Starting on the c10 where do y'all usually start? Have all the parts to complete minus rims I want, but truck needs some body work and its getting lowered, as for the bodywork what's a good starting point? Should I fix one spot at a time, and strip the paint as I go or is it better to strip it all at the same time? This is my first major build so any tips will help.
Take it slow, do one thing at a time. DONT DO IT ALL! You'll overwelm yourself and/or get sidetracked. Aways keep your truck running & driving if possible.
Start with the cutting and welding- Fab work. Frame first and up. Make it stop - make it go - make it pretty in that order.
dittos to that advice. If you can keep it running while you work on it, you greatly lower the chances that you'll loose interest in it. I'm just finishing a frame-off rebuild on my 54 tudor and I'll never do another one on a post-war car. (Pulling a pre-war roadster or coupe body on and off a frame is much easier.) If I build another post-war car, I'll buy one with a solid frame as a minimum and just divide my overall project into small projects that only take the vehicle out of commission for a week at most. I recently reworked an OT Plymouth Valiant with this methodology and it was soooo much more enjoyable. After tackling one aspect, say...a week-long rebuild of the front suspension, I could get back in the car and enjoy driving it. It gave me the motivation to move on to the next big thing....like a weekend engine swap. My 54, on the other hand, was a non-driver for over 5 years, and there were times that it seemed like it would never end.
Agree on keeping it a driver if possable. Mine has been apart three years and would like nothing more than to drive it.
Just start. Work on it everyday, even if it's just like 5 minutes. Just keep at it. INPUT INPUT INPUT
This is excellent advice for someone who needs to ask where to start. Perfect actually. Your project is "a long run" - in the long run its best to finish it. - in the long run its better to learn as you go. - in the long run its easier to tackle little things - in the long run its more affordable to go slow. After you get one or two vehicles under your belt, the long run is different.
strip the paint off each rusty rotted spot one at a time.weld in new metal and do your filler work.After all your rusty rot spots are done strip whole car an epoxy prime whole car.Follow with a uro sanding primer then guide coat and sand sand sand.Start with 120 grit follow with 180g.Always use a block.Did i say you gotta SAND!
Thanks the truck runs and drives perfect it was prob a show truck from the mid 80s, they added late modl rear bumper with lights built in the bumper and ugly alum saw blade rims that the insides were painted to match the ugly 80s blue paint job, they went crazy with the blue paint every thing is blue bumpers ,grille , all the trim, just going to need a lot of sanding!
The beauty of this hobby is that there really is no cookbook to guide every build. Everyone has their own method, and they are all right! I start from the pavement, and work my way up from there. Dividing the project into 1,000,000 steps is great advice. Every little step feels like an accomplishment. Don't rush, enjoy the journey.........and post pictures, we wanna watch!
i have been thinking of that. but that was becuase the machine shop has had my block since may. at this point im not gona make if to the two shows i want to. so i might keep it out take longer and do a few thing. although... i miss driving my pickup. i like to make it go first, then stop. more rewarding. although i could see the other way making more sense. my vote is to do what bugs you most. since it runs and stops. pull the bumpers, grill, etc. and get them into primer or other color, chrome, etc. start with the little things and move to the big ones.
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