New member, with a new project. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

CentipedePerformance · 11-02-2011, 02:16 AM

Hey all, new here from Tucson. Picked up an '81 C10. It's already got he 89-91 front clip, a long arm kit from an unknown maker, and a 2 inch body lift. Its getting a full restoration, and the body and suspension lifts are coming off. Im thinking a 5-7 drop, with 8 inch rallies for now. Might get some fancy rims later. This is my first ever Chevy, and I'm already loving the aftermarket.

I got the truck for relatively cheap, has a blown motor and was wrecked on the passenger side. Somebody started doing the body work, but it was definitely sub-par, so I get to re-do it all.

And somebody, at somepoint in the mid-'90s put an aftermarket sun roof in.

Gonna be a crash course in replacing a roof lol.

This is what it looks like now.

CentipedePerformance · 11-02-2011, 02:34 AM

Picked the bench seat up from the upholsterer today, and carpet and seatbelts came in the mail.

And tomorrow, I get to scrounge the junkyards for a clean roof.

sumran · 11-02-2011, 09:20 AM

Welcome.

Best of luck on your project. Looks like your weekend schedule is full for a while.

SeanPaintsFlames · 11-03-2011, 08:06 PM

With the cab already pretty much stripped down, you'd be MUCH better off just swapping entire cabs than trying to cut and weld a roof. You have maybe 4 hours to get a "new" cab to the state yours is in now. Somebody may actually pay you for that sunroof cab as well.

CentipedePerformance · 11-03-2011, 08:57 PM

Well, I already have the donor roof, and drilled out about a million spot welds. Got the inner and outer skins seperated from the inner structure.

Definitely use a spot weld bit, as it is really easy to drill all the way through the panel with a regular drill bit.

Going to have to cut some of these panels, just to make it easier to remove the old ones. If you are trying this yourself, try not to put too much heat in the panel, because it's easy to warp. Also, be absolutely sure you are cutting the panel you intend to discard lol.

Sean- I do understand where you're coming from, except unless I swap the vin tags between the cabs, which gets into a very grey area legally, most cabs here have a salvaged title. Unless I buy a whole different truck, but that would defeat the purpose of fixing this one.

CentipedePerformance · 11-03-2011, 10:59 PM

While diging through my garage, I found my old seatbelts out of my drag car. Their certification is no good anymore, but i think they might look pretty good over the new seat.

john_p · 11-05-2011, 04:24 AM

hows the progress? you grabbed a tough one, keep us posted

CentipedePerformance · 11-05-2011, 02:18 PM

Didn't get much work done. The motor for the blue '08 in the background came back from the machinist, so that had to go back together.

trout · 11-05-2011, 11:45 PM

never seen a roof apart like that take pics of it when you do the yellow cab to

thirdstreettito · 11-06-2011, 08:11 AM

Nice truck!

Plan on selling the long arm suspension?

**old Rusty C10** · 11-06-2011, 08:32 AM

That is a beautiful projec! Lots of work but seems like youve got a good plan.. Im interested in seeing more pics as you go along, and if you want to do an im depth write up on replacing the roof with pics.. it could wind up in our FAQ section.
Please be advised about sales here tho , as it seems that you may be led into a sale and as a non sub its against the rules here.. Best of luck with your truck

CentipedePerformance · 11-07-2011, 12:32 AM

For the record, long arm, body lift, and tires are already sold locally.

Pop's C-10 · 11-07-2011, 01:11 AM

short box 4x4...sweet

CentipedePerformance · 11-07-2011, 02:10 AM

It's actually a 2wd. Which is why I'm ditching the lift lol. I personally am not a fan of lifted 2wds. I've got my other truck for that. Plus, those tires get mighty expensive after a very short time.

madcow75 · 11-07-2011, 08:13 AM

I am definately watching this cool build. Drilling out all those spot welds must have taken a while. Are you just replacing just the skins of the roof or the structure also?

