Heres an idea for a sweet truck build.

[doubleb's69]

I know its kind of overkill but I want to use parts that are correct for the intended year. So if a 71-82 are the same as a 70 then that would work. I'm going to hopefully make this thing look as if it left GM that way.

[Dieselwrencher]

If you wanted to get real crazy and creative, you could probably just use a vette frame but it would be some work for sure. The rear axle in the C3 corvettes, 1968-1982, are pretty close in identity. I doubt many people could tell a 82 rear from a 68 aside from the rear cover.

[coops714x4]

I live about 40 miles west of I-35 on hwy 19 HHMM sounds like you might be interested in the 396. its ALL original from the oil pan to the air cleaner. how familiar are you with "COPO" cars? if you have researched this much you will find that most of them where plain jane "MUSCLE" most of the copo cars were bought and used as race cars that got tore up!!! thats why there are so few "survivors". so if your wanting to do a "true" copo it would have to be "mean" all tho you could "option" it out. here is what I would do - plain jane outside, muscle, under the hood, all the bells and whistles inside - tach, tilt, A/C, PS, PDB, AM/FM, buckets & console. I would run a automatic for driveability

[doubleb's69]

Originally Posted by coops714x4

I live about 40 miles west of I-35 on hwy 19 HHMM sounds like you might be interested in the 396. its ALL original from the oil pan to the air cleaner. how familiar are you with "COPO" cars? if you have researched this much you will find that most of them where plain jane "MUSCLE" most of the copo cars were bought and used as race cars that got tore up!!! thats why there are so few "survivors". so if your wanting to do a "true" copo it would have to be "mean" all tho you could "option" it out. here is what I would do - plain jane outside, muscle, under the hood, all the bells and whistles inside - tach, tilt, A/C, PS, PDB, AM/FM, buckets & console. I would run a automatic for driveability

Very familiar with COPO cars, as far as literature and the internet has taught me. What you are talking about on your truck is what I plan on doing. All except the A/C. I know how hot it gets in Ok ( You guys even set a record for the hottest summer in U.S. history at an average temp of 88.7 degrees. ) but I don't want Air in my truck. I also plan on a M22 4 speed with 4.11's. Also I probably don't have the money to buy a complete L78.

[a_barth]

I like the M22 idea another option would be an automatic with a horseshoe shifter. I always liked the idea of a console with a horseshoe shifter between to buckets.

[Bert W]

I just read through the whole thread. It sounds like you are off to a good start. Stick to your idea, the all 1970 option stuff will be great. With all of the great suggestions it would be easy to deviate from the original plan.

[coops714x4]

Yes stick with your original plan. its your truck. I like the 4 speed and if your going after "muscle" that's the only way to go. you said you prob couldn't afford a L78. If you don't mind me asking, what is your budget as far as a 70 factory engine and trans. and if its none of my business say so.... COPO Central Office Purchase Order. and what that means is if you got the money and its available you can have it. Now if your going "muscle" I would use the big sway bars front and rear, Iron bell housing, 4 core radiator, and anything else I could get that's "heavy duty" . I'm sure it will be cool, build what you want. just keep us posted. Coop

[doubleb's69]

Originally Posted by Bert W

I just read through the whole thread. It sounds like you are off to a good start. Stick to your idea, the all 1970 option stuff will be great. With all of the great suggestions it would be easy to deviate from the original plan.

I think it would be easier to do the all 1970 model line option stuff. I figure if GM would have decided to build this they wouldn't do a whole lot of re-tooling to make a bunch of different parts that would drive up the cost of the manufacture of the truck. It would just be easier to borrow it right from the lineup.

[doubleb's69]

Originally Posted by coops714x4

Yes stick with your original plan. its your truck. I like the 4 speed and if your going after "muscle" that's the only way to go. you said you prob couldn't afford a L78. If you don't mind me asking, what is your budget as far as a 70 factory engine and trans. and if its none of my business say so.... COPO Central Office Purchase Order. and what that means is if you got the money and its available you can have it. Now if your going "muscle" I would use the big sway bars front and rear, Iron bell housing, 4 core radiator, and anything else I could get that's "heavy duty" . I'm sure it will be cool, build what you want. just keep us posted. Coop

Budget is small. I repair small engines on the side (mostly lawn mowers) to make money for my project, and its all word of mouth work so I do a job and then put the money in the bank. No money comes out of the general fund for the truck, thats why it takes me so long to do anything. Also I've been buying up parts that I will need later if they are cheap enough and then just store them away.

