1965 c50 drag car hauler help

[1965c50]

Good morning community, just joined the heavy truck family with a 1965 c50 car hauler. I’m looking for someone who has lowered one and can point me in the right direction for the front suspension. Will be doing a triangulated 4-link in the back. Not sure what the best approach is for the front.
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[C10 - C90 Bill]

Nice looking truck.

What you actually have there is an L-Model.

[1965c50]

Tell me more. I was told it was a c50. Which it probably is and L model is something else. But that’s how little I know about these.

[C10 - C90 Bill]

Compare your truck to other C-Models out there and you will notice the difference in the cabs. The most notice-able difference is between the top of the fenders and the hood. There are many pictures here on the forum, but another quick way is to google '65 C-50 Chevy and hit "images".

[1965c50]

I must have taken a heavy dose of stupid this morning. I just don’t see it. So was is the L. As compared to the c50?

[C10 - C90 Bill]

The L is short for LCF, which stands for Low Cab Forward.

It also has a shorter Front Clip.

The Hood on an L is about 15 Inches shorter than a C.

[1965c50]

Awesome info. Thanks

[special-K]

L (Low Cab Forward) model:


C (Conventional) model:


I guess you bought it from someone who didn't know what they had. They should have called them High cab forward because the cab is raised to move it forward. We always called them snub noses. I guess they mean low compared to a cabover. I'd leave it fully functional as what it is. What would you do, raise the bed so you could lower the chassis?

[C10 - C90 Bill]

Originally Posted by special-K

They should have called them High cab forward because the cab is raised to move it forward.

In my younger years before I learned more about them, I used to call them "High Cabs", lol.

Also thought it was pretty strange to learn that they are actually called "Low Cab" Forwards.

[1965c50]

This one is getting gen running boards on the ground and 24.5 Alcoa’s

[KQQL IT]

Little older truck.
But used a squarebody front crossmember.

[Free Candy Inside]

That truck has popped up for sale a few times over in Indiana. Every time it was bad timing otherwise I had planned on picking it up! Killer truck. I have a 66 I’m going to drop/ most likely bag this winter if everything goes right. I’m going to use a front end off of a 92 G30 short bus. It looks to be roughly 1/2” narrower than my C50. My plan is to clip the side rails and center the front end then weld it back up and brace it. That’ll get me independent suspension and disc brakes as well as powder steering.

[1965c50]

Great minds think alike i picked up a 1984 G30 motorhome. We’re doing the same swap.

[Free Candy Inside]

Originally Posted by 1965c50

Great minds think alike i picked up a 1984 G30 motorhome. We’re doing the same swap.

How soon are you going to get started? I’m not planning on starting mine till after the first of the year. If you get started before that please post lots of pics

[1965c50]

We started tearing it apart this morning. With a 90 day turnaround.

[Clyde65]

Update?

[1965c50]

Frame mods are done for the front. Body is off. BBC goes in for test fit Tuesday. Then body back on Wednesday for turbo fitment, booster and ac. Haven’t touched the back yet. But did upgrade the trans to a nv4500. Picked it up off CL with the BH and all the components, for $500. Couldn’t say no. Also upgraded the rear diff to a Dana 70. I also made a wheel and tire change. But you’ll have to wait til the end for that surprise.

[1965c50]

We ended up having to notch the frame for the front end. The perches with 1/4” toed in on each side, on the front. How are you coming along.

[1965c50]

Some pics of the front end in mock-up. I’ll have to get better at taking pics.

[Free Candy Inside]

Nice work! I haven't touched mine yet. I did however snag some 22" semi Alcoa's that have been machined down and some adaptors. I am hoping to get started in February on mine!

[Free Candy Inside]

And I'd love to see some more detailed pics of the front crossmember install since I'm getting ready to tackle the same thing here in the next couple of weeks hopefully. Im curious with the newer style front end basically bolting to the frame if that will lower the truck any just by doing the swap. My plan was to do the swap and see where it gets me then decide on bagging it from there. Part of me just wants to give it a nice static drop and not have to mess with bags, part of me wants to lay it out. Either way I think I'm going to section at least 2" out of the steps. Personal pet peeve is when the cabs sit lower than the front bumpers. Can't be having that.

[Free Candy Inside]

Man this build it killing me!!!! I want to see some updates! Lol. I’m hoping to get started on mine sometime in February. I can’t wait to get started on it. I picked up some semi wheels and a Cummins for mine.

[1965c50]

Man I wish I had more for you. The front end air suspension ended up being a stinker. Didn’t look good. Ended up making all new airbag mounts. Finished just today. Back in again Monday morn for final fitment. The motor and body back on this week for turbo mock-up and to measure the front fenders for a little custom work.

[1965c50]

Man I wish I had more for you. The front end air suspension ended up being a stinker. Didn’t look good. Ended up making all new airbag mounts. Finished just today. Back in again Monday morn for final fitment. The motor and body back on this week for turbo mock-up and to measure the front fenders for a little custom work.

[Free Candy Inside]

If you don’t mind taking some pics of the front end when it’s bolted back to the frame I would appreciate it. If not no big deal since I’ll be tackling that hopefully soon anyways.