Structures 65 Chevy C10

[structures]

I've found tons of useful information on this site from browsing the build threads. So I thought I would post my own.

This truck has been in the family since 65 (long before I was born). It is originally a 65 C10 Longbed Fleetside with a 230 straight 6 and 3 spd on the column.











In 2003 I got serious (kind of...) about restoring this truck, but I wanted it to be a frame off restoration.







By 2005 I had the body off and the Frame blasted and powder coated.










My first big purchase was a suspension rebuild kit with 2.5" drop spindles, 4" rear drop coils, disc brake conversion and a sway bar kit from Early Classic Enterprises.

[structures]

After the Frame and Suspension I moved on to the Rear Axle, which is a GM 12 bolt 8.875" ring gear. The original gears were 3.73 but a little rough after setting for 20 some years.







I had the Rear Axle cleaned, blasted and powder coated here recently. For the rebuild I bought replacement Motive gears, 3.73s, with a Motive rebuild kit and because I just couldn't resist I went with a Eaton posi.

[Rich 5150 69]

Welcome to the site, whats the rest of the plans for this build...

[structures]

I've got a few irons in the fire because I just recently purchased a 4.8 liter and 4L60e. At the same time I'm still working the rear end. Here is some pics of the engine. It's out of a wrecked 2007 Chevy Silverado with 30,000 miles.

[198plus]

Nice job, looks great !!!!!!

[structures]

I'd like the truck to look stock on the outside and new underneath. LS engine with front discs. Something a little modern with an old look.

[jgh64pkup]

cool build subscribed

[structures]

Within the last week I've been assembling the Rear Axle and Trailing Arms. I need to make a trip out to the local bolt co for the 100th time as I've been replacing all the hardware on the suspension and I always seem to forget something. Right now it's mostly just mocked in place.




New bushings for the trailing arms.










For what it's worth I also took some time to replace some lower quality hardware I bought from the local atwoods. I ran out of the good stuff during ass'y three years ago. So the bolt install on the right has been installed for three years and stored in my garage. The blue coated hardware I replaced from the left installed bolt with some more yellowed zinc hardware.

[Alan's Classic]

Welcome, you are doing a great job!!

[Captainfab]

Very nice work.....I'm looking forward to more. That is cool that this truck has been in your family since '65.

[816allen]

WOW thats gonna be one sick truck man!
I would do the same if i had the cash those 5.3 can be picked up fairly cheap and they are such a great and fast motor!
Are you gonna have a wiring harness made for you or....

[jason65]

Welcome. I think you'll like it beter over here. Good luck with your build dude.

[structures]

Guys thanks a lot for the comments. It's December so this is the month of giving and unfortunately that means I can't buy the axles and brake kit yet for the 12 bolt, but I still have a lot to work on anyway. I need to actually disassemble the front spindles, blast them and paint them. My rush to assemble the front end years back has left the calipers and spindles with a nice shade of rust.

Originally Posted by 816allen

WOW thats gonna be one sick truck man!
I would do the same if i had the cash those 5.3 can be picked up fairly cheap and they are such a great and fast motor!
Are you gonna have a wiring harness made for you or....

I bought the engine and transmission on craigslist for $2000 (man that website gets me in trouble) . I'll post pics of everything I got, but basically I picked up the engine, transmission, all accessories (including the A/C), wiring harness, throttle pedal and throttle actuator module, MAF/IAT, coolant reservoir and uhhh... well I think that's it...

So I spent some of last week also tearing thru the harness. With a heaping pile of guidance from www.lt1swap.com and some wiring diagrams from autozone I was able to get the idea of what to do. Painless performance sells a harness kit, item 60221, but my harness is in really good shape. I really like painless' fuseblock I wish I could just buy that from them. I might check and see. I was hoping to save some bucks by modding the harness myself and then justify purchasing some sort of tuning software.

[DPowers]

Welcome to the site- looks good man. Alot of useful info here.

[structures]

Well I was thinking about first trying the adaptor plates and trailblazer SS manifolds. I didn't get the motor mounts for this engine or I would have tried to use them. So you're saying the trailblazer SS manifolds are better than a set of shorty headers?

[TR65]

I'm just saying that the trailblazer SS / SSR manifolds fit without frame mods. The articles I have read about comparing the cast LS manifolds with headers indicate that the gains from headers are marginal if any. The LS cast manifolds are well designed and matched to the engine.

I tried the CPP style conversion mounts and they interferred with the manifolds, the AC compressor, etc. so I abandoned that and went with the LS stock mounts.

Just a note. I mounted my engine 1" forward of the original small block location for rear clearance, and about 5/8" higher for cross member clearance, and 4 degrees tilted down in the back (like stock).

TR

[structures]

Got some of the brake parts in tonight. First things first... paint.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by structures

Got some of the brake parts in tonight. First things first... paint.

Do you have more info on your brake 'upgrade'?

[structures]

Guys thanks for the comments

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Do you have more info on your brake 'upgrade'?

Scoti the brake upgrade came from Early Classic. It's nothing that they manufacture, it appeared to me to just be a collection of parts they purchase and ship out from various vendors to match the rear brakes made available in the early 70s (73-87???). Since I went with the 5 lug conversion axles my drums match those of the 73-87 12 bolt rear end.

Installing that pivot lug at the top was a real pain in the rear. I wish I would've just cleaned up my existing backing plate and upgraded the shoes and drum. I think that would be possible.

[Captainfab]

That brake conversion is likely nothing other than replacement parts for the 2 1/2" wide rear brakes that GM went to in around 1975-76. Those parts can be found either in a wrecking yard or at your local auto parts supplier. Nonetheless yours looks very nice.

Originally Posted by structures

Guys thanks for the comments



Scoti the brake upgrade came from Early Classic. It's nothing that they manufacture, it appeared to me to just be a collection of parts they purchase and ship out from various vendors to match the rear brakes made available in the early 70s (73-87???). Since I went with the 5 lug conversion axles my drums match those of the 73-87 12 bolt rear end.

Installing that pivot lug at the top was a real pain in the rear. I wish I would've just cleaned up my existing backing plate and upgraded the shoes and drum. I think that would be possible.

[structures]

It's been a while since I updated my build. I haven't got a whole lot done, b/c I've been plagued by home improvements. So lately I installed the Engine, worked a little on the steering and picked up the Cab from my parents and brought it to the house to start some body work. Before I get on the cab though I want to get the transmission in.









Picture of the steering arm and tie rods




I blasted the steering arm and then painted it along with the new moog steering parts.




Last night I got a wild hair and went out to my parents and had my dad help load up the cab on my trailer.




By the time I got home the only strap that was still holding was the middle strap. The cross straps were mostly loose! I was driving slow, but I really should have stopped down the road and checked em.

[bad6772]

looks awesome..Great work......Keep it up and good luck

[structures]

Today I put the upgrade brake kit together and installed the brakes along with the axles on the 12 Bolt. It was easy to get the brake assembled once I figured out where all the arms and springs went. Spent about an hour and a half piecing together the right side and then 15 minutes for the left.













Seal installed the correct way!!

[65Custom]

Looks awesome I can't wait till I get to start reassembling my frame. I still a got a lot of metal work to do before I get there.

Anyway Welcome and I can't wait to see more.

[structures]

I decided to forgo the adapter plate method for the engine mounts and picked up a set of ECE mounts. Just got them in the mail today. Man they sure are nice. I'm glad I bought them. I haven't been able to get out to my parents house and rob the auto tranny cross member from my donor 65 because of the weather. Given the pounding we're taking in the Tulsa area it may be a little while longer.