1969 K10 CST Full Restoration

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by MDPotter

That is exciting! Seeing the body come back together and getting trimmed out is a huge payoff. As always, you're doing a fantastic job.

Thanks. It is exciting.

Originally Posted by jaros44sr

well, who ever it is that likes the rally's, I agree! They bring alot of bling to the truck, just my opinion. But the choice Is done by the one who pays the bills.

This falls into the never ending topics of exhaust manifold gaskets or not, such as it is white wheels or argent rallys, but I don't want to open that can of worms, since you can't get the lid back on,lol

Great build so far, you guys have hit it outta the park, you've set the bar very high for the rest of us, thanks for a great build

You've got to be chompin at the bit, to drive this truck....

Thanks Jim, you're too kind...and it's my brother who wants the Rallys. It's his truck so we're obligated to at least consider his opinion .

[IronCanine]

Fenders hung. Paint is deep and hard to photograph because my ugly mug is always in the shot...oh, if only to be a vampire. Last pic is what you get when you try and shoot it straight on. Hopefully more progress pics tomorrow.

[IronCanine]

In birthday news...the rear axle turns 51 today!

[1971Stepside]

Simply. Amazing. Looks like she is fresh off the assembly line.

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by MDPotter

Looks like a perfect paint job!

Eric definitely nailed it.

Originally Posted by 1971Stepside

Simply. Amazing. Looks like she is fresh off the assembly line.

Thanks. I wish we could do it as fast as those guys on the St. Louis assembly line.

[IronCanine]

Work bell rang...quick dinner with the girls and then off to Eric's. A couple of jobs done tonight. Got the rear bumper on along with some fun stuff. Besides the '69 plate, I threw on the Bickerstaff dealer logo that I had reproduced. It was the dealership from our hometown for the better part of the last century...Bickerstaff was done selling cars and trucks by the '80s. It took a bit to locate a period example, but we finally got lucky. Don't worry though this one is just a magnet, so no harm done. Also got the rear window in. Not as tough as the front for sure, but it was chilly tonight which made it a bit tougher than it would have been just a couple of weeks ago. We didn't bolt the seats in because we've got to get the seat belts sorted, but couldn't help throwing them in to see how she looks.

[jimbosprint]

Incredible work. I wish I could give my trucks the same quality of restoration.

[DeadheadNM]

Outstanding! Strong work guys. Better than new.

Any difficulty installing the upper tailgate trim? Repro trim clips used?

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by jimbosprint

Incredible work. I wish I could give my trucks the same quality of restoration.

Thanks. I'm just grateful for all the help and insight from this board. If it turns out nice, that's a huge reason why.

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

Outstanding! Strong work guys. Better than new.

Any difficulty installing the upper tailgate trim? Repro trim clips used?

Thanks Pete. Don't know that it's better than new...maybe the paint is. I won't steal Eric's thunder on the trim. I think he may have it hacked and might post in the trim thread (or this one) about his approach.

[OLDYELLOW]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

Outstanding! Strong work guys. Better than new.

Any difficulty installing the upper tailgate trim? Repro trim clips used?

Yes, and we used repro trim clips. First try the clips didn't catch. So I took a small triangular file and squared up the holes. Then spread the clips quite a bit.

[IronCanine]

Eric spent the day prepping the hood. The deeper he goes the better it looks.

[IronCanine]

Just odds and ends tonight. The electrolysis tank does a pretty good job of pushing off paint as well as rust. Here you can see the orange and the underlying factory medium olive coming off the mirror arms. It definitely eases the cleanup a bit. Minimal drama on the install of the mirrors tonight. Also got the console and seats mounted (save for a few bolts because we ran short). As recommended on the board and as we did for the Blazer, a soldering iron is a great way to punch the carpet holes and keep bolts and screws from winding up the fibers. Also as with the Blazer, I elected to go with a later style three point seat belt set up. We bought them through Seat Belts Plus and got the new buckles that mimic our style. I did spend some time looking for original belts, but in the end I didn't have it in me to find a date correct set and then have them rebuilt. I also know I wouldn't wear 'em if I did--these I will. It's an easy enough add later if it becomes an issue.

[cornerstone]

Cream of the crop, top shelf beautiful.... Who in their right mind wouldn't want to drive this truck?

So have you guys given any thought to a third project truck? If so, any speculations as to what it would be?

[DeadheadNM]

Awesome guys. Eric thanks for the follow up. A lot of us have had problems with those darn trim clips - sounds like de-burring is the way to go. Pete

[rowdy11]

Looks fantastic! How did you get your VIN plates to look so shiny?

