NEED MAJOR HELP on the C10 project...

[bunkystrimline]

dont know if anyone noticed my last post in the RUST REPAIR category, but im thinking this may be a better category to post this question.

im looking for a UNIBODY AND FRAME SPECIFICATIONS chart book for a 68 Chevy C-10 full size pickup truck. I know Mitchell makes them for the newer cars, trucks, and SUVs, but i dont know if anyone back then MADE books like this or not. I've tried calling Mitchell directly, and they dont have anything like that NOW for the older models, plus i called my CCC rep that we get the Comp-Est program from, and he says that CCC doesnt have crash guides that go back that far either.

What i am looking for in a book of this nature is the measurements that were in the door openings (where the door would be), the fender openings (where the hood sits), the window openings on the cab (front and rear glass), etc. The truck had extensive rust on the rockers, cab corners, lower pillars, etc., and a body man (HACK!!!) kinda cut out what WAS there on both side, so i dont know if the lower portion of the cab is even where it belongs, since he actually had the cab lifted off the frame, allowing it to flex in from the weight of the back panel, and the cowl pulling down on the roof.

Im hoping that one of you old-school guys might have an old estimating guide or something of that nature from like back when these trucks were still considered newer trucks. Obviously, they must have may SOMETHING to help shops estimate damage, measure out openings, and things of that nature to adequately make structure repairs.

If someone may HAVE this available, but not want to part with it, since it would be somewhat of INVALUABLE (meaning that you couldnt even KNOW what you want for it or what it is worth if you DID want to sell it)...if you cant bring yourself to part with this book, i would BUY copies of the info, for a reasonable price, obviously. BUT i've never actually had the opurtunity to do a frame off restoration of this nature, and i want to be sure that everything measures up to OEM specifications.

Thanks in advance for ANYTHING that you could help me with.

[another2centsworth]

bunky,

Try Car-O-Liner as they might have the measurements you need.

I have a buddy I might could call if this comes up w/nothing.

Let me know.

Later, Tim

[A66toy]

www.oldcarbooks.com It's $50. I have a 1966 Helm chassis service manual and it has those dimensions for Chevrolet cars in it.

[Phil V]

There are a lot of those old trucks still around, espeically down south and out west where they are close to rust free. Why even screw around with a rotted out old cab ?

[bunkystrimline]

that ones actually somewhat beyond me. the CUSTOMER requested that we use HIS cab, HE bought the parts and had them shipped to us. he got all the write parts to begin with...the floor patches, the floor supports, inner rockers, outer rockers, etc. THEN just like a month ago, after we already had HALF the floor parts in, the drivers side, he found a FULL floor pan, with the supports already on it. NOW, we wouldnt have to fabricate the rear section of the floor. BUT, already had money sunk into the old parts, that he cant send back cuz he got em like over a year ago. But, this is HIS doing, not our suggestion. My only suggestion, once he decided to cut back out what we had done, was clean the frame up, do a rust treatment, then put a nice thick enamel on it to protect it...which we did do.

Honestly, he COULD/SHOULD have gone that route, got a used cab that was in much better shape then what we are/were working with, saved ALOT of money and extra parts that he'll have to try to sell on his own, and STILL had a very sturdy truck that would last, with LESS man hours and money. I thied to explain that one to him a couple years ago when the truck first came in and he began looking for the parts he wanted to order. Only thing i can think is that he is sitting home bored now that he is retired and trying to find things to spend his money on. I can think of much better ways, but im not one to tell the customer how to spend his money when he is INSISTING that we do it his way and he orders his own parts, so he KNOWS what he is getting ahead of time.

[Yelog60]

If that truck was in my shop I would of shipped it down the road by now.. I don't let customers dictate repairs period! I dont let customers supply parts either.. Always bringing in junk or used crap. You should cut you loses and have him take it somewhere else.. Sounds like you have invested way more time already then you will ever get compensated for..

[Vette Mech]

If that truck was in my shop I would of shipped it down the road by now.. I don't let customers dictate repairs period! I dont let customers supply parts either.. Always bringing in junk or used crap. You should cut you loses and have him take it somewhere else.. Sounds like you have invested way more time already then you will ever get compensated for..


seriously ... this is really good money smart, shop smart, advise here.

or the C10 is a Landmark