1965/73 Cheap Build Up

[Strodder]

I bought this 1965 C-20 Long Bed for $200.00. It needed a lot, but was in good shape. It came with a lot of chrome, and a new front chrome bumper, plus 8 lug mags. I couldn't pass up the deal. It had no bed on it, so I went looking for short bed step side, and found one from a 73 wrecked C-10. The 73 had a bent frame in the front. He hit a buss, and the damage was above the bumper, but still bent the frame near the power steering box. I bought the whole truck for $450.00. It has power brakes, power steering, disc brakes, 2 1/2" dropped spindles, power windows, locks, A/C a custom bench seat, and 15" & 16" Cragar SS Wheels. One in the front is bent. The rest cleaned up like new.

My plan is to convert the 65 Long Bed 3/4 ton to a Short Bed 1/2 ton. I don't like the coil springs in the back, so the 73 is a perfect donor. In the process of making it a short bed I will mate the 2 frames together, and end up with exactly what I want. A 1/2 ton step side short bed 1965 C-10

I just stripped the 73, and am going to use everything from the bumper bolts to the wiring harness.

Here's some pictures when I brought them home, before any work was done.







NOW THE HARD QUESTION IS. WHAT SHOULD I NAME IT ?? Half ass 65/73 ?.......LOL

[Strodder]

Here's the 73 C-10





I cut most of the damage off.

[Strodder]

I forgot to mention. The 73 came with a 350 engine, 700R4 Tranny, and a 12 bolt 308 posi rear.

I can't believe the great deals I found. I'll try to post my progress as I continue my Cheap Build. I'm going to look for as many good deals I could find, and good use used parts.

[jason65]

Thats a good lookin 65. Cant wait to see it come together.

[Strodder]

Thanks. I have a lot of work ahead of me.

[Strodder]

The first thing I did was order a white face sticker kit, and restored the gauges. Notice I turned the odometer back to 000000

[Alan's Classic]

Man, it looks like you have a great plan. Looks like you don't have much rust to deal with. Can't wait to see the build come along.

[jason65]

That looks cool. You gonna put the custom badgeing back on it?

[Joey~AP]

Short bed 3/4 ton!

Slammed!

[Strodder]

Originally Posted by Alan's Classic

Man, it looks like you have a great plan. Looks like you don't have much rust to deal with. Can't wait to see the build come along.

The only rust I have is near the front kick panel on the floor. Some one started the restoration, and the inner front fenders and front part of the frame is painted. I'll redo all that because it's not up to my standards. But at least it's already clean. Your Build Thread really inspired me to get going on it.

[Strodder]

Originally Posted by jason65

That looks cool. You gonna put the custom badgeing back on it?

Thanks Jason. No, I'm going to shave everything.

[Strodder]

Originally Posted by Joey~AP

Short bed 3/4 ton!

Slammed!

No a slammed 1/2 ton. Air bagged with a custom made chrome triangled 4-link. I already have the 4-link & 8 valves

[Strodder]

We I finely took the cab off the 73, and stripped everything off the front of the frame. The engine & tranny, mounts, complete front suspension..

[Strodder]

After I pressure washed the front end I leveled the frame front & rear on jack stands.

[Strodder]

Next I organized everything I was going to use from the 73. This is what I started with. A pile of junk



I cleaned up some shelves and put the junk on them so I knew exactly what I had..

[Strodder]

The 350 has a 2 barrel on it. I scored a RPM Performer Edelbrock intake, a Chrome 2 piece timing chain cover, and a Camaro Tilt Column all for $150.00.The manifold looked almost new, and the timing cover is new. The column is tight with all the electrical on it. I can't believe I'm finding all these great deals.

[protrash64]

I was going to mention, did you know some of these trucks came with leaf suspension in the rear? Mite not be too hard to find one.

I like that your bed is already the same color as the truck!


Cool stuff, cant wait to see what you come up with on this one.

[Strodder]

I knew that. I was going to shorten the frame any way even If I didn't decide to go with leafs. Since I came across the deals on both trucks, I might as well.

[502tripower]

Looks like a fun project. Is that a Lark convert I see in your shop?

[Strodder]

Originally Posted by 502tripower

Looks like a fun project. Is that a Lark convert I see in your shop?

Yes, a 63 Lark. I just finished a 63 Lark Wagon with a sliding rear roof. This customer owns both cars, and I doing the same things to the convertible as I did to the wagon. I installed a SB Chevy, Disc Brake conversion, rebuilt the front end, and a lot of other fabrication, and wiring. Did you notice the 55 Porsche 356?

Here's pictures of the Wagon., and Porsche. They are slowing me down on working on my truck, but I have to pay bills....LOL





Next week I have a 59 Ford Panel Truck coming in for a steering column.

[protrash64]

Originally Posted by Strodder

I knew that. I was going to shorten the frame any way even If I didn't decide to go with leafs. Since I came across the deals on both trucks, I might as well.

Right on! Milwaukee, sawzall blade division, thanx you!!!!!

[TimE]

Originally Posted by protrash64

Right on! Milwaukee, sawzall blade division, thanx you!!!!!

[Strodder]

I got more done today. I cut the frame off the 73, and I think I will cut it in a different place than I did. I'm going to cut it further back where it is straight..

[Strodder]

Then I brought the 65 into the shop, and started taking the body off.

[Strodder]

I took the body off all by my self. Look how I did it without the lift.

First I jacked up the cab, and put jack stands under it. Then I took the front wheels off for
clearance, and with the floor jack I wheeled it back.