Cardboard utility box upgrade.

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

hey mister

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 15, 2024
Posts
213
Reaction score
563
Location
North Coast
First Name
Marty
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
350
The original cardboard utility box (behind bench seat) needed to go. The cardboard material it was made from, crumbled apart anytime I moved it. It had served well.
So as per SOP, out came the ol'CAD system. Using the basic measurements from the cab, cardboard was squared up and cut to the numbers. This unit was also going to house some newly aquired 6x9 coaxial Pioneers. After looking at some catelogs for corner speaker set ups, the design was mocked up in cardboard. A little trimming and fitting made it all fit nicely. I had the 1/4" ply in my stash and soon sawdust was rolling.
It rained the next couple days so "delay in play" was called. Once all the pieces were glued up, a fitting of the 2 panels took a bit of time. It was hot and muggy. Once they fit, I decided to remove the old padding and over-hanging carpet and install some sticky back sound/heat barrier. It was my first time working with that human fly paper and it was touch and can't let go for a while.
A final sanding and then the same textured paint job as the cup console. Regular rattle can black was used on the no show sides and allowed to dry. Then mount the speakers and shoe-horn them into place. I am going to add a couple of draw latches to geep the gaps tight, but for now it's good enuf to show.
No, I have not replaced the radio yet....it's on the list.
 

Attachments

  • 20240620_172948.jpg
    20240620_172948.jpg
    360.4 KB · Views: 50
  • 20240620_113754.jpg
    20240620_113754.jpg
    219.6 KB · Views: 51
  • 20240620_124340.jpg
    20240620_124340.jpg
    193.2 KB · Views: 46
  • 20240620_145254.jpg
    20240620_145254.jpg
    171.4 KB · Views: 47
  • 20240622_084748.jpg
    20240622_084748.jpg
    233 KB · Views: 46

hey mister

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 15, 2024
Posts
213
Reaction score
563
Location
North Coast
First Name
Marty
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
350
You must be registered for see images attach
 

Attachments

  • 20240622_201821.jpg
    20240622_201821.jpg
    282.6 KB · Views: 43
  • 20240622_204917.jpg
    20240622_204917.jpg
    118.4 KB · Views: 38
  • 20240622_204925.jpg
    20240622_204925.jpg
    124.5 KB · Views: 45
  • 20240623_202555.jpg
    20240623_202555.jpg
    121.9 KB · Views: 49

Old Guy Bill

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 10, 2023
Posts
427
Reaction score
1,321
Location
KY
First Name
Bill
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
400
I like it, especially the corner pieces for speaker placement.
I’ll probably fab some like those in the future for my cab. I’ll probably use aluminum or stainless though. I work part time at a metal fab shop and can use their equipment.
 

hey mister

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 15, 2024
Posts
213
Reaction score
563
Location
North Coast
First Name
Marty
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
350
I like it, especially the corner pieces for speaker placement.
I’ll probably fab some like those in the future for my cab. I’ll probably use aluminum or stainless though. I work part time at a metal fab shop and can use their equipment.
I thought about using metal but considering speakers sound better in wood and the entire cab is mostly metal, so I wanted to mellow out the tone as much as possible.

I am eager to see what you come up with.
 

hey mister

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 15, 2024
Posts
213
Reaction score
563
Location
North Coast
First Name
Marty
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
350
The panels have just been setting in place and not fastened down and nothing in the trough to weigh them down. I've noticed a little banging noise coming from back there when on a bumpy road...which is every road here in my neck of the woods. So for now, I decided to velcro the panels. But before I can stick on the velcro, the metal has to be clean.
In the process of cleaning up, I noticed that someone has drawn a "Smiley" face on the panel under the rear window....and it is not coming off. So as I'm looking at it, I couldn't help but notice it was drawn with 1 continous stroke....which makes me think the artist has drawn a lot of these and very quickly...as like on an assembly line.
Well, since I got the truck, I've been looking for a nick name for the truck. And it hit me..."Smiley".
Smiley it is.
So I stopped trying to remove it and took a pic.
I might even replicate it on the tailgate. Maybe someday, some old GM worker will recognize it and unfold the untold story behind it.
 

