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#1 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Durham, North Carolina
Posts: 782
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C10 as a Daily Driver: Thoughts Thus Far
I am driving my C10 as my lone vehicle. I have put 10,500 miles on it in the last 2 months. Here are some thoughts and experiences thus far:
1. No (real) insurance makes me nervous but it is the game that you have to play if you want to drive a classic (see my other thread for info) 2. I have set aside a few hours every Saturday to resolve issues that pop up...this weekend is rear brakes, HL switch, and trying to resolve a cab leak I have had for the last 2 months...last weekend was trans seal and regluing door rubber 3. I love the LS and the manual trans but I have 26 stoplights to get out of the city so it can be annoying at times but I really prefer manuals and it is another layer of anti-theft 4. Creature comforts, I am glad I added some such as intermittent wipers (my favorite upgrade), modern radio (Autosound or Retrosound or whatever it is), vintage air is amazing, FCF seat brackets, etc 5. Having a truck is nice, somehow this is my first truck and I use the bed at least weekly hauling lumber, a Christmas tree, parts, groceries etc 6. Lastly, the thumbs up and compliments I get daily are worth the insurance concern and having to work on the vehicle weekly. It may be a bit more time consuming/stressful to drive a classic daily but I think most modern vehicles are ugly and look like space ships. I also feel good knowing I build it and know all the components/parts/assemblies thoroughly to fix any issues.
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My Daily Driver Build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=755668 |
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#2 |
Who Changed This?
![]() Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Simi Valley, CA
Posts: 10,429
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Re: C10 as a Daily Driver: Thoughts Thus Far
You have some maintenance that needs brought up to snuff, is all. Once you get the rear brakes done, you won't have to do them for many thousands of miles. I doubt you will ever need to glue the door rubber again. It will eventually just need oil changes and so forth once you get it like you want it. Then it'll just be driving fun!
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~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA |
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#3 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Berne IN
Posts: 3,229
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Re: C10 as a Daily Driver: Thoughts Thus Far
^ l agree, once you get the bugs worked out, you won’t need to work on it as often
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71 C10 72 K20 72 K10 Super Kirk |
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#4 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 43
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Re: C10 as a Daily Driver: Thoughts Thus Far
Great write up
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 231
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Re: C10 as a Daily Driver: Thoughts Thus Far
I daily mine and it’s the best way to have a fully sorted truck. You tend to fix issues as they arise rather than live with them.
Nice truck by the way.
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John 69 c20, 396, th400, dana60, ps, ac |
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#6 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Durham, North Carolina
Posts: 782
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Re: C10 as a Daily Driver: Thoughts Thus Far
Thanks, I already have next weekend C10 tasks planned out, my steering gear started leaking badly today. I replaced the pitman seal a few months ago but not the input seal so I get to do that....the rag joint is suspect so I am going to replace that at the same time. I am sure the constant maintenance will slow a bit once I get all the bugs worked out.
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My Daily Driver Build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=755668 |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 231
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Re: C10 as a Daily Driver: Thoughts Thus Far
The maintenance does slow down. Now I have to invent reasons to work on my truck.
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John 69 c20, 396, th400, dana60, ps, ac |
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#8 |
Old member
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S.
Posts: 19,936
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I daily drove my 71 C10 from 86 til late 90's. I drove it from Clemson SC to Charlotte Nc which is about3 hrs each way for years working outages for the company. I never worried about the insurance.I had normal insurance. Now it's a weekend driver!When I swapped the 305 & 700R4 for the LS 6.0 it had over 300,000 miles on it. I got 89,000 out of the 307 before the TPI swap.
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1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 ![]() Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs. |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: 10-Uh-See
Posts: 5,609
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Re: C10 as a Daily Driver: Thoughts Thus Far
This makes me miss driving mine daily!
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Indianapolis
Posts: 1,162
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Re: C10 as a Daily Driver: Thoughts Thus Far
congrats, keep on trucking
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#11 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Centennial, CO
Posts: 2,951
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Re: C10 as a Daily Driver: Thoughts Thus Far
I drove mine to both coasts when I was in the Navy, 91-97. Then daily after I got out and it was great.
As others have said, once you go thru the bugs you will have a normal maintenance schedule. That’s a nice place to be.
