1965/73 Cheap Build Up
 

I bought this 1965 C-20 Long Bed for $200.00. It needed a lot, but was in good shape. It came with a lot of chrome, and a new front chrome bumper, plus 8 lug mags. I couldn't pass up the deal. It had no bed on it, so I went looking for short bed step side, and found one from a 73 wrecked C-10. The 73 had a bent frame in the front. He hit a buss, and the damage was above the bumper, but still bent the frame near the power steering box. I bought the whole truck for $450.00. It has power brakes, power steering, disc brakes, 2 1/2" dropped spindles, power windows, locks, A/C a custom bench seat, and 15" & 16" Cragar SS Wheels. One in the front is bent. The rest cleaned up like new.

My plan is to convert the 65 Long Bed 3/4 ton to a Short Bed 1/2 ton. I don't like the coil springs in the back, so the 73 is a perfect donor. In the process of making it a short bed I will mate the 2 frames together, and end up with exactly what I want. A 1/2 ton step side short bed 1965 C-10

I just stripped the 73, and am going to use everything from the bumper bolts to the wiring harness.

Here's some pictures when I brought them home, before any work was done.

http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/443345345_t8b47-L.jpg

http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/443345252_H5U46-L.jpg

http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/443345654_4M3Qq-L.jpg

NOW THE HARD QUESTION IS. WHAT SHOULD I NAME IT ?? Half ass 65/73 ?.......LOL

Re: 1965/73 Cheap Build Up
 

Here's the 73 C-10

http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/468244105_4GG4z-L.jpg

http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/468244196_bCQbD-L.jpg

I cut most of the damage off.
http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/468244293_xKpxE-L.jpg

http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/468244221_EDq85-L.jpg

Re: 1965/73 Cheap Build Up
 

Re: 1965/73 Cheap Build Up
 

Thats a good lookin 65. Cant wait to see it come together.

Re: 1965/73 Cheap Build Up
 

Thanks. I have a lot of work ahead of me.

Re: 1965/73 Cheap Build Up
 

The first thing I did was order a white face sticker kit, and restored the gauges. Notice I turned the odometer back to 000000

http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/457666684_iadGr-L.jpg

Re: 1965/73 Cheap Build Up
 

Man, it looks like you have a great plan. Looks like you don't have much rust to deal with. :metal: Can't wait to see the build come along.

Re: 1965/73 Cheap Build Up
 

That looks cool. You gonna put the custom badgeing back on it?

Re: 1965/73 Cheap Build Up
 

Short bed 3/4 ton!

Slammed!

Re: 1965/73 Cheap Build Up
 

The only rust I have is near the front kick panel on the floor. Some one started the restoration, and the inner front fenders and front part of the frame is painted. I'll redo all that because it's not up to my standards. But at least it's already clean. Your Build Thread really inspired me to get going on it.

Re: 1965/73 Cheap Build Up
 

Thanks Jason. No, I'm going to shave everything.

Re: 1965/73 Cheap Build Up
 

Re: 1965/73 Cheap Build Up
 

We I finely took the cab off the 73, and stripped everything off the front of the frame. The engine & tranny, mounts, complete front suspension..
http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/470116884_MU8UH-L.jpg

http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/470116794_fXiBE-L.jpg

http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/470116329_qgx6J-L.jpg

http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/470116436_7KVrq-L.jpg

Re: 1965/73 Cheap Build Up
 

After I pressure washed the front end I leveled the frame front & rear on jack stands.

http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/470123036_SxHZu-L.jpg

http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/470122473_KQS7M-L.jpg

Re: 1965/73 Cheap Build Up
 

Next I organized everything I was going to use from the 73. This is what I started with. A pile of junk

http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/470121978_v64rV-L.jpg

I cleaned up some shelves and put the junk on them so I knew exactly what I had..

http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/470123402_T4zVf-L.jpg

http://belair.smugmug.com/gallery/69...252_qapcz-A-LB

Re: 1965/73 Cheap Build Up
 

The 350 has a 2 barrel on it. I scored a RPM Performer Edelbrock intake, a Chrome 2 piece timing chain cover, and a Camaro Tilt Column all for $150.00.The manifold looked almost new, and the timing cover is new. The column is tight with all the electrical on it. I can't believe I'm finding all these great deals.

http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/470116604_o9ano-L.jpg

http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/470122263_MLk6k-L.jpg

http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/470116521_SVNCS-L.jpg

Re: 1965/73 Cheap Build Up
 

I was going to mention, did you know some of these trucks came with leaf suspension in the rear? Mite not be too hard to find one.