Attachments

  • 20240703_133122.jpg
    20240703_133122.jpg
    214.9 KB · Views: 37

Ricko1966

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2017
Posts
5,405
Reaction score
8,620
Location
kansas
First Name
Rick
Truck Year
1975
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
350
I like that. I would want one with separate compartments for oil,floor jack etc
For simple,you can screw a piece of house gutter behind the seat,if you've hung gutters you'll be able how to figure out making dividers out of gutter nail tubes.
 

Turbo4whl

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 30, 2019
Posts
3,120
Reaction score
7,242
Location
Downingtown, PA
First Name
Wayne
Truck Year
1974
Truck Model
Jimmy
Engine Size
350
So I stopped trying to remove it and took a pic.
I might even replicate it on the tailgate. Maybe someday, some old GM worker will recognize it and unfold the untold story behind it.
Okay Smiley, what truck assembly plant was your truck built at?
 

Turbo4whl

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 30, 2019
Posts
3,120
Reaction score
7,242
Location
Downingtown, PA
First Name
Wayne
Truck Year
1974
Truck Model
Jimmy
Engine Size
350
7th digit in the vin.

1973-80 Vehicle ID Number (VIN)
All 1973-80 series 10 and 20 have a portion of the VIN number stamped on the engine and the transmission. This identification number consists of the division number, model year, assembly plant and the vehicle assembly sequence number. The VIN identification and Rating Plate is located attached to the left hand door pillar.
The examples below use the following VIN number: CCL148Z100327.


C C L 1 4 8 Z 100327

Division


C = Chevrolet
T = GMC




C C L 1 4 8 Z 100327

Chassis Type


C = 2 Wheel Drive
K = 4 Wheel Drive




C C L 1 4 8 Z 100327

Engine Description


1973-75 Model
Q = 250 6Cyl
T = 292 6Cyl
X = 307 V8
V = 350-2 V8
Y = 350-4 V8
U = 400-4 V8
Z = 454-4 V8*
1976-76 Model
D = 250 6Cyl
T = 292 6Cyl
Q = 305-2 V8
V = 350-2 V8
L = 350-4 V8
U = 400-4 V8
S = 454-4 V8*
1977-77 Model
D = 250 6Cyl
T = 292 6Cyl
U = 305 V8
L = 350-4 V8
R = 400-4 V8
S = 454-4 V8
Z
1978-78 Model
D = 250 6Cyl
T = 292 6Cyl
U = 305 V8
L = 350-4 V8
R = 400-4 V8
S = 454-4 V8
Z = 350 Diesel
1979-79 Model
D = 250 6Cyl
T = 292 6Cyl
U = 305 V8
L = 350-4 V8
M = 350-2 V8
R = 400-4 V8
S = 454-4 V8
Z = 350 Diesel
1980-80 Model
D = 250 6Cyl
T = 292 6Cyl
G = 305 V8
L = 350-4 V8
M = 350-4 V8
R = 400-4 V8
S = 454-4 V8
* = 6000 lb and under GVWR.



C C L 1 4 8 Z 100327

Series


Chevrolet GMC
1 = 10 1 = 15 1/2 Ton
2 = 20 2 = 25 3/4 Ton
3 = 30 3 = 35 1 Ton
Chevrolet or GMC
4 = 1/2 Ton (HD Suspension)




C C L 1 4 8 Z 100327

Body Type


4 = Pickup




C C L 1 4 8 Z 100327

Year


3 = 1973 6 = 1976 9 = 1979
4 = 1974 7 = 1977 A = 1980
5 = 1975 8 = 1978




C C L 1 4 8 Z 100327

Assembly Plant


A = Lakewood S = St. Louis 1 = Oshawa
B = Baltimore V = Pontiac 5 = London, Canada
F = Flint T = Terrytown 8 = Shreveport
J = Janesville Z = Fremont




C C L 1 4 8 Z 100327

Build Sequence Number


327th unit produced, certain Flint models start with 100000
 

hey mister

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 15, 2024
Posts
213
Reaction score
563
Location
North Coast
First Name
Marty
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
350
7th digit in the vin.

