C20 long bed farm truck to C10 short bed driver - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**SoCoC10** · 01-01-2015, 10:45 PM

After realizing I can never take my 65 Chevelle SS to Walmart. I am going to temper my need to make this truck perfect and just make it better than when I got it. The truck is Fremont, CA built C20 long bed that was sold locally here in Colorado Springs at Daniel's Chevrolet. Plans are to convert the 8 lug drum front end to 5 lug disc brakes, 5 lug rear diff. drop it 4-5" in the front and 6-7". Shorten the frame and convert the long bed to a short bed. Roll it on some 20" Boss 338s.

Have not done much to it yet,just fixed a coolant leak, wet sanded the primer spots and sprayed some rattle white. Removed the ugly broken red horn from the firewall and installed a working horn. If it ever stops snowing I am hoping to get some work done on her soon.

dmack91 · 01-02-2015, 02:57 AM

Sounds similar to what my son is doing with his 68 C20. Frame and bed already cut, doing bodywork (when it is above freezing). Just picked up a 78 C10 for donor running gear today.

Keep us posted.

**SoCoC10** · 01-02-2015, 10:21 AM

I bought the truck because the drivetrain was solid. 350/TH350 that runs and shifts good. The pass/drivers outer rockers have been replaced but not a good job. The pass cab corner and mout are rusted but drivers side is good. Best of luck to you and your son with your truck.

Saclandman · 01-02-2015, 12:03 PM

Looks like a good place to start. Good luck.

**SoCoC10** · 01-03-2015, 12:15 AM

Thanks for the words of incouragement. My sister graduated from UC Davis. Orig from San Jose, I spent some time in the Elk Grove area near Sac. Even showed a 67 Nova at the fairgrounds in Sac.

Saclandman · 01-03-2015, 01:16 AM

Cool. There's several members up in these parts. Where in CO are you. I spent a year there when I was a kid near Durango. Too cold for us Californians.

**SoCoC10** · 01-03-2015, 11:45 PM

Made some progress today. Left side C20 lower control arm, spindle, drum and upper ball joint are removed. Pressed in new lower ball joints in to 84 C10 lower control arms. Toughest part was getting the rivets out of the upper ball joint/control arm.

**SoCoC10** · 01-04-2015, 10:04 PM

Got the right lower control arm installed, the upper ball joint installed, 2" drop coil spring and drop spindle.

**SoCoC10** · 01-04-2015, 10:16 PM

New standard duty 1" thick rotor, bearings, caliper and brake pads. New KYB GR2 shock. Need brake hoses, tie rods, master cylinder and perportioning valve. Still deciding if I want a booster or not.

**SoCoC10** · 01-11-2015, 11:22 AM

Got the driver's side taken apart yesterday. Hope to get assembled today.

67joelara · 07-05-2018, 09:03 PM

So did you just have to switch out the lower a arms and ball joints to switch

tommys72 · 05-08-2015, 10:50 PM

Nice work so far. Looks good

Mac93 · 05-10-2015, 12:59 PM

Wheels look very nice. I see you ran your brake hardlines for the longbed, are you not going to cut it to a shortbed anymore or are you planning on keeping it running and driving till you cut it?

**SoCoC10** · 05-13-2015, 09:39 PM

With spring here I'm gonna do a few cosmetic things and leave the long bed alone. My girlfriend has a paddle boat that the longbed might come in handy for. 👍 Mac93 great work on the seat recover.

**SoCoC10** · 05-13-2015, 09:58 PM

Got some paint work done on the truck. My first try at patina. If it would stop thunder showering I could get some paint on the hood.

**SoCoC10** · 05-13-2015, 10:08 PM

Got rid of the all white front end too.

boynton · 05-13-2015, 11:13 PM

I have thought about trying this build. Im in for the education. So you used the stock c20 upper a-arms and the '78 lowers with '78 ball joints in both? after you swap the rear are you going to swap the core support and cab bushings to the c10 size or will you have to keep the c20's to keep everything lined up?

swamp rat · 05-16-2015, 02:00 AM

I wouldn't take that truck to Walmart ether! LOL! Nice work so far, amazing how much better it looks with 5 lug wheels.

