A change in direction

 This is how I had it planned...
1) Get the cab and bed off and sandblast/paint the frame.
2) Clean-up the existing suspension and and make it road worthy (updates and lowering to come later).
3) Decide and find the motor / transmission combination that I wanted (350 with a 5 speed).
4) Set drive train in place with cab off (easier to create and place mounts and cross-members).
5) Set cab back on and start with sheet metal work.

...until I got the sheet-metal off and started really looking at things.

It seemed good until I got a closer look at the upper A arms.  For those of you from the Pacific Northwest, this next reference will be very clear.  The front suspension had a lot in common with the Peter Iredale.  The rust was so bad in a couple of places that it did not seem wise to leave it in place.  Now what?

Just after telling my wife and a friend that I would not be buying any parts for a while to let the budget catch up, I get a text message that changes several of my plans.  The son of a friend started asking what year my project truck was.  I replied and he responded that at the shop where he worked they had a 1978 (was actually a 75) C10 that was being scrapped out.  With in a few minutes I found an article I had read a month ago about a front end swap that would give me disc brakes.  I had set that aside thinking I would just live with what I have for the time being.

After a few more texts and a phone call, I was the proud owner of the newest member of the team.  It cost me $300 plus $100 for the tow to get it home.  It will be interesting to see how much of this truck I can make use of, and still get a couple hundred $ from the scrap yard.

Besides giving me the front end with disc break conversion, it had a 6 cylinder 250 with 97k original miles. Although it had a cracked exhaust manifold, parts can be easily found.  The top end was off, but it was complete. He drove it to the shop to have it looked at.  This should not be difficult to put back together.  It was connected to a 4 speed on the floor.  Not the transmission I had dreamed of, but this combination should just bolt up.  I can always build my dream motor down the road.

When I started looking into what was being done with the inline 6, I was pleasantly surprised .  Seems that a lot can be done with this power plant and there is a large aftermarket available.  It was also fun to look at some of the history surrounding the competition between the inline 6 and v8 on the drag strip.

After looking things over, I made a few changes to my plans (this is going to happen a lot).
1) Get the cab and bed off and sandblast/paint the frame.
2) Swap front end and set up new disc brakes and lines.
3) Assemble the 250 with upgraded parts and set it and the 4 speed on frame.
4) Set cab back on and start with sheet metal work.

It's nice to have a plan even if you know it will change.

Moving down the frame.

With the front end off I moved to the cab.  The more I unbolt, the more rust I find.  The cab floor is toast (not surprised),  and in some cases I have moved from unbolting to simply cutting out what's left of the bolt.

I had some help with the cab bolts from Nate.  He doesn't last long, but the interest is there and the attention span will grow with time.  He checks on me from time to time while I'm working.  That's all I can hope for with an 8 year old.

As I was removing the last cab bolt I decided that I wanted to take the bed off before I remove the cab.  I figure it will be easier the get around it while lifting it off without the headboard in the way, so I left one bolt in place and moved to the rear end.

Although I cut the bed loose, I decided that it will be easier (safer) to handle if I break it down into it's four basic parts.  Headboard, side panels, and rear cross beam.

 Easier said than done.  It appears that at the factory they bolt everything together .... except for two welds on each side of the tailgate.   I succeeded in cutting one, but the other will have to wait until next weekend and a larger cutoff wheel.  Just couldn't get in there with what I had.

And now just some random pictures.

Front ends off...

Today was quite productive.  The fenders and core support came off without to much trouble.

Finally got a good look at the front suspension.  I may need to replace the upper A-arms, we will see,.  Lots of rust and scale.   As I started looking at the components I felt like I was missing something.  Ok, shocks, a-arms, brake drum, and ....wait, where are the coils, the springs..... ahh, now I understand what I have been reading. Torsion bar suspension.  It just looks so naked.

I will get some more pictures up as the weekend progresses.  For now I need a nap.

First restored parts.

Well, this will be the beginning of a long list of parts that will be cleaned up.  Dad sandblasted and painted a pair of wheels that were in the truck. (Thanks)   See, it's baby steps. :)  They will be fitted with a pair of used tires, size to be determined.  Looking for some 285/60/16.

The big thing on my mind right now is drivetrain.  I know I want to put a 350 in it, but the choice of transmission has got me perplexed.   Auto or manual?  I want a manual 5 speed to give me better highway mpg, and I also want it so it sounds good.  An auto does not let you celebrate the exhaust note like a stick!  :)   But putting and automatic in it seems to be simpler.  There is a lot more parts to deal with and modifications to figure out with the manual, but if this is going to be a hotrod wouldn't it make more sense to be a stick??  

I am feeling a bit(completely) lost when it comes to this modification/decision.

The more I read, the more it looks like an S10 T5 will do the trick.  Some have concerns that is is not stout enough to handle the v8 torque.  Others say the AX15 5 speed will work, but I don't know... this is new territory for me.  Anybody want to help me out with this?

I'm looking forward to spring and finding a swap meet or two to talk to other builders to learn and get ideas.

The upcoming 3-day weekend looks to be warm and dry.  Hoping to get the front end off by Monday afternoon.  Wish me luck!

The work begins

Today marked the first attempt to do more than get the doors open.  I started with the drivers fender knowing I was not going to keep it.  This gives me the opportunity to hack it apart without compromising anything I may need to reuse.  Once I see how something is put together, it's always easier to work through the next one.  It was also helpful to have the new cab there to go examine when I could not see how an element was laying together.  Today I was able to validate a few things.  1) This is going to be a long process.  2) I can get rusty bolts off if I'm patient.  3) How I have things planned in my head are not how things will play out.

My efforts today yielded half a dozen parts removed.

As I'm looking online and reading about other builds, I see one thing.  The options are so vast that I will change my mind on many things, many times before this is over.  I should not be looking at wheels right now(it's going to be a long time before I need them), but I can't help it! :)  As of now, I am drawn to the five spoke style wheels.  I also like the rally style.  And then there is paint.  Which color, colors?  Glossy or matte?  Ratrod or show finish?  It all gives me a headache and makes me smile at the same time.   One thing is for certain, this is going to be fun.

This blog allows comments, so make good use of that feature if you have something to add.  I'm open to suggestions.

Parts Run

Today I went to Bend, OR to pick up a cab and some other parts.  A friend and I left at 5:30 a.m. and got there in good time but had to take our time coming back.   If you don't live in the Portland, OR area here's some back-story.  Ok, it's Jan 11th (winter).   Bend is 167 miles away and the first big storm of the season is headed in... there is a mountain pass between here and there.  It made for fun and an adventure coming home.

With the cab coming from high desert, the rust isn't too bad.  It's still a little rough in places but I'm happy to have it and the price was good.  Thanks Rob.  Now I need to get to work stripping it down to the frame.

BTW - Thanks Dave for your mad skills as co-pilot and cameraman.  There's no way I could have driven and taken pictures of the snow!  :)

After a couple of days, I got the drivers door open...  The pictures will tell you why I was not troubled by opening it like a can of tuna.  The rust was so bad that the bottom of the  door did not even exist and all of the screws on the door panel were frozen.  The door latch was completely corroded and rusted to the point that I had to drive the latch into the open position once I removed the door skin.

What I have discovered is that the holes in the roof have led to a lot of cancer in the cab.  It has rusted through in the low places in the cab inner liner and has run down the pillars and through everything.  The passenger door looks to be salvageable if I can get it open without damage.  I've got some ideas. :)

With this discovery I went looking for a cab and actually found one from a 61 in decent shape.  The only catch is a 3.5 hour drive.  It now looks like this will be a complete frame off rebuild.  I will strip everything I can out of the old cab and likely use parts of the old cab to patch the donor.

I have found a truck site that looks like it will be a great help.  I hope that once I've gotten down the road with this project, I can contribute back.  For now daylight is fleeting and for the winter months it will be a weekend only adventure.  I am looking forward to longer days so I can tinker in the evenings.