And so it begins... Our '65 C10 from the ground up.

[RestoringClassics]

This truck was my grandfather's truck for many years and passed it along to my father while he was in high school. After sitting for many years in our yard my father and I have decided to completely restore it from the ground up. This is our first restoration build and it will hopefully be the first of many to come. Please feel free to comment with any suggestions you have and enjoy the build.

Here are a couple of pictures I found of the truck back when it looked nice.

[1963c-10]

Welcome from NC. Great looking truck & the family history you cannot put a price tag on. Your grandfather had good taste as the truck is nicely optioned. How about some current pics of the truck. Your grandfather will be proud to see the truck being restored as it looks liked he used it alot and took good care of it. Very cool that your the 3rd generation to work on it.

[hopped up]

Post pix of how it looks now! Welcome. What part of california are you in?
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[RestoringClassics]

Just got it into the shop and took off the hood. What a mess!!

[RestoringClassics]

Originally Posted by hopped up

Post pix of how it looks now! Welcome. What part of california are you in?
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We're in San Luis Obispo. 5 Cities/Central Coast Area

[lolife99]

Welcome to the board.
Very cool truck.

[RestoringClassics]

Originally Posted by 1963c-10

Welcome from NC. Great looking truck & the family history you cannot put a price tag on. Your grandfather had good taste as the truck is nicely optioned. How about some current pics of the truck. Your grandfather would be proud to see the truck being restored as it looks liked he used it alot and took good care of it. Very cool that your the 3rd generation to work on it.

Thanks for the kind words. I can't wait to take my both my father and grandfather for a ride in it! The first picture there is of my dad's friend using the truck in the early 90s. The second picture there is when my dad had it painted when he was in high school.

[1963c-10]

I corrected my 1st post, as I assumed your grandfather was no longer with you. Im glad that he is and will be able to watch the progress. My grandfather helped me until he was wheelchair bound and then passed 2 years ago at 86. Even in his wheel chair, he'd come out and sit and smile handing me tools drinking a root beer. Your very lucky to have his knowledge and history of the truck on this build. Im looking forward to progress and future pics.

[da_bears_da1]

Great story on the family history! Good looking truck. What are your plans?

[RestoringClassics]

Originally Posted by da_bears_da1

Great story on the family history! Good looking truck. What are your plans?

Originally we were going to just going to find a 350 and replace the 283 that came from the factory as well as clean up the rust and give it a nice paint job. So we found a motor on Craigslist. That motor just happened to be in a '66 Chevy C10 Longbed. So we bought the whole thing and I had decided to drive the 66 while working on the 65. But my younger sister asked if she could have the 66 when I was done with my 65. So now I needed another motor... Craigslist to the rescue once again! While looking for another motor I thought I would rather find something with a little more power for my truck and just keep the 350 in the 66 for my sister. I was very fortunate to find a custom built 415 Small Block motor! Once I bought the 415 things just started to snowball... We have just decided to do a frame off restoration.

[McMurphy]

and to the site!!
I know you think that truck of yours is a mess, but man, we have seen worse !!
Looks and sounds like it is going to be a really fun build, I hope you keep us posted on progress with a lot of photos

[RestoringClassics]

Originally Posted by McMurphy

and to the site!!
I know you think that truck of yours is a mess, but man, we have seen worse !!
Looks and sounds like it is going to be a really fun build, I hope you keep us posted on progress with a lot of photos

I most definitely will! We're trying to capture and document everything we do.

[da_bears_da1]

Good story on the 350 and sounds like a great find on the 415. Looking forward to watching your progress. The FAQs on this forum are great, tons of build info.
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[RestoringClassics]

My dad and I start pulling out the radiator...

These are going to be great times to look back on.

[RANDY COX]

Welcome and caint wait to see pixs as you go along.You WILL make memories....

[RestoringClassics]

I made some decent progress this evening and got the entire front clop off! I'm sending the inner fender wells off to get powder coated black. I'll post a pic when I get them back!

[Benny-]

sub'd, looking forward to seeing your progress!

[donthekawguy]

Looks like all the hard stuff has been done and all you have to do is redo it. Nice truck for sure!

[Bomp]

Welcome.
Looks to be an interesting project.
Sub'd

[RestoringClassics]

Originally Posted by Bomp

Welcome.
Looks to be an interesting project.
Sub'd

Thanks Bomp!
I've been checking out your build as well.
Holy COW! You aren't afraid of chopping stuff!

Back to the build......


I've been doing some research on transmissions because I know that the original "3 on the Tree" will not handle the HP and Torque of my new motor (And I wouldn't mind some overdrive). After searching around I've decided to spend the $$Big Bucks$$ on a T56 Magnum.

We shall see if I can make it fit without severely modifying my low hump cab.


Here's a couple pics of the interior before I tear out the carpet.

[clemdaddy]

i'm in for this one... gonna be fun to watch.
nothing better than family built, it comes from the heart.
good luck to you guys.

[JWheeler331]

Looks like a fun build. I know your grandfather will be proud to see you and your father taking enough interest to fix up his old truck.

[timmytimm3]

I'm in the process of rebuilding my Father's old 66 c10. I'm definitely in for this one!

[Low Elco]

Looks like fun! Judging from the dragster headers, are you gonna recam that 415 to knock it back for the street? Oughta be a good build!

[Togoor]

I want to lower my pick up, what do yo recomend?