Mike's 66 C10 Short Step Build

[Mikes66ChevyC10]

Figured I'd start a build thread since I officially started working on the truck today. Truck is a 66 C10 that spent most of it's life as a Service station truck in South Eastern PA. When I got the truck it was pretty much destined for the scrap yard but I felt we could save it. Of all the car's I've fixed up and owned this truck is the first one my wife has claimed to be her's!! LOL She loves it. She wants me to convert the truck to an automatic which I really don't want to do but will do to make her happy.

The C10 is really rusty in the rockers panels, kick panels, and cab supports but the frame is beautiful. I've never done such extensive rust repair but I think I'll be fine just need to take my time. Main goal right now is to make the truck safe and structurally sound everything else will follow.

Plans so far..
All new wiring
New brake lines
Front disk brake conversion
5 lug conversion in rear
Rebuild front end
4inch drop in the front and 5inch drop in the back
Convert to TH350 or TH400 automatic
New interior
Most important: Ditch the horns! LOL

Exterior color: Orange
Interior color: Black

Future plans
V8 Swap


Some pictures when I got it home

[Mikes66ChevyC10]

Here are some picture's of the truck taken today. Got her all cleaned out and the seats removed. I was told the seats were out of a 60's Ford Galaxie. Going to be putting a bench seat back in so the seats will have to go. Also found some new old parts while cleaning out the cab!! I know the one part is a seal for the gas tank filler kneck but not sure what the other black rubber parts are for? One is still in the original GM bag.

[rusty76]

Cool truck.

[Blue666]

Those look to be cab bushings. Usually sold in a set.

Nice truck, Did it live it's life in the Pocono's or was it from someplace w/o road salt?

[Mikes66ChevyC10]

Thanks guys. It lived it's life in Blue Bell PA which is a little north of Philly.

[Bomp]

Welcome and I'll follow along.

[Mikes66ChevyC10]

Originally Posted by Bomp

Welcome and I'll follow along.

Thanks Bomp! It's not going to be a super fast build but it will get done! Going to coax some of my friends over to my garage with free Beer and wings this weekend!! LOL Hope to get the box off the frame along with the front end.

[Gumby]

Horns?

[TJ's Chevy]

Nice truck! What do the horns sound like? I am going to purchase a 150+ db locomotive air horns for mine. lol

[Mikes66ChevyC10]

Originally Posted by T.J. MCCAULEY

Nice truck! What do the horns sound like? I am going to purchase a 150+ db locomotive air horns for mine. lol

They are Dukes of Hazzard General Lee Dixie horns!! LOL PO put them on. There is also a Siren on the other side of the engine bay that you can just about make out in the picture below because the PO was in the Fire Department I guess. They are NOT part of my build plan. LOL

[1963c-10]

welcome and cool short stepper. x2 on ditching the horns. and nice find on the extra parts. I agree with the post above...look like cab bushings, tail lights and a reverse light.

[Ta2Don]

Good Looking Truck… I'm in...

[Mikes66ChevyC10]

Made some progress tonight. Got all the bolts cut off so now the bed can be taken off. Also got the hood off and removed all the horns!!! LOL Next the front end will be removed.

[ol_skool_chevy]

you lowered or raised the truck so you will need to adjust your Panhard bar and center your wheels again...

[Mikes66ChevyC10]

Originally Posted by ol_skool_chevy

you lowered the truck so you will need to adjust your Panhard bar and center your wheels again...

Thanks for your reply. I don't believe the truck has ever been lowered as it still has the original springs in it and is pretty much original. Today I measured from the each rear wheel to the frame and I get the same measurement on both sides so the rear is centered. When I measured from the frame to the outside of the box that's where it's off from one side to the other. I think because the bed is so rotted it's no longer centered on the frame. Going to double check the rear is centered when the box comes off tomorrow.

[firemanjimtfd]

I'm sure its the rotten wood in your bed but I had a truck that the rear was to one side and the panhard bar was bent S shaped . Straightened out and it was fine.. You might look at yours.

[Mikes66ChevyC10]

Originally Posted by firemanjimtfd

I'm sure its the rotten wood in your bed but I had a truck that the rear was to one side and the panhard bar was bent S shaped . Straightened out and it was fine.. You might look at yours.

Thanks for your reply! I'll take a look at mine. It looked pretty straight. I did notice that all the rubber bushings are shot so that could have an effect on it also. Got

Got my new (new to me) rust free hood from CA today from a fellow member here on the forum! Looks great. A few dents here and there but ZERO rot! One step closer!!

[rusty76]

I'm telling you I can' wait to see where this is headed.

[TJ's Chevy]

We sticking with the 6 banger? Maybe turbo charging it? That would be Awesome! Or are we gonna do a 632!!!!!

[Mikes66ChevyC10]

Thanks for the reply's. I have a 350 that's most likely going to go in the truck but it needs to be rebuilt so the 6 might stay for a while since it runs great. Yep I'd love to put a big block in it and still might just depends. Right now the main goal is to get the truck structurally sound. The cab needs major rust repair in rocker's, floor's, and cab supports. After the cab is repaired then I'll start to set plans as to the direction I want to go.

Got a little done tonight. Didn't get to spend much time in the garage today. Also picked up a new toy for the garage the other day!

[bj383ss]

Looking forward to your build. Nice new toy!

Bret

[Mikes66ChevyC10]

Got some more work done on the truck today. Almost the whole front end is off now except the radiator support and radiator. Found some pretty nasty rust in the bottom A pillars on both sides and the Pass Side upper floor pan. I knew they were bad but man... I already have the bottom A pillar patches but I don't think they go all the way up to the door hinges. How would I repair this? Does any body make the upper floor pans that go up to the firewall? Man I have my work cut out for me on this one!!


Drivers Side lower A pillar

Pass Side A Pillar

Pass Side Floor

[McMurphy]

That section of floorpan that slopes up into your firewall is pretty straight forward sheet metal.
If you are not doing a back to factory build on this, and are not too obsessed with original detail, then you can easily reskin that area.
Most all the repop floor pans you see are just for the floor sections proper, not that area you are concerned with.

[Mikes66ChevyC10]

Originally Posted by McMurphy

That section of floorpan that slopes up into your firewall is pretty straight forward sheet metal.
If you are not doing a back to factory build on this, and are not too obsessed with original detail, then you can easily reskin that area.
Most all the repop floor pans you see are just for the floor sections proper, not that area you are concerned with.

Nope not doing a back to factory build or a show truck. We just want a nice driver that we can take to cruise nights and things like that. Do you know what gauge metal I would get to repair that section that slopes up into the firewall? I think 16 gauge would work?

[McMurphy]

Yep, 16ga I think would be perfect, it is what I would probably use, but I am no expert.
With any luck, one will chime in here....