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ClusterTruck: 68 C10 Bought in 89, wrecked in 03. Slow low $ rebuild started '17. 6.0 & TKO http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=788602 93 K1500 Short Step, 350, NV4500, EBL flash ECU. Vortec heads & roller cam someday... 05 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. 3” lift & 6-speed 02 E320 the insurance total “free car” 13 Tahoe LTZ |
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Lake Forest, CA
Posts: 2,177
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Re: C10 as a Daily Driver: Thoughts Thus Far
The wipers suck.
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"Work hard, use your vacation days." 1970 C15 GMC Long Bed 1986 C20 Scottsdale 1983 K2500 Sierra Classic Suburban 6.2 Instagram: C10sofOC |
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#13 |
Who Changed This?
![]() Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Simi Valley, CA
Posts: 10,429
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Re: C10 as a Daily Driver: Thoughts Thus Far
Rain-X. I don't even use the wipers. Drives the wife nuts.
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~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA |
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#14 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Dunwoody,Ga
Posts: 443
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Re: C10 as a Daily Driver: Thoughts Thus Far
I bought my c10 in1970. Its been a daily driver except when my daughter had it in high school and a few months when I had a friend rejuvenate the body. The LS is the third engine and I enjoy driving it now more than ever.
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#15 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Falls City, Nebraska "100 Miles From Nowhere"
Posts: 2,219
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Re: C10 as a Daily Driver: Thoughts Thus Far
That's funny Steve! When I took wifey out for her first ride in Sally I layed down a world class burnout, and got a ticket! She aint been in the truck since! I bought Sally 10 years ago and Belle 6 years ago to tow Sally around...Belle's my most reliable vehicle and my daily driver. I've come to the conclusion that you never "really" get done with these trucks...The last brand new vehicle I bought was in 1986, I bought a fully loaded Blazer off the show room floor, paid it off and wrecked it nearly killing myself but that's another chapter...I had a little gas saver beater car, a Cavalier that died in the boondocks on 7 hwy between Clinton, Mo. and Kansas City. Oddly enough It rolled to a stop in front of a hillbilly roadside car lot. Long story short, I sold the Cavalier for $100 and paid $800 cash for a 91 Jeep Cherokee. That was 20 years ago and that Jeep is still tagged and I drive it still when the roads get bad. It has over 750K miles on the clock but she stays parked since I have retired...I just dropped the second motor in Belle I had bought 6 years ago when the JEGS GM Performance 260HP 350's were going for $1200 delivered...Great motor, runs like a top and is my most reliable vehicle. The Jeep is my newest vehicle and after selling my KZ-1000 to afford the motor, Sally's my most fun vehicle to drive, she has the solid lifter 427 BBC motor. My point is this...You can pay the taxes and tag fees, the crazy insurance costs, not to mention the payments, for a new vehicle and never have to work on them. Or pay the nickel and dimes and devoted attentions these older vehicles command...Me? I live for the compliments at the gas pump and the occasional truck shows and burnout contests...
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Michael of the clan Hill, "Two Seventy Two's" 71 1-ton Dually 350 4-Speed 71 C/50 Grain Truck, 350 Split-Axle 4-Speed 02 3/4 ton Express 14 Indian Chief Vintage 1952 Ford 8N, "Only Ford Allowed On The Property" ![]() "Be American, Buy American" ![]() Last edited by Ironangel; 02-01-2020 at 05:47 PM. |
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#16 |
Old member
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S.
Posts: 19,936
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![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() They are way better than a original 56 Bel Air system. I hate the things in mine. The wipers want move if I'm over 60MPH. The cables can't move they just wiggle back and forth. Yes I said cables. ![]()
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1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 ![]() Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs. |
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Reno Nevada
Posts: 380
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Re: C10 as a Daily Driver: Thoughts Thus Far
I have mine at my second home. Use it as a daily driver. I have developed a rear axle issue and will be spending my first days rebuilding the differential and doing a complete front and rear brake job. Passengers side stock cast iron exhaust has a serious crack so I found a NOS one and will be replacing that. Then back on the road.
