Project Green Bean '74 C10 to K10
 

Project "Green Bean". My buddy bought this with his son who lost interest, so he made me a deal and I am going to carry the torch with my youngest son Henry. It will be a budget build, where we make systems new and reliable, and fix or replace anything that's broken, do rust repair, but not a full cosmetic restoration.

She's a '74 C10 long bed with low mileage from the original owner here in Missouri, even came with the original title. At first glance it looks like a rusty parts truck, but it is a very good builder. First off, the color and patina are amazing. The cab has no rust except a few holes on one cab corner and couple little firewall spots. The important stuff - floors, supports, rockers, are all good! The bed floor and tailgate are amazing. There is rust over the rear wheels. The right front fender is wasted, as are the inners, and left lower. All fix-able rust, nothing crazy. The interior is original un-molested with a very nice seat, and dealer add-on AC.

Henry said he liked 4x4 better so a little Marketplace search got me an already painted and gone-through rolling 1979 chassis for $1,000. Saturday we swapped the body over to the chassis on brand new mounts and hardware. The old cab bolts zipped right out and somehow I managed to set the cab down perfectly on the "new" chassis without an adjustment. It was all too easy, I hope the whole truck goes that way. We got a hand lifting the bed and front clip on this morning, and voila, it's now a 4x4.

What's next? Fuel system - parts are in transit; a new fuel tank, sender and high pressure pump assembly, regulator and lines. Then I will complete the brakes and start the drivetrain swap. I have ordered both front and rear high humps new from AMD to take care of the floor clearance problem. I want to get this mechanically squared away before cosmetics.

I have a complete 5.3L at home. I'm going to pair that with a fresh 700r4 and NP208.

Re: Project Green Bean '74 C10 to K10
 

First stop, chassis swap

Re: Project Green Bean '74 C10 to K10
 

Looking good, needs a bath and everything else lol!

Re: Project Green Bean '74 C10 to K10
 

Cool project. That green is going to look nice when cleaned up. Looks like the hood bend is fixable.

Re: Project Green Bean '74 C10 to K10
 

Thanks, yep I ordered some LS fab stiffeners...but just in case I found a literal twin hood yesterday and went on an adventure to retrieve it. Same color, patina, no bend!

Re: Project Green Bean '74 C10 to K10
 

Very nice! I really like the color combo on this truck, the saddle interior with the green is awesome. Now I have a hankering for an early square-body!

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Thanks! Question, what do you think the truck would look like with the upper and lower trim and woodgrain down the middle?

My long term vision would be this and the same wheels I have on my '79.

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Like this, but longer! Not quite the same green. I think it would be awesome with the wood grain.

A few woodgrainers in this thread https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=789782

Re: Project Green Bean '74 C10 to K10
 

I like it the way it is....;)

Re: Project Green Bean '74 C10 to K10
 

if you can swing it...I would keep it green and add the woodgrain in the middle. Nice job all around

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With or without wood grain would be cool
Overall I think Its a cool truck as is.

Re: Project Green Bean '74 C10 to K10
 

Awesome project, I am doing the same exact thing to a Shamrock
green 79 c10 to k10 conversion.
Where did you get the body mounts? Part number?

Thanks!

Re: Project Green Bean '74 C10 to K10
 

Thanks for the cheers fellas!

1972CST I used the Brothers Kit 04-203 from Holley. Looks like Holley sells it on amazon for the same price ($107). It was very good quality and complete. There are some differences 2wd/4wd, long/short 73-80 and 81-up that I was fretting but this worked perfectly.

Re: Project Green Bean '74 C10 to K10
 

Fuel system completely done. New tank hangers and hardware, a new '87 TBI short bed fuel tank on the passenger where the filler neck is, a TBI sending unit, and an AC Delco EP381 pump all out to a corvette filter regulator. The pump and regulator came from Ebay as a kit, cheap (knock on wood). I also got the fuel line kit off Ebay that came with 3/8 fuel rated hose, and a buttload of AN fittings and adapters. So far it was all quality, and we know how unnecessarily expensive AN fittings can be. I did have to drill two holes for the rear tank mount since I put a short bed tank on a longbed frame. I will have to source a returnless fuel rail for the 5.3 manifold but that shouldn't be a big deal. I used the 16 gallon tank to make a future short bed conversion that much simpler...if I choose to go that route. I also have a 20 gallon tank if I decide not to and want more room.

Re: Project Green Bean '74 C10 to K10
 

Brake booster and master cylinder mounted. I was overthinking the top two studs which are not present on a manual brake truck. In the end I just drilled holes and used bolts which is easy access in the cowl vent area. I removed the manual pedal and sourced a power pedal. Hopefully that goes in easy and the rod I have for the brake booster fits up and adjusts without issues. Then it just needs a bleed and the brakes will be functional.

