You're invited to a wedding...C10 weds C5...and the TWO shall become ONE! C105

[Hideintire]

Welcome and thank you for your interest...I have a dream...a lowly C10 that rides and handles like a C5 Corvette. Is it doable? Is it practical? Will it work? Questions that need to be answered...
Surprisingly, the truck weighs in at 3300 lbs...give or take. A C5...3100 lbs. When you shed the factory heavy front cross member and replace it with the C5 aluminum cradle...toss the heavy rear end assembly for the C5 aluminum rear cradle...factor in the LS6 weight savings of roughly 100 lbs....we might see a C10 weight of 3100 lbs. But, with the C5 rear-mounted tranny...the front/rear weight distribution of 53/47% for the Z06 might also be a reality!
We have the frame on a table and the C5 front and rear cradles mounted. The torque tube will need 10.5” added. We decided to use the rear frame and just stiffen as needed. We cut the front frame horns off, just in front of cab mounts...here we have added 2x4 tubing, as needed. Surprisingly...it looks like the cab will need very little surgery for the engine...Were keeping our fingers crossed! I've not decided if I will raise the bed 2” or just make a cover for the tranny where it interferes. I intend to use this as a truck...so this will be a sore spot if I don't raise the bed.
Debating were to mount a gas tank and how to run exhaust...I want all this positioned so we have tabs in place before we finish frame. Lots to consider....
I am blessed to own an industrial machine shop...and no obama, you did not build this business! Without this luxury it would be hard to accomplish this dream. I need to thank my son, Jonathon, up front because without his engineering abilities my dreams would not see the light of day!
Well, here are the first pictures (the automatic transaxle was just used for trial fit...) more to follow....God Bless!
Thanks for looking!
Jimmy

[Bomp]

Sounds interesting I'm in.

[HSRACER]

I am intrigued. Coming along for the ride.

[70STOVEBOLT]

Subscribed, gotta see it!

[Tinkermc]

I don't know how to subscribe but I like the way you think and I will follow your trip

[70STOVEBOLT]

Tinkermc you are subscribed. All you have to do is post and you are subscribed.

[gdavis]

Originally Posted by Bomp

Sounds interesting I'm in.

leave it to bump to like this ride. He is into some different fab. not saying it isn't interesting to say the least. I never seen a rear transmission on a C10

[Rust_phoenix]

Wicked cool! I'm in

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Cant wait to see this..

[chuckmc8]

Innovators are what moves this hobby along and keeps everyone from having the same thing. Cant wait to see the result and what new methods come from this build

[flashed]

Im in on this .

[AJohn6]

Count me in...

[CC69Rat]

Cool project - I'm in.

[widewhite70]

It will handle and drive awesome! check out my build I did it with a C4 and an LS2 and it blew me away! good luck and if you have any questions with anything feel free to ask!

[72 Copper C-10]

Count me in also

[Tinkermc]

Thank you 70 Stovebolt 4 the info.

[70STOVEBOLT]

No problem tinkermc, happy to help.

[Hideintire]

Thanks everyone for all the kind words!

The shop was scrambling at the end of the year with last minute projects...gotta keep the customers happy! We should get started back next week. Been searching parts...found a great deal on a nice set of headers and pipes...now if I can just luck up on a 67-68 front end! Still stuck on where to put the gas tank...

Widewhite70...I have been following your build...very, very nice!

[Hideintire]

Hello....Sorry for the long delay! Days are just to short... The chassis is coming together, slowly!

Front suspension is complete. Will need to add some kind of cross brace after motor installation is closer. Initially, I will be running C6 Z06 front and rear springs and shocks. There has been much engineering put into the Corvette springs and except for race only vehicles they seem to be the way to go. My concern will be the truck weight and the distribution of that weight, compared to the Corvette. Rear suspension is close as well, but a cross brace still needs fabricating.

Showing C6 rear mufflers, but these will be dumped in place of a Spin-tech muffler mounted midway truck and then s/s straight pipes back to rollpan. It should make it cleaner and a much nicer look.

Brakes are 14” Brembo 2 piece rotors and 4 piston calipers. Found these used and they will require clean-up, powder paint and plating...still cheaper than new. Good size for truck.

Gas tank is next on agenda. Planning a Camaro 5th gen pump in s/s or aluminum fabricated tank. Due to narrow width of frame, it will require a two section tank with crossover between.

Planning to incorporate the factory EBCM, with lateral, yaw and directional sensors. Debating whether to go C6 or C5 components...since I would like to incorporate as much as possible using factory hardware. Since motor is C6 LS2 and using C6 computer, I'm not sure if it will talk to C5 components. I had initially planned to run an '05 Escalade dash cluster and associated BCM...there again ...no idea if it will talk to the C6 computer. C6 Vette cluster would look much nicer, but it would be harder to incorporate into the C10 dash area. I do plan on using the C6 steering column and wheel...looks like it will fit nicely.

Well, that's all for now. More details and pictures as they happen. Thanks for looking and kind comments!

God Bless!

[Xeen]

Woah this thing is sick!

[BigDaddyV]

Im in for this Ride! What a bad arz start to a wicked Truck!

[mcbassin]

Great looking chassis. Hope to see some more pictures soon.

[Custom 68]

I agree, that is awesome! Keep it going.

[BigMike]

Very cool!

[Bishops Trucks]

Great work. That should be a fun ride when it's on the road.