Process of Change 68

[catmull]

I think it is a great honor to be a part of such a wonderful forum. First of all, I would like to thank all those that contribute to making this forum possible and for allowing me the opportunity to create this build thread. Now, let me introduce myself. I live in Idaho and have been a member of this forum for four years. I have mostly been a lurker. Looking at other members projects and dreaming about my own. I am the very lucky dad of two beautiful children, six year old Audrey and four year old Liam. Last year Audrey was diagnosed with Autism. Fortunately the Autism doesn't define her, but it does come with its hurdles. One thing that is for sure...Audrey sure doesn't seem to be unhappy. She is happy and sweet, nothing will stand in her way.
This fall Audrey entered school. We knew due to Audrey’s disability that not just any public school could provide her with the extra attention she deserves. My wife and I searched for a school that would be able to attend to Audrey’s special needs. After searching we discovered that not even a mile from our house was a school specializing in teaching children diagnosed with Autism and other developmental disabilities. We made an appointment to visit the school to talk with the teacher. After talking with the teacher, reviewing the agenda and touring the school we decided that Process of Change was the school our daughter needed to be enrolled in. Audrey was registered and we began to prepare for the beginning of the school year. Unfortunately a couple of weeks before classes were scheduled to begin we were notified that due to state cut backs Process of Change would not be able to offer classes this year. To say that we were disappointed would be an understatement. In rural Idaho a school for children with developmental disabilities is rare and one located just across town from our home is even rarer. We had no other choice but to enroll Audrey in the regular public school. Although the Audrey’s teacher has been awesome she doesn’t have the time nor training to devote to Audrey and offer her the one on one attention that she needs. I understand that if she spent more time with Audrey she would be doing a disservice to the other twenty eight kiddos in her class who also need her attention and help. For this reason Audrey would benefit so much from a school like Process of Change or any other school devoted to teaching children with developmental disabilities. These schools have the staff, training and experience needed to successfully teach special little children like Audrey.
Feeling frustrated about the situation I decided to talk with the individuals in charge of running Process of Change to see if there was anything I could do to help them with reopening the school. They told me that their school was state funded and due to the state cut backs they could no longer afford to pay for the full time teacher with a special education degree. I left and went home that night pondering on what I could do to help raise money to donate to the school to pay for their teacher. I sat down on the couch and turned on the Speed channel. It just so happened to be a re prod cast of the Barrett Jackson car auction. The car that was on the block was being auctioned for a charity. As I watched the bids grow the answer to my question came to me. I would build a truck and use it to create a fund raiser. At the time I didn’t know what kind of fund raiser I would create. I just knew that it would revolve around a classic truck. I pondered on the subject for a few days. I asked my wife if she had any ideas. She told me that the only fundraiser she had participated in was the relay for life. The relay for life was created to generate money through donations to help cancer research. I thought about the relay and wondered why I couldn’t do something similar with a classic car or truck. I could except pledges for every mile I drive in a twenty four hour period. I would document the buildup of the vehicle and begin to except pledges while it is being built. Once the vehicle was completed I could cruise it on a predetermined route nonstop for 24 hours racking up as many miles as possible. With every mile I would be helping Process of Change become closer to reopening.
It sounded like a good idea. Now all I need to do was find a vehicle worthy of restoring to take on such a task. That is where my journey of finding and restoring a 68 Chevy pickup began. I love classic muscle cars but lately they have been priced out of my range. I have always like the styling of the late 60's early 70's Chevy C10 pickups. I knew I wanted either a 1967 or 1968. I started searching the local craigslist and combing the countryside for the perfect truck to build into pro touring machine I have always wanted. After looking for some time the perfect truck finally came up. I called the seller and set up a time to stop by and check it out. The truck was fairly straight and besides a little rust in the rockers looked good. A deal was struck and I became the owner of a 1968 Chevy c10 pickup.
This all leads to where I am today. I have been collecting parts and taking pictures for a couple months now. I created a thread on another site but want to share with my fellow members on protouring.com also. I hope all those that follow this build will enjoy hearing about my day to day adventures of restoring my 68 Chevy pro touring pickup both big or small and good or bad. I look forward to hearing your input, advice and encouragement. Oh and by the way please forgive my terrible writing! It was never my strong point. Enjoy....