Re: Project Green Bean '74 C10 to K10
 

The power brake pedal arrived, in great condition. I put a new pad on (so satisfying) and a correct adjustable master cylinder rod and rod end. The rod mount is about 1" lower than the manual pedal, so with the change to a power booster the brake system should now have a factory function and feel. I will have to transfer and slightly modify the brake switch bracket.

Re: Project Green Bean '74 C10 to K10
 

Great progress!
Will you be putting in a high hump?

Re: Project Green Bean '74 C10 to K10
 

I have both front and rear, new humps from AMD. I will if necessary, would be happy if not though. Will know soon!

Re: Project Green Bean '74 C10 to K10
 

Had a big week. It's slow at my shop, I would prefer not to be tinkering in my bays but February is always like this. I cleaned up the 5.3 donor, put it all back together and dropped her in! A few parts that made this happen; 2010 Camaro 6.2 water pump, kwik performance idler relocation kit, ebay engine mounts, amazon fuel return block off (with gauge port), ebay $120 manifolds (perfect fit and very impressed for the price).

Re: Project Green Bean '74 C10 to K10
 

The next big hurdle was mating up the 700r4, np208, adapter and Tejas Steelworks crossmember. In theory it should have gone smoothly and it did. I used an LS swap adapter flywheel and snout extension, stock mount, slid the engine back another half inch and she was perfectly at home. No clearance issues at all, except for about 1/2" on the floor. It could be worked around, but I was prepared to cut the hump, so I did. Cut it clean 1" from the new humps from AMD and installed 5/16 nutserts. Came out clean, and I am tired!!! I guess this means Green Bean is officialy a 4x4.

Re: Project Green Bean '74 C10 to K10
 

I need to give a shout out to Tejas Steelworks. This crossmember was a life saver, and very well fabricated. I have also ordered a fan shroud and ECM mount from him, and he is great to deal with. He also has a very comprehensive square body LS swap guide. https://tejassteelworks.com/

Re: Project Green Bean '74 C10 to K10
 

Looks great, that's going to be nice with the new motor

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Clean work, gonna be a nice install!
What's the advantage to running the Camaro water pump with the Truck alternator and power steering pump?

Re: Project Green Bean '74 C10 to K10
 

Thanks!

Thanks! Several advantages. The 2010+ Camaro 6.2 shares the same spacing as the truck accessories, so the water pump is a perfect fit and it has a built-in tensioner. It puts the inlet and outlet in better positions than the truck pump, makes hose routing and selection easier and it fits perfectly for a stock 1987 454 radiator. I can also run my air intake over to the passenger side, and relocate the battery tray to driver's side easily. You have to relocate the idler pulley ($40 kit) and cut part of the truck bracket off where the alternator is. Another benefit is you can easily run the LS1 intake.

It has been slow in my shop, which is not great because we need bays full of customer cars, but I have the rare opportunity to work on my own stuff, so my shop foreman and I have been knocking out details like crazy. I thought it would take me months to find the time, but I am pretty close being ready to fire this engine. I checked on my harness and it is supposed to ship next week.

One little setback, I removed the cover to the rear differential and it did have clean fluid, but the pinion backlash is unacceptable (really bad) and the whole thing is super sloppy and it's an open diff. I'm going to remove the unit and take it to my diff shop, maybe put a locker in it.

Check out the exhaust downpipes I bought from CPP specifically for LS square body swaps. They fit perfectly.

Of course all of this is done with the careful oversight of Rookie the shop dog.

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More progress! The list is getting shorter. While waiting on parts for tedious stuff, I disassembled the front clip and replaced the core support, inner fenders, and hood hinges. There was so much rust, crust, and debris in there it was a real mess. The support top panel and various brackets are sent out for powder coating. The left front fender is in great shape, but the right front is wasted on the lowers and upper lip. I tried hanging a new "premium OEM quality" fender from Classic Parts and it was laughable. The two top tabs were almost 2" from each other...insane. I am hoping to graft that patina original with the new fender soon to eliminate the rust. Also found the headlight harness is in good condition just needs some cleaning and new loom.

I got the NP208 shifter mounted in the new hump and cleaned, greased, positioned and adjusted. It shifts smooth and I love the shift pattern ball. I will be putting a boot over this instead of the ugly plastic box.

I relocated the battery box to the driver's side, and found out that the tray they send with that is in fact a right side tray so it took some cutting and welding to make it correct.

