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#1 |
Active Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 129
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Best Conversions and Modifications
Ok folks...
I am a longtime Chevy truck lover, a short-time C10 owner ![]() ![]() I have read lots great threads about possible conversions/modifications/upgrades that can or should be done to your truck. What I want to know is which ones do you consider to be the best? What modification have you done that you wish you had done sooner? For you guys who work on one build after another, what modification(s) do you consider “have-to”? What upgrade offers the best “bang for the buck”? What is the low hanging fruit that should be plucked first? I currently have a ’65 short fleet that has been lowered and had a 350 conversion. It is an old restoration that needs some updating both aesthetically and mechanically. The body and chassis are in very good shape with very little rust and no rot. The truck has also been recently rewired. I have to keep reminding myself that this is meant to be a marathon and not a sprint, but I can’t wait to get started. So what should I start with? ![]() |
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#2 |
It's Better With Nitro
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Chino Hills, CA
Posts: 2,261
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Re: Best Conversions and Modifications
Welcome! For me, it's front disc brakes and a three- or four-point driver restraint/seat belt system.
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1963 C-10: Deluxe-optioned cab, shortbed, fleetside Pontiac 462 ci, Kauffman D-Port alum. heads 4L80E, narrowed sheetmetal Ford 9-inch Tubular front and rear suspension Custom 6-piston front disc and 4-piston rear disc brakes |
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#3 |
Post Whore
![]() Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Southern Oregon
Posts: 10,384
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Re: Best Conversions and Modifications
Start with ALL the Mechanical 1st. Get the engine running good and make sure its worthy of a good tune up. Check the radiator fluid and make sure there's no rust in the system and preferably flush the system out. Check your fuel line and the tank to make sure there's not a bunch of rust and crap in there. Then move to the tranny... weather its an auto or manual.. check the fluid levels and change them if needed and make sure it shifts fine. Then move to the rear axle and inspect it and make sure the gear oil is up to level and not full of water. I'd also check the front suspension(upper lower ball joints ect) for wear and tear and grease them. Then check your brake master cylinder and make sure it will hold foot pressure and the fluid is to the top. Then drive it! See how she runs...do a burnout or two and go from there. So here's a sum up:
1st. Make sure its mechanically sound. 2nd. Make sure you have a good drive train. 3rd. Make sure your electrical is all working properly. If all that is fine....then I would move to the body. Unless I was doing a frame off restoration then I would tear it down and put a crate engine in it. lol
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1966 Chevy C10 "Project Two Tone" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=596643 1964 GMC "Crustine" semi-build:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=665056 My youtube channel. Username "Military Chevy": https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_h...fzpcUXyK_5-uiw |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Newnan, GA
Posts: 301
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Re: Best Conversions and Modifications
Front sway bar, HEI dizzy, volt meter upgrade.
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#5 | ||
Active Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 129
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Re: Best Conversions and Modifications
Quote:
Yeah, I need to do the belts. That's the first question the wife asked. HA! ![]() Quote:
Why the HEI distributor? ...just curious... |
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#6 |
Post Whore
![]() Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Southern Oregon
Posts: 10,384
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Re: Best Conversions and Modifications
HEI is better than points and usually lasts longer. Also looks cooler.
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1966 Chevy C10 "Project Two Tone" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=596643 1964 GMC "Crustine" semi-build:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=665056 My youtube channel. Username "Military Chevy": https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_h...fzpcUXyK_5-uiw |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: portland oregon
Posts: 292
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Re: Best Conversions and Modifications
id say the first thing that needs to be done is post up some pictures so we can see
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1961 c10 longbed - gone 1964 c10 swb |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Portland
Posts: 1,330
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Re: Best Conversions and Modifications
I'm going to guess front disc brakes, which I have done, but haven't driven on yet
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#9 |
meowMEOWmeowMEOW
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: MKE WI
Posts: 7,128
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Re: Best Conversions and Modifications
/ LS motor
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'66 Short Step / SD Tuned / Big Cam LQ4 / Backhalfed /Built 4l80e / #REBUILDEVERYTHING ![]() |
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#10 |
Active Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 129
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Re: Best Conversions and Modifications
You're right...here she is.
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#11 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Marietta, GA
Posts: 795
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Re: Best Conversions and Modifications
That's easy...power steering.
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#12 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 129
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Re: Best Conversions and Modifications
Yup, Easy one.
Power brakes, power steering, then drive the heck out of it as is. Jim |
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#13 |
Senior Enthusiast
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Spokane Valley, WA
Posts: 8,356
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Re: Best Conversions and Modifications
Power steering and power disc brakes, at least on the front. HEI ignition is simple and easy. I'd stop there and see what else needs to be done.
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My Build Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444502 |
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#14 |
60-66 Nut
![]() ![]() Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Posts: 23,247
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Re: Best Conversions and Modifications
I agree....nice looking truck
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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 |
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#15 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Hayes Va
Posts: 4,569
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Re: Best Conversions and Modifications
Power front disc brakes, power steering and seat belts. Nice truck.
Jimmy
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60 to 66 Chevy and GMC window decals http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=661131 Good friends, good food and a hotrod what else do you need? 1966 BBW long fleet Daily driver 1965 BBW short fleet Sold and going to a good home 1965 Suburban 2003 3500 Duramax 2005 Ultra Classic |
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#16 | ||
Active Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 129
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Re: Best Conversions and Modifications
Quote:
Quote:
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#17 |
1965 Chevy C10, 2005 4.8L/4l60
![]() Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: DFW Texas
Posts: 8,543
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Re: Best Conversions and Modifications
That looks just like mine!!!! maybe they are distant relatives???
I have to agree with these fellas, power dics brakes, power steering to start.
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Clyde65 Rebuild of Clyde http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...84#post8338184 69 Aristocrat Lo Liner build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...84#post7561684 ![]() ![]() ![]() support our troops! |
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Mesa AZ (Near Phoenix)
Posts: 2,302
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Re: Best Conversions and Modifications
^^^What Jimmy said^^^
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"Life is too short to drive a boring vehicle". Later, Wayne ![]() |
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