CentipedePerformance · 11-11-2011, 01:55 PM

Haven't made any progress. Caught a cold, and blew up the tranny in my Dodge, so It's been put on hold. I am just replacing the skins on the roof, that way the structural integrity of the cab, seat belt mounting points etc. are unchanged.

CentipedePerformance · 11-15-2011, 09:36 PM

Here's where I'm at with the Dodge, broke the input shaft screwing around last Saturday night. The air was really cold, and I decided to put the spurs to it. Brake boosted in 4th at about 40 mph, 1500 rpm. Got to about 40psi and BAM!

Hoods69BadBowTie · 11-15-2011, 11:38 PM

Hey welcome to the best boards around from MT! Cool looking project gonna be sweet to cruise when you get done. Have fun on the build

CentipedePerformance · 11-17-2011, 04:42 PM

Heres the progress I made on the roof skin. I am just going to post the pictures for now, I think I'll do a full write up on the roof in another thread.

madcow75 · 11-17-2011, 07:26 PM

I can't wait for the write-up and the complete install. I am needing to do the same

Gordonr1973 · 11-18-2011, 01:01 AM

Lots of work! Nice progress!!

I thought you didn't get rust in Arizona!! ;-)

Telecasterjoey · 11-18-2011, 01:35 AM

Man I could have used this write up a few months ago! I replaced my roof skin cause someone put marker lights on too tight and dented the roof in, Excellent work!

CentipedePerformance · 11-22-2011, 10:31 PM

No more progress on the roof, but... I did get new rear shoes

And ordered a C-notch, flip kit, drop spindles, and lowering springs from McGaughy's, only got the flip kit so far.

And the reason why I need those 325/50r15 BFG G-Force Drag Radials:

bustedknuckles · 11-22-2011, 10:43 PM

Glad to see another one being rescued. Details on the turbo? and the rest of the engine?

CentipedePerformance · 11-22-2011, 10:54 PM

Turbo is a Borg Warner S465. T6 housing. Came off the blue truck in the background of some of my first pictures. For now, the motor that came out of the truck is getting new rings, bearings, and a re-manned crank and going back in the truck on 10psi until I drive over the guts someday lol. After that it will most likely be an LS-X 6.0, probably the LY6, or maybe just a 4.8 with the ever loving dog pee boosted out of it. There's a Hot Rod article floating around somewhere where they took a 4.8, bolted on a set of twin 76mm turbos, fed it 22psi and made more than 1200hp. It made like 30 dyno pulls over 1000hp and lived to fight another day. Transmission is going to be a 4l80e, full manual valve body, non lock-up converter. I will stick with the 12 bolt that's in the truck, and add a Trutrac. If it grenades, I will probably go with a 9".

11-02-2011, 02:16 AM	#1
CentipedePerformance Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 55	New member, with a new project. Hey all, new here from Tucson. Picked up an '81 C10. It's already got he 89-91 front clip, a long arm kit from an unknown maker, and a 2 inch body lift. Its getting a full restoration, and the body and suspension lifts are coming off. Im thinking a 5-7 drop, with 8 inch rallies for now. Might get some fancy rims later. This is my first ever Chevy, and I'm already loving the aftermarket. I got the truck for relatively cheap, has a blown motor and was wrecked on the passenger side. Somebody started doing the body work, but it was definitely sub-par, so I get to re-do it all. And somebody, at somepoint in the mid-'90s put an aftermarket sun roof in. Gonna be a crash course in replacing a roof lol. This is what it looks like now.

11-02-2011, 02:34 AM	#2
CentipedePerformance Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 55	Re: New member, with a new project. Picked the bench seat up from the upholsterer today, and carpet and seatbelts came in the mail. And tomorrow, I get to scrounge the junkyards for a clean roof.

