1968 C10 Stepside Restoration Project

[68 C10 Driver]

So a little bit of an update. I took the accelerator control back off and removed the metal rod and did the cold bluing. I think it turned out pretty good. First photo is the 'before and the subsequent are 'after' photos.

[68 C10 Driver]

So not much to report this weekend other than getting the accelerator control installed on the firewall. Much better than before. I'll install the washer and cotter pins when it is connected to the carb.

[KyleSeal]

Great work. Really like how thorough you were with the interior. Looks great

[68 C10 Driver]

Originally Posted by KyleSeal

Great work. Really like how thorough you were with the interior. Looks great

Thanks. I was hoping to get the frame done over the last few weeks, but life keeps getting in the way. Kid's activities, rain, and then we all passed some crud around and finally got that licked. Seems like there is always something to distract you from doing what you want to do. It'll all come together one day, main thing is to not rush it. Rushing only leads to doing something half-assed or worse. I definitely want to do everything right the first time.

[68 C10 Driver]

So this past weekend I was able to get out and tinker with the truck. The new addition to the cab was a set of NOS San Angelo gun racks. I picked these up on eBay a couple years ago and thought it would make a nice addition to my ranch truck. I know my Uncle's trucks all had gun racks in them...come to think about everyone who had a truck in high school had a gun rack in it with rifles on them. Boy, times have changed. I sure miss the good 'Ole days.

[Shifty One]

I've been looking for a decent set as well.

[wpsharpshooter]

My dad had an old 66 stepside with a set of these in it.. Cant remember the rifles he had hanging from them though... I do remember always wondering if they were going to fall down and hit me in the head.

[68 C10 Driver]

I used riv-nuts as a way to get them attached, I just don't like to rely on sheet metal screws as a way to secure something that holds firearms. Besides, if I do remove the gun rack, the riv-nuts look better than simple holes that will be somewhat pulled out due to the sheet metal screws...just a more finished and secured way to attach.

[raggedjim]

Just read thru your complete build, great job on it. I am fighting a Pontiac steering wheel now, I hope it turns out as nice as yours. I also converted my 3 on the tree column to floor shift.

Good luck, Rg

[68 C10 Driver]

Well, the brake master cylinder started getting surface rust on it. I don't want to battle with wire brushing rust off of this for the rest of my life either. I do not want to paint it, the brake fluid will just eat it and I will have to repaint the master cylinder every few years either. Then it came to me...gun bluing!

I wire brushed the surface rust off and applied the 44/40 bluing solution I used on the throttle rod set-up. I applied it, allowed it to dry, buffed it, then oiled the master cylinder. Now incidental fluid splash won't matter.

[zicc1835]

Originally Posted by 68 C10 Driver

Well, the brake master cylinder started getting surface rust on it. I don't want to battle with wire brushing rust off of this for the rest of my life either. I do not want to paint it, the brake fluid will just eat it and I will have to repaint the master cylinder every few years either. Then it came to me...gun bluing!

I wire brushed the surface rust off and applied the 44/40 bluing solution I used on the throttle rod set-up. I applied it, allowed it to dry, buffed it, then oiled the master cylinder. Now incidental fluid splash won't matter.

nice.... real nice

[68 C10 Driver]

Originally Posted by raggedjim

Just read thru your complete build, great job on it. I am fighting a Pontiac steering wheel now, I hope it turns out as nice as yours. I also converted my 3 on the tree column to floor shift.

Good luck, Rg

Best of luck on your Pontiac steering wheel restoration. I would love to see some photos of it! Is the steering wheel for your C10?

Cheers-

[raggedjim]

Originally Posted by 68 C10 Driver

Best of luck on your Pontiac steering wheel restoration. I would love to see some photos of it! Is the steering wheel for your C10?

Cheers-

Yeap, I posted this in my thread https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...&postcount=177 Still working at it.

It is more oval than round, I think that was part of their wide track image.

[yj4000]

Thats a good idea. Looks great.

[clay68c10]

That’s genius. I never thought of using blue like that.

[68 C10 Driver]

Thanks for the kind words all, I hope I start a new trend.

The bluing will not totally remove the potential for rust, but my hope is that with weekly oiling of the blued metal, the rust will be held at bay. As stated earlier, my rationale for using the cold bluing is to provide a protective finish that the brake fluid will not destroy if it comes in contact with the master cylinder.

[zicc1835]

I want to see the Pontiac

[raggedjim]

Originally Posted by zicc1835

I want to see the Pontiac

The wheel is for my 68 truck, only Pontiacs I have are f-bodies.

[68 C10 Driver]

@ Raggedjim, nice steering wheel!

[68 C10 Driver]

That steering wheel is not too much different from my 65 El Camino wheel when you put them side-by-side.

@raggedjim, I like the colors you picked! Keep in mind that you will need to build out the base of the steering wheel where it meets the truck's steering column. Truck steering wheels are a larger diameter at the center. I used a product called "All Metal". It is a body filler that has metal (aluminum) in it and makes for a hard surface when done. If i remember you only need to build it out about 1/8 to 3/16 in.

[68 C10 Driver]

@raggedjim:

Here is what my 65 Camino steering wheel looked like before and after I built out the base. Note where the steering wheel and steering column meet.

[raggedjim]

Yeap, I've been building that base up and it is just about right. I hope I can get mine to the point yours is, it's a work of art.

Amazing how similar they are! I want to find a Chevy button that will fit in the same space as the Pontiac emblem.

[68 C10 Driver]

Originally Posted by raggedjim

Yeap, I've been building that base up and it is just about right. I hope I can get mine to the point yours is, it's a work of art.

Amazing how similar they are! I want to find a Chevy button that will fit in the same space as the Pontiac emblem.

The one for the 65 El Camino should be a match.

[raggedjim]

I'll look into it, thanks!

[68 C10 Driver]

So this weekend's main project was to install a pole barn style car port so I do not have to work on the frame in the blazing sun this year. Great product from a local builder.

First photo is the site for the car port, just next to my shed. Second photo shows the materials when delivered. Third is a little more than halfway through the process, and last photo is the completed carport. Car port is 20 x 20.

This car port will also be where I park the truck. The garage will not be big enough to handle having it, my MG, and our classic Mini when it is done.