Is a fun and great truck for running around . Even though it is a non air truck in Reno Nevada. Figured out how to manipulate the vents and not that bad. Vic |
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#18 |
Account Suspended
![]() Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Tacoma, WA
Posts: 6,873
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Re: C10 as a Daily Driver: Thoughts Thus Far
Im wondering why you need to drive 5000 miles per month.
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#19 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Durham, North Carolina
Posts: 782
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Re: C10 as a Daily Driver: Thoughts Thus Far
Good question and I have wondered it myself honestly. I drive an average of 1,500 miles for work per month (a bit over 30 miles each way). The rest well, I just can't seem to not spend a lot of time driving. In the last 2 months I have driven from NC to PA, NC to WV (2x), and several 3 hour roadtrips in NC. I also have to drive 100 miles roundtrip to skydive which I do frequently. The odd thing is it was the holidays so I drove a lot to see family but over the life of my previous vehicle I averaged around 25K miles per year and lived closer to work. I do hit the road most weekends though so I guess it adds up.
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My Daily Driver Build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=755668 |
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#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Vacaville california
Posts: 11
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Re: C10 as a Daily Driver: Thoughts Thus Far
I daily drive my 1969 C10 with a 6.2 LS3 and 4L80E about 50 miles every day with mostly freeway driving. It's on a 3in lift spindle on the front and 4in lift leaf in the rear, and I'm running it on 33s. It cruises all day long at 75mph and averages 20 miles per gallon on the freeway. The truck is making decent power at about 420hp right now but will soon be boosted by a magnuson supercharger to give it a little more tire killing power. Overall its been super fun and reliable truck to drive, its never once left me stranded and takes lots of cars on the highway to Gapplebees every day.
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#21 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: St Peters, MO
Posts: 440
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Re: C10 as a Daily Driver: Thoughts Thus Far
I try to drive mine every day, but it's all local. The upgrades make it more fun to drive, mostly the power steering, but I'll probably like the A/C more in a few months. It's not our lone vehicle though. Your routine maintenance is likely cheaper & easier than a newer vehicle that needs repairs not covered by warranty, or a vehicle no longer covered by warranty, and many of us consider it a hobby. As long as it's enjoyable, keep on driving.
I think I need some Rain-X tomorrow...another reason to drive.
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1967 C20, 350 SBC w/Comp roller cam, 700R4 w/3.42 posi, PS, 4-wheel PDB, Old Air AC & GM Tilt column. |
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#22 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Parker, Texas
Posts: 685
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Re: C10 as a Daily Driver: Thoughts Thus Far
I daily drove my 67 for years with its 283/ 4dpd. I drove it across country a couple times while in the Army, disconnected the battery for deployments and it always started right up when I returned. The key is staying on top of maintenance. After the Army it was my daily driver in L.A. and had no problem with my 2 hour evening commute. Drove it from CA to TX when my employer relocated me. I have everything I need to LS swap it, but can’t bring myself to do it. I’m not ready to change what it has always been...
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1970 2WD K5 1968 Camaro Conv 1967 Chevy SWB 1964 Malibu SS 1957 Corvette Pics www.picturetrail.com/wesmigletz |
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#23 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: So Cal
Posts: 1,437
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Re: C10 as a Daily Driver: Thoughts Thus Far
>> Aus69c20, I daily mine and it’s the best way to have a fully sorted truck. You tend to fix issues as they arise rather than live with them. <<
Some of us, me, aren't that smart or just too lazy. I've needed new door rubber for years and never get around to it. Helping a friend with Mustang problems yesterday, we needed parts from NPD in Ventura. My house to the Valley to Ventura was 70 + miles. I always forget how noisy the wind noise can be until I drive that far at 70-75. Truck ran great without a whimper, but I did ask myself why I didn't drive my 2018 Ram. My '67 isn't pretty, but it's always up for a drive. |
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#24 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Henderson NC
Posts: 975
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Re: C10 as a Daily Driver: Thoughts Thus Far
I only live about 12 miles from work but I don't drive my truck, I have an 05 Corolla for that. My truck is my fun to drive vehicle and it gives me another reason to look forward to the weekend.
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#25 | |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Motor City
Posts: 9,200
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Re: C10 as a Daily Driver: Thoughts Thus Far
Quote:
Light hauling and trailering, plus hauling my butt around. I don't know how people live without a pickup truck in their fleet. K
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Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/ |
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