Uncle Loyd's 72' C-10

[cornerstone]

Originally Posted by TA_C10

That is sweet. And it's in really good condition too it looks like. Are you changing the bed?

Thanks Tom. Most likely yes. So far I just pulled the side panels off. If I run around with it as a flat bed I’ll make a headache rack to keep the back of the cab in near perfect condition. It is a dump bed as well so I’d like to find a nice steel box for it, to be able to haul dirt, rocks, and roadbase.

The reason I bought it is to have a tow vehicle for my backhoe, but it will need a plate welded to the back of the frame in order to mount the hitch. I’m debating on how to do that now.

[MDPotter]

That is the nicest C50 I've seen. Here's a picture of the trucks I drove when I was in high school helping with wheat harvest - they have removeable sides so when the grain was harvested the sides came off and it hauled straw. One of them had a 350, but the other had the straight 6 (not sure on CI). No radios. It was a slow trip fully loaded with grain no matter which truck you ended up with. These trucks don't do much work anymore, but the owner will keep them forever.

We have to see more pictures of the interior, engine bay, etc.

[1971Stepside]

IT'S GOT A RED INTERIOR!!! Love it. Very clean truck. Maybe a hauler for your truck and not the backhoe.

[cornerstone]

Originally Posted by 1971Stepside

Maybe a hauler for your truck and not the backhoe.

Believe me, that thought has rolled through the old noggin’ more than once.

[Kronald_70GMC]

Very nice new toy you got there!

[cornerstone]

The windshield was cracked all the way across the line of vision in the 68 dump truck. I happened to have the glass from my 72 in storage waiting reinstallation. I had a gentleman come out to install it into the 68 since I’ve heard how much of a PIA it is. He earned his money that’s for sure! After he popped out the broken windshield I had the opportunity to inspect and clean up the channel. I was very happy with the lack of rust, and thought I’d share some pictures.

[MDPotter]

Yes, that joint is in very good condition!

So is this the new project truck?

[cornerstone]

Originally Posted by MDPotter

So is this the new project truck?

NO!!!! This will be a work truck, I'd like to hire myself out to do dirt work, and use the truck to tow my Case backhoe. I just need to do a few small things to get it tagged and pass a safety inspection.

I promise I will not take it apart.

I promise I will not take it apart.

I promise I will not take it apart.

I promise I will not take it apart.

[cornerstone]

I guess I just can’t live with a long bed. This one had to loose 3 feet. The plan is to build a dump bed that’s short enough to allow me to hook up a trailer directly to the frame. I need to weld a hitch plate and add a pintle hitch next. This time it only took an afternoon to complete the surgery. It’s a lot easier without bedsides!

[Kronald_70GMC]

That looks better. Good job!

[TA_C10]

That truck is so cool. Nice work it looks awesome.

[MDPotter]

Such a cool truck. Solid work making it more useful for you!

[cornerstone]

Made some more progress on the 68 dump truck. Got the hitch plate welded in, new LED brake and running lights, installed a new turn signal switch, and a brake controller for the backhoe trailer. I ran by Southwest Classic in Arlington and scored a sweet new seat cover. They didn’t stock the all vinyl cover that I wanted…just to keep it more original, but they did have a bright red and red houndstooth that I thought looked real nice. It feels so much better with the broken seat springs fixed and new foam. I sanded and repainted the seat frames before it all went back together. I threw a floor rug on the dining table to do the upholstery work inside the house. Im guessing I’m not the only one who is ready for the fall temps… One of the best parts is no more mouse piss smell! The old seat cushion and cover was the stinky culprit.

[cornerstone]

I drove it into town to get the $7 safety inspection and passed. The little 327 was able to actually hit 59 mph, a new record. Currently it has the stock exhaust manifolds that dump into a single 2.5” pipe and directly into a cherry bomb type glass pack that is about a food past the back of the cab. Loud as all get out. I think I’m going to run an additional muffler and have it dump near the back axle. The bed would only raise up about 3 feet when I got it, and it took some head scratchin’ to figure out the issue. The dump cylinder reservoir is combined inside the cylinder itself. First time I’d seen that. A gallon or 2 later and it’ll raise the bed all the way. When I got home the lighting was right for a picture.

[MDPotter]

Don't make it too nice or you'll be afraid to use it! I find myself wishing somedays that I had kept my truck as a patina truck. Or I could find another one like it to enjoy as more of an original truck...

[TA_C10]

Looks great. 327 eh? Would love to see a diesel going in that... I need to fix seat springs, didn't know you could fully replace them. Instructions? Parts place?

[Low Elco]

How did I miss this? Great progress, we gotta see where this goes!

[cornerstone]

This week I built a dump bed for the truck. The back gate functions 2 ways, it opens up like barn doors do and also stays solid but hinges at the top in order to spread material like gravel for a driveway. The original bedsides were made from wood and painted red. I’ve been asking my friends what color they thought would look best for the new bed and they all are saying black. I kinda thought red would look good, what do y’all think? The black paint on it now is only rattle can Krylon at the moment, just to keep the surface rust at bay. After I decide what color to go with, I’ll shoot it with an automotive paint with hardener.

[cornerstone]

Originally Posted by TA_C10

Looks great. 327 eh? Would love to see a diesel going in that... I need to fix seat springs, didn't know you could fully replace them. Instructions? Parts place?

I didn’t replace any, just welded them back together and added some additional for more support. It’s really pretty simple upholstery work overall. You could rebuild your seat in a day easily with your skills.

[TA_C10]

Tuff question right there. That black looks really good. But I dunno, after seeing Shannon's red frame and interior with the silver paint, I'm leaning towards red for this big Bertha, and I'm not a red guy.

[Kronald_70GMC]

My vote is for red. It will look much nicer with the colour of the cab IMO. Box looks very nice btw 👍🏻

[MDPotter]

Red!

[1971Stepside]

I’m going with red…of course

[cornerstone]

Just checking in to reminisce and look for updates to the project trucks I was following. I still haven't got any work done on my 72, but I do have a better place to work on it these days. I finally installed a solar panel system that I bought a few years ago in my pole barn. I also have enclosed roughly half of the building. Having the room to work, electricity and cover from the wind and rain is going to be great. I'm hoping to move all of my tools down there this week, then the truck will be moved after that. I've got tools scattered all over my place and am really looking forward to getting it all organized again, in hopes of getting back on track and get this classic beauty roadworthy.

I hope all you fellas have a great 2023!

[zicc1835]

wow what a ride ....since your recent re-visit to my build thread I had to find yours took me 2 nights to read through ....talk about talent ...awesome work on all you have done interesting how all things kind of interrupt our build plans.. we sold a jersey shore house we had for 20 years along with boats and my 72 Cheyenne added a family room and kitchen down stairs that leads to the new inground pool at the North Jersey house ...all during the covid mess ..had our first grand baby turned 70 and reluctantly started collecting SS.. purchase a mason dump to haul my trailer and other equipment to maintain some commercial property we own, meantime I shifted gears put my 69 Doc & Kim build in storage unit and figured I would finish the Stepside,,all while typing with 2 fingers ...I really enjoyed your build thread and there are some parallels to what you and I have done which made me smile reading throughout the big difference is Im just a parts changer I wish I had half the talent you have ...good luck with all you got going on and a Healthy Happy New Year to You and family and thanks for checking in on my build .......
Jess