Re: Project "Ghost" - 1972 C10 Pro-touring
 

This will look more in place long-term, but thought I'd pick them up now. Once the black bumper is black, and the truck is either a sand or Nardo grey color, I think these will look perfect. But for now they'll take up the exhuast hole space, and let me run the exhaust out back again instead of dumping under the truck which is LOUD.

https://i.ibb.co/DzSbKDM/IMG-20191112-143538.jpg

Re: Project "Ghost" - 1972 C10 Pro-touring
 

Been awhile since I updated this thread. I've been busy with my job, and slowly starting me future job/company.

On the truck I started replacing the front suspension. Out with the drop springs, in with some Ridetech Coilovers!

https://i.imgur.com/2BCY97jl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Njjtfxzl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/aZItOTYl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/9f6WKJOl.jpg


When trying to get the spindles back in I discovered Ridetech sent me balljoints for a 63-70 C10, and not a 71-72. They're sending me the right balljoints now, but will have change them out.

I also bought a Redhead box, and new steering shafts/couplers. A previous owner put in an Ididit column, but installed the steering shaft specifically how Ididit says NOT to, so that's neat. Going with a collapsible shaft to increase safety as well.

On another note, I started playing more with my 3d printer. I made some hose separators for the El Camino, which I finished for a buddy. Have a video coming soon about it.

Got some Dapper headlights in, which the owner loves. Not everyone's flavor, but I love them too and they increase nighttime visibilty greatly, while being DOT approved/safe.

https://i.imgur.com/Zdrycufl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/4eDORv4l.jpg



Hose separator I designed and printed

https://i.imgur.com/X9n1D2Dl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/LgbCxmql.jpg

And finally I have been working on a bracket setup for my Fuellab fuel filter. Originally I wanted something to bolt to the carb, but couldn't get the design how I wanted. So I switched gears and designed it to be integrated into a carb spacer. Here is the original drawing, then what I ended with after iterating a bit. The piece is printed in cheap PLA, about $10 worth of material. It took about 21 hours to print.

The final piece will be refined again, then cut from aluminum and anodized.

https://i.imgur.com/aQ6nC7Yl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/3AyjIRSl.jpg

That's all for now!

Re: Project "Ghost" - 1972 C10 Pro-touring
 

'Aint technology cool :cool:

Re: Project "Ghost" - 1972 C10 Pro-touring
 

I feel like I'm on the cheapest ship in Star Trek, with the slowest replicator they could afford haha.

But still, being able to take a design and a day later have a part is pretty awesome. Even if it's slow.

https://i.imgur.com/IxfK6Ztl.png

Re: Project "Ghost" - 1972 C10 Pro-touring
 

Exactly.
Live long & prosper.....

Re: Project "Ghost" - 1972 C10 Pro-touring
 

Cool build man. Im in for the ride!

Re: Project "Ghost" - 1972 C10 Pro-touring
 

Those hose spacers are really cool man. Makes me think you could do some trickery for our C10 nation and our hoses coming out of firewall for heater and a/c.

And those coilovers are going to be nice!

Re: Project "Ghost" - 1972 C10 Pro-touring
 

Little bit more progress in the last few days. I got the new, correct, ball joints in the LCA and UCAs. Either the order taker or Ridetech accidentally shipped them with 63-70 ball joints and not 71-72, but Ridetech sent me new ones for free.

I also installed the new Redhead steering box (3 turn unit) and reworked the steering shaft and connections.

It was using the stock rag-joint and shaft, but the previous owner had used some sort of coupler, with a small cut shaft going inside the steering column, which according to Ididit is a no-no.

I replaced it with an outer DD coupler, into a collapsable steering shaft (safer in the event of a front-end collision) and then into a u-joint instead of a rag-joint.

I had to cut about 7" off the thick side of the DD shaft to get the fit right, but that was anticipated.

