1970 cst-20 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

aterrell · 10-26-2009, 08:53 AM

I have found a 1970 CST-20 that is in really good shape. I don't know much about the CST-20's and would like a little advice. It is in really good shape with no rust. I have been told it has the orginal 396 and transmission (although the guy told me it was a turbo 400 and I think that is incorrect) I have not run the numbers on the engine so I don't know for sure if it is the correct engine or not. The paint is ok but not great. It has bucket seats with a center console. Was this an option for these trucks?

Is there a major difference in how the truck rides being a c20 instead of a c10? I used to own a c10 and loved the way it drove.

Thanks for everyones help.

Longhorn Man · 10-26-2009, 05:05 PM

The CST/20 is not a very common bird. I have only seen a small handfull of them including my first truck. The big block in there should be a 402, although, the fender badges would say 400, and the SPID could say 390, 400, or 402. The TH400 is the only automatic trans that came with the big blocks.
The C/20 will ride stiffer than the little brother C/10, and it will rev higher. It has bigger brakes that actually work, but some of the parts are no longer avalible. You can always swap out the suspention, or even just the springs.

Longhorn Man · 10-26-2009, 05:06 PM

Also, this was found on the suburban page... moved it to the truck forum.

mclairmo · 10-26-2009, 05:39 PM

Depends on intended usage. C20 is great for hauling and towing. Not so great if you want to lower it and build a hot rod, IMO. Some guys find the C20 suspension offensively stiff.

aterrell · 10-26-2009, 07:11 PM

This is definitely a 396. The fender badges say 396. It might be a 70 and not a 69. the guy wasn't too sure and and the grill looked like a 70 to me. I have no plans on lowering it and making it a "hot rod". I just want a fun project that is fun to drive and looks nice.

I know it is hard to say how much a vehicle is worth with out seeing it but can someone give me an idea of what this would be worth assuming good condition?

Longhorn Man · 10-26-2009, 07:56 PM

if its a 69, then it'd be a 396. Froum the outside they look almost exactly alike. The door panels will haee a small woodgrain trim band on the top if it is a 70, full vinal if a 69 (if there's a bow tie in the top of the 69 panel, it is an early 69, later 69s didn't have the bow tie).
Without photos, and the term good condition is so relitive, its anyone's guess without pics or more info. $200 to $10,000 is my normal semi-smart alec yet acurate responce.

**special-K** · 10-27-2009, 08:37 AM

The coil spring trucks don`t ride that bad.If you don`t intend to do serious hauling you could slip some 1/2 coils in there.You could always insert Air lift bags in the rear coils to add payload when needed.None of this is terribly expensive.
The truck sounds pretty decent as a survivor.it`s true a value is hard to place.I`d say in idaho that truck could go rom $1,500-$3,500.to those who appreciate the better optioned not so common classics it would be a great buy @ $3,500.The buckets were an option.The CST option is a trim level that also gave a feature or two not found on lower level trucks.The`70s will still be marketed as 396s,but the last 396 was built in`69.

aterrell · 10-27-2009, 10:52 AM

I actually just moved to MA so that is where the truck is. I am guessing it is possible to change the rear end and front spindles to 6 lug spindles instead of the 8 lug am I correct? I have some rally wheels I would love to put on the truck.

69GMCLonghorn · 10-27-2009, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mclairmo

Depends on intended usage. C20 is great for hauling and towing. Not so great if you want to lower it and build a hot rod, IMO. Some guys find the C20 suspension offensively stiff.

No, let's get it straight... A c20 rides like a mid 70's CADILLAC compared to my 1 ton!!! If I drive it more than 20 miles at one time, I pee blood for a week!!

mclairmo · 10-27-2009, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 69GMCLonghorn

No, let's get it straight... A c20 rides like a mid 70's CADILLAC compared to my 1 ton!!! If I drive it more than 20 miles at one time, I pee blood for a week!!

I believe you.

**leddzepp** · 10-27-2009, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 69GMCLonghorn

No, let's get it straight... A c20 rides like a mid 70's CADILLAC compared to my 1 ton!!! If I drive it more than 20 miles at one time, I pee blood for a week!!

Hmmm...this sounds strangely familiar

My C/10 rides like a Cadillac. My C/20 rides like a dump truck, but it has rear leafs. I can throw a few bags of concrete in there very cheaply and it improves the ride. Coils ride better for sure, and swapping in 1/2 ton coils would make it ride a lot better and is not too expensive to do as said.