11-02-2011, 09:20 AM	#3
sumran Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 406	Re: New member, with a new project. Welcome. Best of luck on your project. Looks like your weekend schedule is full for a while. __________________ Randy Summers Never brake in the learning curve! 1984 GMC Sierra project truck http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=446737

11-03-2011, 08:06 PM	#4
SeanPaintsFlames Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Buford, Ga. Posts: 339	Re: New member, with a new project. With the cab already pretty much stripped down, you'd be MUCH better off just swapping entire cabs than trying to cut and weld a roof. You have maybe 4 hours to get a "new" cab to the state yours is in now. Somebody may actually pay you for that sunroof cab as well. __________________ My 68 cougar restomod build:HERE

11-03-2011, 08:57 PM	#5
CentipedePerformance Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 55	Re: New member, with a new project. Well, I already have the donor roof, and drilled out about a million spot welds. Got the inner and outer skins seperated from the inner structure. Definitely use a spot weld bit, as it is really easy to drill all the way through the panel with a regular drill bit. Going to have to cut some of these panels, just to make it easier to remove the old ones. If you are trying this yourself, try not to put too much heat in the panel, because it's easy to warp. Also, be absolutely sure you are cutting the panel you intend to discard lol. Sean- I do understand where you're coming from, except unless I swap the vin tags between the cabs, which gets into a very grey area legally, most cabs here have a salvaged title. Unless I buy a whole different truck, but that would defeat the purpose of fixing this one.

11-03-2011, 10:59 PM	#6
CentipedePerformance Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 55	Re: New member, with a new project. While diging through my garage, I found my old seatbelts out of my drag car. Their certification is no good anymore, but i think they might look pretty good over the new seat.

11-05-2011, 04:24 AM	#7
john_p Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Bradley, South Carolina Posts: 277	Re: New member, with a new project. hows the progress? you grabbed a tough one, keep us posted

11-05-2011, 02:18 PM	#8
CentipedePerformance Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 55	Re: New member, with a new project. Didn't get much work done. The motor for the blue '08 in the background came back from the machinist, so that had to go back together.

11-05-2011, 11:45 PM	#9
trout Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: lexington, SC Posts: 1,276	Re: New member, with a new project. never seen a roof apart like that take pics of it when you do the yellow cab to __________________ Edited by staff

11-06-2011, 08:11 AM	#10
thirdstreettito Resident of Here Join Date: May 2008 Location: Wesley Chapel, FL, USA Posts: 7,716	Re: New member, with a new project. Nice truck! Plan on selling the long arm suspension? __________________ ~Bradley~ 2004 Black GTO LS2/T56 too much to list Miss having a truck

11-06-2011, 08:32 AM	#11
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,310	Re: New member, with a new project. That is a beautiful projec! Lots of work but seems like youve got a good plan.. Im interested in seeing more pics as you go along, and if you want to do an im depth write up on replacing the roof with pics.. it could wind up in our FAQ section. Please be advised about sales here tho , as it seems that you may be led into a sale and as a non sub its against the rules here.. Best of luck with your truck __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

11-07-2011, 12:32 AM	#12
CentipedePerformance Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 55	Re: New member, with a new project. For the record, long arm, body lift, and tires are already sold locally.

11-07-2011, 01:11 AM	#13
Pop's C-10 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: memphis Posts: 2,537	Re: New member, with a new project. short box 4x4...sweet __________________ 1981 C-10 (Pop's) 1978 Camaro 2006 Lacrosse

11-07-2011, 02:10 AM	#14
CentipedePerformance Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 55	Re: New member, with a new project. It's actually a 2wd. Which is why I'm ditching the lift lol. I personally am not a fan of lifted 2wds. I've got my other truck for that. Plus, those tires get mighty expensive after a very short time.

11-07-2011, 08:13 AM	#15
madcow75 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Fort Erie , Ontario Posts: 525	Re: New member, with a new project. I am definately watching this cool build. Drilling out all those spot welds must have taken a while. Are you just replacing just the skins of the roof or the structure also?



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11-11-2011, 01:55 PM	#16
CentipedePerformance Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 55	Re: New member, with a new project. Haven't made any progress. Caught a cold, and blew up the tranny in my Dodge, so It's been put on hold. I am just replacing the skins on the roof, that way the structural integrity of the cab, seat belt mounting points etc. are unchanged.