Tomorrow and beyond I tackle the driver side suspension, then finish the steering, new sway bar, bleed the brakes, and get it aligned.

https://i.imgur.com/WR4gm9tl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/KFtRduzl.jpg

Re: Project "Ghost" - 1972 C10 Pro-touring
 

I'm stuck waiting on a new inner tie rod. My brand new Moog unit stripped the threads tightening to 30lb.ft so that was nice . . .

Then I need to figure out how to give myself clearance on the sway bar mounts that contact the wheels at full turn. May need to fab up some steering stops.

In the meantime, I finally got my hardened print head for my 3d printer, and printed my hose separators in Nylon/Carbon. These things are TOUGH. Way tougher than they need to be, but wanted to check out the material. They're only 20% infill, so these are 80% air on the inside, and I'm not sure I could snap them in half by hand. They'll also withstand 150*C continuous, and 180*C peak temps.

https://i.imgur.com/pX7x8LQl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/5DARZUAl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/5DARZUAl.jpg

Re: Project "Ghost" - 1972 C10 Pro-touring
 

That printer is too cool man. Is the material expensive?

Re: Project "Ghost" - 1972 C10 Pro-touring
 

This specific material is. It's about $96 for a 750g roll of it. One bracket takes about 32g of it to make, so about $4-5 a bracket in print material.

Other materials like PLA are 1/5 that price, so I do all my prototyping in that.

There are other materials, like NylonX, that are a little more than half the price of what this bracket is in (PAHT-CF15), and should be 90% as good as this material I think, so I may switch over to that. I did take this bracket and throw it on the cement after assembly and it did jack to it.

Obviously PAHT-CF15 is way stronger than I need for this specific part, but I was just too excited to print with it. And I love the texture of the finished print. This material would be great for a lot of stuff though.

I did order some white Nylon (without carbon) as that is already very strong. And it will allow for easier painting. That's what I'd likely print a rear-view mirror bracket out of. That said, if I need more detail in it for the bracket I may swap over to tough PLA and a smaller print head to get more granular of a print. We'll see!

Re: Project "Ghost" - 1972 C10 Pro-touring
 

No new updates on the truck, still waiting on a new inner tie rod, then I can get it aligned.

I did do a design/print for a fellow board member who is adapting a new style mirror to the stock mounting hardware. I plan to do a similar mirror in mine, so the project was a little self-serving too.

Our mirrors came with a ball/stud that is a narrower diameter than what modern mirrors use. So I redesigned the ball/stud with a bigger ball, and then included a wiring tunnel. TA_C10 did a manual mod to his ball/stud to help setup what the design should be.

Then I printed it in nylon/carbon at about 50% infill (meaning it's half air inside). Now it's off to TA_C10 to test out!

https://i.imgur.com/Ei9Ey68l.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/lOvJ3O4l.png

https://i.imgur.com/juR3Wwpl.jpg

Re: Project "Ghost" - 1972 C10 Pro-touring
 

I've been following the efforts. Cool collaboration project.

Re: Project "Ghost" - 1972 C10 Pro-touring
 

I think I finally wrapped up most of the suspension work on the front. Having tried a number of ways to resolve the wheel clearance issue on the sway bar mount I eventually had to resort to some surgery.

First I tried shaving the mounts down, but it wasn't enough clearance. Then I tried a thin wheel spacer, but again, not enough clearance. I was going to fab up a steering stop to avoid the issue, but once I saw how much turning radius I'd lose I said no to that as well.

So I relocated the way bar mount to inside the lower control arm. It wasn't pretty, but it'll do for now. Eventually I'll fab up some purpose-made relocation brackets, as right now I just cut the bracket and used what I could on the inside. I had to ensure the bracket left room to remove the lower coilover bolt, so it's not as 90* as I wanted. But then agin, the stock location wasn't straight up and down either, so I think this will be okay.

Now to go get it aligned.

https://i.imgur.com/GiIbBfbl.jpg

Re: Project "Ghost" - 1972 C10 Pro-touring
 

It does look like it's @ about the same angle as it would be in the outer position (I believe the outer lower arrow is the original location?).