**SoCoC10** · 06-02-2015, 10:32 PM

boynton, I used stock upper control arms with later(73-87) upper ball joints. 86 lower control arms with new 86 lower ball joints. Have not decided on the mounts yet.

**SoCoC10** · 06-02-2015, 10:40 PM

Got some letters and the hood done.

Saclandman · 06-09-2015, 07:28 PM

Looking good. Keep it up.

Gus350 · 06-10-2015, 08:00 AM

Starting to look Killer

Xeen · 06-10-2015, 09:32 AM

This pickup has really nice front sheet metal.
It looks great lowered.

Justin@EntropyRad · 06-10-2015, 02:59 PM

Sweet El-Bee

bopper_702 · 07-11-2015, 12:42 AM

u didnt have to change the cross member correct? just spindles and lower control arms
?
nice work.

01-01-2015, 10:45 PM	#1
SoCoC10 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Colorado Posts: 3,269	C20 long bed farm truck to C10 short bed driver After realizing I can never take my 65 Chevelle SS to Walmart. I am going to temper my need to make this truck perfect and just make it better than when I got it. The truck is Fremont, CA built C20 long bed that was sold locally here in Colorado Springs at Daniel's Chevrolet. Plans are to convert the 8 lug drum front end to 5 lug disc brakes, 5 lug rear diff. drop it 4-5" in the front and 6-7". Shorten the frame and convert the long bed to a short bed. Roll it on some 20" Boss 338s. Have not done much to it yet,just fixed a coolant leak, wet sanded the primer spots and sprayed some rattle white. Removed the ugly broken red horn from the firewall and installed a working horn. If it ever stops snowing I am hoping to get some work done on her soon. Attached Images

01-02-2015, 02:57 AM	#2
dmack91 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Redmond, OR Posts: 759	Re: C20 long bed farm truck to C10 short bed driver Sounds similar to what my son is doing with his 68 C20. Frame and bed already cut, doing bodywork (when it is above freezing). Just picked up a 78 C10 for donor running gear today. Keep us posted. __________________ 68 Chev C20- son has it now 83 K20 - bought from son 70 C20 - in progress

01-02-2015, 10:21 AM	#3
SoCoC10 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Colorado Posts: 3,269	Re: C20 long bed farm truck to C10 short bed driver I bought the truck because the drivetrain was solid. 350/TH350 that runs and shifts good. The pass/drivers outer rockers have been replaced but not a good job. The pass cab corner and mout are rusted but drivers side is good. Best of luck to you and your son with your truck. Attached Images

01-02-2015, 12:03 PM	#4
Saclandman Registered User Join Date: May 2013 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 487	Re: C20 long bed farm truck to C10 short bed driver Looks like a good place to start. Good luck. __________________ Rich J. 1967 Chevy C20 Longbed Stepside w/283 and 4spdSOLD 2002 Chevy Tahoe 4X4 5.3L SOLD 2015 Chevy Silverado Crew 4X4 5.3L

01-03-2015, 12:15 AM	#5
SoCoC10 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Colorado Posts: 3,269	Re: C20 long bed farm truck to C10 short bed driver Thanks for the words of incouragement. My sister graduated from UC Davis. Orig from San Jose, I spent some time in the Elk Grove area near Sac. Even showed a 67 Nova at the fairgrounds in Sac. Attached Images

01-03-2015, 01:16 AM	#6
Saclandman Registered User Join Date: May 2013 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 487	Re: C20 long bed farm truck to C10 short bed driver Cool. There's several members up in these parts. Where in CO are you. I spent a year there when I was a kid near Durango. Too cold for us Californians. __________________ Rich J. 1967 Chevy C20 Longbed Stepside w/283 and 4spdSOLD 2002 Chevy Tahoe 4X4 5.3L SOLD 2015 Chevy Silverado Crew 4X4 5.3L

