Project 68 k10 LWB..aka "The Hulk"

[DWilbur]

I should clear up my question the lower radiator hose is for LS engine swap with stock radiator.

[First c10]

Originally Posted by DWilbur

I should clear up my question the lower radiator hose is for LS engine swap with stock radiator.

Yes that is what I am using. It's a stock replacement. Aluminum radiator.

[87max]

That color is going to look great

[First c10]

Originally Posted by 87max

That color is going to look great

Thank you! I hope so. We are going to have a white pearl top.


Picked up the cab today/tonight. Got it in the shop. Now need some time to put it on the frame. Can't wait.

[7dee2]

Good deal! Mocking up all of your sheet metal the plan?

[First c10]

Originally Posted by 7dee2

Good deal! Mocking up all of your sheet metal the plan?

Yes... the plan is to put it on the frame and mock up the sheet metal for the last time and blow it apart to jamb them and re assemble and paint.

Problem is the bed situation..... still not sure what to do with it yet.

[First c10]

Ok don't laugh. Since it was pouring down rain outside I didn't want to take the cab outside so I made this work inside dropped right on no problems.

[First c10]

Talk about a tight fit!!! I know I measured many many times. But man fit in nice and tight but enough room to slide my hand in around the back of the motor.

The only thing that is to close for me is the return transmission line. It is hitting the cab. So I ordered a 45° elbow that will replace the straight fitting and we should be good.


Now for a question. What is the best way to square up the cab to the frame?

[First c10]

After getting all the body bushings and bolts in I stood back and as was like wow!!!!
I have not seen this truck assembled this far.
Remember this truck is coming together from pieces, non of these parts have ever been on the same truck together.

[7dee2]

Wow, looks great! Laughed just a little bit, very ingenious Scott!

Not a body guy but I would think you can check inner rocker to frame for side to side and some squaring. That’ll get you close but needs the front clip and then a bed to tell the whole story.

[First c10]

Originally Posted by 7dee2

Wow, looks great! Laughed just a little bit, very ingenious Scott!

Not a body guy but I would think you can check inner rocker to frame for side to side and some squaring. That’ll get you close but needs the front clip and then a bed to tell the whole story.

Thanks Brett, to tell the truth I laughed also...... in fact if something bad would have happened I would not have posted the pictures!!!!lol My son came to help and was like "Dad that looks shady!"
All we did was raise and lower as it didn't move other than that.

I did what you were saying regarding trying to square the Cab to the frame.
I just wanted to make sure that it was even on both sides and not needed to be like a 1/2" to one side for some reason.

[First c10]

Good morning guys.
Had some time last night to get the doors mounted and adjusted. Thought what the heck keep going!!! Got the fenders on and grill installed. Need to adjust the passenger fender a little more but couldn't do it by myself. When I left last night it was 1/8" out of square. Not bad for doing it by myself. The aftermarket radiator support needs some work holes don't line up etc. I will drill them out and repair after I blow it apart for paint.

Feeling pretty good about it. I took a picture of the truck and sent it to him with the caption "check out MY truck". LOL. With sports, FFA and homework he doesn't have much time to help.

Oh and he said. "Your crazy"

[First c10]

Anyone up for a little window frame bending????
Talked to my body guy. He said it was looking good. Gave me a little encouragement on getting the window frame correct. I knew I had to bend it but wanted him to verify. 10 min after he left. It was ready!!!!

Now I need to get the holes in the fenders welded up and get them either dipped or blasted. I am going to clean up what I can but will soak the seams/pinch welds with rust converter.
Bad thing is no one is close to me that does that stuff. I guess I could just blast them with media from tractor supply or soda blast them.
any ideas?

[7dee2]

Very, very nice Scott, great stance!

Kind of a PITA, but if you've got a compressor that'll keep up you could blast those parts yourself?

[First c10]

Originally Posted by 7dee2

Very, very nice Scott, great stance!

Kind of a PITA, but if you've got a compressor that'll keep up you could blast those parts yourself?

Thank you.
Yes I have a large 80 gallon 5.5 hp compressor. Just not sure the best media to use and where to get it. Also. Be nice to just drop off and pick up lol.

[DWilbur]

I use black oxide for blasting. Tractor supply is the cheapest place to get it. or fine grit sand. I also filter the black oxide and reuse it several times to save cost.

[First c10]

Until I figure out what I am going to do with the blasting. I went ahead and welded up the holes on the door from the trim.

More to come.

[87max]

Originally Posted by DWilbur

I use black oxide for blasting. Tractor supply is the cheapest place to get it. or fine grit sand. I also filter the black oxide and reuse it several times to save cost.

I do the exact same, sometimes the grit is critical depending on blaster type so it flows. I put down 6 mil plastic outside for easy sweeping then run it through a stainless colander that happened to fit perfect in the top of my blaster.

[First c10]

I picked up some 80 grit Garnet at work to see if it would work. A little aggressive but not to bad. The Garnet was nice to clean up. I will see if we have anything a little finer and try it. Tractor supply was out of the black oxide so I will have to wait.

I was able to get the passenger fender cleaned up on the inside. I am going to coat the pinch welds/lap joints with rust encapsulator. I think that it will help keep the fender from rusting in places I cant get to, to clean up the rust. my paint and body guy said that it would not hurt.
Sorry no pictures today.

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by First c10

I picked up some 80 grit Garnet at work to see if it would work. A little aggressive but not to bad. The Garnet was nice to clean up. I will see if we have anything a little finer and try it. Tractor supply was out of the black oxide so I will have to wait.

I was able to get the passenger fender cleaned up on the inside. I am going to coat the pinch welds/lap joints with rust encapsulator. I think that it will help keep the fender from rusting in places I cant get to, to clean up the rust. my paint and body guy said that it would not hurt.
Sorry no pictures today.

That's exactly what i have been doing with my stuff, Vic suggested a product called GEM, its a liquid that has wicking properties so it work its way into the pinch welds and lap joints pretty well. http://www.gemrustkiller.com/

Per the Black Diamond, I think i bought the medium grit then decided it was to course so bought some fine grit.

[First c10]

Hey Mike thanks for the link. I will look into it. I know my body guy uses rust mort. But I like the idea of the wicking properties you spoke of.

An update.
I was able to get the doors and fenders and cowl aligned about as good as I can. Got all the gaps as close as I can get. So now I have a few questions. Is it common to cut up or weld up on the cowl to make the gaps correct? I am trying to keep the gaps at 3/16" no more than 1/4"

Check out the pictures of the passenger side.

[First c10]

The driver side gaps are much better. I was hoping that both would be this good but no luck.

[First c10]

Motor Monday picture!!!

Ok so I got the hood hinges installed. Now time to square it all up and put the hood on and check fitment

[swamp rat]

I have seen a couple builds here where they sliced and diced the cowl a bit, nothing I have done so I can advise much on that. It does look like that maybe the addition of a length of welding rod to the rear of the passenger side may help get that gap to the door closed up a bit.

[7dee2]

It looks great, thinking your gaps are well within GM specs! I concur time to see what the hood will tell you?