I like that your bed is already the same color as the truck!:thumbs:


Cool stuff, cant wait to see what you come up with on this one.

Re: 1965/73 Cheap Build Up
 

I knew that. I was going to shorten the frame any way even If I didn't decide to go with leafs. Since I came across the deals on both trucks, I might as well.

Re: 1965/73 Cheap Build Up
 

Looks like a fun project. Is that a Lark convert I see in your shop?

Re: 1965/73 Cheap Build Up
 

Yes, a 63 Lark. I just finished a 63 Lark Wagon with a sliding rear roof. This customer owns both cars, and I doing the same things to the convertible as I did to the wagon. I installed a SB Chevy, Disc Brake conversion, rebuilt the front end, and a lot of other fabrication, and wiring. Did you notice the 55 Porsche 356?

Here's pictures of the Wagon., and Porsche. They are slowing me down on working on my truck, but I have to pay bills....LOL

http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/468250062_DaQAy-L.jpg
http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/468250093_57HJS-L.jpg
http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/468250112_xZ8Mc-L.jpg

Next week I have a 59 Ford Panel Truck coming in for a steering column.

Re: 1965/73 Cheap Build Up
 

Right on! Milwaukee, sawzall blade division, thanx you!!!!!:lol:

Re: 1965/73 Cheap Build Up
 

:haha:

Re: 1965/73 Cheap Build Up
 

I got more done today. I cut the frame off the 73, and I think I will cut it in a different place than I did. I'm going to cut it further back where it is straight..


http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/470899340_kxnry-L.jpg
http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/470899399_eqBxL-L.jpg
http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/470899524_NhCQh-L.jpg
http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/470899603_HLnUc-L.jpg

Re: 1965/73 Cheap Build Up
 

Then I brought the 65 into the shop, and started taking the body off.

http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/470899826_idhkn-L.jpg
http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/470899877_4g2bz-L.jpg
http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/470899920_HVLsw-L.jpg

Re: 1965/73 Cheap Build Up
 

I took the body off all by my self. Look how I did it without the lift.

First I jacked up the cab, and put jack stands under it. Then I took the front wheels off for
clearance, and with the floor jack I wheeled it back.
http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/470899956_8Qmu3-L.jpg
http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/470899994_4tybA-L.jpg
http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/470900065_cJ3rP-L.jpg
http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/470900032_xKJQt-L.jpg

Re: 1965/73 Cheap Build Up
 

There it is.

http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/470900135_5TcBf-L.jpg

I put the wheels back on so it rolls. Here it is under the 73 frame. This is where I decided to cut the frame in a different place. Back a little where it's straighter.
http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/470900217_RN23f-L.jpg

Re: 1965/73 Cheap Build Up
 

I lowered the body a little at a time so I could get dollies under it. With the hand truck I can wheel it around. I need to go to Harbor Freight to get 2 more dollies.

http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/470900095_Gwgk4-L.jpg
http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/470900182_GDk5V-L.jpg

Notice the doors are closed. It's friggin Raining, snowing, and hailing out side.

http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/470900320_aegda-L.jpg

Here it's going to sit for a while until I get the frame welded back together.

http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/470900264_23p3v-L.jpg

Re: 1965/73 Cheap Build Up
 

nice work!
and I dig your shop!

Re: 1965/73 Cheap Build Up
 

Thanks!!

Re: 1965/73 Cheap Build Up
 

Today I pressure washed the frames, and began to measure measure for
the cut. I thought cutting it at an angle would work, but it didn't. So I
cut it at a 90 degrees. I decided to slip the 2 sections together instead
of but welding together, and welding gussets at the seam. It worked
GREAT, and is very strong this way.

