1964 C10, Air ride conversion/Overdrive - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Spec_Dragon · 04-27-2006, 02:18 PM

I have a 1964 C10 that was stored in a garage for over 30 years by my Grandfather. I have done my best to keep it original but I want to do two things to it. One, I am looking for an overdrive unit. The three on the tree works fine but 3rd gear maxes out about 65 @ 3000RPM. In Texas that will get you run over. The second thing is the old coil springs are well past any useful load carrying capacity, not that I do any hauling with the original wood bed but the old girl squats and it is getting worse. I have seen advertisements of air ride systems to replace all the coil’s front and rear. Does anybody have any experience with these systems or have a better idea. I could go back to the factory springs but an air ride has a great appeal to me. This truck has been in my family since it drove off the showroom floor in Republic Missouri. I even have the original bill of sale. I started driving it in 1992 after Gramp’s went into a nursing home with 42K on it. She has been driven sparingly since then. I want to keep it as original as possible. The 235, 6cyl was rebuilt due to valve seat problems in Jan 2006. Other than that, nothing else has been touched baring normal maintenance. And I will answer this question before I am asked, I know it will.

101,753 miles as of 4/27/2006

Any sources or ideas will be welcomed. Pictures when I find my camera.

kwkenuf · 04-27-2006, 04:35 PM

A million miles? I'd hate to think how many miles it would have on it if you didn't drive it "sparingly"

rodnok1 · 04-27-2006, 06:11 PM

There are several manual overdrive trans available, none too cheap to retrofit. A gearvendors add on OD is also expensive. Changing the rear gears to a better highway gear of 3:08 or 3:43 would be cheaper/easier.
If you want to keep the truck original just replace the coil springs.

Spec_Dragon · 04-27-2006, 08:29 PM

Ok, put to many numbers in it.... Corrected milage.

Spec_Dragon · 04-27-2006, 08:31 PM

rodnok1, I was looking for a parts truck to scavenge from. I know the new stuff is way out there. Thanks for the info.

jgrh64 · 05-02-2006, 08:25 PM

once in a great while you can find an old 3 spd OD at a swap meet ,not sure what it would take to install but would look like it could have come with the truck

04-27-2006, 02:18 PM	#1
Spec_Dragon Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Roanoke, TX Posts: 5	1964 C10, Air ride conversion/Overdrive I have a 1964 C10 that was stored in a garage for over 30 years by my Grandfather. I have done my best to keep it original but I want to do two things to it. One, I am looking for an overdrive unit. The three on the tree works fine but 3rd gear maxes out about 65 @ 3000RPM. In Texas that will get you run over. The second thing is the old coil springs are well past any useful load carrying capacity, not that I do any hauling with the original wood bed but the old girl squats and it is getting worse. I have seen advertisements of air ride systems to replace all the coil’s front and rear. Does anybody have any experience with these systems or have a better idea. I could go back to the factory springs but an air ride has a great appeal to me. This truck has been in my family since it drove off the showroom floor in Republic Missouri. I even have the original bill of sale. I started driving it in 1992 after Gramp’s went into a nursing home with 42K on it. She has been driven sparingly since then. I want to keep it as original as possible. The 235, 6cyl was rebuilt due to valve seat problems in Jan 2006. Other than that, nothing else has been touched baring normal maintenance. And I will answer this question before I am asked, I know it will. 101,753 miles as of 4/27/2006 Any sources or ideas will be welcomed. Pictures when I find my camera. Last edited by Spec_Dragon; 04-27-2006 at 08:28 PM.

04-27-2006, 04:35 PM	#2
kwkenuf Retrofit Management Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 73	Re: 1964 C10, Air ride conversion/Overdrive A million miles? I'd hate to think how many miles it would have on it if you didn't drive it "sparingly" __________________ My retrofit fleet -1966 Suburban 2002 Tahoe drivetrain, firewall, floor, chassis and interior in progress -1965 C-10 shortbed stepside, 2003 5.3/4L60E conversion. Power steering, tilt wheel, power front disc brakes, 2.5/4 inch drop, relocated fuel tank and battery, 2002 Silverado buckets and console. Swap Pics -1968 Camaro 95 LT1/4L60E lots o' mods Web Page -1961 Corvette project Corvette Corrections frame, C-4 suspension and brakes, 02 LS1/T-56, Never ending body workPics

04-27-2006, 06:11 PM	#3
rodnok1 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Linden, North Carolina Posts: 617	Re: 1964 C10, Air ride conversion/Overdrive There are several manual overdrive trans available, none too cheap to retrofit. A gearvendors add on OD is also expensive. Changing the rear gears to a better highway gear of 3:08 or 3:43 would be cheaper/easier. If you want to keep the truck original just replace the coil springs. __________________ 64 Panel Rebuild Pics Clutch Replacement and Borg Warner T10 Trans Rebuild 64 Panel 1/2 Ton 350cubes/400hp BorgWarner t-10 3:73 Auburn Posi

04-27-2006, 08:29 PM	#4
Spec_Dragon Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Roanoke, TX Posts: 5	Re: 1964 C10, Air ride conversion/Overdrive Ok, put to many numbers in it.... Corrected milage.

04-27-2006, 08:31 PM	#5
Spec_Dragon Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Roanoke, TX Posts: 5	Re: 1964 C10, Air ride conversion/Overdrive rodnok1, I was looking for a parts truck to scavenge from. I know the new stuff is way out there. Thanks for the info.

05-02-2006, 08:25 PM	#6
jgrh64 Prestige member Old Farts Club Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cleveland Posts: 502	Re: 1964 C10, Air ride conversion/Overdrive once in a great while you can find an old 3 spd OD at a swap meet ,not sure what it would take to install but would look like it could have come with the truck __________________ Hey sombodys gotta do it!

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