1965 C10 Long Stepside

[65 GMC]

I picked up another one last week. Its a 65 C10 Long stepside 283 with a 4 speed. Its a very solid truck with minimal rust staring in the outer rocker panels and lower front fenders. The motor was out and sitting in the bed, I was told it was pulled when some wiring by the distributor caught on fire. Motor turned over good and has decent compression so I dropped it back in. Hopefully I will have it running next weekend.

[Clyde65]

Cool project!

[Lil Loafer]

Awesome! There are not enough long stepsides out there.

[shp4man]

Nice! Like those long steppers.

[The Rocknrod]

Very nice, can't wait to see it on the road.

[65 GMC]

Originally Posted by The Rocknrod

Very nice, can't wait to see it on the road.

That's 2 of us. Plans are to pretty much just leave it as is and make it safe and reliable first, including a complete rebuild of the brake system. Keep it running while I do other things, like fix up the interior and replace the missing bed wood. I don't plan on doing anything with the body, it has neat patina . Hope to have the engine running this weekend.

[Bushman66]

Originally Posted by 65 GMC

That's 2 of us. Plans are to pretty much just leave it as is and make it safe and reliable first, including a complete rebuild of the brake system. Keep it running while I do other things, like fix up the interior and replace the missing bed wood. I don't plan on doing anything with the body, it has neat patina . Hope to have the engine running this weekend.

Great truck! Almost a mirror image of my truck (except mine has a 292) and my PLAN to get mine safe and running. Keep running into little roadblocks, but brakes are done, cooling system is done, steering column is rebuilt and safe and new exhaust (old one was rusted, held on with baling wire and rubbing on the driveshaft).

It's running, but the head needs to come off (smokes like crazy...hardened seals), the wiring needs to be completely redone, and the carb needs a rebuild. Windshield and rear window will be installed next week. Bed wood and new rails waiting to go in.

Good luck with yours, and keep us up to date!

[65 GMC]

I got the motor back in the truck, I have had it running by pouring gas down the carb. This thing has fought me every step of the way. First I had no fire due to some dirty points, then the fuel pump wouldn't pickup fuel. I replaced the pump and then the carb was flooding out and dumping fuel down the engine. At this point I was frustrated and decided it was time to walk away for a while.

I found another carb and took it apart ,sprayed everything out and made sure it was working as it should. I will try to get it on, and fire it up later in the week.

[plmadding]

Great looking truck! I'm going through replacing every piece of the brake system on my '66 C20. Just prepare yourself for more frustrations!

[65 GMC]

Got it running this evening. It holds 30+ pounds of oil pressure warm at idle, and runs smooth. It makes no unusual noises, and rpm's pick right up when you crack the throttle. Now that I'm fairly certain the motor is good I can move on to other things with it.

[plmadding]

That is great news!

[65 GMC]

The KHP did my VIN inspection last night, all is good. Now I can send off for a title on Monday.

[65 GMC]

Originally Posted by 65 GMC

The KHP did my VIN inspection last night, all is good. Now I can send off for a title on Monday.

I hit a snag with the paper on this one. Turns out it was still in the "system" so I have to have a title. I bought the truck from a State Trooper, so I'm sure I wont have any issues. Just have to wait for it to get done.

[65 GMC]

Got lucky he called and found the title on this one. So I drove down and got it yesterday. Looks like another trip to the courthouse tomorrow.

[65 GMC]

Been awhile since I updated this. So far I have completely rebuilt the brakes, and front suspension. I have bead blasted and repainted the wheels white, it will be running narrow white wall tires with reproduction 64-66 chrome hubcaps and trim rings.
I drove to Kansas City last Monday and picked up a oak bedwood kit and new steel bed strips, along with a bunch of other parts while I was up there.
This weekend I replaced the rear axle shaft seals, cover gasket, replaced all 4 shocks, and bled the brakes. I still need to schedule a front end alignment and have the tires balanced.
In the coming weeks I will be finishing the bed wood and getting it installed. Then I will be busy getting some of the lighting problems ironed out, and plan to pull the engine back out to clean it up, reseal and repaint it before dropping it back in.
I will try to post some better outdoor pictures of the truck later in the week. But I'm making pretty good progress.

[65 GMC]

Can a moderator move this to the project section?

[gulfcoast66]

Good Looking Truck, Any update Pics??

[65 GMC]

This evening I was able to change the oil in the transmission, put oil in the rear axle, and removed the track bar so I can replace the bushings. Here are some updated photos, along with a good photo of my wheel choice.

[65 GMC]

As you can see I have some small areas of rust. I have mixed feelings about fixing it. I'm afraid that I will lose the patina that this truck has. The interior is in bad need of a cleaning, the floor looks like they spilled a gallon on used motor oil on the floor. What a mess. But it will get new black carpet, along a recovered seat and visors once cleaned up. I plan on leaving the painted surfaces inside alone, I think it will give it some character.

[Captainfab]

Regarding the rust areas. I would leave them alone except for cleaning out behind them so they don't get worse sooner rather than later.

[65 GMC]

I dropped the seat and visors off to be recovered after work today. He is really busy right now, so it may be a few weeks. But that's no problem I won't need it for a month or two. I also cleaned up the track bar this evening so I can install new bushings in it. Going to try to schedule the alignment and tire balancing next week.

[roll_the_dice]

Nice find! Love me some LWB steppers!

[65 GMC]

I had the 65 lined up this morning and the tires balanced. Then took it over to a friend that installs auto glass to replace the windshield gasket. We took the old cracked windshield out and was going to put in another used one out of a truck I parted out earlier this year. The replacement windshield cracked when they put suction cups on it to lift it into place, another one was ordered and the truck is sitting in their shop until it arrives on Monday. So I guess now is a good time to start on the bedwood. The seat is still in the shop being recovered, I will check on it later in the week.

[65 GMC]

I've been busy on the 65. In the last few weeks, I have finished and installed the bed wood. Sorted out most of the wiring issues, the tail lights are not working after the bedwood installation. I installed rubber pads between the bed and frame, so I think a couple of grounding straps will solve the issue. The seat is still in the shop waiting to be recovered. I will be pulling the 283 out later in the week to get it cleaned up, resealed and painted. Then once its back in and the truck is up and running again I will start getting the interior ready for when I get the seat back. I will get some updated pictures later in the week.
I still need to decide if I'm going to convert to power steering or if I buy a rebuilt manual steering box. I converted my 64 C20 and 65 GMC but I'm not sure I want to convert this one.

[65 GMC]

Here are some updated pics





I plan to pull the engine out Saturday afternoon, so I can get cleaned, painted and resealed. Should have my seat back the middle of next week. I will post some pics of it when I get it back.