01-03-2015, 11:45 PM	#7
SoCoC10 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Colorado Posts: 3,269	Re: C20 long bed farm truck to C10 short bed driver Made some progress today. Left side C20 lower control arm, spindle, drum and upper ball joint are removed. Pressed in new lower ball joints in to 84 C10 lower control arms. Toughest part was getting the rivets out of the upper ball joint/control arm. Attached Images

01-04-2015, 10:04 PM	#8
SoCoC10 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Colorado Posts: 3,269	Re: C20 long bed farm truck to C10 short bed driver Got the right lower control arm installed, the upper ball joint installed, 2" drop coil spring and drop spindle. Attached Images __________________ 07' Extcab Silverado Z71 Silver Birch, 5.3L HO 71' Cheyenne C10 Hugger Orange on Saddle SWB Besides these two, too Many to count Last edited by SoCoC10; 01-04-2015 at 10:18 PM. Reason: Oops

01-04-2015, 10:16 PM	#9
SoCoC10 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Colorado Posts: 3,269	Re: C20 long bed farm truck to C10 short bed driver New standard duty 1" thick rotor, bearings, caliper and brake pads. New KYB GR2 shock. Need brake hoses, tie rods, master cylinder and perportioning valve. Still deciding if I want a booster or not. Attached Images __________________ 07' Extcab Silverado Z71 Silver Birch, 5.3L HO 71' Cheyenne C10 Hugger Orange on Saddle SWB Besides these two, too Many to count

01-11-2015, 11:22 AM	#10
SoCoC10 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Colorado Posts: 3,269	Re: C20 long bed farm truck to C10 short bed driver Got the driver's side taken apart yesterday. Hope to get assembled today. Attached Images __________________ 07' Extcab Silverado Z71 Silver Birch, 5.3L HO 71' Cheyenne C10 Hugger Orange on Saddle SWB Besides these two, too Many to count Last edited by SoCoC10; 01-11-2015 at 11:25 AM. Reason: rotate pic

07-05-2018, 09:03 PM	#11
67joelara Registered User Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Turlock ca Posts: 1	Re: C20 long bed farm truck to C10 short bed driver So did you just have to switch out the lower a arms and ball joints to switch

05-08-2015, 10:50 PM	#12
tommys72 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: springfield mo Posts: 3,075	Re: C20 long bed farm truck to C10 short bed driver Nice work so far. Looks good __________________ United States Marine Corps 2000-2011 Iraq and Afghanistan veteran Just living life now and enjoying it and my wife, daughter and son

05-10-2015, 12:59 PM	#13
Mac93 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Redmond, OR Posts: 94	Re: C20 long bed farm truck to C10 short bed driver Wheels look very nice. I see you ran your brake hardlines for the longbed, are you not going to cut it to a shortbed anymore or are you planning on keeping it running and driving till you cut it?

05-13-2015, 09:39 PM	#14
SoCoC10 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Colorado Posts: 3,269	Re: C20 long bed farm truck to C10 short bed driver With spring here I'm gonna do a few cosmetic things and leave the long bed alone. My girlfriend has a paddle boat that the longbed might come in handy for. 👍 Mac93 great work on the seat recover. __________________ 07' Extcab Silverado Z71 Silver Birch, 5.3L HO 71' Cheyenne C10 Hugger Orange on Saddle SWB Besides these two, too Many to count

05-13-2015, 09:58 PM	#15
SoCoC10 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Colorado Posts: 3,269	Re: C20 long bed farm truck to C10 short bed driver Got some paint work done on the truck. My first try at patina. If it would stop thunder showering I could get some paint on the hood. Attached Images __________________ 07' Extcab Silverado Z71 Silver Birch, 5.3L HO 71' Cheyenne C10 Hugger Orange on Saddle SWB Besides these two, too Many to count



