1966 C10 Frame Off

[C10-66]

So I think it's a good idea to get started with a thread about my build. In May of 2013 I picked up a 1966 C10 Longbed Step Side for $1800 on craigslist. I originally picked up the truck to just move from one house to another, but quickly fell in love with the truck:

No power steering
No A/C
No Power Brakes (All drum)
Carbed 305
TH350 Transmission
Rusted Body



It was a lot of fun until stuff started falling apart on me one piece at a time. Quickly I was spending more time fixing it than driving it. So I started the frame off restoration.

I have included some pictures of the truck here before I started taking it apart.



This is the 305 that came in the truck



This is a 12-bolt rear end that was poorly painted.

My plans for the project are to do a frame off hot rod. I have a couple LT1's and a lot of parts for them. I would like to ladder bar the rear end and change it to coil over shocks. All disk brake conversion, and more to come. I'm sure there will be some $$'s involved, but this thread will help me track my progress and get some opinions about what I should/shouldn't do.

As always, thanks for viewing my first thread and build.

[C10-66]

I started the frame off by tearing down the truck.

The first step was to remove the Bed from the truck. Although I didn't see much online about the removal process. It seemed pretty straight forward: remove the carriage bolts and then use the engine hoist to get the bed off. Here's my photos from the removal process.



First thing to do was to lift the truck off the ground to get to the carriage bolts easily. Then the removal process began.



The boards were rotted from all the water and years of abuse. Removal took some prying and work.



Using the engine hoist I was able to take the bed off.

[C10-66]

The next day I began by stripping the rest of the bed. Here's photos from that:



Here's an up close of the rear frame and rails.







Then I started on the front of the truck. First I pulled off the hood.
and then followed up with the rest of the body parts.

[C10-66]

The tear down continues....



One thing I have considered doing it selling this gasoline tank and then putting in a tank under the bed. It would be a lot safer and let me install sound or have storage behind the seat. If you are interested in the tank just PM me. I'm not really interested in shipping it.

[C10-66]

The next step was removal of the cab.

I aw this youtube video of a guy who was able to do it alone. So I made a similar jig.
and was able to remove the cab single handed.





Having fun in the chassis.



Moving it into the garage/workshop. Boy it's a tight fit.



And BAM! no more engine!

[rusty76]

Looks like a fun project. Can't wait to see more and welcome to the forum.

[C10-66]

To get the engine and transmission located correctly I had to align the engine and transmission to the center of the frame. Since the previous engine mounts were welded in place I had to remove them by grinding them off and weld new perches in place so I could bolt the new engine mounts on. This makes it easier to replace in the future. Also, the addition of a longer transmission (4L60E) means that the transmission cross-member needed to be moved backward. This video shows all the work that was done to get the engine and transmission in place.

YouTube Link

Here are the photos of the engine and transmission work.

[TJ's Chevy]

Nice truck!.....Or was...lol...I should say...Nice frame!

[DPowers]

Welcome- making some good progress.

[C10-66]

Now that the engine mounts are complete. It's time to get the frame torn down and send it to the sand blasters. A note to the readers. After this post I will be all caught up from the last two months. The following is a video of all the work going into the engine and transmission mounts.

YouTube Link

First thing was to move the frame outside.



The next step was to take the rear end and front end off.



Then disassemble all the parts required for sandblasting.



This is what a sandblasted (not primed) frame looks like. Fortunately My friend has a trailer. It really helps having that friend.





Here are some photos of the trouble spots.

















So the next steps are for me to continue to repair the frame and start to work on the ladder bar setup. I welcome any sage advice or a point to a forum that talks about installing ladder bars on long bed pickups. Since the 4L60E transmission is longer than the TH350 the center to center distance should be something like 68". Note: this is only a guess until I get the actual engine and rear end in the vehicle.

I also need hep figuring out what coil over shocks to purchase. I am interested in droping the truck's body 4" in the rear. If interested, the approx. weight of the truck is going to be 4157 lbs-force; the front 2415 lbs-force; the rear 1742 lbs-force. I obtained these figures from RideTech's website . I've also seen some kits on Jeg's website.

Any tips or other forum pointers would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

[C10-66]

As an Update I have seen some rear suspension's that are good examples here:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=484968

I will continue the repar tomorrow night as I prepare my pockets for either a four-link rear end or similar.