C10 Goldilocks
 

So I guess I'll make a build thread for my project I got going on. A little background on me, I come from "import" cars. I've had a few Volkswagens and most recently a Subaru. Very much not to the taste of the boards but I love all makes of cars. A few of them have had air ride and all of them were heavily modified.

http://i.picresize.com/images/2017/02/13/d359t.jpg

Last spring I sold my subaru and all the parts off it to buy a new Silverado for a daily and fun a c10. A 68 C10 had always been my dream truck and I'm old enough to know what I need and to financially support it so I dove in. I bought this truck though a year ago from a guy out mid west, he purchased it a year prior from the original owner in Mississippi so it's in fairly decent shape. It's a 68 anniversary edition, a few original pieces missing like the radio and ivory bench but it was all unmolested. 250 inline 6 with a 3 on the tree. Here it is the day it rolled off the trailer.

http://i.imgur.com/Igv1ffp.jpg

It was running and driving but honestly, a mess. The balljoints were shot, the tierods were a disaster, the steering had 3 feet of play in it, tires were dry rotted, the motor wasn't grounded and the wiring was just a mess.

First thing I did was go through some safety stuff. 4.5/6 ECE drop, 5 lug swap, disk brakes up front, rebuilt the drums, redid some brake lines, added a power booster, new upper and lower ball joints, inner and outer tie rods, redid the wiring with a Painless ki and some new wheels and tires. I drove it like this for all of 2016. It was such a fun truck but very limiting. it couldn't drive on the highway, I was constantly going through fuel filters, the carb needed to be rebuilt/cleaned (needed a shot of starter fluid for cold starts), enough small things like that. Here are some photos from through out the year.

http://i.picresize.com/images/2017/02/13/8Xrot.jpg

http://i.picresize.com/images/2017/02/13/yYAjz.jpg

http://i.picresize.com/images/2017/02/13/vxY0j.jpg

http://i.picresize.com/images/2017/02/13/MzkyG.jpg


My girl and I.

http://i.imgur.com/8IMw0Tb.jpg

Re: C10 Goldilocks
 

I always knew what my game plan was for this truck. So last September I ordered all my porterbuilt goodies and to accompany, an LQ4 with 100k on it backed by a remanned 4L80e and a custom harness. This was my invision.

http://i.picresize.com/images/2017/02/13/JplHv.png

I bought a bunch of other stuff along with the suspension and motor like wheels, tires, a Boyd fuel tank, PB firewall fillers and gas assisted hood struts XS Power headers, but I won't bore you guys with photos of just random parts. The last couple weeks I've been working stripping the truck down and getting it all ready.

http://i.picresize.com/images/2017/02/13/vdYKO.jpg

And this last photo is from yesterday. I have the front assembled minus a few things. I still need to mount the upper shock mounts and notch for the steering but so far so good.

http://i.picresize.com/images/2017/02/13/oa5t.jpg


I'll update more in-depth as I go along, I just wanted to get it all up to speed.

Re: C10 Goldilocks
 

great looking truck to start with.

Re: C10 Goldilocks
 

Overall it's pretty solid. The cab corners need some touching up and the corners of the floor where they meet need repair. The firewall is the worst part, it needs to be cut out and replaced 100%. Will get to that this winter/spring as well.

The bed, front end and frame are absolutely great though.

Re: C10 Goldilocks
 

Love where you're headed with it. Super cool truck!

Re: C10 Goldilocks
 

Awesome start. Should run good with lq4

Re: C10 Goldilocks
 

That's a nice list of parts..it will be cool to follow along

Re: C10 Goldilocks
 

Thanks guys, I'm hoping to have it driveable by May sometime. It won't be complete or 100% but my goal is to have it a driving project, not something that collects dust for 6 years and finally sees light.

Thanks! The truck actually came from near you somewhat. Jonesboro, IL.

Re: C10 Goldilocks
 

Good find!! usually everything from these parts is rusted to the ground:)

Re: C10 Goldilocks
 

*****in truck!! Love that color:metal::metal:

Re: C10 Goldilocks
 

Awesome! ! Truck and great direction :metal:

Re: C10 Goldilocks
 

Nice truck!

Re: C10 Goldilocks
 

awesome start!!!!

Re: C10 Goldilocks
 

Since you are new to the world 'O Chevy pickups.
I assume you know your pickup is gold because the color is the Golden Anniversary color..Nothing special other than that. I think it's just a color that Chevrolet added that year because of the anniversary. (Anyone else have a better explanation???)

I've read here that the gold pickups that year came with whatever options just like any other pickup
I'm amazed that your paint is in such good condition. If you paint it, I hope you retain that color.
There's a thread here a guy is completely making over a 69, with a 68 front clip, painted it gold to imitate the anniversary special. He used a slight different gold color, but it looks awesome. There's been no responses on that thread for a while, I hope all is well with those folks!

