Ken's 1966 C10 Short Fleetside build

[Kenfuzed]

Hi everyone, I've been a lurker here for years but just picked up this truck a couple months ago so I thought I should start documenting my build.

This will NOT be one of those meticulous frame-off resto's that several others have done so well. Rather this will be my attempt to take a pieced-together truck and make myself a daily driver... one that I will actually feel like driving daily.

I'll start with the basics, the canvas I am starting with:
1966 C10 short fleetside.
Straight 6 250 and TH350.
The previous owner installed a mid-70's disc brake front end.
Rear is still a 12 bolt 6 lug.
Interior is fairly complete, unblemished bench seat, orig AM radio, all gauges work. The window felts and seals are shot. The PO installed a new fuel tank and sender.

Body is straight, no rust to cut out and it shouldn't take too much to get it into shape. Exterior is a faux-patina. The bed floor was replaced with a steel floor from a newer truck so I'll stick with that since it is functional for me.

The PO added a drop spring kit but I'll be updating this to improve the ride.

Here are some pics of where I'm starting.

[Kenfuzed]

Here is my laundry list of parts I've either started collecting.

- Drop spindles and new springs. Ordered.
- Rear 5 lug conversion. Ordered.
- SB 350. This is currently being built with mild street performance in mind, shooting for ~325hp.
- Debating a 700R4 but we'll see how finances hold up.
- Budget paint job. I'm not interested in show quality paint since I plan to make this my daily ride and I don't want to worry about babying it. The truck is also parked outside but it's California so other than sun it won't take too much weather abuse. Still searching for a decent shop.
- Door window felts and seals. Already have, will wait until the paint to install.
- Already replaced door handles and mirrors.
- Debating if I want to spend the money on original style side molding. Currently the body is smooth.
- Wheels, I'm planning 17x8 front and 17x9 rear gray center 5 spoke style wheels.

That should be a good start. Currently trying to track down all the creaking noises to further make this a comfortable ride.

[pdxhall]

Welcome to the forum. That's a very nice truck to start with & it sounds like you've got a great plan. Good luck. Can't wait to see the progress on this one.

[Grizz1963]

Cool username !!

Nice truck. If course I am biased.

I wish we had the right people over here who could build engines to order, yours sounds like a great compromise for power vs useability.

[Kenfuzed]

Originally Posted by Grizz1963

Cool username !!

Nice truck. If course I am biased.

I wish we had the right people over here who could build engines to order, yours sounds like a great compromise for power vs useability.

Thanks, I've actually followed your build thread for a while and really like how you document both what you are doing to your truck and how you really use your truck as well. One of many inspirations I've found here.

I've actually been lurking around this forum for a few years but didn't join until buying this latest truck. This forum has been a great resource.

[Kenfuzed]

I picked up these original sill panels at the swap meet yesterday. One of the few affordable deals out there at only 10 bucks for the pair. Some stripping and polish should make them presentable.

[Kenfuzed]

Not much progress but I did accumulate more goodies. A set of 2.5 drop spindles and 5-lug conversion axles. I love it when Christmas comes early. I still need to find a deal on some stock front springs that I can cut once I determine the optimal height.

[1963c-10]

Welcome and great looking project.

[TJ's Chevy]

Welcome aboard! And good looking truck!

[Bigru]

Welcome and nice truck!

[Turtleman]

I'll follow this.. mines a long fleet thats a daily driver also.. its hard to do a restore when you drive it each day.
I see your master cylinder is bolted on the firewall, was that a PO project?
and do you know what model it is?

[Kenfuzed]

Originally Posted by Turtleman

I'll follow this.. mines a long fleet thats a daily driver also.. its hard to do a restore when you drive it each day.
I see your master cylinder is bolted on the firewall, was that a PO project?
and do you know what model it is?

Not sure of the brand but the PO purchased many parts from places like Classic and LMC. The MC and booster mount to the firewall and appear fairly new. All the steel brake lines are also new so one less thing to deal with. The PO had switched out the front from a mid-70's truck so it has disc brakes already. I won't know until I pull it all apart if they used 71-72 or 73+ (hoping it's the latter).

Closer pic of the MC/Booster.


I still need to buy the wheels before I install the 5-lug axles since I don't have an extra set of 5 lug wheels for the rear. A local has these wheels in 17x8 front and 17x9.5 rear at a good price.


My engine should be done in a couple of weeks. Moving up to a SB 350 w/Vortec heads to add a little more fun to my commute. Still shopping for all the accessories to make the swap as painless as possible. I need to pick up a larger radiator and bracket, and some manifolds.

So many plans, so little time in the day.

[Dinos63]

nice clean truck, great start

[mjs94080]

nice truck!

do you know what size drop springs are in front and back?

and

is that a 3 in a Tree column shift, 3 speed tranny?