Longhorn Man · 10-27-2009, 04:46 PM

i didn't think the C/30 rides all that bad... mine had HD front coils, and the standard C/30 longhorn rears with overloads. It's stiff, but I've driven worse.
I have found that tires off a late model SUV made it ride considerably better. I can't remember what brand or size, but it helped.

dan42 · 10-27-2009, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

i didn't think the C/30 rides all that bad... mine had HD front coils, and the standard C/30 longhorn rears with overloads. It's stiff, but I've driven worse.
I have found that tires off a late model SUV made it ride considerably better. I can't remember what brand or size, but it helped.

What he said. Mine actually drives pretty nice, about what my C/20 rides like.

10-26-2009, 08:53 AM	#1
aterrell Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: North Attleboro, MA Posts: 8	1970 cst-20 I have found a 1970 CST-20 that is in really good shape. I don't know much about the CST-20's and would like a little advice. It is in really good shape with no rust. I have been told it has the orginal 396 and transmission (although the guy told me it was a turbo 400 and I think that is incorrect) I have not run the numbers on the engine so I don't know for sure if it is the correct engine or not. The paint is ok but not great. It has bucket seats with a center console. Was this an option for these trucks? Is there a major difference in how the truck rides being a c20 instead of a c10? I used to own a c10 and loved the way it drove. Thanks for everyones help. Last edited by Longhorn Man; 10-26-2009 at 05:02 PM.

10-26-2009, 05:05 PM	#2
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: 1970 cst-20 The CST/20 is not a very common bird. I have only seen a small handfull of them including my first truck. The big block in there should be a 402, although, the fender badges would say 400, and the SPID could say 390, 400, or 402. The TH400 is the only automatic trans that came with the big blocks. The C/20 will ride stiffer than the little brother C/10, and it will rev higher. It has bigger brakes that actually work, but some of the parts are no longer avalible. You can always swap out the suspention, or even just the springs.

10-26-2009, 05:06 PM	#3
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: 1970 cst-20 Also, this was found on the suburban page... moved it to the truck forum.

10-26-2009, 05:39 PM	#4
mclairmo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Take Off Posts: 1,908	Re: 1970 cst-20 Depends on intended usage. C20 is great for hauling and towing. Not so great if you want to lower it and build a hot rod, IMO. Some guys find the C20 suspension offensively stiff.

10-26-2009, 07:11 PM	#5
aterrell Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: North Attleboro, MA Posts: 8	Re: 1970 cst-20 This is definitely a 396. The fender badges say 396. It might be a 70 and not a 69. the guy wasn't too sure and and the grill looked like a 70 to me. I have no plans on lowering it and making it a "hot rod". I just want a fun project that is fun to drive and looks nice. I know it is hard to say how much a vehicle is worth with out seeing it but can someone give me an idea of what this would be worth assuming good condition?

10-26-2009, 07:56 PM	#6
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: 1970 cst-20 if its a 69, then it'd be a 396. Froum the outside they look almost exactly alike. The door panels will haee a small woodgrain trim band on the top if it is a 70, full vinal if a 69 (if there's a bow tie in the top of the 69 panel, it is an early 69, later 69s didn't have the bow tie). Without photos, and the term good condition is so relitive, its anyone's guess without pics or more info. $200 to $10,000 is my normal semi-smart alec yet acurate responce. Last edited by Longhorn Man; 10-26-2009 at 07:57 PM.

10-27-2009, 08:37 AM	#7
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,859	Re: 1970 cst-20 The coil spring trucks don`t ride that bad.If you don`t intend to do serious hauling you could slip some 1/2 coils in there.You could always insert Air lift bags in the rear coils to add payload when needed.None of this is terribly expensive. The truck sounds pretty decent as a survivor.it`s true a value is hard to place.I`d say in idaho that truck could go rom $1,500-$3,500.to those who appreciate the better optioned not so common classics it would be a great buy @ $3,500.The buckets were an option.The CST option is a trim level that also gave a feature or two not found on lower level trucks.The`70s will still be marketed as 396s,but the last 396 was built in`69. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

10-27-2009, 10:52 AM	#8
aterrell Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: North Attleboro, MA Posts: 8	Re: 1970 cst-20 I actually just moved to MA so that is where the truck is. I am guessing it is possible to change the rear end and front spindles to 6 lug spindles instead of the 8 lug am I correct? I have some rally wheels I would love to put on the truck.

10-27-2009, 04:46 PM	#12
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: 1970 cst-20 i didn't think the C/30 rides all that bad... mine had HD front coils, and the standard C/30 longhorn rears with overloads. It's stiff, but I've driven worse. I have found that tires off a late model SUV made it ride considerably better. I can't remember what brand or size, but it helped.



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