Re: Project "Ghost" - 1972 C10 Pro-touring
 

Yep, that's the old location. Looking at the lines in your overlay makes me feel like I got it even closer than I thought :).

Re: Project "Ghost" - 1972 C10 Pro-touring
 

Odd thing is it ISN"T plumb as it comes from Ridetech. I had the same experience (MuscleBar/Cool Ride arm combo). The sway-bar link was @ some funky angle vs. plumb & only took a brief period of road miles before there were no bushings. Not sure about the 'Why?'.

Re: Project "Ghost" - 1972 C10 Pro-touring
 

Not much to report today on the truck. Going to wash it this afternoon, then an alignment Monday.

I did preorder a little desktop CNC mill that I can cut small aluminum parts in. During a meeting break today I designed something for my friend's El Camino.

He has a 396, and we had an original style 396 sticker on the air cleaner. But over time stickers peel, the fade, etc.

So I made one that I'll cut from aluminum, and thread the back of to act as a air cleaner stud nut.

https://i.imgur.com/OMbBEBhh.png

https://i.imgur.com/BGGj99ul.png

Re: Project "Ghost" - 1972 C10 Pro-touring
 

That's freakin' cool.

Re: Project "Ghost" - 1972 C10 Pro-touring
 

Nice, that should be cool

Re: Project "Ghost" - 1972 C10 Pro-touring
 

Front coilovers and alingment done. I was able to get the alignment pretty close in the garage, but nice to have it fully dialed in from a shop. Got toe-in within 1/16" on either side, so not bad for eyeballing it. The lady friend and I went for a drive in the country to feel how it handles better. I may stiffin the coilover settings a bit more, and I probably need to install bumpstops. Overall I'm happy with the upgrade. It handles very nice. Way better than it used to. Not quite on the level of a modern sports car, but a lot better than a 60's-70's stock muscle car, and certainly better than a 70's truck. The new steering components and redhead steering box are also a welcome upgrade. Steering is much tighter, pretty much zero slop in the wheel now. Went from a ragjoint to a ujoint, along with a new collapsable steering shaft.

Makes me excited to do the rear suspension down the road, and then crank up the power under the hood.

https://i.imgur.com/zXo3OxHh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/CihJ0klh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/gNnqKWUh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/NX9oM8wh.jpg

Re: Project "Ghost" - 1972 C10 Pro-touring
 

Great pics!

Re: Project "Ghost" - 1972 C10 Pro-touring
 

Great pics and a nice stance.

Re: Project "Ghost" - 1972 C10 Pro-touring
 

Lots of cool stuff in this thread. Do you do CAD/CAM stuff for work?

Re: Project "Ghost" - 1972 C10 Pro-touring
 

Not professionally, no. I'm in tech and project management. That said, I am transitioning partially away from that and building my own design, engineering, and content creation business here soon.

I can sit in an 8-hour meeting and want to die, but 8 hours in the garage or designing something to print or create flies right by, so trying to turn my passions into my job a bit more.

Re: Project "Ghost" - 1972 C10 Pro-touring
 

Found myself able to split my attention a bit today during a meeting and began drafting my plans for an airbox that will fit nicely in our engine bays. It's being designed to fit a modern Camaro ZL1 air filter, good for over 600hp.

I don't have the air filter in hand yet, so the design is conceptual at this point as opposed to exact. I already know the angle of the air filter is different than what is here. What you see below is designed to fill the space between the radiator and fender nicely though.

I only have the lower in progress. The lid will contain the connection to plumb the air to the intake for a front-mount TB fuel injection setup.

The air intake part for the box will likely be designed with a few options, such as a lower intake to draw from a fender, or a frontal intake to draw from behind the grill.

I'll also be changing the base a bit and adding a drain port so any moisture will drain out.

