1970 C-10 Stepside Build Progress Thread

[sircrunch]

Hey guys I need some advice. I'm working on the bed now. I took it all apart for blasting. I'm going to replace the front side of the bed because something in the past rolled around and crashed into it, warped it pretty bad. But the STEPSIDE TAILGATE is what I need some advice on. Fix it or replace it? Its straight at the bottom but bowed in a bit at the top. I have provided some pictures. Can I fix this or should I just buy an aftermarket STEPSIDE TAILGATE??? Other than it being bowed out at the top, there is also a very small stress crack (pictured) and the spot welds near the top corners are broken (pictured). The top of the tailgate is fair, but it does have some damage (pictured) I know its a lot of pictures but on some of them I'm attempting to take a picture down at the bed at an extreme angle to show the bowing or warpage.

[69Tom]

Nice work on the metal replacement! I just bought a 70 step last night (to replace the one I sold 2 years ago), and have to replace the rockers so that was good to see pics of it being done.

It'll be tough getting the bow out of that, I'd think. If you're redoing the truck back to as new standards, you might want to just think buying a reproduction tailgate. Anyway, that's my thoughts. You're good at fixing metal, tho, so maybe give a shot repairing it first?

[twittersucks]

That will just buff right on out or you could just say that it's a beautiful "patina" and not bother with it. You definitely have done a lot of good work and I can't wait to see it finished. Have a good day.

[Mike C]

I would at least try and fix it. My short step tailgate has done the same. I haven't done anything yet (all original paint!) but my plan is to tweak it back, TIG weld it as unobtrusively as possible and paint with Gray enamel to try and match the faded silver. Not too worried about a tiny spot weld repair.

[bill3rail]

Originally Posted by twittersucks

you could just say that it's a beautiful "patina" and not bother with it.

I don't think we are looking at a Patina truck here...But I'm not too sure.

[sircrunch]

Sorry for the lack of updates but I haven't got a lot done in the past year!! After the sandblaster came and did his thing, I epoxy painted every panel and then lost interest big time!!!! I bought an el camino and was working on my squarebody. Then i bought an 86 camaro too. i'm trying to get back to work on this 70. My friend suggested I get the truck moving around under its own power, which might prompt me to work on it more and get motivated. So I ordered a new column, wiring harness, and power steering kit. With that I'll have everything I need just about to get it motorvatin' around the yard at least.

Here are some pics of the sandblasting that occured back in march, I'm ashamed to say I haven't done anything to it since then. but thats changing this week

[sircrunch]

I got my AAW harness in the mail a week or two ago, I've installed my new steering column and my power steering gear box and that whole kit. I'm working on my intermediate shaft, putting a new boot in... have to redo it because I punch a nice big hole in it trying to pry that wretched ring back into place.

In other news, I broke down and bought the expensive AAW wire crimpers. I'll be piddling around with wires here and there for a while.

Next on my shopping list is body mounts.

Progress is slow, and the truck is beating me up at every angle.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by sircrunch

I got my AAW harness in the mail a week or two ago, I've installed my new steering column and my power steering gear box and that whole kit. I'm working on my intermediate shaft, putting a new boot in... have to redo it because I punch a nice big hole in it trying to pry that wretched ring back into place.

In other news, I broke down and bought the expensive AAW wire crimpers. I'll be piddling around with wires here and there for a while.

Next on my shopping list is body mounts.

Progress is slow, and the truck is beating me up at every angle.

Yes, but progress is progress and that's all that counts. Looking good.

LockDoc

[sircrunch]

Yesterday I started looking at the AAW wire harness. Its the classic update series harness. To my surprise I had to cut the square hole out larger with the provided template. I was surprised because I thought only 67's and early 68's needed cutting and mine's a 70. But got that done. Any pictures or tips for routing the wires for starter/ignition/coil/dist/battery? I want to route the wires as close to original as possible, or cleaner. I just wanna be able to crank the truck and move it around the garage for now.

