Got my self a family project that has waited far to long

[Srubydo1986]

lets get started. its a 1965 short bed fleet all there minus every thing to make it move, shes been in the wood for at least my whole life so that about 23 years. It would be my great grand dads truck and after years i finally got the chance to have some fun. Right before my late grand father passed i asked and begged to finally get it and he said yes. with one condition she must have the same paint she had when new. So the burgundy and a white top. but the suspension and engine are all mine.

So heres the first question can i take this old truck and make her come back to life and at the same time make here a modern commuter with a bit of style.

I can get one perfect running s10 pickup (Isuzu something actually same truck tho) and fit this body on it. granite i will need to change the frame to body mount location but has any one done this and how hard will this be. Basically ill use every thing modern out of the s10 minus the shell of the truck. and cruise maybe (kinda dont want the airbag)

After this is done i plan to get the truck as low as i can without doing a body drop (only cause i like leg room)

any info would be great thx (ill have pics soon and yes the truck needs some major tlc) but very little rust last i looked (2 months ago)

[502tripower]

Congratulations on getting your granddads truck. The S10/Isusu will not work for a donor truck. What you need to look for is a 73-87 C10. All of the front suspention, steering and, brakes will swap right into the 65' with minimal mods. Good luck with your project and keep us posted.

[Rogue]

Originally Posted by 502tripower

The S10/Isusu will not work for a donor truck.

With enough money and time anything will fit!

502 is right, find a 72-87 disk front end.
Rebuild it and it bolt in. (Plenty of info on here)
Have your axle drilled for 5 on 5.
add your choice of powerplant and Overdrive transmission.

It then will drive/handle/ride as good or better than a late model.

I'm doing the same with my Grandfathers '64.

[Srubydo1986]

the reason for the s10 was cause i dought
the frame is any good. there for i was looking for something where all is nice and newish

but what stops me from using it length or width (cause i figured id have to change body mount locations (got my self a welder and a lift

[Captainfab]

Why do you say the frame may not be any good? If you can explain, maybe we can help you work out a plan to get this truck back on the road.

I agree that finding a '73-'87 C10 for a donor would be the best. Trying to put that body on a S10 chassis will more than likely be a lot of work and may be a little overwhelming for you. Swapping to a later C10 suspensing and a FI small block with an overdrive trans would make for a sweet driver.

[Srubydo1986]

the truck has been in the woods for at least 23 years. the floor pans and front and normal rust is really not there but with no motor or trans i figured something modern would be nice in an old truck. but seem the s 10 idea is a bust. so ill need to find another plan.

the 73-87 frames us speak of (i have a long bed) but that would be far to long so id need a short bed donor. As for front brakes and such im not to worried it will need a full suspension when im done getting it as close to the ground as i can with out cutting the frame.

(had one friend here say to take a look at the frame it might be ok and from there strip the truck to the frame sand blast repair and restore.)

either way i have to major projects one is this the other is my 70 chevelle (link below) minus the 86 i have right now trying to die on my. luckily i have a daily driver that has been holding true so far (knock on wood)