Mike's Classic '65 Build Thread

[Mike's Classic '65]

Good morning, afternoon, evening (whichever may apply) from the foothills of The Great Smokey Mountains!

After many months of foot dragging and preparatory honey-do's, I have finally begun tearing down my 1965 C10 LWB. It has been sitting dormant for the last couple of years in my possession and for several decades in my Stepfather's garage. The truck was passed on to him by his Father-in-law after his death and then subsequently to me after my stepbrother took no interest in restoring it.

I will be quite upfront and admit that this is my first undertaking in restoring any type of vehicle. That being said, I have been reading this forum from the shadows for several years and have sucked in a WEALTH of knowledge from you guys! Plus, I am a helicopter mechanic by trade so wrench turning is definitely not something I shy away from. I also admit that this will be one of the slower builds as I don't have a dedicated shop or work space.

I hope you will follow along as I begin my restoration journey and learning process.

Without further adieu, here are some pictures from today's progress. I gave her a bath to wash off the good ol' southern pollen and pine needles.

[Mike's Classic '65]

More photos....

[Mike's Classic '65]

Even more photos...

[Mike's Classic '65]

The saga continues....

[Mike's Classic '65]

[Mike's Classic '65]

These last two are pictures of my tear down partner, Miss Snowbelle!

[Captainfab]

Uuuummmm, I'm not seeing and pics........

[rusty76]

You didn't look hard enough....lol. Good looking truck. I think it has tons of potential. What are your plans for it?

[bj383ss]

All I can say is jump right in and have fun. I too am taking on my first restoration. Sometimes I wonder what is wrong with me I took a perfectly running truck and tore it down to nothing! Look forward to your build. Interested in your plans.

[Ta2Don]

and it looks like a great start!!!

As another "first Timer" I'm in for the ride…

[Jeff La]

Welcome and you know how to please the picture crowd . We'll be crying for more shortly

[Mike's Classic '65]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Uuuummmm, I'm not seeing and pics........

It happens to the best of us! I have spent 30 minutes searching the house for glasses that were already on my face...

Originally Posted by rusty76

Good looking truck. I think it has tons of potential. What are your plans for it?

Thank you very much for your kind words. I too see alot of opportunity with this ol' girl! I just hope my dreams don't outdo the check book and my wife's patience.

Originally Posted by bj383ss

All I can say is jump right in and have fun. I too am taking on my first restoration. Sometimes I wonder what is wrong with me I took a perfectly running truck and tore it down to nothing! Look forward to your build. Interested in your plans.

Thanks for the encouragement! I agree. As I was taking fenders and body panels off yesterday, I kept seeing rusted out spots and started thinking, "What have I gotten myself into?"

Originally Posted by Ta2Don

and it looks like a great start!!!

As another "first Timer" I'm in for the ride…

Thanks Don! I have been watching your build for sometime now. I just hope my skills and patience are half as good as yours.

Originally Posted by Jeff La

Welcome and you know how to please the picture crowd . We'll be crying for more shortly

Thank you Jeff! Yes, I learned from stalking the forums for a while that


I will do my best to keep them coming.

As far as plans go, who needs plans? Just kidding! I was in the army for too many years not to have an idea of what I am shooting for before I pull the trigger.

The big idea is to shorten the bed and frame to make a SWB. I have always loved the looks of the shorties! My brother-in-law is a production welder so I will definitely be leaning on him when it comes time for the major welding projects.

In addition, I want to upgrade to power windows and brakes, plus change out the drums for disks. I am also looking into adding a Vintage Air system. The 283 small block is serialized to the truck so I really want to keep it installed. IMHO, 350's are seen WAY too much in our year model trucks. My way of thinking is if it came with it originally then it is good enough for me. Don't get me wrong, the idea isn't to keep the truck stock. I definitely plan on replacing some of the old parts with shiny chrome...

I know things will change as I progress, but that is what I have in mind for the moment. But as I said before, I just pray at the end of this project I'm not single, broke, and living out of the truck bed!

Again, thanks for all of the kind words and encouragement! I think the farther along I get the more I will need.

EDIT: I forgot to mention my progress from yesterday. I wasn't able to get as far as what I would've like to. I live in the southeast where we have a lot of pop-up thunderstorms this time of year! Wouldn't you know it, just about the time you are hot and heavy into something, the weather goes crap-ola on you. That being said, I almost got the front end stripped-- fenders and 90% of the body panels are off, radiator and fan removed, all drive linkage and engine wiring disconnected. I wanted to get the engine pulled, but weather and spending an hour on a passenger door that refused to open changed my plans! That's life I guess. It did give me the chance for extra family time, and that is NEVER a bad thing!



























As our friends "down under" and from across the big pond would say, I temporarily installed the bonnet to protect the 283 from another bath.




Thanks again Gents! I hope everyone has a blessed week and get lots of wrenching done.

Take care,