My 1968 C-20 CST LWB Fleetside

[OilDrum68]

I've been browsing around here for the past couple weeks or so, and just thought I might share my new bowtie.

I picked this up for $1500 from a guy locally, who decided he'd rather invest in an off-road vehicle than this pavement pounder. Some of you may recognize it, since he used to frequent this board, and actually was who turned me on to it.

I don't think I did too badly for a starter truck. It's got a 327 V-8, TH400 transmission, factory air, power steering and power brakes (though with front drums). It also has the 8-lug turbine wheels, which I wasn't too fond of at first, but have since grown on me.

There is also no cancerous rust to speak of... only some mild surface rusting over portions of the body. It's got a crease in the driver's door from over-extension, and the passenger front fender also has a dent in it. However, the previous owner included a replacement door and fender, though the door looks like it will need some metal fab work in the hinge area.

I still haven't decided exactly what the future holds. I mainly want it to be a hauler/tower though with a bit lowered stance and some renovation. I was thinking a 2/4 drop would probably work and still give me enough suspension for doing what I want. I'll just have to wait and see.

Anyway, here's some pix of it.

[OilDrum68]

And a few more

[OilDrum68]

While I'm on a roll, here's a few more pix. I forgot to mention that the seat has been reupholstered with repro upholstery.

[jayman68]

Looks real clean.

Good luck with the project.

[OilDrum68]

Originally Posted by jayman68

Looks real clean.

Good luck with the project.

Thanks Jay.

I thought I got a pretty good deal, considering that with a couple minor things it'll be roadworthy by my standards... the PO was already driving it daily back and forth to work.

I'd feel safer without cracked sidewalls on the tires, and after inspecting the rear brakes (the fronts have been rebuilt).

[OilDrum68]

Here's a couple of the engine bay... not much to see. Now is that vacuum booster the stock version, or did somebody drop in something that just 'fit'?

It seems like a monstrosity compared to most of them I've seen from this period.

Also, the PO dropped in a new radiator... he mentioned something about sending the fan through the original the first time he tried to turn the engine over when he bought it. I guess all the nuts weren't replaced. Doh!

[eagleuh1]

Looks like the original power booster in mine. As long as it works, sand it down and hit it with primer and some hammered metal paint to cover the pitting. It will look good. Looks like a good start for a nice truck. Good luck with it.

[OilDrum68]

Thanks eagleuh1. A hammered black finish would look great on that booster. I'll keep that in mind.

Here's the most recent photo... I've been going after the surface rust with a vengeance. But it's been raining now the past couple days so I haven't had a chance to do much more to it.

[culp7]

i want those turbines if you change your mind... i'll trade for some steelies!

PM me man

[OilDrum68]

lol.

If I decide against the turbines, you have first place in line.

One thing I've found, though, is that the turbine rim is 16.5" diameter, and trying to find tires that fit is damn near impossible. I've only been able to find one single tire, and that's from Firestone. Full set from the tire rack is about $550-ish before shipping.

The tire shops I've talked to all recommend either upgrading to 16" or 17" rims, because 16.5's are at the end of their days.

[OilDrum68]

Well I've gotten a bit more done the past couple weekends. I rebuilt the driveshaft last weekend, and the rear brakes this weekend.

The driveshaft was pretty straightforward, though the center support bearing had it's rubber torn loose and was spinning inside the housing (which explains the weird vibration when slowing down from highway speeds that the PO mentioned). I also discovered that my 3/4-ton Eaton H052 rear-end has a 1-ton yoke on it. The catalog u-joints wouldn't fit in the rear position, and a Chevy 1-ton u-joint fit perfect.

Now the brakes were another matter... since it has a full-floating rear axle removing the hubs/drum was a cinch, but what I found was a mess. The driver's side oil seal had long ago ceased to seal the axle, so the inside of the drum looked like the underside of a leaky engine. I got lucky that the local brake parts store had the pads and cylinders in stock, and I found the oil seals at napa auto parts.

I also popped the diff cover and checked out the gears, and aside from a bit of shinyness, there's no wear on the splines at all. The bearings also look good, but the third member needs a new pinion seal, and probably new gaskets.

Otherwise I'm kind of at a standstill, since we're moving house next weekend and I'm mainly getting the truck tuned up enough to use for part of the move.

It goes and stops now anyway. Next on the agenda will be a carburetor rebuild. It's got a Rochester Quadrajet so a rebuild should be a piece of cake.