1973 C10 454 Question

[Hotcorner]

I am zeroing in on a potential purchase of a 73 C10 with a factory 454. I haven't laid eyes on it in person yet, but I have seen a fair number of pics and videos.

Unfortunately, the truck has been repainted from Catalina Blue and White (my favorite) to red, probably several years ago. There appears to be a cab corner repair that is starting to show. Rockers, floors, bed floor and wheel wells look pretty good.

Thoughts on the ZN7 optional axle code? I understand that might identify a higher gearing than the standard ratio.

Because it's a 454, does that automatically get the heavier frame (F44)?

It has rally wheels, but I don't see that on the SPID, so I'm guessing they were added later.

[Dead Parrot]

It shows a positrac rear axle. Hard to verify if that is still in there or the rear ratio is as shipped unless the seller will let you jack it up to do the tests. Easy for either to have been swapped by a PO.

What does the the GVWR show? IIRC - 5600 is light duty and 6200 is HD.

Paint job might be covering up several repairs done just prior to being painted.

[Hotcorner]

Originally Posted by Dead Parrot

It shows a positrac rear axle. Hard to verify if that is still in there or the rear ratio is as shipped unless the seller will let you jack it up to do the tests. Easy for either to have been swapped by a PO.

What does the the GVWR show? IIRC - 5600 is light duty and 6200 is HD.

Paint job might be covering up several repairs done just prior to being painted.

Yes, I'll check the GVWR, but I was under the impression that all of the 454s got the heavier frame rails and cross members.

Yeah, I won't be surprised if there are some surprises under the red paint. It's a '73 after all. However he price is pretty right and the pics look good, but I'll walk away if it's being misrepresented. I'll suggest a discount if it's not quite as good as represented.

[MJN]

The frame/crossmembers are the same regardless of engine. Getting the 454 meant you got the auto trans as standard with no option for a manual, heavy front springs (1625 lb each) and looks like they chose 3.40 gears (ZN7), the G50 rear springs gave you 2000 lb 2-stage springs- these were stand alone option not dictated by the engine choice but your gvw should be 6000 given the tires and rear spring options they chose. Standard springs were 1700 lbs each. It also looks like a base model Custom trim level the PO simply added all these options to. The original wheels were tube-type steel wheels 15x6, they ordered matching front, rear and spare wheels with 6 ply 7.00-15 Highway Nylon blackwall tires. Rally wheels didn't show up until years later on.
F44 RPO for the "Big 10" option wasn't available until 1975 and that gave you the 6200 GVW
Also, the original color was catalina blue.

https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/doc...olet-Truck.pdf

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Originally Posted by MJN

https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/doc...olet-Truck.pdf

This is golden. Thanks

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Originally Posted by Hotcorner

This is golden. Thanks

If anyone has a picture of a stock 1973 Custom 10, with the two-tone paint, please post it or a link.
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From the book

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Doors were bad. Bed support had rust cut out. Bed not original but in great shape. Passed.

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