Lattimer's 1970 C-10 build

[Lattimer]

Finally tool some pics. finished up the rear brakes, new stainless brake lines, new master, etc. Washed it too. Still ugly, but clean ugly. Gave it a bath in this stuff called Amazing Roll Off-----works pretty good.

New stainless


Engine with new master after cleaning


Cleans up decent


Repaired bed that I never took an after photo of before


Looks really good from 25 feet away

[Bennett68C10]

Looking good Shawn

[Lattimer]

Been doing a few things. Had a big leak in my AC, so had to fix that and recharge the system. Replaced the alternator with a higher output unit, put in headlight relays. None of that is exciting though. I did decide that I just can't afford to paint the truck in the next year or so, just too much stuff absorbing my money. So, I'm cheating and going the shop truck direction. Did a little painting this morning.


Got a stencil on the internet and painted it with black Rustoleum. It will probably fade fairly quickly, and once its cured I'm going to age it with some scotch brite. It looks just crappy enough to be "right" on the truck.

I also finally got around to painting and installing the spare tire mount I bought in the parts board a year ago. So now the spare isn't just laying in the bed.

[Lattimer]

More progress!

The bench seat was killing me. I weigh about 400, and its just oo much for the rehabbed stock seat. Killed me to take it out after all the $$$$$ I put into it, especially the new Truckseats cover. But it sat a little too high, and with the bounce on a bump I smashed my head into the rood every time, and after 40 minutes my ass was numb.

So, I ordered a set of Procar lowback buckets and the install bracket for our trucks. I new from the forum the bracket would be way too tall, so I cut it down and rewelded it 2-1/2" shorter. Basically the center of the bracket lays on the driveshaft hump. Seats fit nice and sit comfy, but pushed me forward a little, so I had to push the steering column in as far as it will go to give me enough belly clearance. Sucks being this sexy.








Unfortunately, my little 8" subwoofer wouldn't fit under the seat anymore, so I had to find it a home. I also needed a center console. So I thought for a while, walked around at Home Depot brainstorming, and came up with a plan. I used some 2x4 pieces under the woofer to space it up, then screwed the little console I used to use on the bench to the top. Turned out perfect height for an armrest and gives the woofer a home, and I didn't waste the $100 Ebay console.

I also installed the carpet cover over the gas tank to hide some ugly.

[Bennett68C10]

Nice job on the seat install Shawn, I really like how you saved your subwoofer and mounted it under the center console. Got to have tunes

[Lattimer]

Originally Posted by Bennett68C10

Nice job on the seat install Shawn, I really like how you saved your subwoofer and mounted it under the center console. Got to have tunes

I sure wasn't taking it out!!!

I wanted to go with a repro console like they used with factory buckets, but it would be too long and hit my shifter.

Went for a 2 hour cruise today and these are very comfortable!!!

I just need to set up something to hold the seat belt ends now so they don't keep ending up on the floor.

[Lattimer]

Last night the AC in the house wasn't working right, but the AC in the garage was perfect. So I tore both doors apart and replaced the inside handle actuators. Both of them had broken springs and rattled like crazy. Lubed up the window regulators and the door latches while I was at it, then installed new black plastic interior panels. The plain steel stock ones used to be blue, but were repainted a weird blue by a PO, then I painted them black. Still didn't really look right, so I swapped in aftermarket ones.

[Lattimer]

Today I had planned to add a set of lowering blocks to the back to get the back down another inch. However, yesterday, my power steering pump blew the shaft seal. It was a swap meet part, not rebuilt, so not a big surprise.

I have an extra pump laying around, and I already had a rebuild kit, so I tore it down, rebuilt it, repainted it, and put it back in. Seems to work really nice and no more leak.

Probably be 2 weeks now until I drop the back end.

[Lattimer]

Haven't posted in a while. I added the lowering blocks, rear shock relocators, and super track bar. Seems to ride and handle a lot better now. Otherwise, just been driving it a lot.

And by driving it a lot, the drum brakes have seriously worn out their welcome. So this morning I ordered the ECE 6 lug front disk kit. So when that gets here, I'm going to do the swap and do the LCA castor mod while I'm at it.

[Lattimer]

I need to stop internet browsing, it always turns into internet buying.

Ordered all new fuel plumbing from Jegs. Doing all it all up right with the good fuel hose, AN fittings, filter, etc. Truck still has the factory line from the tank to the fuel pump, then rubber hose from the to the regulator and then to carb. It all sits on the right fenderwell. Did the hose almost 2 years ago, and I don't trust the rubber with the ethanol in the gas, so it needs to go. And the stock fuel like was 5/16 for the original 6 cylinder. I'm installing all -6AN stuff. Should look and function very nicely.

[crazychevyc10]

Originally Posted by Lattimer

Installed a Highliner headliner today. Decided to do this to have speakers rather than doing a bunch of cutting or doing the crappy kick panels. I wanted a headliner, but didn't want to deal with trying to glue up a vinyl one, so its all good. Sound is just ok, and I will probably install better speakers before too long. It really cleaned up the interior though, and I was dreading painting the ceiling. Installed my new black sunvisors and new rear view mirror, so now all that's left in blue is the door panels. Those will be painted black soon.