Next stop is cooling system assembly, which is waiting on some parts from LMC. Then it's the wiring harness and the rest is tedious details. It won't be long before we fire this up.

Re: Project Green Bean '74 C10 to K10
 

The brake pedal swap wasn't straight-forward at all. First the rod end on the booster is metric but the brake pedal end is SAE. And the pushrod on the manual and auto pedal have different ID's on the eyelet. So after some head-scratching I ordered some metric couplers and welded one end to the rod, which I had to enlarge the hole on. Phew, thought that was a pain. Then I realized my brake switch was still a good 1" from engagement...so I adapted the bracket with an adjustable "stop". Problem solved, brakes now work and feel like factory power brake system.

Re: Project Green Bean '74 C10 to K10
 

Your making all this look easy... great progress!!

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Thanks! It takes more brain energy / thought time getting the details figured than it does working time IMO.

Radiator and cooling fans are in. Stock 1987 454 radiator with two 1250cfm SPAL fans, stock cooler lines for a 700r4 K10, one hose is corvette and the other Camaro. I put a fitting in the un-used heater outlet for the LS steam vent. And how about that Tejas Steelworks fan shroud and their PCM fender mount!

TV cable for the 700r4 is done, it took some head scratching and math. But after I modified the stock 5.3 throttle bracket to accept the square boss on the cable it all came together. I flipped the arm on the throttle body that went to I don't know what on the stock truck but fits the cable end perfectly. The trick was matching up the TV cable pull length with the throttle. Then going through several throttle cables to get the correct configuration. I am happy with the outcome.

I am almost completely out of details...need to get the air intake figured. The custom engine harness should arrive tomorrow, I'm hoping to see this run by Friday. It won't be able to go anywhere though pending the rear differential rebuild (it's still out).

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The harness arrived today and has been approved by my assistant so naturally the shop is extremely busy and I am pushing my junk out to the back row while we work on the important stuff...money makers not money takers!

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Well, we did the initial engine fire and she runs and sounds great, came to life with a flick of the key no hesitation. I have a couple of loose ends before I can let it run to operating temp, check for leaks and such. I am also still missing my rear end so I threw a junk unit under there so I could mount wheels and roll it out. Speaking of wheels...I am in love with these US Mag Indy U101 in 17x9. With the BFG K02's in 35's of course, white letters out per square body law. Give me a few days and I'll have a running/driving video update! And check out this minty tailgate.

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I am dying to get it outside and washed up.

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Looks good! :metal:

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Nice!!!

Re: Project Green Bean '74 C10 to K10
 

Thanks!

I am so close to whipping this thing down the road I can taste it. The rear differential is done, it ended up needing a new gear set and of course the new posi unit. It already had new bearings and seals, saved a couple dollars there. After bolting that up, I realized that my driveshaft should have had a conversion u-joint on it so I am waiting on that to be done.

In the meantime I threw a rear bumper on and took some "glamor shots". I also picked up the powder coated front brackets and such to put the grill back together. It still hasn't been cleaned except me wiping down a few spots.

Tomorrow, after the driveshaft is installed, I will haul her down to the exhaust shop so that can be completed and then we can plug in the o2 sensors and do some test driving.

Re: Project Green Bean '74 C10 to K10
 

Big day for Green Bean. Also, I ordered some 5" blocks for the rear, instead of 4", I think it needs to come up a hair. Don't want anyone confusing me with them squatted truck boys.

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My exhaust guy is the best, he also has a few cool old trucks. I said make it like the '70's...he says I was there man, I got you! Pair of turbo mufflers and skinny rolled tips straight out the back. It is relatively quiet, sounds like an old man truck. I doubt anyone would guess LS swap based on anything about the look or sound.

Re: Project Green Bean '74 C10 to K10
 

Aw hell that looks great! :metal:

Re: Project Green Bean '74 C10 to K10
 

Looks great! As an aside, we bought a house in MO, just outside of Laurie, MO. Won't be there permanently for some time though :)

Re: Project Green Bean '74 C10 to K10
 

Beautiful!

Re: Project Green Bean '74 C10 to K10
 

Thank you sir :two:

Congrats! The lake life! There is a nice little cruise / show at Osage Beach. Welcome to Missouri.

Hat's off :metal:

I brought the truck home Friday after the exhaust shop so I could re-assemble the front end with some freshly powder-coated parts. That was very satisfying. There is something about a clean core support and everything associated with that. All the lights work as well! I also did the wamrods hinge strut conversion, that is pretty slick.

I dedided to take it for a maiden voyage...and there is still a lot of work to do. Probably clogged injectors from sitting, and the whole truck sounds like it's rattling apart, chassis and body. Ughhh I dislike the shakedown phase!