Racerx's 72 C20 to C10 Build Thread

[racerx8413]

I have a thread with a couple of posts, but figured I'd make an official build thread.

Running Total Spend:
72 C20 - $1300
LMC PArts (Bolts and Misc) $170


Planned Spend:
Body Shop Cab Restore $3,054
Frame Shortening $600
C-Notch $ ??




I've got a 72 C20 Longbed, I picked it up pretty cheap on craigslist. My goal is to end up with mostly C10 shortbed, completely frame off restored and rebuilt.

Here's the truck when I got it: In this picture I played around with removing the trim, and some primer to see it all one uniform color.



The previous owner had heated up the springs and slammed it down into the ground. The suspension is ... actually, there really is no suspension.

I started by removing the front clip,

[racerx8413]

Motor completely removed:



I cut all the wiring out, it will be replaced with a universal 12 or 18 circuit.
I cut the fuel lines, pulled out the brake booster, heater etc.

The heater will go back in but painted.



I was really torn on what to do about the cab, until I pulled up the floor mats and saw the rot in the floor pan..

[racerx8413]

That was an easy decision.
I sent it off to the body shop, Green-Tech in Denver. Those guys seem to be pretty knowledgable, they had a ghostbusters hearse they were redoing, an a 54 Ford or Chevy, can't recall that was being completely restored. My total cost for both cab corners, drivers floor pan, cab support, inner and outer rocker, filled in gas filler hole, passender side patches for rust, etc will be about $3,000. After seeing some of the work they've done, I'm pretty confident the work will be done well.

I'll try and swing by there in the next few weeks and grab some photos.

In the meantime I grabbed the wire wheel and some primer / enamel and went to work on the pieces I'm keeping.




Placed my first order with LMC Truck yesterday also: I'm replacing everything that isn't in great condition.
Here's what I've grabbed so far, the cheap bits. New bolts for the fenders, new screws for the regulators, new washers for the window regulators, the firewall fasteners, headlight retainer bezel and screws, new adjuster screws, new window and door interior handles, and a set of chrome door sill plates. I grabbed a ring removal tool for the door handles.

[racerx8413]

This weekend (if schedules allow) I'm grabbing a 12 bolt 3:73 rear end out of a 71 suburban. It has 5 lugs and disc brakes. Lolife convinced me to just grab the ECE 3/4 to 1/2 conversion drop spindles for the front, so I'll be 5 lug disc, 1/2 ton all the way around, with the exception of the Lower A Arms and Ball joints.

When the truck is back from the body shop, I've got a guy down the street from me that has (according to im) chopped many a truck frame. He's asking a pretty reasonable dollar amount to chop the frame down to shortbed. He wants to cut it behind the cab, I'm not sure where would be best, most threads I've seen have been cut UNDER the cab.



I'm going to have him notch the frame as well so I can achieve 5 inch drop in the rear.

[Pop's C-10]

nice plan..what you got planed for tha drive train

[lolife99]

Watching for more updates.
Sounds like you have a plan.

[racerx8413]

I've got a few months to think about drivetrain, but what I'd ultimately like to have is a corvette 6 speed attached to 450-500 hp something. I'm keeping my eye open for that, and a built 383 stroker.

I WAS looking at the blueprint 383's, but saw some bad experiences with them on the forums here, so i dunno.

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by Pop's C-10

nice plan..what you got planed for tha drive train

should be nice!

[6772owner]

Looking good, cant wait to see the cab completed, its nice to see another local build. Are you going to the meet & greet?

[racerx8413]

What is this meet and greet!?

[6772owner]

PM sent!

[racerx8413]

For you guys that have done this, should I have the body shop paint the interior AND the exterior of the cab before I take it home?

I'm doing a black metallic interior with black carpet and vinyl, with a pearl white exterior. The door jambs will probably be painted to match the exterior, and I still have to rebuild the doors. The fback part of the firewall (behind the heater) will be the body color as well, with the front part (where the heater attaches) being metallic black. Just wondering if I should get that done, and save on the tow bills, or should I wait and have the doors and cab painted at the same time. (the doors are at the body shop to ensure proper alignment of the new welded panels.

[racerx8413]

I got the motor started this weekend, done by R and B Performance here in Denver.

I'm going with a 383 stroker.

[racerx8413]

Update, the motor is finished. 383 Stroker, Edelbrock Performer Plus CAM, SCAT Forged Crank and Rods, Keith Black Pistons

[elf w/capital T]

clean color for the motor!

[racerx8413]

Thanks!

I haven't updated in a bit, but the floor of the cab's been replaced, it looks like it just rolled off the factory floor

I ordered a bunch of stuff from Early Classic,

I got:
C20 3/4 to 1/2 ton conversion drop spindles
Moog front end rebuild kit
2 Inch front drop springs and shocks
71 1/2 ton calipers, pads, rotors and dust shields for the front
6 inch rear drop springs and shocks and relocators
5 lug axles for the 65 1/2 ton rear end I'm putting in
Drum kit for the rear end
Track Bar

700R4 Stage 3 from Maddog Transmissions

I've been working on disassembling the front suspension, and wire wheeling everything, to get it back to new condition.

[racerx8413]

Floor replacement pics:








Shaved Fuel Door


Maddog Stage 3 700R4

[racerx8413]

Replaced cab supports and rockers


shaped to fit stock bolt locations

[racerx8413]

The front frame is finished, cleaned up and por15'd.

I got the drop spindles (ECE conversion to 1/2 ton), 5 lug rotors, brake calipers, new ball joints, new upper and lower control arm rods, new bolts, new shims, new everything. Lower crossmember cleaned and coated and re-attached.

I got a set of Boss 338 20x10 and 20x8.5's on the way, and will be able to get the truck back on the ground so I can flip it around to get at the rear end.

It's got new 5 lug axles waiting to be installed.

[VA72C10]

Some really nice parts on this project! Looking forward to seeing the pictures of the recent progress!

[racerx8413]

Some pictures of the front,








^^Where I had to grind off the lip of the rotor hub for the Boss 338's.

I did 20x10 / 20x8.5.

Just need rubber now, and I can drop it back onto the ground.

[racerx8413]

Big difference

[Tinkermc]

lookin good

[racerx8413]

I picked up the Transmission Cross-member from gmcpauls, $70, and the blazer gastank and kit ~$240.

The front suspension is completely assembled, wheels tires and all. We spun it around to work on the back last night.

The cab has been placed onto c10 cab mounts, all new. The frame from the back of cab to the front has been polished and por15'd.

It's looking good, and I'm excited that I've gotten this far on it.

[no moa]

nice