Also spent about 4 hours adjusting the doors. I think I had the passenger door on and off about 8 times. I've been using my motorcycle jack with a wood block to hold the doors for install and removal, works very well.

Here are a some pics of the headliner and a couple just of the interior. Its coming together nicely.

Nice truck!! Where did you get the headliner from?

[Lattimer]

Originally Posted by crazychevyc10

Nice truck!! Where did you get the headliner from?

IIRC I got the best price at Eckler's, but most of the vendor's sell it. I've seen it at Brother's, LMC, Classic Parts, etc.

[swamp rat]

I have debated that headliner off and on over the years, what size are the speakers 5.25?

Whats your thoughts on fit and finish? I assume you have to drill and screw it on?

[Lattimer]

Originally Posted by swamp rat

I have debated that headliner off and on over the years, what size are the speakers 5.25?

Whats your thoughts on fit and finish? I assume you have to drill and screw it on?

Speakers are 4". You can fit 5.25" in there with some trimming if you wanted to. I threw out the ones it came with and put in Pioneer 4" speakers, and I re-used the grilles that came with the highliner.

Fit and finish is decent. You have to drill a whole bunch of small holes. It uses special screws with plastic caps to hide the screw heads.

My only issue was making space to run wires. I brought them through the dome light, and I had to dimple the metal a little to fit all the wires without making the highliner bulge.

Its also a 2-man job to install, you need an assistant to hold it while you drill and screw.

Overall I'm pleased with it. It dressed the cab up, I have a modern head unit without cutting the dash, and I have good sound without cutting the doors.

[Lattimer]

Busy weekend. Did the front disc brake conversion. Bought the kit from ECE, then had inline tube make stainless replacements for the supplied brake lines. Got a reman mid-90's vacuum booster off Ebay.

Started last weekend painting the booster, calipers, and master. Everything installed pretty easily except the booster. The newer booster has a short shaft on the master side and a long shaft on the firewall side, plus the hole for the connecting pin was too big. But I wanted to double diaphragm instead of the weak single I had. I'm not so sure the old booster was working anyways. I tried the new brakes with it first and they were just ok, the new booster made a night and day difference.

Couple issues I had:
1. ECE kit was missing the lock washers that go over the wheel bearings. Talked to ECE and they helped me track down an application so I could find them locally. Good guys there.
2. The ECE master cylinder was for manual brakes and did not come with the piece to fill the bore to use with a power booster, so I had to make a plug for the bore.
3. The pin for the booster to firewall bracket lever disappeared. I dropped it and never found it. No clue where that little sucker went. So I made a new pin also, and ditched the weird little clip design GM used for a normal hitch pin.

Also installed a vacuum canister to help out the booster.

This is sooooooo much better. Truck stops so much better, pedal effort is less than my 2012 Tundra. I spent the last 2 years trying to convince myself that the drums were ok......didn't work.

[Lattimer]

Before pics:






After:






Forgot to get a pic after the caliper was installed.

[Lattimer]

Got tired of the "build-it-yourself" POS exhaust I've had on the truck for 2 years. It was leaking all over and the flex joints at the header collectors kept breaking.

So, I took it to a local shop that has good reviews and works on a lot of old stuff. They do most everything but one of the things they are known for is custom exhaust. I think they did a nice job. 2-1/12" duals with an H-pipe, all welded, Magnaflows, exit in front of rear tires with a stainless tip. Nice mellow sound. I really like it.

[zicc1835]

very nice

[phillip24fan]

What does a custom exhaust job like that cost?

[Lattimer]

Originally Posted by phillip24fan

What does a custom exhaust job like that cost?

That cost me $700 with tax.

[Lattimer]

Also put in a new speedo cable yesterday.

And just now I ordered a new steering wheel. Don't seem to know how to stop spending money.

[Lattimer]

New steering wheel installed this weekend. Its a Jegs branded billet wheel with matching horn button. Old wheel was a Grant that I wasn't all that fond of, but I bought it half drunk on Ebay one night so I lived with it for a while....LOL.

Had to change the adapter to match the new wheel, so that was an extra $95. Oh well. Nice part is all of the Grant horn button parts are now history!

Old wheel was a 13.5" Grant with 3.5" dish. New is 14" with 2" dish. Fits and looks sooooo much better.


Before:



After:

[zicc1835]

very nice, wheel looks great lots of great progress

[Lattimer]

Thanks!!! Once I decided to leave the paint ugly and go the shop truck route, I've been able to focus on comfort, driveability, performance, and getting the style I want instead of trying to save every penny for bodywork.

Now I have a truck thats just ugly enough to be cool, drives nice, fairly comfy, and even handles pretty good.

There is always more I want to do, but since its a driving project its easier to be a little patient.

[Lattimer]

Didn't do anything with the truck, but did a bunch of work making the garage nicer. Put down a Racedeck tile floor. Turned out pretty nice. There are pics of the truck in there, so it qualifies for the site!!!

Before:







During







After