My 69 Find

[Hellbent]

Hello all,
I am a proud new owner of a 69 C-10. She's a lil rough around the edges but I love her anyway! Just got her last weekend and am looking forward gettin dirty! My seven year old has named her Trixy. Just wanted to introduce myself so that I can start pickin yer big brains!

Here are some pics for your enjoyment...

[Hellbent]

and a few more....

[dan42]

Looks like you have a nice start - welcome to the boards and keep us informed on the progress!

[big_al_71]

Welcome from Florida!!!!
Keep the picts coming...

[Hellbent]

Thanks for the warm welcome! This is gonna be a long road but I am so ready!

[68350]

Gotta love the steppers! I will echo the others and say that looks to be an awesome start! Don't forget to keep the pictures coming, cause we all like em. We are kind of savages to be honest.

[72BlckButy]

Nice looking '69!

[wancosc356]

Very nice looking start. Good luck and as always, the more pictures the better.

[Hellbent]

Thanks again for the support! I plan to spend the holidays under the truck and will report my findings.

Wish Me Luck!

[Zoomin]

Nice start HB. What are your plans for it?

[jablack]

Good looking truck

[Hellbent]

Well, I have had a little time to get a closer look at what I am up against. And it don't look all that good. The roof is screwed and it is going to take some major work to fix. I will have to say, I was a bit blinded by the rumble of the V8 and turned my eyes away from the rust thinking I can deal with anything that sounds like that! Now, I'm alittle disheartened at the extent of the rot and a bit overwhelmed. Knowing I can never afford to put it back the way it needs to be. I'm thinking maybe I need to find something else...
I know .....

After a few minutes of deliberation.......... I'm just going to have to take a small step at a time and work through it to the best of my ability. Wish me luck, I'm going in head first!

To start: I'm knocking out the rotten wood bed. Next the Krylon ghost flames gotta go. Check out the flame job.

[wancosc356]

One thing at a time...one thing at a time. If you look at the overall picture of everything you wanna do, you will get discouraged. Keep at it and good luck.

[Hellbent]

Here are some shots of the roof inside and out. I'm on the hunt for a donor roof. So, if anyone can point me in the right direction I would greatly appreciate it. Hopefully I can locate a donor close to Charleston, SC.

[Hellbent]

I sure would like to strip the krylon of this grill assembly... Does anyone have any ideas without damaging the surface below?

[wancosc356]

Ill check one of the cabs I have. Might be able to help you out. As far as the grill goes, airplane/aircraft paint remover. Not sure how it will affect the chrome/stainless underneath but I hear it works great. Maybe some cheap dollar store over cleaner, some rubber gloves and some sos pads or steel wool. Im sure you will have to polish it good after, no matter what u use. Your best bet would be to find a soda blaster.

[Hellbent]

Originally Posted by wancosc356

One thing at a time...one thing at a time. If you look at the overall picture of everything you wanna do, you will get discouraged. Keep at it and good luck.

Thanks dude, I've gotta learn to wear blinders!

[wancosc356]

Haha. I hear that.

[Boog]

As a fellow 69 stepper owner myself I like your choice. I suggest you do a good lookover top to bottom before starting your search for parts. If it has the upper rust it surely has floor, rocker rust, etc. You may be better off to take your time and locate another cab altogether and just swap em out. Sounds like a big job but it's not really. Do as some guys like Powell 72 and drive his truck while he repairs another cab to be swapped when he's done with the cab.
Don't let the bad things you've found turn you off from this project. Hey, it's 40 years old. It's got some cancer. It's still a good start.

[k5hart]

Welcome!! I saw that one on craigslist the other day and almost went and looked at it. I wondered how bad the rust was going to be. Don't get discouraged yet, these can be fixed. If you paid what the asking price was and it's mechanically sound you got a decent deal. As for the rust, check the firewall as well. Around the heater box and along the pinch weld area. If that's rusted I would say find a cab. I haven't been there in a long time, but a yard in St. George used to have some good trucks in it. I saw two a while ago off of 17 at yard going to Ravenel. I haven't been able to check anything out since time is limited with a new baby. They used to be all over Summerville and the country surrounding, they are just hidden in woods, sheds, and behind homes.

I"m in James Island by the way. Let me know if I can help you with anything. I'll keep an eye open for trucks and parts. Maybe we can meet up sometime. I'll subscribe to this thread to keep up with ya. Your in a good place for help. This board is great!!

[Hellbent]

Originally Posted by Boog

As a fellow 69 stepper owner myself I like your choice. I suggest you do a good lookover top to bottom before starting your search for parts. If it has the upper rust it surely has floor, rocker rust, etc. You may be better off to take your time and locate another cab altogether and just swap em out. Sounds like a big job but it's not really. Do as some guys like Powell 72 and drive his truck while he repairs another cab to be swapped when he's done with the cab.
Don't let the bad things you've found turn you off from this project. Hey, it's 40 years old. It's got some cancer. It's still a good start.

You hit the nail on the head, 40 years old... rockers, radiator support, lower doors all in bad shape. I can see bad body work under the paint all over the truck. Thanks for the encouragement, I need all that I can get.

[Boog]

Just what are your plans for the truck? Clean up and drive it mostly as is or park it for a complete teardown/ rebuild? Primer black for now while you work on it? You can buy patch panels for many parts of these trucks if you need them. If the doors are real bad I'd look for replacements too.
Rust is tough to deal with being hard to get to some places to treat but it can be done.

[Hellbent]

Originally Posted by k5hart

Welcome!! I saw that one on craigslist the other day and almost went and looked at it. I wondered how bad the rust was going to be. Don't get discouraged yet, these can be fixed. If you paid what the asking price was and it's mechanically sound you got a decent deal. As for the rust, check the firewall as well. Around the heater box and along the pinch weld area. If that's rusted I would say find a cab. I haven't been there in a long time, but a yard in St. George used to have some good trucks in it. I saw two a while ago off of 17 at yard going to Ravenel. I haven't been able to check anything out since time is limited with a new baby. They used to be all over Summerville and the country surrounding, they are just hidden in woods, sheds, and behind homes.

I"m in James Island by the way. Let me know if I can help you with anything. I'll keep an eye open for trucks and parts. Maybe we can meet up sometime. I'll subscribe to this thread to keep up with ya. Your in a good place for help. This board is great!!

Alright! A fellow Charlestonian! I was hoping someone in the area would see this. Yes, it's a craigslist special. Drove it home from Cross 2 weekends ago. Man, it's great to meet you. Thanks for replying!

[72 Super]

Welcome aboard here from Maryland. If it's the truck you really want then don't let the bad get you discouraged. Just take it on as a hobby that you want to do instead of something that needs to be done.

Ray

[Hellbent]

Originally Posted by Boog

Just what are your plans for the truck? Clean up and drive it mostly as is or park it for a complete teardown/ rebuild? Primer black for now while you work on it? You can buy patch panels for many parts of these trucks if you need them. If the doors are real bad I'd look for replacements too.
Rust is tough to deal with being hard to get to some places to treat but it can be done.

Ultimatly I want a clean, custom. Back in the early 90's I ran in a mini truck club and developed a love for the custom stuff. I have always had a desire to own a pre 70's C10. I've got a vision for this thats just simple and clean. I don't need to daily with this one. It will remain in the garage except for maybe on weekends. And yes the doors are real bad, at least the lower halves are. What scares me is whats hidden beneath the paint and bondo. This is the drivers door...