Rickey's 1969 CST 396 Build

[SS Tim]

Sounds like you have a plan for sure and kits keep things clear.

If it were mine I'd be looking into the heavier and easiest to find 73-87 ball joints and steering linkage. Chevy went to the heavier parts when they switched to disc brakes in 71 for a reason.

On the steering box, I was suggesting a variable ratio box which is slow off center and speeds up into the turn vs a fast ratio box which is fast off center and linear in rate. For a DD and highway driving a variable box is a nice choice.

[jr1000yarder]

Originally Posted by SS Tim

Sounds like you have a plan for sure and kits keep things clear.

If it were mine I'd be looking into the heavier and easiest to find 73-87 ball joints and steering linkage. Chevy went to the heavier parts when they switched to disc brakes in 71 for a reason.

On the steering box, I was suggesting a variable ratio box which is slow off center and speeds up into the turn vs a fast ratio box which is fast off center and linear in rate. For a DD and highway driving a variable box is a nice choice.

Hmmmmm ok. I'm using all 71 up parts as far as I know. Where do I get a box like that

[SS Tim]

Here is a 69 CST/20 Custom Camper in Black with Black trim. Much of this is how your truck looked new.

[SS Tim]

Two more.

[Aus69c20]

Good work so far.
I'll be watching your build closely as I have a truck of similar spec. It's a 396 th400 custom c20 with a Dana 60 and a/c in reasonably original condition.

I hope your son gets as much enjoyment from his truck as I do mine.

[jr1000yarder]

I see the washer bottle on the fender....thought it went on the rad support....???

[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by jr1000yarder

I see the washer bottle on the fender....thought it went on the rad support....???

My '69 Fremont truck built mid-Dec., 1968, always had the bottle on the core support like prior years. Some '69s had them on the fender like later years. May have been a mid-model year change or varied by producing plant. Tim may have more info.

Jim

[jr1000yarder]

Couple from today. ...everything is cleaned and prepared for paint.

[Mike C]

What a great project!

The Dana 60 is interesting. I don't know that I have seen or heard of the 6 lug 60 in a '69 just 67-68. (How much wood could a wood chuck chuck if... LOL). Usually the ring and pinion date would be within 90 days of the axle being built installed in the truck which would suggest a 1968 truck.

Not that it matters. Great truck and nice to see a young guy learning some skillz.

[jr1000yarder]

Originally Posted by Mike C

What a great project!

The Dana 60 is interesting. I don't know that I have seen or heard of the 6 lug 60 in a '69 just 67-68. (How much wood could a wood chuck chuck if... LOL). Usually the ring and pinion date would be within 90 days of the axle being built installed in the truck which would suggest a 1968 truck.

Not that it matters. Great truck and nice to see a young guy learning some skillz.

SS Tim has told me it was a rare fleet option. I see the gears are marked 67 date. I haven't pulled the code off the tube....forgot.

My block date is 10/68 soooooooooooooooooo maybe? lol

[Eagle9502]

Following along

Rich, can you post pics of the exhaust hangers that are riveted to your frame?

[jr1000yarder]

Originally Posted by Eagle9502

Following along

Rich, can you post pics of the exhaust hangers that are riveted to your frame?

remind me next week, I wont be up there again till then

[68 c20 cst]

Ill follow this one have the same truck but i have 8 lug dana 60.

[Ken B]

Very nice, I'll be following along as well. You have a fine young man right there. With little guidance he is learning how to do things the right way by doing them himself. You can tell just by the pics that he has a lot of pride in his truck and his work. Are the plans for the truck a factory restoration?

[jr1000yarder]

Originally Posted by Ken B

Very nice, I'll be following along as well. You have a fine young man right there. With little guidance he is learning how to do things the right way by doing them himself. You can tell just by the pics that he has a lot of pride in his truck and his work. Are the plans for the truck a factory restoration?

Thanks, he always wanted a truck like pappy had on the farm, 70 Orange, this one is no farm truck tho lol.
We are bring it back to original except NO HUB CAPS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Changing to front disks and a 2 1/2" front and 4" rear drop...not much just a little. Going with old school 6 lug chrome wheels. I found a nice 6 spoke set on eBay fairly cheap in 17" so were gonna rock those. Still undecided on OWL tires or black walls....

[68Gold/white]

Is that a 4 Bbl intake on the engine?

My 68 396 came with valve covers just like in your picture...

[jr1000yarder]

Originally Posted by 68Gold/white

Is that a 4 Bbl intake on the engine?

My 68 396 came with valve covers just like in your picture...

I'm pretty sure they are not original but maybe. I found the correct intake and put it on not long after we got the truck. Someone put a 77 dated 454 intake on it at some point in its life..

I have OEM reproduction steel covers that will be going on once it is ready

[72 Super]

Great build and it is cool to see your son so interested. Makes for some good memories! Keep up the great work.


Ray

[jr1000yarder]

Wheels came. ..we searched and searched for 17" 6 lug with a retro old school look and this is what we got...watcha think???

Now....white letters or black walls....ugh!

[jr1000yarder]

Thanks Jim

[jr1000yarder]

We didn't get very far today but we got it out of the paint booth, set up and the rear suspension mostly together with 4" ECE drop springs, new bushings and such...

Hope to have it on wheels Friday when I'm off next but we'll see. ...

[jr1000yarder]

Pulled a few more #'s off the block today for everyone, I'll tear it down Friday, inspect everything and hopefully prep for paint ......

[jr1000yarder]

Front end all done with ECE 2 1/2" drop spindles and disk conversion. Need to torque everything and re-install the sway bar yet.........now the brakes and ebrake. Trans is finshed also. Did a mild shift kit and replaced everything. ...soon we will have a roller with a driveline! !!

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by jr1000yarder

Front end all done with ECE 2 1/2" drop spindles and disk conversion. Need to torque everything and re-install the sway bar yet.........now the brakes and ebrake. Trans is finshed also. Did a mild shift kit and replaced everything. ...soon we will have a roller with a driveline! !!

It looks like you have your centerlink installed backwards.
The inner tie rods should install from the back side.
This put the castle nuts on the front side.
Common mistake, but it needs to be fixed.
Look at this thread,...
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=400205

[STOCKISH]

Looking great man