1969 K10 CST Full Restoration

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

More pics more pics....

We only took her for gas and a neighborhood stroll yesterday. Just a confidence building exercise really. So no picturesque vistas to pose in front of...Hoping for a real 'photo shoot' this weekend.

I was able to get off work a little early today, but I used that time to really grind down the punch list. The front output leak on the transfer case was from the splined shaft and not the front seal. So while it was much more difficult to remove the drive shaft with the body on...the job was less involved than it could have been. Transmission needed topping off and we detailed a few underbits (that over time had lost their freshness so to speak). Roger Koop is sending me a new A/C canister and horn. Those two swap outs coupled with charging the A/C (which is scheduled for the end of the week) and she is officially complete. I got lots of pics, but generally they're more versions of the same stuff already posted. But how about this...I'll post a pic or two and annotate them to death. Maybe something will come up that I neglected to mention in the thread. Gimme a second.

[IronCanine]

Here ya go...

Engine bay dissection:

1) I believe this to be the correct breather for this truck as a 69 4WD, but not as an automatic. Based on what I can gather only 1/2T automatics came with heat stoves in 69(EDIT: And to be clear, no 69 4WD truck came with an automatic, this is a mod for us).
2) FirstOwner69 was kind enough to share his pre-resto pics of his known original hose routing for A/C and heater hose and we copied it exactly.
3) Pete, I picked up the brass caps and foil Harrison decal from Zip Corvette at your suggestion. I think either the hex(like we used) or the "ribbed" metal caps could be correct.
4) The white plastic plate on the firewall through which the vacuum switch rod passes has sheet metal screws that came from our Atlanta built truck. They were clear zinc and a size larger than every other set I have seen. I became acutely aware of that when I installed them in the 69. I feel very confident that they were original to the 71...but they are a visual tension for me now as I'm used to seeing them smaller and most appear phosphated in pics of other trucks.
5) I love that that prop valve sat in a box for 50 years and now it's doing a job.
6) I usually pick an original truck that I like and copy it for finishes. I reference the 80 mile 1970 a lot. That's why we cleared the top radiator hold downs and clear zinc-ed the hood latch. Even though I have seen different finishes on both.
7) I would prefer for the tower clamp on the upper radiator hose on the engine side be positioned closer to the edge of the hose for esthetics, but that's where the rib is on the metal hose. I haven't seen it discussed, but that radiator pipe does not line up with the radiator and the thermostat housing at all...it's in the neighborhood, but that's about it.
8) On the 69s I think the windshield washer bottle could be on the fender or the core support.
9) I still don't know the rhyme or reason on the red mark on the A/C box. I replicated it with a paint brush and acrylic paint. It seemed like a way they might have done it.
10) The speedometer cable would not work if it was 1/16" shorter...I mean it's tight.
11) I don't know what the breakdown on the 4x4 dipstick is, but I'm not sure it was a thing until 70.
12) I know the battery terminal covers aren't correct, but they clean it up I think. Top post terminals are just an eye sore.

....hopefully I haven't ruined the pics with all these words.

[IronCanine]

OK Pete...Here are some different angles (I was jacked up and took like 50 at the gas station). I'll get some more this weekend. First pic is really a bad photo, but I love how reflective the paint is.

Not to be an OE tire size apologist, but I think the thing that's the real issue visually for some folks is how narrow the rear axle is. I know the engineering logic behind staggered axles, but if the rear tires were on the same lateral plane as the front tires, the feeling of 'I need to fill the wheel well up' might be less.

The last pic really shows the exhaust tip angle and bevel well. We worked hard to replicate the factory anatomy here.

[DeadheadNM]

It’s a lot of effort to catalog a build to this degree and share with others. Thanks for taking the time and hats off for upholding a sense of community that keeps many of us here on the forum. You guys have left yet another amazing legacy that others can benefit from for many years to follow.

I’ve struggled with some fasteners as regards the correct plating with some I’ve literally sorted based upon personal preference. Maybe I would benefit from pouring over corvette restorations to glean more insight. I’m glad the Zip Corvette tip worked well. The brass caps sure are cool.

[IronCanine]

I know you and I have had this conversation and I think this is as good a place as any for a group discussion....but I do think there is a lot to learn from Corvette, Camaro and Chevelle guys. Fasteners and construction methods carried over...and they were building these cars at the same plants that made our trucks. I know this type of restoration may not be as fashionable right now, but I do see value in getting this info nailed down. Those car guys got serious sooner when a greater number of the assembly line workers who knew (and original unmolested cars) were still around. I love watching Patrick Glenn Nichols on YouTube break down a Chevelle based on originality and plant specific methods. Tell me you wouldn't love it if there was a ChevyLand YouTube channel, or JoesJunk, or Jocko, or Mel, or Wes, or fill in the blank.

[cornerstone]

Originally Posted by IronCanine

Tell me you wouldn't love it if there was a ChevyLand YouTube channel, or JoesJunk, or Jocko, or Mel, or Wes, or fill in the blank.

Are you listening Discovery Channel? I’d like to see Jocko do an interview with of all the above mentioned experts.

[Ol Blue K20]

Originally Posted by cornerstone

Are you listening Discovery Channel? I’d like to see Jocko do an interview with of all the above mentioned experts.

X2, it would be a great show!

