Call me crazy!
 

So a few months ago I sold my 04 silverado with 70k miles on it (daily driver) to buy myself my beautiful '65 C10. Been doing some work to it and it's coming along. I have now been driving her to work everyday and I'm finding that I'm really missing the comfort of my newer truck. A 3rd car to commute just isn't an option for us. I am really starting to think of getting rid of my Betty and just getting a newer truck again! Part of it is the impatience of getting the stuff done to my 65 that I want and part of me thinks I'll never be able to get to drive as comfortable and as nice as a newer truck. I come on here and see what you guys have done to some of your rides and it gives me both hope and depresses me all at the same time. I really need to decide what to do and weight out my pros and cons and I figured I'd ask all of you. Help me out guys!!
Please?!!!!
My truck is 65 LB fleet side
350 rebuilt-40k miles
700r trans
Power steering
Power-disk brakes
So far I've swapped out the door stops with the jeep ones to make it nicer.
Cut out all the cancer and have re welded steal to replace it.
Swapped ugly farm rims with glossy black powder coated smoothies, new beauty rings, and original style hubcaps. Got thin white walls for her feet.
I bought her a new chrome bumper, 2" drop spring/shrinks for front and 4" drop springs/shocks/shock relocators for rear-yet to be installed.
Got her rear adjustable traction bar and front sway bar.
Got her a 9+3 "Rebel Wire" wiring harness to install on her as well.
So that's what I've done in the last 3 months I've owned her. Worried about the rain when that comes. Old school windshield wipers are pathetic, the holes on the floor for cutting the rust out make it absolutely freezing in the mornings.....so on, and so on. I know...I sound like a whiny b@?ch but those are my thoughts. Thanks in advance guys!

Re: Call me crazy!
 

Dude, we have almost all been through the whole " God did I really do this" thought pattern.

I would take me a weeks vacation and get the patches fixed and get the heater working. with the newer truck, it was nice to jump in a go, but with your current truck, months down the road you will be pleased to say you did the work. chin up my friend, you will get her there soon enough.

Re: Call me crazy!
 

Really? I thought I was te only one. Felt like a chump for feeling that way. Makes it harder that I'm having to buy a lot o the tools and having to learn since I've never down this before. Meanwhile, driving it everyday. Them just when I think I've done something cool to it I see someone on here who has taken everything down to the frame, sandblasted, powder coated everything and put it all back together with pics on their build thread and I feel overwhelmed because I wanna do that too!!!! Thanks for the reply. Makes me feel like I'm not alone!

Re: Call me crazy!
 

Nope, you are NOWHERE near alone!! Good luck, and post some pics!!

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How it looked when I bought it

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Where I'm at with her now

Re: Call me crazy!
 

Nice ride!!

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Another one

Re: Call me crazy!
 

Thanks man!

Re: Call me crazy!
 

Looking good! Can we get a better pic of the wheel tire combo? What caps?
You are not alone...I drive a 50 Suburban every day until I bought the 65 to fix up for the wife. I'm driving it now as I do repairs. People ask why I drive a 60's truck everyday and my response is " because its 15 years newer than the one I normally drive" !

Re: Call me crazy!
 

most guys here have a daily driver that is comfortable and they keep their project truck in the garage or out back under tarps. drive the classic on nice days or to shows. get to work in the dependable one. you said that a 3rd vehicle for work wasn't an option and thats the rub. the only way to total happiness is with a say, late nineties silverado for work and parts running. pretty cheap ride nowadays. plus, keep your beauty out back and make all the upgrades you dream about, slowly as you can afford it. makes for a perfect world... or at least, thats how i see it. keep your old truck... its a nice one.

Re: Call me crazy!
 

Thanks guys. I hear ya. My friend told me
"Keep the classic. You can always get a newer car. It'll be easier to sell your wife on the fact that u need a newer car in a few years, but if u get rid of the classic it'll be a lot harder to get another one as nice later"
Sounded good. That guy is not into cars at all tho. Hard to take advise from someone who doesn't care and drives a two week old crew cab!

