"New" Daily Driver Pickup "Project"

Yea, but did you account for the rounded top and bottom curves of the frame? That is one of those things you don't forget the next time... been there, done that!

 

I believe so but will report back shortly. Just got in the house after feeding a horse and putting a blanket on her. Once my face thaws out, planning to go see if all this stuff fits for good and drill a bunch of holes.

 

You're a better man then I am. I've been sitting my behind in the nice warm house all day, and my garage is heated to 50 all winter long.
My poor excuse is things hurt a lot more when it gets cold, these days, and I'm a wimp.
Tomorrow is suppose to be 20 degrees warmer then today was, but will still be 15 degrees below freezing.

 

Well, I’m happy with it anyway. I did need to notch the backing plate around the area that is indented for the shock but I knew that ahead of time…just ended up doing it after making the part instead of including that. The other side should be easier and have no needed modifications to the parts.

 

Really like the outcome! Nice work.


So long as your measurements were a bit tighter tolerance than this.

 

Second side went quicker. I guess I am pretty much done with that now and can get back on making it run.

 

Nice.

 

Went from 1-3/4” metal on metal to 3-1/4” with about 3/4” thick rubber to hit first. I at least can’t bounce it to the point of anything hitting now.

 

One thing leads to another.. that song goes thru my head... Now exhaust.

 

I honestly think the exhaust will work other than maybe moving the area that goes up and over the left side axle tube back an inch or so. The right side seems to be fine as-is. But, yes, you are correct. I do see how the perspective on the pictures makes it look like the exhaust is a problem. But, it isn’t as bad as it looks.

I also measured the distance from the rearend center section to the bottom of the bed and seems the bumpers will hit the axle tubes right before anything crashes the bottom of the bed.

I will say that I am struggling to get the brake hose connection loose where it connects to the hard line coming down the frame. I gave up on that last night right before coming in for the night. Last thing I did was spray the connection with some PB Blaster to see if that helps any. Anyone have suggestions how to break a stubborn brake line loose? I am using a line wrench to not tear up the fitting, but it is stuck good.

 

Fire?

 

Yea, that was what I figured I would try next. I don’t have a real torch that at least works, but do have one of those small propane torches that might put enough heat in it?

 

Won’t know until you try. Just enough to crack the rust.

 

I faced that while installing a disc brake kit on my 50 Olds and I had to actually put a wrench on the end of the hose and used a line wrench on the fitting, they broke loose with minimal effort so I concluded that just using a line wrench was trying to turn the line and hose together.

 

The notch reinforcement looks really good.
The propane hand held torch will provide all the heat you will need. If the fitting doesn't come loose with the heat the propane delivers, its probably junk anyway. The fitting doesn't have to be red, just hot enough to start the PB blaster to start smoking. Much hotter then that the steel line will be damaged.

 

Thanks everyone. I did back up the fitting on the hose side although I wouldn’t call it a wrench. It has no hex so I just used vise grips for the reason you mention. I’ll try some heat as well but may be a day or so now.

 

I’ve had luck alternating between propane torch and CRC freeze spray.

 

If the heat doesn't get you satisfaction, consider which destruction is best.
This is often cutting off the rubber hose and using a quality 6 point socket. You may have the cut the fitting if the nut is smaller than the hose crimp. If the rear brake line is rusty and will be replaced, hack that side. The underside looks pretty good, so I'd guess the rubber is the path.
That's it peeking out the bottom right, correct?

 

Yep, that is it peaking out the bottom of the pic. The top end of the lines going down each axle broke loose easy as can be as did the front lines. This is the only one being a pain. Planning to go out to the shop here in a bit so will mess with it some more.

 

Use a torch to get the threads hot enough to melt a crayon, the wax will wick into the thread and should come loose easy
Dan

 

I miss having access to shops at work, did lots of government jobs for people from plant managers down to janitors.
Dan

 

Heat worked!

 

I guess I should have said heat worked on the brakeline. With no heat in the shop and single digit temperatures, I didn’t spend much time in the shop last night working on it. I put the new line on, made a list of a few more parts I need like hose clamps for the radiator hoses, and went back in the house to warm up.



You can see how well the roads are cleared in Oklahoma when it snows here. Also, learned that golf carts don’t do too good in 6” of snow…got mine stuck when out feeding yesterday afternoon. Finally got it unstuck with my son’s help, but should have known better. Anyway, this is why I didn’t get much done yesterday…or today.

 

I'd be su****ious that someone has removed some leafs from the rear springs. Mine is flipped and never bottoms out. It rides better with 3 or 400 pounds in the rear. I dont haul really heavy stuff but it has never bottomed out.

 

Curious how many leaves yours has now. Mine only has 3 not including the overload. Found a pic from before I flipped the axle.

 

Hey what’s the white stuff never seen it before lol
Dan

 

@guthriesmith my c10 had 3 like yours... once one was removed. My truck was pretty low optioned and had 4 from the factory. Removing 1 leaf lowered it some but I don't remember how much. Removing 2 made my truck sit level, 1 gave it the rake it had.

 

Oh, and here is the total snow we ended up with. Somehow, seems we survived the storm despite what the local weather folks said.

 

Mine has the same configuration as yours. My shocks are OE spec but fairly new. Looks like you're good to go.

 

Thanks! I was actually bouncing mine with no shocks so that will make some difference as well. And, hopefully the air shocks will let me haul whatever I want.