Originally Posted by Kenfuzed

Hi everyone, I've been a lurker here for years but just picked up this truck a couple months ago so I thought I should start documenting my build.

This will NOT be one of those meticulous frame-off resto's that several others have done so well. Rather this will be my attempt to take a pieced-together truck and make myself a daily driver... one that I will actually feel like driving daily.

I'll start with the basics, the canvas I am starting with:
1966 C10 short fleetside.
Straight 6 250 and TH350.
The previous owner installed a mid-70's disc brake front end.
Rear is still a 12 bolt 6 lug.
Interior is fairly complete, unblemished bench seat, orig AM radio, all gauges work. The window felts and seals are shot. The PO installed a new fuel tank and sender.

Body is straight, no rust to cut out and it shouldn't take too much to get it into shape. Exterior is a faux-patina. The bed floor was replaced with a steel floor from a newer truck so I'll stick with that since it is functional for me.

The PO added a drop spring kit but I'll be updating this to improve the ride.

Here are some pics of where I'm starting.

[Kenfuzed]

Originally Posted by mjs94080

nice truck!

do you know what size drop springs are in front and back?

and

is that a 3 in a Tree column shift, 3 speed tranny?

I believe the front springs are 3+ drops, they seem lower than standard 3's. After my engine swap I have a set of new drop spindles to install and need to find some 1" drop springs.

Automatic tranny.

[Kenfuzed]

Anyone know if this part is available? Top bracket for V8 radiator.


I am installing a Champion 3 row radiator and there is currently no bracket in the truck other than what is spot welded onto the old mismatched car radiator.

Also if anyone has other options for mounting this radiator please let me know.

[Kenfuzed]

New radiator arrived!

[Kenfuzed]

Started pulling the inline 6 out today. Spent most of the time wrestling with the trans crossmember bolts, then couldn't get the crossmember out before running out of light. I'll have to pull out the bigger BFH tomorrow or try spreading the frame with a bottle jack. I think the PO must have got a running start and jammed the transmission in because it is really jammed between the top lip of the hump on top and the trans mount.

[pimpston65]

Interior is fairly complete, unblemished bench seat, so when ur ready to sale that bench seat im ur guy!!!

[Kenfuzed]

Originally Posted by pimpston65

Interior is fairly complete, unblemished bench seat, so when ur ready to sale that bench seat im ur guy!!!

The seat is actually in pristine condition but I'll be keeping it

[Kenfuzed]

Painted the firewall today. Also found a local shop named Bills Hot Rod Co that specializes in brackets for SB350's. Picked up a chrome alternator bracket and special bracket for the P/S pump. Continued some prep for installing the new engine... but I'm sure I forgot something.

[rushautomotive]

I am in the middle of a small back window short fleetside too. I also have a short step side running truck as well. This fleetside is a budget build from all the extra parts we have.

[Bomp]

Sounds like great build in the making.

[Kenfuzed]

It was a tough weekend trying to get the engine in.

First I got the engine/trans wedged on top of the radiator support half way into the truck, so had to wait around for someone to help me free it. The lift height was maxed out and there was no room underneath the front end so letting the air out of the tires was not an option. With some finese the engine was freed but then soon realized that the HF lift did not have enough reach to get the engine all the way back into the engine bay. Arrrgh!

Friendly advice for anyone swapping an engine in these trucks, the Harbor Freight lift not only will not lift high enough but will also get stuck under the cross member (if truck is lowered) because the legs sit too high on the casters. It also lacks the reach needed unless you remove the front end.

A neighbor came to my rescue with a much larger lift. The legs sit lower so it can slide under the lowered truck. I got the engine down into the engine bay and spent far too long wrestling with it to line up with the perches. As I was doing this I kept thinking that the space in front of the engine seemed huge! I started looking around the engine and it was at this point that I realized the engine placement was so far back that there was no clearance to get the distributor cap back on (HEI). Arrrgh x2!

Luckily I had not finished bolting in the engine. The perches obviously need to move forward to make room, but the forward holes in the cross member do not align with these stock perches.

I decided instead of messing with these I'm going to pick up a set of the tubular style perches and mounts tomorrow that will move the engine forward and allow for the slide bolt attachment similar to Chevelles. These are suppose to line up with the existing holes in the front cross member (I hope). Unfortunately this also means I need to get a longer drive shaft. Ugh, yet another expense and delay.

The other advantage of moving the engine forward will be reducing that huge space between the engine and radiator.

The saga continues.

[Turtleman]

Sounds like yours seems to go the way mine do.. but with Patience it all works out.... step back,, take a deep breath (or 3) look at the girly pictures hung up on the wall,, then try again.. they seem to fit after that.. LOL