1971 C50 Swap Project
 

This is what I started with. A 71 C50, with a 350, 4speed and 2 speed rear end.

Re: 1971 C50 Swap Project
 

After owning it a while I wanted to makes some improvements and take care of some problems.

Things to fix/improve:

Leaking brake cylinders
Leaking master cylinder
Widowmaker split rims
20 tires with tubes
Smelly gas tank behind seat
Rearend with very low gears
Bad clutch
No power steering

Re: 1971 C50 Swap Project
 

Then I came across this donor truck for a fair price. A 1988 GMC 7000

With the following:

8.2 Turbo Detroit Diesel (not a desirable motor, oh well)
10 speed Eaton Fuller Transmission
4.88 rear end
22.5 steel wheels
Tubeless tires
Air brakes
Power steering
2 50 gal fuel tanks

So.....The swap began!!!

Re: 1971 C50 Swap Project
 

Does the '88 7000 actually have a Fuller 10-Speed Road Ranger Trans? If it does, I've never seen one in a Medium Duty truck of that type.

Bill

Re: 1971 C50 Swap Project
 

Bill,

Yes it does, when I first saw it didn't think it could be so.

Re: 1971 C50 Swap Project
 

My brother n law has a truck just like the one you are starting with that he hauls hay with on the farm ,same color even .Im in for this one .

Re: 1971 C50 Swap Project
 

Pretty interesting. Cool Truck really. Air Brakes and all.

Bill

Re: 1971 C50 Swap Project
 

The teardown begins.........

Re: 1971 C50 Swap Project
 

This is going to be a cool truck.

Re: 1971 C50 Swap Project
 

what truck? I thought this was about a girl....

Re: 1971 C50 Swap Project
 

She can ride along too.

Re: 1971 C50 Swap Project
 

Pics of it coming together.

Re: 1971 C50 Swap Project
 

Front wheels stick out until I make the 8 inch cut to the front axle.


Flat67

Re: 1971 C50 Swap Project
 

Before you cut the Front Axle, you may want to consider going with the Wide Fenders, found on some C-60's with the Heavy Front Axle. They should interchange with no problem. You would also need the Wider Running Boards as well.

I'm really not a fan of converstions, but that Front Axle looks pretty cool under there. I also like the idea of a 10-Speed RR Trans in C-50.

Bill

Re: 1971 C50 Swap Project
 

Retro look with the later model running gear with great components, possibly except for the engine............... But they're stingy on fuel. The transmission is worth as much as the engine, maybe more !

Did you have to cut the firewall to clear the turbo and exhaust pipe /

Re: 1971 C50 Swap Project
 

Couldn't you use a C70 type fender? Would it be bolt on??

Re: 1971 C50 Swap Project
 

They are the ones I am referring to. The hardest part would be to find a nice set.

Bill

Re: 1971 C50 Swap Project
 

Here is a good example of the Fenders.

Last set of pictures, post #356:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...306565&page=15

Bill

Re: 1971 C50 Swap Project
 

Bill, like you said, the wide fenders are very rare and they would probably be all rusted. Those sample pics are a great examples though. Also, I like my original paint too much and I don't want to alter that.

Re: 1971 C50 Swap Project
 

Mr. Junk

No cuts were made to the fire wall. It was a snug fit though.

Flat67

Re: 1971 C50 Swap Project
 

More pics......I got it running.

Re: 1971 C50 Swap Project
 

Motor is snug, but fits in there.

Re: 1971 C50 Swap Project
 

Boy, it takes a few air lines to run these air brakes. I had to number them as to not get them confused. They came out ok, they work just great.

Re: 1971 C50 Swap Project
 

That was quick ,I like it .

Re: 1971 C50 Swap Project
 

That 88 GMC 7000 looks just like my 79 but mine had 453T jake brake and 5 and 2. I really miss that truck.