65 c10 shop truck

[Lakeside65]

I’ve decided to make a post to keep track of the work being done on my old truck for your guys entertainment. It’s a 65 c10 custom cab long bed. Got a long ways to go! This is my first build of any sort so any suggestions/help/tips is greatly appreciated. Planning on stripping it down to the frame and building back up. Will have a very nice suspension setup with a 5.5/7 drop. Body will be all matte black and have a shop truck look to it. Don’t plan on doing any body work besides getting rid of all the rust at this point. Rebuilding the 283 it came with and throwing an auto OD tranny in it. Just pulled the bed off last weekend so that is where I’m at right now. Stay tuned!
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[Lakeside65]

Also, I am headed to look at an 85 c10 that a guys got. I already told him I want the disc brake front end and the power steering box. Does $200 sound fair for those two and is there anything else I should try to get off the truck? Thanks!
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[Captainfab]

Welcome to the forum

In addition to the front suspension and steering box, I would also get the entire steering linkage, the sway bar if it has one, master cylinder and prop valve. Also the trans crossmember, if the donor truck has an auto trans.

I do make the steering box adapter plate and booster bracket if you are in need of those. There are links in my sig line.

[Lakeside65]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Welcome to the forum

In addition to the front suspension and steering box, I would also get the entire steering linkage, the sway bar if it has one, master cylinder and prop valve. Also the trans crossmember, if the donor truck has an auto trans.

I do make the steering box adapter plate and booster bracket if you are in need of those. There are links in my sig line.

So grab the money whole column or just the linkage?
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[Captainfab]

You can use the column if that is something you want, but I was talking about the steering linkage ie: everything from tie rod to tie rod including the pitman arm and the entire idler arm. You will have to drill new holes for the newer idler arm.

Originally Posted by Lakeside65

So grab the money whole column or just the linkage?
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[Lakeside65]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

You can use the column if that is something you want, but I was talking about the steering linkage ie: everything from tie rod to tie rod including the pitman arm and the entire idler arm. You will have to drill new holes for the newer idler arm.

He ended up throwing in all the linkage. Thanks for the info!
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[Lakeside65]

Got the new front end home today. That’s all for this weekend unfortunately. Front clip and cab are coming off next weekend! Stay tuned.
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[Lakeside65]

Originally Posted by Lakeside65

Got the new front end home today. That’s all for this weekend unfortunately. Front clip and cab are coming off next weekend! Stay tuned.
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Didn’t realize Beau got in the picture. Every man has a good shop dog right?
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[Lakeside65]

Well guys, the old truck is stripped down to naked. Got the front clip and cab off last weekend. All went smooth and we are one step closer to putting this thing back together. Unfortunately I found a little frame damage but I do believe I have the pieces I need located. Plan on stripping it down to the bare frame this weekend and get it off to sandblasting. Stay tuned!

[Lakeside65]

Here’s some pictures from last weekend.

[thepartsguy]

I'm in. I like that pickup

[Lakeside65]

Got the front and rear end out of the truck last weekend. The frame is completely bare and ready to be cleaned up this weekend as well as do some cleaning on the 85 disc brake front end that will be going underneath it. Got almost all of the suspension parts ordered. I went with 2.5” drop spindles and 1” springs up front, and 2” blocks and 4” springs in the rear. Will be doing a small c notch as well. Not too far away from having the rolling chassis put back together. Then it’s time to tackle the rockers, cab floors, and cab supports. That will be fun. Also got an awesome cab dolly built that I stole from a Facebook page I believe. See attached pictures for those plans. Stay tuned.

[Lakeside65]

Originally Posted by thepartsguy

I'm in. I like that pickup

It’s pretty rough. Definitely in head over heels for my first build but I am learning quickly and having a blast! Thanks for checking it out.

[61K10]

looking good. hard part is done as getting all those rusted bolts loose. when doing the rockers if cab is off the frame be sure to brace it and i would do only one side at a time.

have fun----------

[aotte1]

Agree, looking good! Consider test fitting automatic crossmember before painting the frame. On a stock 65' automatic crossmember it is a very tight fit, with front frame rails held together by radiator crossmember and/ or engine cradle crossmember. Also would install before bolting up the engine cradle cross member and painting the frame. People have reported using a sledge hammer to locate it. You could also remove rivets on one side of the rad crossmember, depending on how tight a fit, that is what I did for a stock cross member.

Another possible improvement Is a caster modifications to improve steering geometry. Not sure if applicable with the front suspension mods you are planing. Did it on 86' stepper and improved steering, maybe same front suspension you are changing to. Moved the lower control arms forward a little over 1/2", but less then 3/4. Their are some contact issues that need to be addressed around 1/2". Their a couple of good articles on the forum, you can locate them in an advanced search. Did a pretty extensive write up in the build of the 86' stepper for one. Others have also done a good write-up on this mod too. In my 86' short bed step side build it is talked about in posts 187 thru 218.

Another to consider is upgrading to a 66 and newer e brake system. Has advantages as being simpler. The Captain has good write ups on this too.

Depending on how well you want the truck to handle, now is a good time to think about front
and rear sway bars, while all is apart. The Hotchkis style rear set-up is nice. For the front you can you a 3/4 ton 1 1/4 bar from square body truck, it fits.

[aotte1]

A couple of rear sway bar photos. Other companies make them too. The Mustang venders make them also, have used them, maybe from Alabama. It attaches to the rear control arms.
Also, certain square body power steering boxes have a faster turning ratio, if I remember correctly.

[Lakeside65]

Well I’ve got the frame stripped down and decreased. Got all of my painting supplies this last week so I plan on taking it down to bare metal this weekend and hopefully getting to shoot some paint! All of the suspension parts came in last week. I went with a 3.5/6 drop to get a good and level ride height. I had my motor delivered last weekend as well. Found a deal on an lq4 6.0 that I couldn’t pass up! I got some renderings back this morning for the truck and they turned out awesome. I can’t wait to see this thing come together!

[Lakeside65]

Here are some pictures of the rendering. Rendered rides did an awesome job with them!

[Lakeside65]

Got the front end mocked up, replaced the radiator crossmemember and removed some extra pieces on the frame. Making progress!

[northern 85]

Nice work,love the concept, he did mine too. Im in on this build.