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05-13-2015, 10:08 PM	#16
SoCoC10 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Colorado Posts: 3,269	Re: C20 long bed farm truck to C10 short bed driver Got rid of the all white front end too. Attached Images __________________ 07' Extcab Silverado Z71 Silver Birch, 5.3L HO 71' Cheyenne C10 Hugger Orange on Saddle SWB Besides these two, too Many to count

05-13-2015, 11:13 PM	#17
boynton Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Salado, Texas Posts: 1,418	Re: C20 long bed farm truck to C10 short bed driver I have thought about trying this build. Im in for the education. So you used the stock c20 upper a-arms and the '78 lowers with '78 ball joints in both? after you swap the rear are you going to swap the core support and cab bushings to the c10 size or will you have to keep the c20's to keep everything lined up? __________________ Just trying to figure this out... 1970 SWB Step-Side http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=552980 1970 LWB http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=584499 1970 SWB One Owner Step Side 6.0 LY6/6L90 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=617630 Junkyard's 1971 short wide http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...86#post7531186

05-16-2015, 02:00 AM	#18
swamp rat Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Spanaway Posts: 8,451	Re: C20 long bed farm truck to C10 short bed driver I wouldn't take that truck to Walmart ether! LOL! Nice work so far, amazing how much better it looks with 5 lug wheels. __________________ Mike. Swamp Rat build thread : http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=595019 72 3/4T 4X4 4" BDS Lift 33" BFG's

06-02-2015, 10:32 PM	#19
SoCoC10 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Colorado Posts: 3,269	Re: C20 long bed farm truck to C10 short bed driver boynton, I used stock upper control arms with later(73-87) upper ball joints. 86 lower control arms with new 86 lower ball joints. Have not decided on the mounts yet. __________________ 07' Extcab Silverado Z71 Silver Birch, 5.3L HO 71' Cheyenne C10 Hugger Orange on Saddle SWB Besides these two, too Many to count

06-02-2015, 10:40 PM	#20
SoCoC10 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Colorado Posts: 3,269	Re: C20 long bed farm truck to C10 short bed driver Got some letters and the hood done. Attached Images __________________ 07' Extcab Silverado Z71 Silver Birch, 5.3L HO 71' Cheyenne C10 Hugger Orange on Saddle SWB Besides these two, too Many to count

06-09-2015, 07:28 PM	#21
Saclandman Registered User Join Date: May 2013 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 487	Re: C20 long bed farm truck to C10 short bed driver Looking good. Keep it up. __________________ Rich J. 1967 Chevy C20 Longbed Stepside w/283 and 4spdSOLD 2002 Chevy Tahoe 4X4 5.3L SOLD 2015 Chevy Silverado Crew 4X4 5.3L

06-10-2015, 08:00 AM	#22
Gus350 68 C 10 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Advance ,Mo Posts: 554	Re: C20 long bed farm truck to C10 short bed driver Starting to look Killer __________________ Kevin "Life is Hard But its Harder when your Stupid" John Wayne 68 C10 70 C20 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?t=602326#

06-10-2015, 09:32 AM	#23
Xeen Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Topeka Kansas Posts: 2,655	Re: C20 long bed farm truck to C10 short bed driver This pickup has really nice front sheet metal. It looks great lowered. __________________ Please call me Brian. Check out My 1972 SWB Fleetside 5.3L Vortec Restomod Build

06-10-2015, 02:59 PM	#24
Justin@EntropyRad Registered User Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 483	Re: C20 long bed farm truck to C10 short bed driver Sweet El-Bee __________________ * Call me NOT the website number* Justin Novick (773) 303-8251 Sales/Support Entropy Radiator / Engineered Cooling Products "The Sexiest Radiators For The Sexiest Hot Rods" - www.EntropyRad.com www.speedcooling.com

07-11-2015, 12:42 AM	#25
bopper_702 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: LAS VEGAS, NEVADA Posts: 105	Re: C20 long bed farm truck to C10 short bed driver u didnt have to change the cross member correct? just spindles and lower control arms ? nice work. __________________ 1997 GMC SIERRA STEPSIDE 1986 CHEVY C10 1968 CHEVY C20 -JOSH IG:bopper702

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