The 65 C30 Farm Truck

[69 C10 LWB]

I gave the old girl a bath this weekend, probably the first one in its had in a loooooong time. I had to take a few pics because I couldnt believe the difference. I knew there was quite bit of oxidation on the hood because I was able to wipe some off when it rained but I was anxious to see what a little soap would do. The truck is a totally different shade of blue now. I also installed a spare radio I had laying around. The cheap plastic console was in several of dads trucks and the radio fit perfect in it.

[straight6chevyguy]

Nice!

[69 C10 LWB]

I finished cutting down the bed this weekend. 8 inches narrower to match the rear tires and 6 inches shorter to match the frame. I need to get some steel for a project at work so that will give me a chance to grab some new crossmembers for the bed as well. Also made this bracket to hold my battery cutoff switch and my fuse block.

[69 C10 LWB]

I decided I wanted a hitch on the truck for a couple reasons. I dont have a rear bumper and my fuel cell is mounted at the end of the frame so I wanted some kind of protection. This is a truck and I intend to use it like one some times. I looked all over and found a few universal kits but nothing that impressed me much. I ran across this one on facebook marketplace. It was too wide for the frame so I cut the ends off to narrow it up. I mounted it to the frame and marked the tube and now all I need to do is weld the tube back into the brackets. Its rated for 12,000lbs so it should work pretty well for what I want and best of all it came with all the hardware for $10.

[69 C10 LWB]

Ive made some good progress on the truck. Last week I was able to add a couple relays to the headlight circuit. My voltage at the lights went from 12.8 to 13.8 volts. This week has been more work on the bed. I fixed one of the holes in the side and fixed the rails for the wood. Most of the frame had rotted where the wood was sitting so I cut it all out at the stake pockets and welded in some new 1-3/4 steel angle. Welder at work is low on wire so all I coud do was get it tacked together. Next week Ill burn it all in and hopefully get it mounted soon.

[straight6chevyguy]

Looking good!

[69 C10 LWB]

I stopped by a friends house the other day and he was cleaning out the garage because they had the house up for sale. He asked if I needed any steel. He usually gets junk to try and fix so I was skeptical but said sure. Turns out he had a 10’ stick of 4”X4” and 2 10’ 2”X2” pieces. The 4x4 worked perfect for my front crossmember and I stacked the 2x2 for my rear crossmember. With any luck I’ll actually get to set the bed back on next weekend.

[69 C10 LWB]

Here are a few pics of the new crossmembers.

[69 C10 LWB]

Another day of progress. Despite being sucked into actual work I spent most of the morning at the shop getting my bed mounted back on the truck. I had to finish up the hold down brackets and will probably have to make some changes to them but the bed didnt move at all on the ride home. Speaking of the ride home, the 40 mile round trip to work was thankfully uneventful. The truck drove good and and runs nice and straight down the road at 55.

[SBPage1]

That looks awesome and you can definitely see your artwork coming together! 55mph? That’s pretty darn good! My 61 C30 is like driving a tractor and can barely crackl 45 mph! Thanks for the updates...cheering for you from Nashville!

[69 C10 LWB]

The tires arent in great shape and the idler arm needs to be replaced so I kept it low, theres more left in it. The axle I swapped in had 3.73 gears so it should roll down the highway pretty good once I get it all fixed up.

[straight6chevyguy]

It really looks like it's coming together!
Keep up the good work!

[69 C10 LWB]

I got the bed primed and the first coat of paint on it this weekend. I was also able to get it bolted back down so its driveable again. I had to pull the bolts from the bed so I could cut them down and weld the nuts on one side. Now I start on the wood. I have this toolbox that came off a service truck after someone got a little too close with the crane. Trying to decide if I want to mount it to the truck of not. I will have to do a little trimming to get it slid up closer to the front of the bed. What do you all think? Box or no box?

[straight6chevyguy]

I think the tool box looks good.

[SBPage1]

Hmmm...my vote would be no box. Keep the box in storage for a spell and circle back to it later. You are creating a masterpiece it’s this truck!
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[Captainfab]

Personally, I think the under bed boxes between the cab and wheels looks better. Could that box be modded to work under the bed?

[69 C10 LWB]

It would be a lot of work to make it work under the bed, although I do agree that those look better. If I modify this one I may just cut the top down and use it to access my fuel tank. My thought was narrow it to the width of the frame rails and attach just the top to the rear crossmember so I have a way to fill the tank that will still support some weight.

[69 C10 LWB]

Option 2 use the lid for a fuel door. If I decide to do this I will narrow it and remove the part that is smashed.

[69 C10 LWB]

I got the toolbox lid mounted and the latch working. Ive got most of the boards bolted down but I ran out of bolts so the center boards are missing in the picture. I used threaded inserts that came in mounting kits for weatherguard tool boxes. Hopefully this week I can get one of my front wheel cylinders replaced. The wheel cylinders on the front are the only original brake parts left and the right one started leaking this week. The local Napa had one in stock.

[RDrancher]

Looking good!

Have you found any speakers that make that radio listening worthy? I had one of those in my old CTL and it sounded like a transistor radio I had back in the 60's.

[69 C10 LWB]

I’ve got a couple Sony speakers that work ok. It’s not the best sound but that is probably because I’ve got the speakers stuck in the cab corners behind the seat. For now I have music, the radio was free and I didn’t have to cut the dash.

[RDrancher]

On another note, we spent the last week vacationing in a cabin on Lake of the Ozarks. Hadn't been to MO since I was a kid, but it was as pretty as I remembered. We had an absolute blast and caught some nice fish!

[69 C10 LWB]

I still have a few lights left but most have been converted to LED now. Got a new headlight switch from NAPA, they had one in stock! I found some clearance lights that look similar to the factory lights. I am going to order one and see if it will mount in place of the original. The chrome housing has seen better days. I also replaced the leaking front wheel cylinder.

[69 C10 LWB]

I have all but one board mounted on the bed and I started working on the sides today. Trying to figure out what configuration I want to run. I have all the original stakes but Ive only cut 2 down so far. Id like everyones opinion on how long to make the sides. The boards I have on hand are 2X8 but the sides will actually be 1X6 to match the originals.

[RDrancher]

I've always liked the look of a two board high full stakebed with removable gates. If you're going with just sides I vote for the version shown in the second pic.