[IronCanine]

Here's a step I omitted from the build thread, that I thought I'd throw in now--mainly because I haven't seen this issue discussed on the board. On both the Blazer and this truck, the reproduction door jamb switches were longer than OE and in fact too long for the doors to close properly. I shortened the switches on this truck as I did on the Blazer. It's not too much trouble to deconstruct the switch. The plunger, the sleeve and the spring all require shortening. You lose the ringed part of the plunger shank that engages the plastic stopper in this process, so I added some new grooves for retention. I glued the plastic stopper on after shortening and reassembly, using a clamp to hold it closed and keep pressure off the glue while it dried. Our donor cab was a '69 A/C version, but it was a base trim level...so we had to drill and tap the hole (I don't guess I had to tap the hole, but I did). The final pic is during fitment (after shortening) before the fenders went on.

[jocko]

Originally Posted by cornerstone

Are you listening Discovery Channel? I’d like to see Jocko do an interview with of all the above mentioned experts.

Beautiful build Brad, and thanks for taking the time to document it in such detail - what a great thread.

As for that Discovery Channel gig, I'm not sure I'd last very long in show business...

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by slick copper

Nice Build!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by jocko

Beautiful build Brad, and thanks for taking the time to document it in such detail - what a great thread.

As for that Discovery Channel gig, I'm not sure I'd last very long in show business...

Thanks for the kind words...but I must disagree about the show business. You've already got a built in audience here. Hell, I'm subscribed to most of your threads right now. You get a YouTube channel...get in the weeds on the finer points of these trucks, and my friend we are there. I'm actually surprised a channel like that doesn't already exist.

[rustytruck50]

Truck looks amazing! Great job!!!!

[jaros44sr]

I'm going to run into the same problem on my door switches, do you happen to know how much you took off?

Is your buddy going to document the blazer build with a build thread?

[DeadheadNM]

Looks great Brad. Done! Lmk if Eric intends to maintain a build thread for the Blazer.

I encountered the same issue with NOS door jamb switches. We were able to shove the “sleeve” deeper into the thread nut that affixes these to the jamb. The OEM ones looked as if the same had been done to them.

FWIW I’m still awaiting a photo of an AC-equipped 70 Jimmy for bracket comparison.

[Ol Blue K20]

I guess it had to leave the nest eventually. LOL. looks fantastic!

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by rustytruck50

Truck looks amazing! Great job!!!!

Thanks Doug.

Originally Posted by jaros44sr

I'm going to run into the same problem on my door switches, do you happen to know how much you took off?

Is your buddy going to document the blazer build with a build thread?

I don't have an exact measurement for you. I would say take off 50% of the sleeve and then reduce the other pieces accordingly.

Eric mentioned that he might start a build thread on the Blazer--I know the owner won't. That one won't be a full nut and bolt...but definitely more than a re-spray. I think they'll know what it'll be once they get into it (as we all do).

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

Looks great Brad. Done! Lmk if Eric intends to maintain a build thread for the Blazer.

I encountered the same issue with NOS door jamb switches. We were able to shove the “sleeve” deeper into the thread nut that affixes these to the jamb. The OEM ones looked as if the same had been done to them.

FWIW I’m still awaiting a photo of an AC-equipped 70 Jimmy for bracket comparison.

Thanks Pete. That makes sense on the NOS switches...I'm not sure that I could have pushed the sleeve in on these...but maybe. And thanks for always being a ready and capable resource.

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

I guess it had to leave the nest eventually. LOL. looks fantastic!

Thanks Dale. (I like the new avatar pic BTW)...it may seem silly, but one of the things I'm happiest about on this handoff is the dry concrete under the truck. It took a bit, but she holds her fluids. Even the Blazer had a weep on a couple of transfer case bolts.

[Ol Blue K20]

The new avatar pic is Blues first trip to the cabin since the accident (7 years )...thanks for liking it.

[IronCanine]

It occurred to me that I hadn't posted a before and after pic set like I did in the Blazer thread. This is ridiculous but I like it. Before and After....

[Madkidd007]

Originally Posted by IronCanine

It occurred to me that I hadn't posted a before and after pic set like I did in the Blazer thread. This is ridiculous but I like it. Before and After....

Not a single piece matches, I say it’s a fake before & after

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

She gained some weight and makeup

Originally Posted by Madkidd007

Not a single piece matches, I say it’s a fake before & after

You guys are crazy...not saying you're wrong...but...

[69cam]

That's got to make you feel great! Looks amazing. If you ever decide to try the truck rally's on it I'd love to see it. Good job guys!

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by 69cam

That's got to make you feel great! Looks amazing. If you ever decide to try the truck rally's on it I'd love to see it. Good job guys!

Thanks...and you know I'll post if she gets rallys. I wouldn't dare deprive my brother the satisfaction. He needs to get some trim rings and centers (and tires!) if it's going to happen though. That ball's in his court. I'm calling it done on my end.

[IronCanine]

Weather was nice so she got pulled out for a short walk. She evokes more confidence/feels a little better every time she's run. Power steering had been a little noisy, but it seems like the air is finally all out now and the noise disappeared. She probably has only 30 minutes of run time total to this point. I guess she's an indoor truck that wants to be an outdoor truck.

Took the occasion to snap a few more pics. Here are a few.

[DeadheadNM]

She gained some weight and makeup

[YBNORML]

What a beautiful truck! I’ve been thinking more and more about a 4-wheel drive Blazer or truck. This truck doesn’t help keep those thoughts at bay

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by YBNORML

What a beautiful truck! I’ve been thinking more and more about a 4-wheel drive Blazer or truck. This truck doesn’t help keep those thoughts at bay

Thanks. I think you should.