Re: Call me crazy!
 

Sure! Wheel is 15x8 all the way around. 6 lug stock. Chevy bow tie dog dishes from "the truck shop" in orange California and beauty rings. Wheels are......I know I know, hankooks! Hankook-optimo H724 p235/75/r15
They looked good and were cheap compared to some of the other white walls. Been happy with them so far. Got them locally on sale at Americas discount tire store for $80 a piece!

Re: Call me crazy!
 

My next plan for her was to lower her next week. I think the 2" front and 4" drop rear will be enough to level her out and give her a good stance while still being able to haul? Right? I was gonna pull the bed off to do that. While with it off I figured I would pressure wash the frame and rattle can it for now. Just to tidy up and prevent rusting somewhat without going crazy. While I had the bed off I thought of strapping in the 69 camaro gas tank guys have done here to eventually move the tank out of the cab.

Re: Call me crazy!
 

Domino effect!

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I have had the wirin harness for two months now and am very intimidated to start it an not be able to drive to work cause I didn't do it right!! Never done anything like that before!!

Re: Call me crazy!
 

In todays world of commuting to and from work you need a new/newer vehicle for sure! Just the other day coming home was like Nascar! People in front of me slamming on their brakes and the guy behind me almost touching my rear bumper and lets not forget about the person beside me sending a text through their steering wheel. I would not want to be in any of my classics!! If you have to sell your 65 I get it! I'll support your decision either way.

Re: Call me crazy!
 

The hard part was that I waited for years to be able to do this. I finally found one that had te exact drive train I wanted. All the "hard stuff" was done, and done well. To get rid of it is tough. I bought this from the original owner, now 75. He had the original manual, protecto plate, and even the temporary registration from the dealer in 65 that he gave me! It still has the tape from them sticking it on the window!

Re: Call me crazy!
 

Prior to last year, I've never worked on a car before. Within six months of owning my C10 I had to replace the flexplate, starter, engine mounts, reposition the cross member for the trans, create an emergency brake. I'd sit there and go "what the frick did I get myself into?" Thoughts of just getting rid of the truck constantly ran through my head.

Now she's my daily driver and you know what, I'll find myself taking the long way home because I so enjoy driving that truck. And when the Allman Brothers come on the radio ... everything just seems right. I don't know what it is, but what it lacks in modern convenience, it makes up in character. That's all I need.

Re: Call me crazy!
 

find some kind of beater to drive to work and get your dream built the way you want it..if you get rid of her you will NEVER live it down ...how many people looked at your old ride and said wow or even noticed it?? i bet heads turn and they say look at that when you drive a 65???? Do you notice the 2012 what ever cookie cutter driving down the street next to you or do you see the vintage what ever driving half a mile ahead of you and say wow.... HUMMM ???? think about that..

Re: Call me crazy!
 

True and true! Thanks JT and ACK.
ACK sounds like you are like me. I get thumbs up on this thing every time I drive it

Re: Call me crazy!
 

why did I read this quote this way???

lol.. nice looking truck, the only issue with the older trucks in winter is the defrost is usually not as good as newer ones.. I could live with everything else..

Re: Call me crazy!
 

I agree with most in that you'd kill yourself with regret for getting rid of a truck you have put blood, sweat and tears into. Years ago I bought a 10-yr old Honda Civic to commute with, just to avoid putting heavy mileage on a newer truck I had. I bought it for $2800, drove it for 2 years, sold it for $2700. There are cheap and reliable options out there for you to stay in this truck.

Re: Call me crazy!
 

