My "new" 1965 C20 with pics and a question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Idaho1965 · 07-03-2011, 09:36 PM

Hello all... new to the forum, greetings!

Picked up this '65 C20 today from a tiny town in Idaho called Eden. Cool seller... paid $1,800. It's presently a 283 with a four speed and 4.11 Posi. Going to restore it / build it to be a pro-street with classic styling.

Question: check out the rust pics towards the bottom. Should I go for it with this truck or look for a better starting point? I'll be paying a local shop to do the resto for me.

thx!

The farmer wood is gone!

Now for the cancer pics...

So... what do you think?

**jocko** · 07-03-2011, 10:15 PM

It's a 3/4 ton, restore it gets my vote! Don't see very many hot-rodded C20s though... maybe you could start a trend. Or, maybe there's a reason there is no trend! Either way - nice truck! Congratulations on the new project and thanks for posting some pics. My final vote - resto baby! (with some hidden modern conveniences that will make it more enjoyable to drive - and you won't ever want to let this truck go)

Btw, I don't think it's too far gone (I originally thought your poll was for "resto vs hot rod" - sorry, I should read the whole question.... ) You could patch panel it to death, but it's far enough that it's probably easier to buy a whole fender rather than trying to fix one at this point - but they are available and no work involved. Remember, time (even your own) is money.

So, couple fenders (or 1 + a patch on the other) - dump the aluminum siding trim, replace both rockers, and maybe some floor patches. LMC and several places sell a radio patch and I saw 3 ash tray on ebay last week.
Your bed looks pretty darn good to be honest. Definitely restorable - easily can make it into a solid driver.

GeorgeLeonard · 07-03-2011, 10:17 PM

What size tires are they? They look huge. Any clearance issues? Looks As if you have some rust to deal with. But if you are planning to relace/renew a lot of pieces, it probably doesn't matter. If you are going to pay someone else to do it, I hope you have set aside plenty of money. God luck with your project.
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**joedoh** · 07-03-2011, 10:30 PM

that is going to be a lot of rust repair but the replacement panels are cheap. how are the bottoms of the door inside? if that is super rusty I would probably try to find a west coast replacement cab instead, but all in all looks like a good truck, especially if it runs well.

**Captainfab** · 07-04-2011, 01:14 AM

Welcome to the forum

That truck definitely does have some rust issues, but finding a truck that doesn't have any rust issues, is going to be very hard to find, and you will have to travel a ways to find one. Like was already mentioned, the patch panels are available, but you are going to have a sizeable bill with whoever you are paying to do the work for you. And hopefully you can find someone that will do a good job for you. There are lots of hacks out there.

On the plus side, overall I would say that is a decent truck to build from.

61_FL_Apache · 07-04-2011, 07:41 PM

Keep it!! Easy repairs.

chevyrestoguy · 07-04-2011, 08:22 PM

Save it. Especially if it is a runner and a driver.

I'm a little biased, though. I think we should save them all.

Max1775 · 07-04-2011, 08:34 PM

You've got less rust than I do and I'm not giving up on her.... Just more time you get to spend. How is the roof? That's the only thing that scares me on mine.
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dragn91 · 07-04-2011, 09:24 PM

Why not just order the patch panels and weld them in yourself. Practice on some thin metal first then go for it on the truck. I think half the fun is fixing them. Btw my trucks rockers floors and lower fenders are allmost non existint there's even a hole under my heel that once use to be the gas pedal hinge spot and I drive mine daily. I say go for it
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GeorgeLeonard · 07-06-2011, 09:15 PM

Can anyone venture an educated guess on what size tires he is using? It doesnt seem as if the original poster is going to answer my question. Maybe he didnt buy the truck after all.

1Bad62Pro/Street · 07-06-2011, 09:31 PM

As far as rust/rot...the most important part of the whole truck will be the cab, doors, and hood. Everything else can be bought. Cab isn't to bad shape! Grab a welder and a grinder!

Quote:

Going to restore it / build it to be a pro-street with classic styling.

PRO/STREET HER!

**Captainfab** · 07-07-2011, 12:45 AM

Well they are 16" wheels, but other than that I would be guessing. Maybe 245/75R16"s....or maybe 235/85R16's?

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeorgeLeonard

Can anyone venture an educated guess on what size tires he is using? It doesnt seem as if the original poster is going to answer my question. Maybe he didnt buy the truck after all.

PAPA KENT · 07-07-2011, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Well they are 16" wheels, but other than that I would be guessing. Maybe 245/75R16"s....or maybe 235/85R16's?

yes they look like they are lt235/85r16's,they are to tall and to thin to be 245's.

steve'62 · 07-07-2011, 05:54 PM

mine got some rust issues that need some love as well, I vote keep it!

bama63 · 07-08-2011, 01:05 PM

Fix it!

glos55 · 07-08-2011, 01:27 PM

It's begging to be hot rodded!!!

View Poll Results: To restore on not to restore?
Restore this truck!	17	94.44%
Too much cancer, find a better starting point.	1	5.56%
Voters: 18. You may not vote on this poll

07-03-2011, 09:36 PM	#1
Idaho1965 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Eagle, Idaho Posts: 1	My "new" 1965 C20 with pics and a question Hello all... new to the forum, greetings! Picked up this '65 C20 today from a tiny town in Idaho called Eden. Cool seller... paid $1,800. It's presently a 283 with a four speed and 4.11 Posi. Going to restore it / build it to be a pro-street with classic styling. Question: check out the rust pics towards the bottom. Should I go for it with this truck or look for a better starting point? I'll be paying a local shop to do the resto for me. thx! The farmer wood is gone! Now for the cancer pics... So... what do you think?