1973-80 Vehicle ID Number (VIN)
All 1973-80 series 10 and 20 have a portion of the VIN number stamped on the engine and the transmission. This identification number consists of the division number, model year, assembly plant and the vehicle assembly sequence number. The VIN identification and Rating Plate is located attached to the left hand door pillar.
The examples below use the following VIN number: CCL148Z100327.


C C L 1 4 8 Z 100327

Division


C = Chevrolet
T = GMC




C C L 1 4 8 Z 100327

Chassis Type


C = 2 Wheel Drive
K = 4 Wheel Drive




C C L 1 4 8 Z 100327

Engine Description


1973-75 Model
Q = 250 6Cyl
T = 292 6Cyl
X = 307 V8
V = 350-2 V8
Y = 350-4 V8
U = 400-4 V8
Z = 454-4 V8*
1976-76 Model
D = 250 6Cyl
T = 292 6Cyl
Q = 305-2 V8
V = 350-2 V8
L = 350-4 V8
U = 400-4 V8
S = 454-4 V8*
1977-77 Model
D = 250 6Cyl
T = 292 6Cyl
U = 305 V8
L = 350-4 V8
R = 400-4 V8
S = 454-4 V8
Z
1978-78 Model
D = 250 6Cyl
T = 292 6Cyl
U = 305 V8
L = 350-4 V8
R = 400-4 V8
S = 454-4 V8
Z = 350 Diesel
1979-79 Model
D = 250 6Cyl
T = 292 6Cyl
U = 305 V8
L = 350-4 V8
M = 350-2 V8
R = 400-4 V8
S = 454-4 V8
Z = 350 Diesel
1980-80 Model
D = 250 6Cyl
T = 292 6Cyl
G = 305 V8
L = 350-4 V8
M = 350-4 V8
R = 400-4 V8
S = 454-4 V8
* = 6000 lb and under GVWR.



C C L 1 4 8 Z 100327

Series


Chevrolet GMC
1 = 10 1 = 15 1/2 Ton
2 = 20 2 = 25 3/4 Ton
3 = 30 3 = 35 1 Ton
Chevrolet or GMC
4 = 1/2 Ton (HD Suspension)




C C L 1 4 8 Z 100327

Body Type


4 = Pickup




C C L 1 4 8 Z 100327

Year


3 = 1973 6 = 1976 9 = 1979
4 = 1974 7 = 1977 A = 1980
5 = 1975 8 = 1978




C C L 1 4 8 Z 100327

Assembly Plant


A = Lakewood S = St. Louis 1 = Oshawa
B = Baltimore V = Pontiac 5 = London, Canada
F = Flint T = Terrytown 8 = Shreveport
J = Janesville Z = Fremont




C C L 1 4 8 Z 100327

Build Sequence Number


327th unit produced, certain Flint models start with 100000
This breakdown you listed...
Where can I find that so I can print it out.
None of my manuals has this...that I recall.
 

JamesSam

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2023
Posts
1,599
Reaction score
4,379
Location
VA
First Name
Sam
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
Silverado V10
Engine Size
5.7 L 350 v8
Awesome work here @hey mister Marty! I like the story on your trucks name. It would be really cool if the smiley face was replicated on the truck somewhere, tailgate or on the door. The VIN breakdowns are in the service manuals and LMC has something like it in the beginning of their catalogue as do other truck parts catalogues.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
44,124
Posts
949,790
Members
36,221
Latest member
cforbes
Top