After I decided to slip them together with the front part of the frame be cut at a angle. See it just didn't look right.

http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/472087022_2TDuo-L.jpg

So I cut a 90 degree, and slipped them together again.
To make them fit snug I heated the lower part of the rail and
hammered them down to open it up. I also used a ratched tie down
to squeese the front frame together which made it move in & out
better to get the measurement correct. Now the front frame slips
in real nice. I measured the cab mounts to get the correct length
when they are joined. Next I leveled both frames, and crossed
measured to make sure they are square.

http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/472086963_S2cit-L.jpg
The frame still didn't fit tight against each other, so I drilled a hole
through the frame where the didn't fit good. Then I bolted them tight.
This pulled them together. Then I hammered the bottom up tight again to
fit close to the inside frame.

http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/472087264_EpK9D-L.jpg

Here it is together, but not welded yet. With both sides drilled &
bolted it's real sturdy. Even lifting it on the lift it stayed put.
When I let it back down I remesured, and it didn't move at all.

http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/472087321_dVtjn-L.jpg

Next I'll put the cab & bed on to check the fit. If it isn't right I can still move it.Then I'll weld it.

Re: 1965/73 Cheap Build Up
 

Nice progress.:metal: I love your shop.

Re: 1965/73 Cheap Build Up
 

Thanks Allan.
Got more done today.

I moved the cab over to the lift. So I could lower it onto the frame.
http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/472668379_5y59c-L.jpg

http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/472668422_SkrKE-L.jpg

http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/472668455_kGxD6-L.jpg

I needed to see how it would fit with the frame just bolted together.

Re: 1965/73 Cheap Build Up
 

It didn't sit level with the frame. I'm going to channel the rear of the cab to make it right.
http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/472668564_EXaz9-L.jpg

Re: 1965/73 Cheap Build Up
 

Mean while I saw that the cab trial fit was good. So I lifted the cab off, and rolled the frame out to do the final welding.
First I leveled, and remeasured. Then I started to weld it.

http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/472668714_uqrXb-L.jpg

I took advantage of the holes, and welded them up through the front frame that I slipped into the rear frame.

http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/472087164_nvtdb-L.jpg
http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/472668826_kh6CL-L.jpg

Re: 1965/73 Cheap Build Up
 

Where exactly is your union of the 2 frames? Is it anywhere near the cab mounts?

Where you cut them, if you wanted, how easy would it have been to shorten the wheel base?

Love your shop too! :metal:


Edit: Sorry, we posted at a similar time. I see your mounts. :) Second question still stands.

Re: 1965/73 Cheap Build Up
 

Here's what it looks like all cleaned up. I tried to hide where I joined the frames together, and make it look as clean as possible, and very strong. Notice I welded the holes and ground them smooth.


http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/472668772_xX6tt-L.jpg
http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/472668894_4RJTK-L.jpg
I have to put the frame back on the lift to weld the bottom. Next I have to modify the rear cab so it fits level.

I'm want to paint the frame ASAP. but after I clean up the rest of it.

Re: 1965/73 Cheap Build Up
 

It would be easy to shorten the stock frame. Mine was complicated because of the years I joined together. Normally I would butt the frames together, and gusset them for strength. Like I shortened this S-10 frame to put under a 47 Studebaker Truck. This is a picture before I made the gussets that would sandwich the butt welds. You can make a long bed into a short bed this way. Cut behind the cab though. Make sure your wheels are positioned in the center of the bed wheel wells when you measure.


http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/184540660_CLhHe-L.jpg
http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/184541002_b4qjU-L.jpg

Re: 1965/73 Cheap Build Up
 

BTW Thanks everybody for the complements on my shop. I walk 90 ft to work from my back yard. I love it.

http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/191158828_rn2g6-L.jpg

The floor still looks good here. The more work I do the more the floor gets screwed up. OH WELL.

http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/191156457_asYEm-L.jpg

Good thing I walk to work. I wouldn't have made it if I had to drive.....:lol:

http://belair.smugmug.com/photos/438632122_pFio8-L.jpg

Re: 1965/73 Cheap Build Up
 

I have to say 'nice shop' also. Thats cool how the frames fit together like they did. Nice work.

Re: 1965/73 Cheap Build Up
 

:agree:
you do restos/customs for a living?