63 C10 Stepside LS 6.0/6L90E Swap and upgrades.

[Ken Wolkens]

Normally I hang out on LS1 Tech but this seems like a proper venue for this build.

Here's what we're starting with: (the hood is already in the garage)

[Ken Wolkens]

The truck spent it's life in the Georgia/Carolina area and looks as if it's been restored at least once before. The reason I say this is the frame is very clean (no rust) with the exception of the red clay caked in various places.

[Ken Wolkens]

The truck was purchased with the original motor/trans already pulled and sitting in the bed.

Since most of the bolts holding the bed to the frame were loose or missing I decided to pull the bed.

Once the bed was off and the frame exposed, I sprayed it and the engine bay with degreaser. After a couple of hours with the power washer most of the red clay and the grease was gone.

All that the rear frame needed was another coat of black epoxy.

[Ken Wolkens]

For the majority of the build we decided to use a 10x30 storage locker so that the garage wasn't cluttered with all the extra pieces and the main body frame. The idea actually working very well. Once the truck is a roller again we'll move it to my garage and start the engine install.

[Ken Wolkens]

The locker opens at both ends so it's not always this dark in there.

Once I got the front end apart I called in the torch guy to cut off the stuff that is in the way of the 6.0/6L90E.

Amazingly I've not broken or stripped a bolt in the whole teardown process.

[Ken Wolkens]

The front end and frame was still pretty caked with the clay but Tim (the owner) spent some quality time with some wire brushes and scrapers. A few hours later he was able to epoxy the frame and the firewall.

[NEWFISHER]

New episode on Storage wars : " hey Barry, what's a guy with a face shield worth"? Lol
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Following along.

[1963c-10]

Welcome and great looking 63 short bed. Looks like your making pretty quick work on your project. The frame is looking great. Are you planning on keeping the truck stock in appearance or modified?

[Ken Wolkens]

Newfisher, We're definitely paying the bill for the locker...

1963C10, We're planning on keeping the body as it is right now with it's current patina while completely updating the drivetrain. The goal is to keep the truck looking as original or period correct as possible until you open the hood.

For the interior the plan is to keep the in cab tank, recover the seat, switch the column out to a tilt/automatic shifter and that's about it. The only upgrades inside will be air conditioning and a hidden AMFM radio.

Ken

[Ken Wolkens]

Lots of boxes have been showing up from CPP and the plan is to have the front suspension together next week.

All of the moving parts in the front end are getting replaced. Tim decided to do a 1" drop spindle, switch over to power steering and go with front disc brakes. I'll keep the pictures coming as things progress.

Ken

[TJ's Chevy]

Nice rig! Great work! Look forward to watching you build!

[VroomVroom68]

Looks like fun and seems like you've made a lot of progress already!

[1963c-10]

Very cool. Very similar to what Im doing with my 63 short stepper. Keeping it original inside and out...minus the big block and disk brakes...

[Ken Wolkens]

Thanks guys.

The biggest challenge I expect will be getting the 6L90E trans to fit...

Here's a shot of one next to a TH400 to show how much larger it is.

Good thing the top of the tunnel is removable.

[Low Elco]

Clean old truck, this oughta be fun!

[Lee Performance]

Really like it. I'm working on a 63 with a similar game plan
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[Ken Wolkens]

Cool looking truck Lee!

[Ken Wolkens]

I've been absent for a week but got back to work and started getting the front suspension back together. Back when I was a mechanic I always hated front end work now I remember why. Here's a pic that I took just before closing the storage bin door this evening. And yes, we paid the bill this month...

The locker idea is working really well. plenty of room up front and in back. If it were about 5 feet wider it would be just right. Then again at this width when you get tired after wrestling the control arm shaft caps in place you can just lean back against the wall and catch your breath.

Another advantage of the smaller space is I'm forced to keep it clean and organized otherwise we'd be neck deep in tools, parts and boxes. I'm really liking this idea and will do it this way again on my next project. Yep, I said next...

[Lee Performance]

Thanks Ken i have the usual plans of suspension, steering, brakes, interior, clear coat and an LY6/6L90E

[Ken Wolkens]

Every thing has been going smoothly until the main Tie Rod came up MIA. As the result of a miscommunication, it's believed to be on it's way to becoming a new Schwinn or a Toyota.

I've been looking online for the last hour, can anyone supply a part number to help me with my search?

[naynay]

im pretty sure you can get that center link from rock auto

[Ken Wolkens]

Thanks. That was one of the first places I tried. Everything else but that was available.

[McMurphy]

Shoot me a PM with a mailing address.
I have the one from my 66 I will send you.

When I did my front disc upgrade I used the donor linkage for all that, so the original set up is outside waiting to go to the junk yard.
If you want it, it is yours sir.

[Ken Wolkens]

Thanks for the offer Mike it's very generous. We found one earlier today and it's on the way already.

Ken

[McMurphy]

You are welcome, glad you got one !!
I would rather put something in the mail and help someone, than send it to a recycler and help China.