New 70 C10 Rat Rod Project!

[mr._bowtie]

So Im new here obviously and posted a thread in the newbie area to say hi but I thought Id bounce in here and get a little more serious about the old dog I just picked up.


I traded a dirt bike the other day for this 70 C10. No good picks of it yet but ill post this one up. Im doin the rat rod thing and lookin for some input on ideas I have.

The truck doesnt have a front bumper right now, I can either pickup a old used one and paint it or I can do a piece of 2x8 and paint it up, Im doing a "shop truck" theme and that would kinda fit in that era.

Also leanin towards side pipes on it with some custom machine gun style heat shields. The truck is already lowered 4 & 6 inches and has some old alum mag wheels on it that fit it pretty well. Should I keep em and polish em, leave em dull, or paint up a old set or rallys and put on it?

So what do yall think about the ideas... yes... no... suggestions?

[mr._bowtie]

Here are a few pics

[kulturekat]

sweet looking truck i dig the grille

[oldblue1968chevy]

sweet!!

red old style wheels with chrome centercaps, red pinstriping and some red interior with flat black would be sweet, rusty ole bumper f/r draggin the ground

[see ten]

If it had a stock grill I think that you could pull off the wooden front bumper, but with the one you're using I think you're going to have to put a stocker on it for it to look right. I'd also ditch the 80s van/pickup mirrors if you want it to have a retro feel. There's nothing wrong with em mind you. I just don't feel you're going to get that old school vibe with em.

[spinning wheels]

I would try to find a straight steet front bumper. I can't remember what they originally were on, but they are like a straight blade with ridges on them. If I can find a pic I will send it.
Go with rally or steel rims, painted black or red with chrome beauty rings.

Get rid of the big mirrors, go with the small retro mirrors. The ones that install high on the door frame. You should be able to find them at Moon's, or Speedway's online shop.

Install a bench seat and either tuck and roll the vinyl in red or just put the mexican blanket over it.

Some thin pinstripping on the sides with larger pieces on the tailgate and front hood.

Ok, these are just some of the ideas I would do


Then again, its your truck........ Build it to your taste!

Keep us posted.

[mr._bowtie]

Excellent input!


I was defiantly leanin towards finding an old used bumper for it rather then a 2x8. Im definatly gonna be adding some old hot rod style pin stripping in a couple places... Id say hood and tailgate for sure.


Hadnt really thought about ditchin the mirrors but I think you guys are right, they are kinda outa place on it, plus they dont fit the contour of the door at all lol. Ill have to look and see what little replacements I can find.

Ill probably keep the buckets though... kinda like the attitude they add.

Also plannin on addin some side pipes with some kinda machine gun style heat sheilds. Think I mentioned that in a different thread.

[DavidB]

If it was mine I would do the peep mirrors, sport bumper, and rally wheels. Then drive it into the ground.

[OARNGESI]

Nice looking truck

[meansting04]

Nice truck have fun with it. Looks great. I would get it a little lower if it were me, oh and the peep mirrors too.

[heavy71chevy]

Does anyone know where to buy that front grille? Im hunting one for my 71

[Dingfodgy]

First of all- you have a nice start for the look you're after. If it were mine I would;
A. Carefully strip the paint from the grill surround and polish it back up.
B. Either find a good Chrome front sport bumper or fab up some contoured nerf bars.
C. Ditch the high back buckets and try to score some low back units from an mid 60's GM "B" Body (Chevelle, LeMans, Cutlass, Wildcat, etc...).
D. Roll some old skool "Genie" rims (red, of course) with cop caps and thin hot-rod rings.
E. Wide Whites for rubber.
F. Peep mirrors or stock round ones.
G. No side pipes
H. Definately some mild pinstripping.
I. Pitch the auto column, and replace the floor shifter with a 23" Lokar unit.
J. Drive it like ya' Stole it!

[mr._bowtie]

Im definatly seein that I need to pickup a set of rally wheels and get some paint slobered on em.

Where can I find the peep mirrors? Not used to lookin for parts for the pre 73 trucks.

Ohh and Dingfodgy... On the front bumper "nerf bar" idea. I like that, might see what I can come up with. I do have access to a very well equiped metal fab shop so I can do some tinkerin with stuff like that. Any input on how to make it look right, ive not see anyone do it on a low 2x4 before.

[infinite-foamies]

Anyone know where that grill came from?

[Money_pit]

You can just google phantom grill. I think lmc has em

[infinite-foamies]

Originally Posted by Money_pit

You can just google phantom grill. I think lmc has em

Nope, the ones LMC has don't cover the headlights. Though google did find a result, thanks.

[89AKurt]

Begging for a section of railroad rail for a bumper.