1986 Chevy C10 SWB Step Side

[Chevy_mud_truck]

The door panels I ordered from lmc didn't have any thing with them they wasn't even in a box they where in bags so this will help when I install mine

[aotte1]

Glad the instructions helped, if you need more of them, let me know.

Photo of JD weights doing their job to smooth out mat.

Les

[aotte1]

The dash bezel paint around the gauges was touched up with a Sharpe that has a thin line point. It was a silver like color. Photos of the touched up bezel below.

Les

[aotte1]

Have the truck pretty much finished for now. Driving it some and enjoying it a lot. The driving is pretty much around town with speed limited to 50 MPH and below. In the future will get it out on the Interstate and see how it drives their. Once I have more time driving, will do a report on changes and engine modifications.

The recent work includes installing LMC door panels along with other door parts, final fitting the new floor mat, rear tool carrier, rear speakers, and new emergency brake cables. Did a little painting too.

The engine is breaking in nice too, keep having to lower the idle speed.

A few photos below of updates.

[aotte1]

Another interior photo.

[aotte1]

A few photos of the engine that is lots of fun to drive. Have not got on it very much, however, a little gas pedal to about 3000 rpms, gets you their quick. The engine dyno results showed peak power at 5700 to 5800 rpms, so optimal shifting for ET would be about 500 RPMs more or about 6200 RPMs. Not sure how much traction the truck will have.

[rip2174]

Nice and clean. Good work

[Low Elco]

Glad it's doing good for you.

[aotte1]

Rip and Low Elco,

Thanks for the complements, a couple of early thoughts on the build.
1). Really like the 3.73 rear gears with the overdrive 4 speed LY6; and
2). The cam sounds really good for 350 C.I.( get lots of complement at stop lights), will pretty much launch in first with little to no throttle on the flat; 2nd gear will pull down to about 1200 to 1400 RPMs, will need to check exact RPM closer, in 3rd gear will pull down to about 1500 RPMs, maybe a little lower. For me this is as big of a cam as I would go and and still have it very street able. Will go back and check my cam overlap, ( it is 54 degrees, just a little more then my guideline of 50 degrees) that is what I used to guide me on how big a cam to use for 350 C.I.. The other specs. like lobe centerline guided me on what type of power band I wanted. Choose 108 degrees for a flatter torque and H.P. curve, e.g. more torque down low.

Les

[aotte1]

Second Caster Modification - Report Back on Drivability

Background
I did the caster modification of about 3/4 inch as described earlier in detail, which increased caster to about 6.5 degrees. Tire are 275x60x15s at all four corners. The slots are 8.5 inches wide on front. I really like this modification and would do it again.

Highway drivability at 55 to 65 with wide tires is really nice, tracks really good with no wandering. Have not driven the truck yet on a Interstate, so will drive it some more under different road conditions, and give addition report later. So far really drives great on some very uneven roads and highway speeds.

Note: As other have reported, the big ass front sway bar is nice around corners with traction. No information on what happens when you lose traction!!!

Les

[jpnh]

Wow looks good les/nice work

[SkinnyG]

Originally Posted by aotte1

Choose 108 degrees for a flatter torque and H.P. curve, e.g. more torque down low.

I'm a huge fan of tight lobe centers - I run 108° on my truck. I missed the duration - what is your cam at 0.050"?

[aotte1]

G,

The cam is:
Erson - HR Energy Plus Hyd Roller ERSE119840, duration @ .050 218I/226E;

Dyno results show about 400 HP at 5700 RPMs ( pulled well at 6200 RPMs - shift point full throttle ) and 400 Ft-LBS of torque from 350 C.I.. Cam is pretty mild if you like a few RPM. I generally drive it between 1200 and 2400 rpms around town.

e.g. Intake 218 degrees and Exhaust 226 degrees

Strongly believe-in tight lobe centers too. Very broad torque curve.

What duration are you using?

Les

[aotte1]

Jeff,

Thanks for complement.

Les

[SkinnyG]

Originally Posted by aotte1

G,

What duration are you using?

231°@.050". (Because I'm stupid).... (And I wouldn't change it for anything).

[aotte1]

G,

It must sound really good, automatic or 4 speed? And Quick, I am sure.
Have not really got into mine yet, push it a little in 2nd gear and it gets their quick too.

The idle is set at about 800 RPMs, and pulls good from a stop wth just a little gas.

Les

[lightningtruck]

Hey Les,
Sorry to dig up an old thread. I have an 83 step side and need some help assembling the bed parts. I took pictures but now I am questioning some of the placement of parts.
I need to fab up some original style bed to frame washers. I would like to know if you have the dimensions of those originals you had?
I want to water-jet some with the offset square hole in stainless.
Also I need to know which way the cross sills go on. I know where they go but my pics have all the brace holes to the rear. But, I thought i read some where they all go forward.
Pictures would be amazing. Of brace and sill locations. You had a stock one as a reference which is so valuable.
Your information is great and thanks for posting it. I have never seen a squarebody step with a spare on the fender.
What is the current status of the project?
My goal is to have it going by fathers day weekend for a car show. Funny what stupid things hold you up!
Thanks!

[aotte1]

Will plan to get the photos tomorrow.

Les

[aotte1]

Just been driving and enjoying the truck. Thinking about upgrading from the manual to power brakes. Thinking of going to the JB3 brake option from current JB1. Calipers are the same for JB1, 3, and 5 so they are good. Looks like will need to change out the master cylinder, booster, rod, porportining valve, and brake pedal. Thoughts are the JB3 brake option is all I need, since the truck is light, not towing anything heavy, nor doing repeated high speed stops.

Les

[aotte1]

Below are photos of bed braces, really late
Will get washer dimensions soon, need to get my calipers. I can not say if the bed support are correct as to facing front or rear. However, they are in the correct location and order. Stamped them as they were removed. Will look at some of my old photos not posted, to see if they provide more information.

I have been mainly driving the truck lately, thanks for asking. Do plan to lower rear a little by taking out spring blocks, make truck sit more level.

Les

[aotte1]

A few more bed under side photos. No real order to the photos, hope this helps some.

[rip2174]

very nice and clean.

[aotte1]

Rip,

Thanks, I was going for "clean kind of stock look" , now just need to lower rear a little, to make it level. It is fun to drive, and handles very nice.

Les

[aotte1]

Getting it out and driving a bunch this fall, enjoying it. Grandson is driving it too and having lots of fun.
Got a used trailer to store it in this winter.

Running good except for a few leaks, fuel pump-fixed and coolent - fixed. They showed up as it was driven. Now just drive and enjoy.

Cam is a little big, wish had reduced the over lap some. This cam is a tad over 50 degrees. Think 40 to 45 degrees of over lap would be better, for my driving style. Only issue with this one, is it is a little rough below 1500 rpms.

[jpnh]

Looks good les.good to see you get it out and about. Good to share it with the kids if they're into it.-jeff