11-15-2011, 09:36 PM	#17
CentipedePerformance Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 55	Re: New member, with a new project. Here's where I'm at with the Dodge, broke the input shaft screwing around last Saturday night. The air was really cold, and I decided to put the spurs to it. Brake boosted in 4th at about 40 mph, 1500 rpm. Got to about 40psi and BAM!

11-15-2011, 11:38 PM	#18
Hoods69BadBowTie Chevys Kick A$$ Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zootown, MT Posts: 12,699	Re: New member, with a new project. Hey welcome to the best boards around from MT! Cool looking project gonna be sweet to cruise when you get done. Have fun on the build __________________ HOODS is what I answer too -'79, '77, '88 Pickup Sold, '85 Camaro, '83 T/A, '81,'83,'90 K5 Blazer All Sold -'79 3/4 ton "Big Yellow Bananna" Lifted 4spd. 39.5 TSL Swampers, The money Pit -'86 K5 Blazer Silverado 6.2 4" lift 35"s -'95 Ext. Cab Shorty 4" Tuff Country rolling 35" M/T's -'83 Monte Carlo T-Tops. 126,500 Original Miles -LATER I would rather push a Chevy then drive a ford!!

11-17-2011, 04:42 PM	#19
CentipedePerformance Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 55	Re: New member, with a new project. Heres the progress I made on the roof skin. I am just going to post the pictures for now, I think I'll do a full write up on the roof in another thread.

11-17-2011, 07:26 PM	#20
madcow75 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Fort Erie , Ontario Posts: 525	Re: New member, with a new project. I can't wait for the write-up and the complete install. I am needing to do the same

11-18-2011, 01:01 AM	#21
Gordonr1973 Home Built '87 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Calgary, Alberta Canada Posts: 1,829	Re: New member, with a new project. Lots of work! Nice progress!! I thought you didn't get rust in Arizona!! ;-) __________________ Gordon 1998 White Chev ext cab 2WD (Summer Project) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=408424 1987 Chev Silverado SWB (Winter Project Rebuild) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=424833 Truck Club http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=466969

11-18-2011, 01:35 AM	#22
Telecasterjoey Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Ottawa ON Posts: 514	Re: New member, with a new project. Man I could have used this write up a few months ago! I replaced my roof skin cause someone put marker lights on too tight and dented the roof in, Excellent work!

11-22-2011, 10:31 PM	#23
CentipedePerformance Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 55	Re: New member, with a new project. No more progress on the roof, but... I did get new rear shoes And ordered a C-notch, flip kit, drop spindles, and lowering springs from McGaughy's, only got the flip kit so far. And the reason why I need those 325/50r15 BFG G-Force Drag Radials:

11-22-2011, 10:43 PM	#24
bustedknuckles Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: TEXAS Posts: 179	Re: New member, with a new project. Glad to see another one being rescued. Details on the turbo? and the rest of the engine? __________________ 84 GMCummins 91 CCSB Dually american squarebody association

11-22-2011, 10:54 PM	#25
CentipedePerformance Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 55	Re: New member, with a new project. Turbo is a Borg Warner S465. T6 housing. Came off the blue truck in the background of some of my first pictures. For now, the motor that came out of the truck is getting new rings, bearings, and a re-manned crank and going back in the truck on 10psi until I drive over the guts someday lol. After that it will most likely be an LS-X 6.0, probably the LY6, or maybe just a 4.8 with the ever loving dog pee boosted out of it. There's a Hot Rod article floating around somewhere where they took a 4.8, bolted on a set of twin 76mm turbos, fed it 22psi and made more than 1200hp. It made like 30 dyno pulls over 1000hp and lived to fight another day. Transmission is going to be a 4l80e, full manual valve body, non lock-up converter. I will stick with the 12 bolt that's in the truck, and add a Trutrac. If it grenades, I will probably go with a 9".

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