07-03-2011, 10:15 PM	#2
jocko Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Godley, TX Posts: 17,975	Re: My "new" 1965 C20 with pics and a question It's a 3/4 ton, restore it gets my vote! Don't see very many hot-rodded C20s though... maybe you could start a trend. Or, maybe there's a reason there is no trend! Either way - nice truck! Congratulations on the new project and thanks for posting some pics. My final vote - resto baby! (with some hidden modern conveniences that will make it more enjoyable to drive - and you won't ever want to let this truck go) Btw, I don't think it's too far gone (I originally thought your poll was for "resto vs hot rod" - sorry, I should read the whole question.... ) You could patch panel it to death, but it's far enough that it's probably easier to buy a whole fender rather than trying to fix one at this point - but they are available and no work involved. Remember, time (even your own) is money. So, couple fenders (or 1 + a patch on the other) - dump the aluminum siding trim, replace both rockers, and maybe some floor patches. LMC and several places sell a radio patch and I saw 3 ash tray on ebay last week. Your bed looks pretty darn good to be honest. Definitely restorable - easily can make it into a solid driver.

07-03-2011, 10:17 PM	#3
GeorgeLeonard Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Northwest, NJ Posts: 195	Re: My "new" 1965 C20 with pics and a question What size tires are they? They look huge. Any clearance issues? Looks As if you have some rust to deal with. But if you are planning to relace/renew a lot of pieces, it probably doesn't matter. If you are going to pay someone else to do it, I hope you have set aside plenty of money. God luck with your project. Posted via Mobile Device

07-03-2011, 10:30 PM	#4
joedoh Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Doodah Kansas Posts: 7,774	Re: My "new" 1965 C20 with pics and a question that is going to be a lot of rust repair but the replacement panels are cheap. how are the bottoms of the door inside? if that is super rusty I would probably try to find a west coast replacement cab instead, but all in all looks like a good truck, especially if it runs well.

07-04-2011, 01:14 AM	#5
Captainfab 60-66 Nut Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Posts: 23,252	Re: My "new" 1965 C20 with pics and a question Welcome to the forum That truck definitely does have some rust issues, but finding a truck that doesn't have any rust issues, is going to be very hard to find, and you will have to travel a ways to find one. Like was already mentioned, the patch panels are available, but you are going to have a sizeable bill with whoever you are paying to do the work for you. And hopefully you can find someone that will do a good job for you. There are lots of hacks out there. On the plus side, overall I would say that is a decent truck to build from. __________________ Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE

07-04-2011, 07:41 PM	#6
61_FL_Apache Who Me? Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Royal Palm Beach, FL Posts: 4,067	Re: My "new" 1965 C20 with pics and a question Keep it!! Easy repairs. __________________ Steve 1997 Tahoe LT 4D 2WD (DD) 2001 Blazer 4D 2WD 1961 Apache 10 (sold) 1965 C10 Stepper (sold)

07-04-2011, 08:22 PM	#7
chevyrestoguy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: apple valley, ca Posts: 2,670	Re: My "new" 1965 C20 with pics and a question Save it. Especially if it is a runner and a driver. I'm a little biased, though. I think we should save them all. __________________ Check out my latest endeavor: https://roundsixpod.com My build threads: '55 Chevy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=247512 '64 C-20: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=446527

07-04-2011, 08:34 PM	#8
Max1775 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Bandera, Texas Posts: 251	Re: My "new" 1965 C20 with pics and a question You've got less rust than I do and I'm not giving up on her.... Just more time you get to spend. How is the roof? That's the only thing that scares me on mine. Posted via Mobile Device

07-04-2011, 09:24 PM	#9
dragn91 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: charlestown maryland Posts: 272	Re: My "new" 1965 C20 with pics and a question Why not just order the patch panels and weld them in yourself. Practice on some thin metal first then go for it on the truck. I think half the fun is fixing them. Btw my trucks rockers floors and lower fenders are allmost non existint there's even a hole under my heel that once use to be the gas pedal hinge spot and I drive mine daily. I say go for it Posted via Mobile Device

07-06-2011, 09:15 PM	#10
GeorgeLeonard Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Northwest, NJ Posts: 195	Re: My "new" 1965 C20 with pics and a question Can anyone venture an educated guess on what size tires he is using? It doesnt seem as if the original poster is going to answer my question. Maybe he didnt buy the truck after all.

07-07-2011, 05:54 PM	#14
steve'62 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Goodyear,az Posts: 251	Re: My "new" 1965 C20 with pics and a question mine got some rust issues that need some love as well, I vote keep it!

07-08-2011, 01:05 PM	#15
bama63 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: gadsden, alabama Posts: 468	Re: My "new" 1965 C20 with pics and a question Fix it! __________________ Due to financial constraints, the light at the end of the tunnel will be shut off until further notice

07-08-2011, 01:27 PM	#16
glos55 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kalamazoo, MI Posts: 1,008	Re: My "new" 1965 C20 with pics and a question It's begging to be hot rodded!!!



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