This is just the very first iteration. Hopefully it'll improve moving forward ;).

https://i.imgur.com/rPVbBSxh.png

https://res-4.cloudinary.com/knfilte.../33-5047_2.jpg


Jay Leno and CO 3D printed the intake box for their custom Bronco, so I'm giving it a go. Their printer is slightly bigger (and about 5-10x more expensive haha) so I may have to get creative and assemble mine from a few pieces.

https://img.hmn.com/900x0/stories/20...EMA-engine.jpg

Re: Project "Ghost" - 1972 C10 Pro-touring
 

Concept for the box top:

https://i.imgur.com/ROwTsu0h.png

Re: Project "Ghost" - 1972 C10 Pro-touring
 

Another great idea! I can think of several things I would like to have you create and print :)

Re: Project "Ghost" - 1972 C10 Pro-touring
 

This would be a few day print at least, so I'm defintely going to spent more time in design and measurements before I press the GO button haha.

Stepside always happy to have a backlog of things to consider building :).

Re: Project "Ghost" - 1972 C10 Pro-touring
 

Intake top printed at 30% size just to see if I need to add supports. Overall pretty good, but I need to support the bottom of the hose opening.

https://i.imgur.com/SBfPBe6h.jpg

Re: Project "Ghost" - 1972 C10 Pro-touring
 

Time for bed, but final update of the night. I did some texturing of the concept and did a quick render:

https://i.imgur.com/pXfDk4Jh.png

Re: Project "Ghost" - 1972 C10 Pro-touring
 

very cool. Looks great. How will it mount to the fender?

Re: Project "Ghost" - 1972 C10 Pro-touring
 

That'll be the next part after I get the air filter and go from the concept design to an actual one.

My guess at this point is that it'll need to bolt to the radiator core support, or I'll build a bracket that will bolt to it that this will slide into.

Re: Project "Ghost" - 1972 C10 Pro-touring
 

Sounds like the stronger choice. A steel platform that the housing & lid can 'nest' in.

Re: Project "Ghost" - 1972 C10 Pro-touring
 

:metal:Lovin all the creativity man. Absolutely killer ride height too!

Re: Project "Ghost" - 1972 C10 Pro-touring
 

I like that idea of that flat style filter. Makes for a smaller sleeker design. Is your box designed for driver or passenger side? And I'm assuming it's 4" diameter?

Truck looks great man :thumbs:

.

Re: Project "Ghost" - 1972 C10 Pro-touring
 

Right now it's driver side, but I could print a mirror of it most likely for passenger. Yep 4" outlet. Are most intake tubes 4" OD or ID. I was going to buy one but figured many of you might have one lying around already.

Re: Project "Ghost" - 1972 C10 Pro-touring
 

Starting installing my Altman latches that I purchased about a year ago. Got the driver side done today. Was pretty straight forward and they work well. My only complaint is that the button and handle to open feel a little stiff. The door closes pretty easily, but the "pop" to open it feels harder than it should be.

Installation was fairly smooth. At first I started with a 3" cutter, but that was taking too long so I tried my 4.5". While that cuts fast, the many of the areas are too small for the blade. So I decided to stop being an idiot and I just got out the plasma cutter and finished it. I'll do the passenger side with the plasma from the get go as that will go way faster.

All the bolts go in pretty easy, however one is a little tricky, but only because I didn't realize you're supposed to unbolt the latch mechanism before installing the plate. They come preinstalled in the package, and the instructions don't allude to separating them until after you've put the plate in.

All in all I'm happy with it. Might try a little more adjustment to get the opening a bit easier, but it's not terrible as is. I think the striker needs to come out further honestly, but I'm as far out as I can get it currrently.

https://i.imgur.com/3ADPwrDh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/3cuL2tPh.jpg

Re: Project "Ghost" - 1972 C10 Pro-touring
 

And passenger side completed as well.

https://i.imgur.com/bIOVwpBh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/AmrjhAWh.jpg

Re: Project "Ghost" - 1972 C10 Pro-touring
 

They look nice...