Over 25 Years Later, Finally My 71 C-10 Truck Build

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by hgs_notes

Good point, but this truck will probably never be sold. I did it this way for a couple reasons. The floor pans are adhesived in with SEM body panel adhesive. You have to use either rivits or screws to clamp it in for curing because of the location. I figured the rivits would be good extra strength so I used aluminum ones (corrosion resistant) directly into the cab supports underneath. They will be under sound deadener and carpet and will be much easier to take out later (heaven forbid more rust in 30 years) than the original spot welds were. Many, if not most body shops are using these adhesives now, as are the manufacturers. I'm not using it for any structural areas. If anything, this method is easier than welding, and will seal the metal better from corrosion (like between the floor and cab supports), and has proven to be very strong.

See, i knew i missed something. That is true. They are gluing bedpanels on now to. Good point. I like the way you think.

Have you done any of your own tests, like gluin two pieces of metal together and see how hard it is to get a apart???

[hgs_notes]

Originally Posted by lyrikz

See, i knew i missed something. That is true. They are gluing bedpanels on now to. Good point. I like the way you think.

Have you done any of your own tests, like gluin two pieces of metal together and see how hard it is to get a apart???

Nope, but there are a couple threads on the board here, I think in the paint & body section, where a board member that does body work, did some tests and posted them.

The local body guy is the one who recommended I go this route. He said they've had cars and trucks come in after collisions and the panels were still on solid with adhesive. There are rumors floating about panels popping off, but they were probably not prepped correctly for good adhesion, if it happened at all. Sounds more like an old school body guy trying to scare potential customers. If I had known about this method sooner, I would have done it years ago, without hesitation. One of the reasons I've posted it here is to maybe help out some other members that are not comfortable welding. It's not exactly cheap. The gun or applicator is about $45, and each tube of adhesive is around $37-40. I used 3 tubes here. But I did it all myself which makes me feel better about the project. I've got a jimmy that will probably get the same treatment.

[hgs_notes]

Pics from yesterday:






Our lives are marked by those days of significance. This was one of those days. My truck was torn apart, and it was my 1st borns, 1st prom.

[hgs_notes]

Deconstruction, day 2:


Cab gone, engine still in:

Engine gone:

Garage is kind of crowded:

[hgs_notes]

Kind of an odd day for me concerning my various projects. I have a 72 blazer tub that is planned for my next build as a 2wd blazer. I have a line on an original 2wd frame for it and stopped by there today. The owner said he wants to keep the rear axle and front suspension for another one of his trucks, which is different than the arraingement we had before, but he came down on the price. $150 for the body and frame. But I need to find the rolling gear for it. I got a call from another guy today who says he has a frame and bed for a 71-72 chevy truck. When I get back to town and take a look at it, the frame is nearly flawless, needs to be cleaned and painted. The bed is junk. $125 for the frame and it even has tires to roll it around on. So instead of sandblasting and paniting my original chassis, I'm thinking it will be easier to use this one and just use what I need from my original one.

But I'm conflicted. It's becoming another vehicle completely. As it goes, the only parts from the original truck might be the hood and doors and tailgate. Does it matter? My wife is mad because I'm not using the original cab, even though it's a total mess. She said it's the heart of the truck. I disagreed, but the chassis? Does it matter? It will be a good truck that I built myself, and I feel that's where the heart of the truck really is. I'm the heart of the truck. If I don't have it, or someone else that really cares and enjoys it, that's when it becomes a pile of parts, soul-less. Am I wrong?