Novice restoration on ‘72 c10. Launch code activated!

[ColEHTaylor]

I grew up with a white ‘69 c10 long bed with red interior, I6, 3speed column shift with no power anything in the family. It’s long gone with no way of ever tracking it down. I’ve always dreamed of getting a ‘67-72 and restoring it to become a DD with a few modern upgrades but nothing “resto mod worthy”. I found a blue on blue ‘72 in pretty decent shape. Bought it and finally getting around to working on it thanks to Microsoft laying me off just 6 weeks past my 25yr anniversary. Yes. I’m quite bitter but life moves on.

I have no formal training. Never worked as a mechanic or have any shop experience. What I know about cars, I learned from watching my dad do simple maintenance on family cars growing up and having the guts to take things apart. I’ve also watched a ton of videos online. Mainly Vice Grip Garage and guys like that.

The truck came with no engine, transmission, or drive shaft installed. However it did come with two engines, a TH350 transmission, 2 torque converters, 2 carburetors, drive shaft, engine hoist, engine stand, 2 alternators, 2 starters, misc unmarked bolts, brackets, engine mounts, trim parts, misc gaskets. I think I have a complete truck but have to figure out how to reassemble everything. I’ve bought a factory assembly manual and wiring diagram. The assembly manual is pretty much garbage. No index and no logical order so you have to flip through 4 or 5 hundred pages to find drawings of what you’re looking for.

I put in a battery and tried to see what works . Radio turns on but no speakers. Marker and tail lights work. Headlights do not. Dash lights do not. No activity on any gauges but I suspect that is to be expected since no engine is present. HVAC blower motor turns on but won’t turn off. Looking under the hood, wiring is a mess and nothing labeled.

A little flustered, I decided to kick off the project with updating the interior. Bought a new bench upholstery cover, tore down the seat and found some broken springs that I’m searching for repair kits. I have also bought a new stereo and speakers for it. That led me to taking out the gauge cluster and hvac ducts. Discovering that the wiring under the dash is as equally jacked up. I made the decision to pull the entire wiring harness to start over with what I know will be fresh and accurate wiring. Bought a harness from Painless. While I’m at it, I have a new dash pad and gauge cluster coming from LMC.

My goal is to get it up and running before I do anything major like suspension, gas tank relocation, hvac upgrade, steering column, disk brakes, or body work.

I have some questions about the in cab tank, long block assembly, tranny and engine installation but will save those for the time when I’m actually to that point in the restoration.

 

[Sad Sack]

...looks to have good bones and you'll enjoy the journey!

 

[Grit dog]

Looks clean!!
As you know this forum is all about the new model, 73-up but no problem there. Lots of us have messed with or have the older ones too and a lot is the same or same principle at least.
Sounds like a great project!
One word of advice. Just mothball the seat and any other new interior parts until you’re ready for them. They will just be in the way and you’ll be pissed off when/if you stain, rip, burn a hole in it.

 

[legopnuematic]

Welcome from Missouri.

 

[Shorty81]

Welcome from Ohio. My first vehicle was 70 C10, 250, 3 on tree, hugger orange (of course) My first love!!

 

[ali_c20]

Welcome from Austria. Nice project.

 

[Old Guy Bill]

Nice truck!
Welcome!
There are also a couple of other truck forums that will help also.

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/

 

[Mr Clean]

That's a hellva project to take on for someone that has never done anything like this. My suggestion is a little at a time.

Engine first, then Transmission. Drive shaft. Then wiring.

I'm going to make a safe assumption, all of the parts you have, have been stored outside, or in some sort of shop uncovered. There is going to be lots of those parts are not going to be usable.

Building a car, or truck can get overwhelming very fast. Take your time and ask questions.

 

[Dmack]

Welcome. Easy trucks to work on. My son has my old 68, and I'm working on a 70 now. If you haven't found it yet, 67-72chevytrucks.com is a great forum too.

 

[ColEHTaylor]

That's a hellva project to take on for someone that has never done anything like this. My suggestion is a little at a time.

Engine first, then Transmission. Drive shaft. Then wiring.

I'm going to make a safe assumption, all of the parts you have, have been stored outside, or in some sort of shop uncovered. There is going to be lots of those parts are not going to be usable.

Building a car, or truck can get overwhelming very fast. Take your time and ask questions.

Thanks for the advice. The truck and all parts were garaged by the previous owner so it’s in pretty good condition cinsidering.

 

[Fat 454]

Welcome from Australia. Sweeeet truck bro - super cheyenne trim, fully loaded - Nice !

AS stated above, get the mechanicals sorted first, trim and upholstery is last. Keep at it - slow and steady. this will be a nice truck when done. Lots of help here and on the 67-72 board.

FWIW - if its going to be a daily driver, not a numbers matching resto - I would go with a mid-'90's vortec block ( roller cam ), and TBI ( throttle body injection ), matched up to a muncie 4 speed, or turbo 400 / 700r4. I prefer the "driveability" of 4 on the floor, although I know I'm in the minority. This set up will give you the best in "garage-fixable" reliability together with modern driveability. The vortec/tbi combo is a proven DD set up from the OBD ( 90's gen ) chevy trucks, without the additional electronics/ canbus / ECM of the LS motors. However pretty much any chevy motor / transmission combo will bolt straight in.

Remember if you are upgrading the horsepower - suspension and brakes are king. Do those upgrades first - again loads of suppliers/ parts and advise available ( rear disc set up, hotchkiss suspension upgrades etc. etc. )

Check inside the foot well / kick panels and the firewall seams for rust. If its good there, it will be good everywhere else. If there is no rust you are on to a winner.

Keep the pics coming, and ask for advise as you go along. Cool !!...

 

[Craig Nedrow]

I know this suggestion is expensive, but American auto wire has a great harness. Most everything I build gets a new harness, no electrical problems is a Huge step, thank me later.

 

[hoagster]

Welcome, From Norcal! My truck is a 73 and the frame date stamp is dated November 17 1972. So even thought outside looks different. A lot of the info is similar to your model year.