My '71 C20 build.

[hotrod100]

Well I've had my truck for a year now so I figured I would put together a thread on what I've done to it so far.


Here it is on the day I brought it home. It was in decent shape with only a couple of small dents and a small amount of rust. (Gotta love those Dumbo ear mirrors!)



The first thing to do was the engine. It's a 350, 10 to 1 with a .488 cam, Edelbrock intake, headers, billet HEI and some other goodies.



Started tearing it apart and stripping it down. Fortunately I didn't find any surprises under the paint. I couldn't believe how much that rear step bumper weighed!



As you can see, each door had numerous holes in them from all the different mirrors this truck has had on it over the previous 39 years. I welded up all the holes in the doors as well as the holes where the trim had been mounted.

[hotrod100]

Here it is getting the paint sanded down, body work done and the rear roll pan installed.



I decided to paint it flat black. Here it is getting all put back together. I replaced the door handles, lock cylinders, all of the light lenses and badges.



Here it is from the rear. The original liftgate was bowed and bent so badly that I decided to replace it with a smooth one.

[hotrod100]

Here it is all put together.



Next I decided to work on the interior. I replaced both window regulators, installed a stereo with a DVD player and new carpeting.



Then I took a glovebox door and turned it into an instrument cluster and installed Equus gauges.



I've also installed an aluminum radiator with electric fans but I still need to download the pictures. The next project is going to be air bags so stay tuned!

[oldblue1968chevy]

wow that things lookin SWEET fast!!!! Gonna leave it 3/4 ton? need more pics what kinda paint did u use?

[hotrod100]

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

wow that things lookin SWEET fast!!!! Gonna leave it 3/4 ton? need more pics what kinda paint did u use?

Thank you! Yes I'm going to leave it a 3/4 ton. The paint is just RustOleum flat black enamel.

The radiator is a Jegs with two 13 inch fans on the back and a 16 inch pusher on the front. It keeps it nice and cool even in heavy traffic.



Here's another interior pic from the drivers side. I still need to replace the dash pad but it will work for now.

[BlackTopMotors]

Just checked out your 71. Looking good! Post more pics if do more/if you get the chance.

[Dieselwrencher]

Nice looking truck! It sure is coming along nicely!

[hotrod100]

Originally Posted by BlackTopMotors

Just checked out your 71. Looking good! Post more pics if do more/if you get the chance.

Thank you. I will post some more as this thing progresses.

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Nice looking truck! It sure is coming along nicely!

Thank you!

[QKENUF4U]

lol i used the RUSTOLEUM gloss white on my 91 chevy bed.... sad thing is it layed as nice/nicer than the stock paint.... easy to scratch though....
ur truck looks great even in black..

[hotrod100]

Originally Posted by QKENUF4U

lol i used the RUSTOLEUM gloss white on my 91 chevy bed.... sad thing is it layed as nice/nicer than the stock paint.... easy to scratch though....
ur truck looks great even in black..

Thank you! The paint does lay down smooth. I also know what you mean about the paint being soft. To help fix that I mix Valspar enamel hardener with the paint. It really toughens it up and seems to add a little extra to the satin finish. Also as an added bonus it really speeds up the drying time. Just make sure you use a quality respirator if you add the hardener.

[BlackTopMotors]

Good to know about the paint. I like the color and from the pics it's not too flat of a black which is good in my opinion. Did you lower your truck and if so how did you do it, I have an 8 lug C20 as well but it rides stock height.

[hotrod100]

Originally Posted by BlackTopMotors

Good to know about the paint. I like the color and from the pics it's not too flat of a black which is good in my opinion. Did you lower your truck and if so how did you do it, I have an 8 lug C20 as well but it rides stock height.

Yeah, the hardener helps add a nice satin finish. The truck was already lowered when I bought it. All they did was cut around 1 1/2 coils off of the front and removed most of the spring stack in the rear. It rides like a lumber wagon which is why my next project is going to be air ride.

[BlackTopMotors]

Thanks for the info! Well for a lumber wagon it looks pretty cool!

[drive-em]

Truck looks great!
What size tires are you running?

[clelandracing]

Well Mr. Hot Rod 100.... i have to say i like your brothers truck..... LOL!!!! Show N Go is coming up... see u there buddy...

[blastonerski]

Hotrod100,

Truck is looking good!! What setup did u use to lower it??? Is that a 2 front and 5 rear?

Originally Posted by hotrod100

Here it is all put together.



Next I decided to work on the interior. I replaced both window regulators, installed a stereo with a DVD player and new carpeting.



Then I took a glovebox door and turned it into an instrument cluster and installed Equus gauges.



I've also installed an aluminum radiator with electric fans but I still need to download the pictures. The next project is going to be air bags so stay tuned!

[moregrip]

great looking truck!

Is lowering a C20 any different then a C10? parts, etc?

[bollybib]

It's good to see how someone can make a 3/4T look so cool. Nice job.

[hotrod100]

Originally Posted by blastonerski

Hotrod100,

Truck is looking good!! What setup did u use to lower it??? Is that a 2 front and 5 rear?

Thank you! The front springs are cut and the rear has most of the leaf springs removed from the stack. It's not ideal but it works. I'm going to end up bagging the truck. I was going to do it quite a while ago but life keeps getting in the way.

Originally Posted by moregrip

great looking truck!

Is lowering a C20 any different then a C10? parts, etc?

Thank you! The drop spindles (when I end up finaly installing them) are different.

Originally Posted by bollybib

It's good to see how someone can make a 3/4T look so cool. Nice job.

Thank you!

[moregrip]

Originally Posted by hotrod100

Thank you! The front springs are cut and the rear has most of the leaf springs removed from the stack. It's not ideal but it works. I'm going to end up bagging the truck. I was going to do it quite a while ago but life keeps getting in the way.



Thank you! The drop spindles (when I end up finaly installing them) are different.


Thank you!

very cool, so essentially all is the same besides the drop spindles? Any rear suspension differences (other than higher spring rates?)

[hotrod100]

Originally Posted by moregrip

very cool, so essentially all is the same besides the drop spindles? Any rear suspension differences (other than higher spring rates?)

The rear set up seem to be about the same.

[hotrod100]

Got a few more things done this week.

Intalled rear LED tail lights.


Installed some blue LED dome lights.


This isn't the best pic but you get the idea.


Got the new shifter built and installed.


That's about it for now but there are a few more things in the works.