[sircrunch]

where did you guys mount the ultra fuse assembly from the AAW wiring harness? It looks like i'm going to have to install my fenders and core support just to mock up the wires and lengths. pics of your engine bay wiring install would be awesome!

[sircrunch]

Originally Posted by sircrunch

where did you guys mount the ultra fuse assembly from the AAW wiring harness? It looks like i'm going to have to install my fenders and core support just to mock up the wires and lengths. pics of your engine bay wiring install would be awesome!

anyone?

[Mike C]

Yea, GM didn't go larger on the trucks fuse box until the end of the 72 line. I would like to help with your fuse mounting, but we are at same stage with my kid's Jimmy project. Hole is cut but we haven't started running wires yet.

[sircrunch]

so I put the core support, inner fenders, and fenders on so I could run the wires the right length. that was motivating. last night I used some "practice terminals" that came with the AAW wiring harness kit with my new AAW single and double wire crimpers and what you're seeing is my first two attempts. one single and one double wire. they look great!

[sircrunch]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GX_o5X2mq9A

[sircrunch]

This month I should have the truck cranking and running on its own. I needed to get a shifter so I bought a lokar shifter with boot (over 400 bucks plus tax) also bought a complete bed box for the stepside bed. both sides, the front near the cab, and a new tailgate. The plan is to get it moving, test it out...make sure all the bugs are worked out and then strip it back down for paint.

[sircrunch]

Yesterday I got the shifter installed and the hole in the floor from the old shifter patched. Tonight I hope to figure out the neutral safety switch wiring, and maybe install the ignition switch. If all goes well I may be able to crank the truck soon. Waiting for my bed sides, front panel, and tailgate to be shipped in.

[RedRider]

Shifter looks great, how'd the wiring come out?

[sircrunch]

Originally Posted by RedRider

Shifter looks great, how'd the wiring come out?

I'm about half finished with it but so far it seems to be high quality and easy to deal with. I wish I had a friend with a finished truck to reference on some things that are not explained. Such as best way to route this and that, ideas on how to hide wires, how to best route them (example along the frame rails to the rear for tail lights etc) where to ground from chassis to cab, where to ground from engine to cab.... stuff like that. if you have any suggestions on that please... I'm all ears.

[70 shorty]

My 70 Shortbed stepside is rusty and crusty, but if I can shoot a pic of anything that will help, feel free to ask.

[sircrunch]

I got the engine running on its own, but it was just from a cup of gas on the floor. and i couldnt run it long because there was no radiator. So i first set out to fix that. I'm in the mock-up and testing stage sort of. I cleaned out the tank and installed it, put new fuel lines in. then put the radiator in, filled it with coolant and thats when i noticed a huge leak out of the freeze plug behind the drivers side motor mount. So that was kind of a set back. Fixed that up and refilled only to notice coolant was then coming out of the OPPOSITE SIDE freeze plug under the motor mount. So i tried to keep my composure and fixed it. The engine will start and run beautifully. In theory I could take it around the block at this time. brakes, trans and all should work. The entire bed box came in a couple weeks ago and I assembled it. It looks like i'm going to have to go ahead and buy the wood kit, bed strips, and hardware kit to mock this thing up properly. Is there any way around that for the time being? I ran into a problem trying to get the tailgate mounted, which i started a new thread about.. check it out here: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=788564

Once I get a few more bugs worked out i'm going to begin aligning the panels correctly and then start BODY WORK.

Pics:

[sircrunch]

some bed progress:

[69Tom]

Nice. Looking good. Can't wait to get mine to that stage one of these days. Waiting for the damn heat to break some.

[sircrunch]

2 coats minwax stain, 2 coats teak oil. AMAZED at this result.

[Baker72chevy]

Looking good

[sircrunch]

I have been home a lot here lately so i've been able to get a lot done. The major things include
LS Swap with 5.3/4l60E all sorts of new components including radiator etc.
new driveshaft
painted firewall/interior/floorboard under/over
completed bodywork and epoxy primed rest of body
started assembling under dash
relocated tank
painting assorted parts