[catmull]

Process of Change 68

1968 Chevy C10

Chassis
Frame: Stock
Modifications: C-Notch
Rearend / Ratio: Narrowed 12-bolt GM custom axels by Moser Engineering / 3.73:1 gears with
Eaton TruTrac limited slip differential.
Rear suspension: Porterbuilt Streetrods complete stage 2 kit with tubular trailing arms and air bags.
Rear brakes: KORE3 ø340mm C6 Z06 rear big-brake kit with drum-in-hat parking brake
Front suspension: Porterbuilt Streetrods mild drop cross member Assembly with Porterbuilt tubular
control arms, CPP 2in Drop spindles and Ride Tech coil over shocks
Front brakes: KORE3's ø355mm C6 Z06 big-brake kit.
Steering box: CPP rack and pinion
Front wheels: Rushforth Rated X, 19x8
Rear wheels: Rushforth Rated X, 20x10
Front tires: Nitto INVO 255/40ZR19
Rear tires: Nitto INVO 295/35ZR20
Gas tank: Boyd Welding


Drivetrain
Engine: LS3 6.2L
Block: Cast aluminum
Oiling: Stock pump and F-body oil pain
Rotating assembly: Factory GM cast crank, rods, and 10.7:1 pistons
Cylinder Heads: GM LS3 castings
Camshaft: Stock LS3
Valvetrain: Stock timing set, lifters, pushrods, and rocker arms
Induction: Factory GM composite intake manifold and dbw throttle body
Headers: Doug Thorley
Exhaust / Mufflers: 2½-inch stainless / Flowmaster 40-series. Custom by Rays in Burley, Idaho
Radiator: RnD Fabrication
Transmission: Tremec TKO 500
Drive Shaft: Inland Empire Driveline
Shifter: Limeworks Speedshop
battery: optima
Hoses: Hose Candy
Fuel Lines: Aeroquip

Body
Style: C10 pickup
Modifications: Shaved side markers and firewall by Mark McIver at McIver Custom Fabrication
Fenders front / rear: Stock / stock
Trim: Stock GM reproductions from Mar-k
Hood: Stock
Grille: Stock
Bodywork and paint by: Ryan Loveless
Paint type / Color: ppg / Audi Reflex silver
Wiring: American Autowire
Headlights / Taillights: HID / LED from DigiTails
Outside mirrors: Stock
Bumpers: Stock from Brothers Trucks
Bed: Red Oak/Stainless strips from Bedwood and Parts

Interior
Dashboard: Stock
Air conditioning: Vintage Air
Gauges: Dakota Digital VHX
Stereo: Stock
Steering wheel: Con2r C1 Corvette
Steering column: Flaming River
Seats: Stock 1968 GM buddy buckets
Upholstery by: OEM style upholstery by Truckseats
Material / Color: Vinyl, cloth / Red
Carpet: ACC red loop
Sound dampening: Dynamat
Pedals: Lokar

[catmull]

My truck the day I bought it. Nov 2012

[68lovebuzz]

Awesome story. Keep on it and you'll have great success. Can't wait to hear more.

[catmull]

I found a nice 67 front clip (no side marker lights) and a short fleet side bed. I plan on converting the bed to a wood floor.

[catmull]

Here are some pics of the 69 shortbed chassis I picked up a couple months ago. I drove by this chassis everyday for the last four years. It was sitting behind an old abandoned building that is on the way to where I work. Finally I got enough guts to pull back where it was and saw on the door of the building a cell number. I called the number and talked with the man who answered. I asked him if he knew who owned the old Chevy truck frame and if they would want to sell it. He told me that he did and if the price was right he could part with it. I asked if he would meet me later that afternoon so I could get a closer look. When I arrived the owner was there waiting. We walked back and looked at the frame. It looked pretty good so I made an offer. Fortunately he accepted it. I was stoked. I had been planning on having to shorten my long bed frame.

[catmull]

Here are some pics of when I started teardown of the truck. Dec 2012[/SIZE]

[catmull]

Dec 2012 took body, fenders, bed and short frame to be blasted.

[catmull]

January 2013 went to the Barret Jackson car auction. While I was down in Arizona I swung by Porterbuilt Fabrication and picked up my suspension components. When it comes to 67-72 c10's Porterbuilt really knows their stuff. They are also super cool dudes. I decided to go with their mild drop member in the front with tubular control arms, coilovers and rack and pinion steering. In the rear I am doing their c-notch with air bags.
Attachment 74820Attachment 74820

[catmull]

March 2013 I took all the blasted parts to my good friend Mark and McIver custom fab to start the rust repair and metal work. Here are some pics of the doors and fenders.

[SRD art]

Cool project! I like where you're headed.

Some cool stuff at that shop too. What's up with that crew cab, a pre runner truck or something?

[catmull]

Attachment 74965Attachment 74966Attachment 74967Attachment 74968Attachment 74969Attachment 74970Attachment 74971Attachment 74972Attachment 74973

[catmull]

A few more pics

[catmull]

Not sure. They said it had been there for a while. A couple of the guys working there drove pre runner type trucks so it very well could be something like that.