As for the "muscle" part, it will get sway bars front and back, and the heavy duty cooling system, I'm even thinking radio delete because chambered exhaust, and M22 gear whine should be the only thing I listen to while driving.

[Bert W]

You are right Bud, Chevy would have pulled parts from the bin to create the SST/10.

[RenoKeene]

Build it! Its a great idea.
I'm building a "Florida Edition" GMC that they should have built.
Creativity is what its all about.
Subscribed.

[a_barth]

RenoKeene just curious as to what your "Florida Edition" is gonna be, I'm building a 72 C30 that is going to be what I think I would have liked to order as a Custom Camper.

[RenoKeene]

Originally Posted by a_barth

RenoKeene just curious as to what your "Florida Edition" is gonna be, I'm building a 72 C30 that is going to be what I think I would have liked to order as a Custom Camper.

I'll start a thread and post up some pics pretty soon......you are right down the road from me.

[RenoKeene]

You've probably already seen this but I'll throw it out there anyway...I'd love to see someone build this..

[RenoKeene]

One of these days I'd like to try the flip headlight trick with a GMC grill....

[stomper]

Now THAT ^^^ looks cool!

[a_barth]

Originally Posted by RenoKeene

I'll start a thread and post up some pics pretty soon......you are right down the road from me.

Yeh I actually will be in that area Saturday evening and my buddy used to work over there at Mort's Welding in Lady Lake.

[MARKDTN]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

You should be able to pick up one from a C3 corvette pretty reasonable. Look for 75-82 parts. They seem to be the cheapest. You could also look for stuff from C4's. 84-91ish should be cheaper yet I'm guessing. Those complete cars don't bring much.

Not quite that simple. 64-79 Corvettes (C2 and most C3) are one style with an iron diff. 80-82 (last 3 years of C3) are another style with aluminum diff and do not interchange. 84-96 are completely different than those; and automatic and 6-speed are different than each other. The C4 automatic Dana 36 style is not in huge demand, but the C4 Dana 44 6-speed setups are in high demand and quite spendy $$. All C4 suspension is in some demand for those doing tube frame swaps into earlier Corvettes and street rods. Not everyone wants the C5 and C6 Corvette stuff because of the rear transaxle. I'm not sure you gain a lot from doing this anyway. I'd do a car 12 bolt and leaf springs long before I did an IRS swap in a truck. My .02

[doubleb's69]

I really like the GMC renokeene.

[RenoKeene]

It's definatly doable, vac operated headlight buckets. There is plenty of room behind the grill.
It sure would get a lot of attention. I have the stuff to build it out of, maybe I'll give it a go after I finish my current project.
Posted via Mobile Device

[doubleb's69]

Originally Posted by RenoKeene

It's definatly doable, vac operated headlight buckets. There is plenty of room behind the grill.
It sure would get a lot of attention. I have the stuff to build it out of, maybe I'll give it a go after I finish my current project.
Posted via Mobile Device

Sounds cool, and it would get lots of attention at the cruises/shows.

[doubleb's69]

I don't know why I never thought of it befor but how about Pontiac VOE mufflers. They were a very rare option that only 230 or so cars got befor Pontiac killed the option. It was a 1970 option and fits with the theme. Waldrons reporoduces the entire kit. I have just watched some videos on YouTube and I think it is awesome.

[Dieselwrencher]

Sounds like a good idea to me.

[darkhorse970]

I love the ideas in this thread and actually have a few of my own that will be incorporated into my "68 stepside. The COPO ideas are really cool to me, and they fit my build plan pretty closely...we will be diving into it soon.

[earlthegoat2]

COPOs and Yenkos (also COPOs) do exist for the '68 model year as well. 427s and all. So doing a 68 truck up like a COPO also fits with the theme. Good thing too because I like the 68 front clips a whole lot better than the 69s. Probably a few more here who agree too.

I really dont like Rally Sport Camaros at all which makes kind of throw up a little in my mouth at the sight of the above picture.