Daily Drivers?

[ClassicDreamer]

Thinking about buying an early 60's c10 as a daily driver. Eventually want to do bags on it, but no other major mods. Is this practical? I love in the New York, while our winters are not terrible how do these trucks handle in snow? I am in the middle of building my 54 3100 now and looking for a daily.

Advise on what to look for when buying? Floor and cab corner rot? Any info would be great

[816allen]

I wouldnt bag it if its gonna be your daily ive seen guys at work with bagged trucks and there bad @$$ but i also seen them stuck on the side of the highway too....I drive mine every day its been great to me i love this truck!
Stock motor and trans too havnt rolled in the snow yet with it but i say bring it on i have snow tires ready.

[LILRED66]

This is a good source of information, if you are prospecting a '60-'66 Chevy/GMC truck:

http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/bu...uide_60_66.htm

[jonzcustomshop]

I had trouble getting around in the snow and ice until I put about 300 pounds of sand bags over the axle, after that it got around great.

[markeb01]

I'd be a little skeptical about bags if it's going to be regularly driven in sub freezing weather, not sure how the air pressure changes would affect handling - although big rigs have been using air suspension for decades. Hopefully you'll get some opinions from guys that are currently driving bagged trucks in winter conditions.

When my 60 GMC was a daily driver I also ran about 300 lbs of sand bags under a Gaylord bed cover. I no longer run the bed cover, and because my fuel fill is now in the bed floor I don't use sand bags either. With studded snow tires as the only traction aid it's really squirrelly on slick roads.

I no longer drive it during bad weather, but if I did - I'd pull the aluminum diamond plate bed floor and switch to a steel replacement for the added weight.

[Indian113]

I have driven my wifes 64 stepside in the rain,with 300 hp and 373 gear whew lots of fun snow would be worse. short wheelbase and no weight in box means trouble

[Captainfab]

A posi, some good tires, and as already said some extra weight over the rear axle, and it'll go pretty good. Not 4x4 good but it is doable. My '66 Suburban was a year round daily for several years. Now I don't drive it in the winter unless I have to. The damn road de-icer really took it's toll on her

[Imperial Kustom]

I've driven both by '63 and '62 daily for almost ten years. Theyare both on air bags and I have never had any trouble.

[BR3W CITY]

i havn't taken my 66 in snow (nor would i), but I can comment on bags in winter
I live in wi and drove a bagged s10 through 2 winters. Reliability in snow/ice is greatly affected by what type of setup you go with.

The bags themselves are made of the same stuff as tires, so no worries about salt or anything getting on them. Electric compressors will draw a little more current in the cold just because of the piston tolerance; may or not be a problem depending on your battery/alt combo. Bagged rides (especially without shocks/swaybar setups) are bouncy/floaty sometimes, so mixed with ice/snow it can test your nerves if you get into a hairy situation.
In terms of maintenance and reliability the biggest things are; drain your air tank(s) down at the end of fall, making sure to get out any water, then use brake line antifreeze in the system to prevent valves from freezing.
Make sure your relays, and wiring is insulated and away from salt/ice etc. If you don't there is a chance you can erode the terminals and the connection will break right off (happend 2 me twice until i switched to a weather-sealed relay).
I would also recommend putting your valves in the bed, or protected somehow, as salt getting into the valves can damage the diaphram, or stick a valve open leaving you stranded (check valves help too).

[MikeN]

I drive mine to work every day for 10+ years, 40 mile round trip. All stock except for a 350 in place of the original inline-6.