1965/73 Cheap Build Up

[Strodder]

I bought this 1965 C-20 Long Bed for $200.00. It needed a lot, but was in good shape. It came with a lot of chrome, and a new front chrome bumper, plus 8 lug mags. I couldn't pass up the deal. It had no bed on it, so I went looking for short bed step side, and found one from a 73 wrecked C-10. The 73 had a bent frame in the front. He hit a buss, and the damage was above the bumper, but still bent the frame near the power steering box. I bought the whole truck for $450.00. It has power brakes, power steering, disc brakes, 2 1/2" dropped spindles, power windows, locks, A/C a custom bench seat, and 15" & 16" Cragar SS Wheels. One in the front is bent. The rest cleaned up like new.

My plan is to convert the 65 Long Bed 3/4 ton to a Short Bed 1/2 ton. I don't like the coil springs in the back, so the 73 is a perfect donor. In the process of making it a short bed I will mate the 2 frames together, and end up with exactly what I want. A 1/2 ton step side short bed 1965 C-10

I just stripped the 73, and am going to use everything from the bumper bolts to the wiring harness.

Here's some pictures when I brought them home, before any work was done.







NOW THE HARD QUESTION IS. WHAT SHOULD I NAME IT ?? Half ass 65/73 ?.......LOL

[Strodder]

Here's the 73 C-10





I cut most of the damage off.

[Strodder]

I forgot to mention. The 73 came with a 350 engine, 700R4 Tranny, and a 12 bolt 308 posi rear.

I can't believe the great deals I found. I'll try to post my progress as I continue my Cheap Build. I'm going to look for as many good deals I could find, and good use used parts.

[jason65]

Thats a good lookin 65. Cant wait to see it come together.

[Strodder]

Thanks. I have a lot of work ahead of me.

[Strodder]

The first thing I did was order a white face sticker kit, and restored the gauges. Notice I turned the odometer back to 000000

[Alan's Classic]

Man, it looks like you have a great plan. Looks like you don't have much rust to deal with. Can't wait to see the build come along.

[jason65]

That looks cool. You gonna put the custom badgeing back on it?

[66Z71]

Originally Posted by Strodder

The first thing I did was order a white face sticker kit, and restored the gauges. Notice I turned the odometer back to 000000

I know its been a while since you posted this, but where did you get the sticker kit?

[Joey~AP]

Short bed 3/4 ton!

Slammed!

[Strodder]

Originally Posted by Joey~AP

Short bed 3/4 ton!

Slammed!

No a slammed 1/2 ton. Air bagged with a custom made chrome triangled 4-link. I already have the 4-link & 8 valves

[Strodder]

We I finely took the cab off the 73, and stripped everything off the front of the frame. The engine & tranny, mounts, complete front suspension..

[Strodder]

After I pressure washed the front end I leveled the frame front & rear on jack stands.

[Strodder]

Next I organized everything I was going to use from the 73. This is what I started with. A pile of junk



I cleaned up some shelves and put the junk on them so I knew exactly what I had..

[joe231]

nice work!
and I dig your shop!

[Strodder]

Thanks!!

[CSoliz]

Where exactly is your union of the 2 frames? Is it anywhere near the cab mounts?

Where you cut them, if you wanted, how easy would it have been to shorten the wheel base?

Love your shop too!


Edit: Sorry, we posted at a similar time. I see your mounts. Second question still stands.

[Strodder]

Originally Posted by CSoliz

Where exactly is your union of the 2 frames? Is it anywhere near the cab mounts?

Where you cut them, if you wanted, how easy would it have been to shorten the wheel base?

Love your shop too!


Edit: Sorry, we posted at a similar time. I see your mounts. Second question still stands.

It would be easy to shorten the stock frame. Mine was complicated because of the years I joined together. Normally I would butt the frames together, and gusset them for strength. Like I shortened this S-10 frame to put under a 47 Studebaker Truck. This is a picture before I made the gussets that would sandwich the butt welds. You can make a long bed into a short bed this way. Cut behind the cab though. Make sure your wheels are positioned in the center of the bed wheel wells when you measure.

[Strodder]

BTW Thanks everybody for the complements on my shop. I walk 90 ft to work from my back yard. I love it.



The floor still looks good here. The more work I do the more the floor gets screwed up. OH WELL.



Good thing I walk to work. I wouldn't have made it if I had to drive.....

[protrash64]

I have to say 'nice shop' also. Thats cool how the frames fit together like they did. Nice work.

[Strodder]

Originally Posted by protrash64

I have to say 'nice shop' also. Thats cool how the frames fit together like they did. Nice work.

Thanks. I glade I decided to do it this way. It's the strongest part of the frame.

[joe231]

you do restos/customs for a living?

[ChiefRocka]

Intersting build you got going...I like your plans.

Where abouts is Hesperia ?? Obviously up North some where !!

I was told it's snowing in Nevada City/Grass Valley area. Thats where my wifes grandmother lives.

Curious as to why you wanted leafs, if your gonna bag it ??

[Strodder]

Originally Posted by ChiefRocka

Intersting build you got going...I like your plans.

Where abouts is Hesperia ?? Obviously up North some where !!

I was told it's snowing in Nevada City/Grass Valley area. Thats where my wifes grandmother lives.

Curious as to why you wanted leafs, if your gonna bag it ??

Hesperia is off the 15 fwy just north of San Bernardino. Were at 3,400 foot level.

I don't care about the leafs that much. I like the way the frame rails look. There better to fab a notch. But for now I might leave the leafs. Also the 73 is a 1/2 ton with a 5 lug 12 bolt posi. One more reason is I'm using the 73 short step side bed.

Anybody want to buy the Dana that came out of the 65 8 lug 3/4 ton?

[Strodder]

Here's the latest. I finished welding up the rest of the frame after lifting it up on the lift (note: I LOVE THAT LIFT) Then cutting the back of the cab so it will fit level with the frame.
This is what the cab looked like before I cut it.



This is after




Now it sits level. I'll mount the 65 side cab mounts so I can keep the cab nice and low.