GM '71 C10 to K10 Conversion

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1971 Chevrolet C10 to K10 build

Will be build a custom chassis for this build. 4 Link front and rear with coilovers.

LT1, 10L90E and Atlas

Dana 44 and Dana 60 axles with 3.73 gearing

20 gallon aluminum tank

Custom color two tone paint

Plethora of mods

 

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Stripped to the frame. Now to reverse the chassis for the K10 build up.

 

[clrussell]

This will be good. Following along

 

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Axles are ordered from ECGS along with other parts.

Dana 44 front and Dana 60 rear, 3.73 gears Eaton TruTrac and 4340 axle shafts. Wilwood discs on all corners.

Fox 2.5" coilovers with remote resi

Atlas T-case is in production

TK1 Racing sway bars

3.0L inverted Whipple charger and secondary IC

Wegners accessory drive

Restomod AC/Heat system

Ididit column

20 gallon Boyd's aluminum tank

ALL parts are in production or enroute now.

 

[matzell]

What size tires are you shooting for? I love the old Chevy's.

 

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What size tires are you shooting for? I love the old Chevy's.

35s

 

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Axles arrived.

Dana 44 Front with high steer and Dana 60 rear. Upgraded to Wilwood braking. 4340 shafts front and rear. 3.73 gears.

 

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Started mock up the chassis jig this morning. Stretching the front frame section width 3" as well, from 31" to 34"

 

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Cab is in primer. Quite a bit of bodywork and some metal to replaced after digging in. Replaced the entire firewall and front floor, rockers and inner supports.

 

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More body work. Had to remake the gutters and dig out JB Weld. Reset doors and adjust gaps.

 

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Bed is completely new aftermarket steel, but decided to go with a wood bed. Ordered the crossrails and rear sill. Wood kit is on order.

Black walnut and hidden hardware. Will finish in a gloss finish.

Will dismantle bed and start putting it back together.

Should be back on the chassis in a week or two.

 

[BILT4ME]

More body work. Had to remake the gutters and dig out JB Weld. Reset doors and adjust gaps.

View attachment 4031062View attachment 4031063View attachment 4031064View attachment 4031065View attachment 4031066

Did the roof of the cab (passenger side) have rust holes near the gutter as well? I thought I saw some in the second pic.

We have one that has lots of rust and holes top and bottom.

 

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Did the roof of the cab (passenger side) have rust holes near the gutter as well? I thought I saw some in the second pic.

We have one that has lots of rust and holes top and bottom.

Yes the gutter edges were in need of rust repair as well. Small holes but we cut it all out and repaired with new metal.

 

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Getting the cab mocked up to set on the chassis jig to finalize the front suspension and adjust wheelbase.

 

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Finishing up on some body work and breaking down the steel bed to convert to wood.

 

[BILT4ME]

Who do you buy your body panels from (Firewall, floor, rockers)?

We are slowly doing a 70 GMC and want to buy quality parts.

 

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Who do you buy your body panels from (Firewall, floor, rockers)?

We are slowly doing a 70 GMC and want to buy quality parts.

I'd buy those interior pieces from LMC. Exterior panels are hit and miss from most others.

https://www.lmctruck.com/body-panels

All of these aftermarket pieces need some sort of tweaking to get right. These companies bought all the old stamps from Chevrolet, GM, Ford, etc... stamping facilities and are worn and heavily used. The tolerances just keep getting worst over the years. They are close for some, but in order to get lines correct, be prepared to cut and modify.

Don't forget to brace jig the door openings and laterals before cutting the old floor and firewall out.

 

[BILT4ME]

I'd buy those interior pieces from LMC. Exterior panels are hit and miss from most others.

https://www.lmctruck.com/body-panels

All of these aftermarket pieces need some sort of tweaking to get right. These companies bought all the old stamps from Chevrolet, GM, Ford, etc... stamping facilities and are worn and heavily used. The tolerances just keep getting worst over the years. They are close for some, but in order to get lines correct, be prepared to cut and modify.

Don't forget to brace jig the door openings and laterals before cutting the old floor and firewall out.

Thank you! I appreciate the extra insight.

We live 5 miles from LMC and have bought a lot from them, but I've heard good and bad about their panels compared to places like YearOne and ChevyDuty.

 

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Thank you! I appreciate the extra insight.

We live 5 miles from LMC and have bought a lot from them, but I've heard good and bad about their panels compared to places like YearOne and ChevyDuty.

Year one........ no thanks unless a camaro or Tri-5 panel. Never used any ChevyDuty panels. But remember... ALL of these stamps came from the big 3 factories. LMC sold some of their old stamps to AMD and a couple others when they were getting complaints on fit and finish. LMC has the largest inventory of factory stamp reserves. So as time and production passes they pass the more worn out stamps on to other companies to use.

Not a single one of these companies have ever made a new stamp. LMC and a couple others have said a press and die set for a hood would be over 30,000.00 to make. So do the math on that, its crazy. Look at how many hoods they'd have to stamp out to recover that cost.