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08-06-2020 #1Registered User
- Join Date
- Aug 2020
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- 16
1972 C10 Pro-touring - Using 3D printing and more
Hey all,
Kicking off a thread over here on this 1972 C10 project. Right now it's intended to be the long-term shop truck, and a mechanism to do some R&D and prototyping on using our 3D printer. Some parts we'll simply prototype in a cheap plastic, with the intent for the final form to be in another material, like aluminum. For other items we may end up with functional parts, printed in something like PP, or Nylon, Nylon-Carbon, or in some cases ABS. I bought this truck a little over a year ago, and at the time I was wrapping up an El Camino project that was the focus. I did, however, spend some time improving the safety of the truck as the brakes were in a bad state and frankly made it scary to drive.
Last project we did for a good friend:
Here is the truck day 1:
Since day 1 we've done:
- Upgraded to a Baer T4 brake system with hydroboost from the stock front disc and drum rear
- Upgraded the rear axles. Had to turn them to fit the rear discs
- New TMI bucket seats to increase legroom, and 3-point seatbelts
- Installed HID Dapper headlights with integrated turn signals
- ridetech front coil-over suspension (modified slightly to accommodate the 20x11 front wheels
- Forgeline 20x11 front, 20x12 rear with 315 tires on all 4 corners
- Cleaned and lined the bed
Here is how it sits now:
Our first 3D functional print was actually for the El Camino project. After installing the Vintage Air AC we wanted a better way to organize the hoses aside from zip ties. We mocked up a simple hose separator, printed a cheap test fit piece in PLA, then ABS, and then swapped over to PAHT-CF15 (Nylon with carbon fibers). We then inset brass inserts into the plastic. I've been testing the ABS under the hood of the truck for a few weeks to see how it does in the heat, and so far so good. That said, PAHT-CF15 can operate up to 300*f, so no worries with that material. But if ABS is tough enough for the location it's a lot less expensive. Here is a photo of the PAHT-CF15 part.
Upcoming print plans for the truck include a custom air intake we're designing for the future LT1 upgrade we have planned:
Here is a concept design. This will be modified after we have the filter in-house to measure. We plan to use a 2019/2020 ZL1 filter, as it's somewhat compact, but also will support power needs for most people:
That's all for now. We're excited for future projects and how we can apply 3D printing and some light CNC to make functional improvements to our 72 C10 truck.
Cheers all!
Dylan