I bought my 68 Golden in 1980, the paint on it THEN, was nowhere as nice as yours is now.
Have fun!

Re: C10 Goldilocks
 

Thanks for the kind words everyone! Yeah I found out very quickly that it's the anniversary edition. Not the rarest thing in the world, but certainly cool. I like that I'm not ruining a 1 of 100 truck or anything close to that numbers, just something I can appreciate a bit more. There's actually a guy around me that has one bone stock, I've seen it parked at the Napa a few times. There's a few kids on Instagram (where I predominantly post updates @fourdoorphill) that I've seen with some Anniversaries too, one of which was painted over flat beige. I certinaly won't be painting it anytime soon, mostly for cost reasons but if I do I'm not sure I'll keep the original color. We shall see, my mind changes each day so never say never.

I found a little diecast "hot wheels" anniversary c10 that I hung by my computer. I wish I knew more about the 50th anniversary but it seems there isn't a big trail for what it is and why.

While I'm posting I'll add another photo or two I suppose.

A week or so ago when I had the frame on a little dolly I whipped together for a couple bucks.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/511/32...79144a05_b.jpg

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Excuse the few missing bolts, I'm missing a bag from Porterbuilt and need to contact them for it. Also I didn't have a reamer to drill out the holes ontop of the frame so those aren't in yet. Getting to the garage Saturday night to chip away more.

Re: C10 Goldilocks
 

sweet build! nice truck to start with.

Re: C10 Goldilocks
 

Thanks man, really love yours as well. One of the better faux-tinas out there for sure!

Re: C10 Goldilocks
 

Dig the truck and story. I'm in for the ride.

Re: C10 Goldilocks
 

Nice start! I'm in for the ride.

Re: C10 Goldilocks
 

Got some more work done on Saturday night fitting the notches in the rear. Boy these things were a PITA to get in. A lot of grinding, cutting, hammering, drilling and fitting to get them in correct. I'd rather have them fit extra snug than extra loose though, this is a structure part so I really appreciate Porterbuilt making the fitment threshold to finite. I haven't cut the excess out yet because both batteries died drilling out the holes and I want to have all the bolts in before I make my first cut.

Motor comes in today or tomorrow, need to call the delivery company to figure that out. Won't be doing much if anything to the motor before I put it in because I want to ensure it's running correctly before I start throwing a bunch of speed parts at it. I will be changing out the oil pan and pickup tube though to allow it to lay out. More on that later.


Those of you without lifts, how are you moving the cab around? Even without the doors on this thing is effin HEAVY! I tried putting two 1" steel tubes though the door ways and have four guys, one on each corner, grab their end of the pole and lift it but it was far to sketchy to walk anywehere I saw one guy put a 4x4 on an engine hoist to make a "cab hoist". Anyone try that before? No cracking of the wood?

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2676/3...e52d999e_b.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2664/3...91f57dee_b.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3718/3...655a0506_b.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3826/3...02e200c2_b.jpg

Front end didn't get the final touches I want to do to it due to how much time fitting the notches took but there's always another day. More later this week. :metal:

Re: C10 Goldilocks
 

I pull my cab on and off by myself with a hoist. Not the safest but if you take your time and are cautious it's not bad. I built mine out of 2x8s bridging the cab with stops on both ends so the cab can't slide off. Basically built like floor joists in a house but with a pivet bolt running through the cherry picker. I wouldn't trust just a 4x4.

Re: C10 Goldilocks
 

You have any pictures? I wouldn't mind building something like this.

Re: C10 Goldilocks
 

http://www.autobodytoolmart.com/cham...3-p-11546.aspx

I know of few guys who have used this and were happy with it. I have a lift but I just ordered one of these as well. It will also work on the bed.

Re: C10 Goldilocks
 

Perfect! Thanks a ton, I'll be ordering this very soon.

I also had a question for you actually... I loved your bushing idea on the gas tank. I know you said you used Energy bushings, do you have a part number for them or a link?

Re: C10 Goldilocks
 

Here ya go sir.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y34...ps4wigkmoo.jpg

Re: C10 Goldilocks
 

Nice truck! Gonna be a cool build here

Re: C10 Goldilocks
 

The link below for the bed, cab lift is exactly what I built just using good lumber and it works exactly the same. But mine is strictly for a 67-72 cab only. Not as useful as the tool in the link. I can get you a picture of it if you want to build one.

