the inside of the bottom frame flange to make install and any removal/reinstallation easier. The bed floor will need to be bolted on and tightened before installing the fuel tank permanently though.

[MDPotter]

Here we go again with the unconventional exhaust routing. There just wasn't a good route considering that the header collectors are pointed downwards and below the transmission crossmember, the frame crossmember, the trailing arms, the panhard bar, and the size of these mufflers. This is 2.5" aluminized tubing with (2) Flowmaster Super 40 mufflers. So we mounted everything as high as we could and if tips are desired later, they will be easy to add.

[TA_C10]

Looking good. How low you going with this build?

[MDPotter]

Originally Posted by TA_C10

Looking good. How low you going with this build?

It has 2.5" drop spindles in front and 5" drop springs out back and it's got a slight rake to it so I think it'll be a nice stance.

[cornerstone]

In regard to your "unconventional" exhaust routing... I see no reason why that's not the preferred way. Why go to the trouble of snaking it in such tight quarters when we have a clean shot all the way back, right?! If I ever to this again, I'll be running the pipes outside the rails too.

[MDPotter]

Originally Posted by cornerstone

In regard to your "unconventional" exhaust routing... I see no reason why that's not the preferred way. Why go to the trouble of snaking it in such tight quarters when we have a clean shot all the way back, right?! If I ever to this again, I'll be running the pipes outside the rails too.

Yeah, I mean, I understand the desire to run the exhaust inside the frame - it is the cleanest install and it's a bonus to get down on the ground and see the frame instead of the exhaust, but at the end of the day it makes no difference in the driveability of the truck. Running them outside definitely avoids a lot of space challenges and potential burning of fuel lines, brake lines, etc. too.

[68Gold/white]

I talked to a good friend, years ago about a similar exhaust system. We talked about not having to bend the pipes over the axle. Just calculate where the bottom of the ride height would be (max compression of the coil springs). He’s a machinist, everything he does is precise and well done.
I see him about a month later, and he’s got an exhaust system, very similar to yours. It was a 66 C10 LWB. Had a 400 SB in it with. A Muncie M20 Trans. Both my 67 and 68 will have like exhaust.
This is easy on a coil spring pickup, a leaf springer would likely need to stay inside the frame, there’d be more inside room with leafs.

[MDPotter]

We are finally getting some spring weather here so we can resume bodywork. I took the day off yesterday and re-primed the cab, doors, and fenders and a few small parts. This is the final application of primer on the cab - next step is final sanding for paint. The doors are not far behind, but need some priming and blocking.

[Kronald_70GMC]

Looking good! I'm waiting for some spring weather here as well so I can prime some of my cab to keep the flash rusting at bay. Keep it up and you will have some paint flying in no time.

[MDPotter]

Originally Posted by Kronald_70GMC

Looking good! I'm waiting for some spring weather here as well so I can prime some of my cab to keep the flash rusting at bay. Keep it up and you will have some paint flying in no time.

If the nice weather persists I hope to paint the cab next weekend! That will be a huge motivator for us.

[1971Stepside]

That primer looks so good I thought you were in paint! I'm having spring fever bad and no truck to work on...

[MDPotter]

Originally Posted by 1971Stepside

That primer looks so good I thought you were in paint! I'm having spring fever bad and no truck to work on...

Well thank you! The SPI epoxy has a nice gloss to it after 2-3 coats. It's a little tricky to spray but I've got it pretty well figured out. I'm a little nervous for the black paint job. I just have to remind myself to relax when spraying and remember that imperfections can be sanded and resprayed or sanded and buffed. I try to lay it down as close to perfect as possible because I really dislike sanding and buffing and my blue truck looks great having never touched it after spraying.

[Low Elco]

I find black/dark to be the easiest to shoot and keep track of your wet line. OTOH, I have my 10,000 hour chip in cut and buff/polishing. Oddly, I still love it. I can say, I bought the Bauer DA at HFT, and it is a reveleation. Takes 2000 grit hand scratch out no problem, wow! Here ya go-

https://www.harborfreight.com/20mm-l...her-56367.html

[MDPotter]

Originally Posted by Low Elco

I find black/dark to be the easiest to shoot and keep track of your wet line. OTOH, I have my 10,000 hour chip in cut and buff/polishing. Oddly, I still love it. I can say, I bought the Bauer DA at HFT, and it is a reveleation. Takes 2000 grit hand scratch out no problem, wow! Here ya go-

https://www.harborfreight.com/20mm-l...her-56367.html

10,000 hours. Ten. Thousand. Hours. That's a few more than me.

I bought the Torq polisher from Chemical Guys and it's way lighter and makes less mess than my rotary Makita. Not sure it will work as quickly though.

[MDPotter]

It was so nice Saturday that I gave the seat frame some Chassis Saver black outside.

[MDPotter]

Also shot 3 coats of 2K on the doors and fenders and prepped the cab for paint. I don't know if the weather will be warm enough next weekend for paint, but it's ready after a few hours of sanding and scuffing.

[Low Elco]

Originally Posted by MDPotter

10,000 hours. Ten. Thousand. Hours. That's a few more than me.

I bought the Torq polisher from Chemical Guys and it's way lighter and makes less mess than my rotary Makita. Not sure it will work as quickly though.

Well, I'm 49, and I learned to polish at 19, and during the year at the auction we painted 40 a day ( you heard that right) 10-12-16 hrs a day, Painter was a tweaker, and a total of 3 years in production shops mostly doing polish, and side hustling that on and off, with 3 frame offs since 2012, and metal work and paint work in between. Spent the last 3 days doing a full cut and buff on a 67 GMC and a rebuff for show on my dads 67. I feel tired, suddenly...

Those Makita's are light! I really like the Dewalt rotary, they are light and the fastest rotary you can get. I've had a Milwaukee Screamer since 1995. Not light, but built like a tank! I'll look into this Torq polisher. You're doing good!

[Scurry67]

Can’t wait to see some color fly! That is going to be a sharp looking ride in black.

[MDPotter]

Originally Posted by Scurry67

Can’t wait to see some color fly! That is going to be a sharp looking ride in black.

I know. The cab is so much work and it'll be awesome to have it sitting on the frame. But the weather isn't looking good for this weekend and I'm out of town next weekend so it's probably going to be a couple weeks before I get to it.

[TA_C10]

Sorry to hear about sealer man. Seat looks good

[MDPotter]

I redeemed myself and was able to paint the cab this weekend. It came out pretty nice! The doors and fenders are not far behind so this truck will be coming together soon.

3 coats base:



3 coats clear: