'66 C-10 Long Step - my first truck build from the 90's

[Shaky]

Here's my '66 C-10 truck build from the early '90s. I learned a lot from doing this and would do some things differently (don't pick your color just from a color chip!) if I did it again. I also converted from V8/auto to L6/manual and wouldn't do that again. If it came auto, I keep it auto and vice versa now.

I'm amazed at how few pictures I have, but this was before digital cameras.

The first shot is after I purchased it. I saw it at a car show and it didn't have much rust for around here (it was an Arizona truck).

My buddy John and I got it ready for a cross-country trip. We put a shift kit in the ailing TH350 and a 3.07 rear from a '71 in the back. This meant I had 6-lug front and 5-lug rear. We carried two spares. Dig the custom interior.

[Shaky]

Here's route 80 in Nebraska. This is where I learned that on an icy road, no matter how flat and straight, you still have to worry about cross-winds. Oh yeah, we went the full 360 (and then some) around.

The second shot is at the entrance to Big Bend in Texas. The loose 350 is getting some motor earl.

[Shaky]

This pic is an artsy shot from somewhere in Arizona.

The second pic is one of many that we took of the junkyards out west. Coming from the northeast, it was like going past candy store after candy store...

[Shaky]

OK - on to the build. The pictures are sporadic...

The first is one of the doors after stripping a couple of layers of paint and bondo. There were bullet holes and the missing door checks didn't help with the body lines.

That winter I set up the rear with new 3.07 gear, bearing, and an Eaton cone-clutch posi.

[Shaky]

Time to break out the blaster and then primer. Everything in the suspension got blasted and painted.

[Shaky]

Painted my buddy Frank's '67 C-10 frame at the same time. The cab got the bottom blasted and primed.

[Shaky]

The chassis got assembled, the six and Richmond Gear 5-speed went in, and then the cab went on and got sanded down...

[Shaky]

Time to move into the garage for the paint. Here's where I learned that you don't just pick your color from the paint chip book. This white looked innocent enough on a 1 inch by 2 inch square, however it got quite bright when sprayed over an acre of GM sheet metal.

I sprayed the tail gate white, masked the letters, sprayed them black , and then put the clear coat on.

[Shaky]

Then all the body parts went into the garage for a marathon spray session.

[Shaky]

Now some custom work...

[Shaky]

And now the only two pictures I have of the finished product.

Publisher's tip: Don't photograph your stuff with your friend's '70 T/A Challenger that's show room fresh looking in the foreground.

[bubba327]

Originally Posted by Shaky

Now some custom work...

I like the dash!! Nice and clean- Good to see you making progress..........

[Jbesotes]

What type of intake and headers did you use allong with cam duration in that six you have on the rolling chasie?

[Shaky]

These are the headers:

http://www.cliffordperformance.net/M...gory_Code=C250

This is the intake (although mine was before the integral coolant passages, I ran the plate under the carb for the coolant):

http://www.cliffordperformance.net/M...gory_Code=C250

The cam is not listed at Clifford's website anymore, but the link below has the specs under 92-3021:


http://www.inliners.org/tech/cams250.pdf

[Jbesotes]

Thank You

[jason65]

The truck looked good. Hows it look now? Big damage?

[Shaky]

The hood, front fender and front panel took a crunch. The parts are ready for paint any day now. The engine is all done at the machine shop - just have to pick it up, paint it, and install it. Anxiously awaiting some 50+ degree weather around here...

[markeb01]

Excellent thread. Really like the early pictures too. That instrument cluster looks fantastic, and unique. I also like the white paint/black trim. Looking forward to seeing it completed.

[Shaky]

Went to the machine shop this morning and picked up the engine.

- New cast pistons and moly rings;
- New slightly-lumpier-than-stock cam and valve train;
- Hardened valve seats;
- Balanced crank, rods, pistons, flywheel, and pressure plate.

Check out the block date code.

[bubba327]

Looking good!!!!!
I love it .............six in a row, makes it go
What diameter are your gauges?? and what do you use for the plate?

[Shaky]

The small gauges are 2 inch and the Speedo and Tach are 3 3/8 inch.

I think we used 1/8 inch steel for the plate.

[rusty76]

Any more on this truck?

[Shaky]

The engine is painted and ready to go in. I just started a new job and I'm in the middle of a move, so it may be awhile...

[Shaky]

With a lot of help I was able to get the '66 fit to travel north. It wasn't easy...

[64LBSS]

Really like seeing the Long bed Step Side. Im new to the forum and just picked up one myself, starting the slow process of a semi-resto / custom build on it. Would love to see more pics of yours!