Re: C10 Goldilocks
 

Went to the shop last night to finish up drilling out the rear end. I know not all of these bolts need to be in right now but I want as much strength as I can get bracing the frame for cutting out the excess. That will be a job for this upcoming Sunday. Also had a nice delivery on Tuesday from the great guys at LSX4u.com. LQ4 with 100k on it, a re-manufactured 4L80e with a 2 year 24k warranty and a chopped down harness. Can't say enough positive things about my experience with these guys. I live only a few states away from their location in Maine and they told me dont even worry about driving up, they can ship it to me for cheaper, with lift gate too! Took about 2 weeks from hanging up the phone to arriving on my shop floor. They even went as far as to touching up the motor with some paint, all in all it looks fantastic.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2350/3...5d6c218c_b.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2211/3...b25d58f9_b.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2587/3...8908a972_b.jpg

More this weekend. Hoping to get the trailing arms set in place, rear end the frame cut out and hopefully make it a roller! Spring is coming up soon so I gotta get moving if I wanna cruise this summer.

Re: C10 Goldilocks
 

Looking nice keep up the good work.

Re: C10 Goldilocks
 

http://i.picresize.com/images/2017/02/13/oa5t.jpg


The wheels look killer!! We are going with wide whites on my boys 67, I love them!

Re: C10 Goldilocks
 

Finally an update! I haven't been sleeping on the truck just nothing really update worthy. After I drilled out the holes the next step was cutting out the excess of the rear. We decided to use a sawsall for the top cuts and then a death wheel for the side cuts to get it as close as we could. Once the frame was cut out, the notch caps fit so tight that I spent more of this day with the grinder than any other tool. Same story with the front and the rack notches. Cut them smaller than marked and then just grinded the hell out of it until they fit flush. Say what you want about harbor freight but their $20 angle grinder did me just fine. I've also used their engine hoist and stand.

My buddy Ian choppin up the sides

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2944/3...b1e11c69_b.jpg

Here I am with the grinder going at it.

https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3737/3...10a11e78_b.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3671/3...38f1d9a7_b.jpg

The trailing arm crossmember plates needed some massaging as well. I ended up cutting about an eight of an inch off the end bottom of the C bracket because they were just simply too wide to allow the brace to bolt in, then the bottom holes were slotted about another half inch longer to allow the factory frame holes to still be used. I didn't want to lobe the frame holes to weaken anything, so this is the direction I decided to go with. In the end either would have worked but I felt more comfortable cutting a bracket than the frame. Started with putting the brackets to the drill press, getting the end of the cut, and then taking the death wheel to connect it to the existing slots.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/596/33...179ecde7_b.jpg

Once all that was cut and fitted the rear end went together faster than anything else. I can't say enough about Porterbuilt, it's unbelievably easy how most of this stuff goes together. You can tell the crew really spends their time ensuring the quality and fit of their stuff is right where it needs to be. So I bolted up the rear end to the trailing arms, put on the notch caps, slid the trailing arm cross member in place, slid the rear end under and allowed the trailing arms to dictate which holes I used in the bracket, and viola, I have a roller. Not a whole lot of photos documenting the process as I was just cranking it out.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/613/32...0fc741fd_b.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3851/3...2ec0c320_b.jpg

A couple of my buddies trying to get a good angle on it :lol:

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2865/3...af8f9302_b.jpg

Next up was setting the motor on the stand. I stripped off the stock exhaust manifolds, spark plug wires (those big boots just aren't going to fit with a set of tight to the block headers), mounting brackets, swapped the oil pan, windage tray, pick up tube and now it's pretty ready to get set in the chassis for the first time. I need to mate up the transmission so I can get the transmission crossmember placed. The picture here the stock pan and mounts are on it but you get the idea.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/592/32...4f6dd26b_b.jpg

Boy these truck motors are unsightly lol. I don't plan on doing much "cosmetics" to it right away, my main focus is get it in and get it running. Once it's running I'll do a cam, springs and rods. I plan on using the brian tooley stage 4 kit. Chime in if you have any experience.

Still on the bucket list is weld the rear end bag brackets in place, weld in the rack caps, get the steering rack in, get the front shock mounts in place (shocks are in the mail), and then it should be pretty ready to be taken back apart for powder coat.

Short video of me grinding up the truck, playing around with my camera one night.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBFa8wAj8jU

Next weekend I'm not sure how much I'll be able to get done but we shall see.

Re: C10 Goldilocks
 

Man, just getting it to a roller stage is enough to get anyone motivated:metal:
Just something to think about here. I'm not sure if your going with BTR's stage 4 truck cam or the stage 4 LS3 cam but definitely measure piston to valve clearance.

The stage 4 truck cam should have plenty of ptv but the stage 4 LS3 cam gets pretty tight.

This is going to be a cool build!!