I'm sure everyone will have their opinion here but here's mine -

If you really love it hush up and get to work! You don't need no sissy post 70's truck! We all whine about our babies from time to time, but you know what? We all whine about our wives too and guess who's warm bum we're snuggled up next to every night? Happily. :lol:

First, I'd plug the dang holes. It's winter time and if you're like me you don't move much after it drops below 60 degrees. I'd pull it in the garage, slap some tack welds on the sheetmetal you bought in one or two places, caulk it and call it a day till spring. Then I'd rip it all off in 2 seconds and get started fixing it right.

If the heater's on the fritz (and I had no other ride at ALL) I'd pull the heater core and figure out what's going on there, assuming it's blowing.

As for the wipers, yeah they're slower than what you're used to. Allow extra drive time when it's raining and don't out run them.

Other than that I'd hunker down and pull through the winter, then get back on it in spring. Take the pressure off by quick-fixing things now to get you through what the experts are saying is going to be an nasty, awful winter. And be safe!

That's my 2 cents. But I don't know anything ;)
I was exactly where you are a year ago.


Good luck!:metal:



EDIT: I forgot to add this up front. If for some reason you don't absolutely LOVE her, let her go to someone that will and get a newer one. You can pick up a 70's truck later on maybe, but you won't make yourself miserable for nothing. Remember what I said though, you have to LOVE her to keep her, because just like a woman she'll step on your toes from time to time just to test your mettle :)

Re: Call me crazy!
 

this right here!!!!

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You guys rule!! Thanks for thinking me a dumb a$&! I really appreciate all the encouragement. Damn it I haven't even driven her in a cruise or gone to a show with her yet. This baby needs a chance. Gonna keep plugging on with her and push for a beater commuter honda in a few months. Thanks you guys. U don't know how much this has helped!! This forum and it's members are the bomb!

Re: Call me crazy!
 

hey if i ever get back toward Nixonville ill have to look you up im only 1 1/2 hrs away

Re: Call me crazy!
 

Hang in there fizzle , You've got a better driver than mine with you having power steering etc. Get the drop springs and sway bar in and you'll cruising a lot more comfortable.
Mines stock 230 3 on tree I put air bags under and that alone made it more user friendly. Btw mine is a daily driver and yes I've questioned myself about this but when I look under the hood of a modern vehicle it scares the **** out of me $$$ if something goes wrong.

Re: Call me crazy!
 

It's a cool truck! I would keep it, many people; especially on here have sold there's and regret it...so think carefully!:lol:

Re: Call me crazy!
 

You guys nailed it! Already ha a long convo with the wifey tonight and we are getting a small mid 90's commuter little Toyota or Nissan pu!!! Thanks u guys. @JT hit me up dog! My inlaws have a condo in palm desert and we are there at least once a month and we camp in Joshua tree every now and then ! We should hook up! I'll bring u some of my moonshine!!

Re: Call me crazy!
 

Good thing you came to your senses. A while back my wife made me sell my 2dr Hoe and regret it. But guess what I found this 86 and made her a deal on a new vehicle for her and she bought it. I just didn't tell her when the new vehicle was coming. lmao. . . .

Re: Call me crazy!
 

As I read this thread from the beginning tonight, I was saying to myself, "This guy needs a compact truck for running around so he can keep the classic nice," Good deal, I love a happy ending. (And I love my filthy Tachoma too)

Re: Call me crazy!
 

Lol

Re: Call me crazy!
 

I have the small truck and it was fine at first but squeezing my 6'5" frame into an S10 is starting to suck. Driving my 65 Jimmy when its done and it will never be done because there is always an upgrade. It will be more pleasurable for me and one thing for sure if I get hit from the front or rear I know the damage will be slight compared to that of my S10. Fo your starting with a nice truck and your adding to it, they have aftermarket windshield wiper conversions and its it too cold in Cali put on a hoody lol like its ever cold down where your at. Eastwood sells a dynamat type product that if you only have rubber floormats will be easy to install underneath it. If you want better gas mileage change out the rear gears or when you get more experience do the 5.3 or 6.0 swap.

There is always a way to improve things...