[IronCanine]

Had hoped to start early this morning but stuff came up and I didn't get to the shop until mid afternoon. Started loading her up with fluids (some of which quickly found it's way to the floor). I am committed to the tower clamps though these failed me today. As with the Blazer I'll order more and hope for the best.

...As you can see we got the upper belt molding on. Scored a batch of OE clips from Woody (southern parts-thanks!) that we cleaned up and re-used. Eric laid the holes out way back during the pre-fitment days per the assembly manual and the process was pretty uneventful. The threaded clips were tough at the driver's side B-pillar and at the last clip on the front fenders...but we got em on. More tomorrow.

EDIT: I should note that all of our side molding is Mar-K. The profile of the OE fender trim is different from the re-production trim at the door side. It's subtle, but different. We had some decent OE fender trim and originally planned to refinish it in order to have the correct profile there. Part way through the process, we didn't feel like we could get a symmetrical enough appearance to mix and match and elected to just use the reproduction piece.

[davischevy]

Originally Posted by IronCanine

EDIT: I should note that all of our side molding is Mar-K. The profile of the OE fender trim is different from the re-production trim at the door side. It's subtle, but different. We had some decent OE fender trim and originally planned to refinish it in order to have the correct profile there. Part way through the process, we didn't feel like we could get a symmetrical enough appearance to mix and match and elected to just use the reproduction piece.

I just noticed this observation, and did not know that. I bought Mar-K for mine, but I think I still have some NOS in the rafters, so I guess I better dig it out.

Thanks for pointing It out.

[IronCanine]

You'll see it when you put them side by side. The trailing edge of the fender spear is different. All the other pieces appeared to me to match up well with OE.

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by rowdy11

Looks fantastic! How did you get your VIN plates to look so shiny?

Thanks. The plates were polished as you would any stainless steel part (like the window trim or hub caps).

[Ol Blue K20]

Wow!! I go away a few days and come back and drool while I'm catching up. Absolutely awesome.

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

Wow!! I go away a few days and come back and drool while I'm catching up. Absolutely awesome.

Thanks Dale...There have been times lately I wish I could go away or at least fast forward a bit.

[IronCanine]

Eric stripped and painted the window track and joined it to the glass last night. He was up and had the vent windows and door glass in before I got there today. Thanks to Roger Koop for the vent windows..perfect per usual. We got the door kit from Precision that included all the weatherstrip and sweeps. Because neither of these doors needed a full skin (unlike the Blazer)our fitment on these pieces was better/easier.

[IronCanine]

Like the Blazer however, over time our doors had lost the square nuts that attach the bottom of the door card. I liked the clean look of no screws on the Blazer and elected to attach it with velcro. As we are striving for a factory appearance on this truck, we needed those four door panel screws. These rubber expansion nuts fit the holes in our door exactly. I put a bit of weatherstrip adhesive on the expansion nuts to hold them in place, but they engaged quickly and worked well as an easy substitute for the capture nuts. I procured a set of ferules from Woody (southern parts). The openings at the door and window handles needed a little enlargement for the escutcheons to pop on. With the weatherstripping and door sills in, the interior is officially done. And boy do those doors jump open. On the bummer side, it looks like I've got a leak on the front output seal on the transfer case. I'll have some time to ponder that as she got moved back out and the shop cleaned up so Eric can focus on painting the hood, cowl and the final few odds and ends (like inner fenders, headlight buckets, and jack tool hold down bits) this week.

[harrisoncole4]

Originally Posted by IronCanine

Like the Blazer however, over time our doors had lost the square nuts that attach the bottom of the door card. I liked the clean look of no screws on the Blazer and elected to attach it with velcro. As we are striving for a factory appearance on this truck, we needed those four door panel screws. These rubber expansion nuts fit the holes in our door exactly. I put a bit of weatherstrip adhesive on the expansion nuts to hold them in place, but they engaged quickly and worked well as an easy substitute for the capture nuts. I procured a set of ferules from Woody (southern parts). The openings at the door and window handles needed a little enlargement for the escutcheons to pop on. With the weatherstripping and door sills in, the interior is officially done. And boy do those doors jump open. On the bummer side, it looks like I've got a leak on the front output seal on the transfer case. I'll have some time to ponder that as she got moved back out and the shop cleaned up so Eric can focus on painting the hood, cowl and the final few odds and ends (like inner fenders, headlight buckets, and jack tool hold down bits) this week.

Where did you source your '69 door panels from? Did you glue them to the original metal panels, or did you go with the abs backed set? What are your thoughts on the quality versus original?

[regan wilson]

That thing is awesome! I've been following since the start. I like the wood grain too.