This is sick. Subd
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: C10 Goldilocks
 

Thanks guys! Good tip Mike, I appreciate it.

https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3683/3...75170718_b.jpg

Got to work Wednesday night, got the shock mounts drilled and mounted, shocks on and bags in.

https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3824/3...5b4568a0_b.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAUr3kw3gp8

Had to throw some fittings on it and see the frame air up and down for the first time. Link above. It's moments like this that keep you going. Still need to do the rear but only had a few spare hours. I ordered the cab hoist that someone recommended a bit earlier in here, should be here sometime next week. Stoked to throw the cab on soon and see it together for a brief moment!

Re: C10 Goldilocks
 

This is such a cool build and is going to have a unique old school flare that you don't see very often anymore with those wide whites. Oh, and your Surabru was pretty cool too. I am into imports as well and I used to have a '63 Beetle.

Re: C10 Goldilocks
 

Thanks man! Appreciate it. Wide whites is the only way to fly on these bagged trucks to me but variety is the spice of life.

My girlfriend is begging me to build her a beetle next, very jealous you had a 63. The subaru was a ton of fun, I had a great time with that car but inevitably practicality won and I traded it in for the Silverado which after owning I couldn't do without.

here's another of the wrx for good measure.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/596/23...2f823400_b.jpg

Re: C10 Goldilocks
 

https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3683/3...75170718_b.jpg


https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3824/3...5b4568a0_b.jpg



So cool!!

Re: C10 Goldilocks
 

Boy I'm pretty bad at updating this.

Last week was a super productive week on the truck, wish they could all be like that. We got a good snow storm on Tuesday so I went into the shop and got some small stuff done. Figured out the gas tank placement, adjusted the trailing arm length, drilled some more holes (story of my life) and tied up a few loose ends. I used a good tip that Mike (MMcMasters) gave me and used some universal end link bushings to raise the tank but I took it one step further and had a friend machine some outer sleeves for them. No pictures of it unfortunately but I'll remember to take some when I go to the shop next.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/721/33...fd2458a1_b.jpg

Friday night I had a good friend come over whos a far better welder than me and weld up the rack notches, made a front brace for the cab mounts, and then I had time tack in the step notches in the back so I can have the frame powder coated as a square unit rather than in total pieces.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2879/3...523c86dc_b.jpg

Then yesterday I got the steering rack in place, had to cut just about 3 inches of either side to get it in place. The length it came it was pushing the tiresatleast 5 degrees toed out. Drilled out the knuckles to allow the 5/8ths bolts, got the sway bar in place, matted the trans to the motor, slapped it in and there it was.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2852/3...a788a38d_b.jpg

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I absolutely love how the porterbuilt sway bar fits PERFECTLY under the front of the frame and is placed underneath the front brace so you won't see if when you look in the engine bay. Those guys have it down right!

I have a few issues to figure out, like my headers. The passenger side clearance I don't think is going to work. The collector hits the bellhousing so I might have to get some new ones. The transmission brace I have from porterbuilt is far too short to reach both inners of the frame so I need to figure out if they sent me the wrong one or what the hell else is going on.

This is butted up all the way against the other side/

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2916/3...751300a0_b.jpg

I think after get that situated and get the brace in place it's time for powedercoat.

What did you guys typically pay to get your frames done? What was the turn around as well?

I'll go out some day this week and take some more photos of stuff to update you guys, cause if you're anything like me you're in here for the pictures lol.

Still trying to figure out where I'm gonna put my air ride. Since I raised the tank I don't have room for it above there. I don't LOVE the idea of it being under the bed becasue I don't wanna have to do a tilt floor nor do I wanna get underneath the truck just to change a fuse on the compressor, drain a trap or something else. I might just put it behind the bench and deal with the compressors for the 30 seconds they're on. I'm using to 444c viairs in a 5 gallon which is out of my subaru so I know it doesn't take too long to fill. If only accuair already have their endo CVT tank out!

Re: C10 Goldilocks
 

I can't get enough pictures of your ride, I love the 50th Anniversary gold/white!!

Something isn't right as far as the transmission cross member goes. Could it be that when you located your trailing arm cross member, that the rails were spread apart and the trailing arm cross member is now holding the rails apart? Just throwing possibilities out. Good luck man!

Re: C10 Goldilocks
 

Could be... I found a diagram of frame specs on here the other day. I'll pull it up and measure everything and make sure the frame is true.

Boy I hope that isn't it haha. I would've figured the rear notch brace and cross memeber wouldn't have allowed the frame to bellow out in the middle like that but anything is possible I suppose.

It's funny you say you love the 50th because it certainly wan't my first choice. Honestly I spontaneously bought this truck just in the heat of the moment. If I could've had any color it would've been patinaed factory mint green. :frog: