1965 chevy c10 question

[65truckowner]

I am new to this forum but not chevy trucks 64-66 anyway I just bought a 65 big back glass to restore and someone has converted this truck to leaf springs in the back and done a decent job. My question is I am building this truck to sell should I leave the leafs or go back to the coils? It has also been converted to 5 lugs and disk brakes on the front. If I go back to orginal will the axles fit the stock rearend? Will the leaf springs hurt the value of the truck once restored? I sold one back in the spring I restored it was all orginal except the wheel and tires and exhaust.

[1963c-10]

If your going for 100% original, id swap back. If the truck is going to be a driver and not worried about the original aspect, Id leave the leaf springs in. As for the axles...I cant answer that one. Try Capt. Fab, he can be found here. Hes a guru with the rear diffs. Love to see some pics of both trucks also if you can.

[65truckowner]

Here is the one I restored and I will get pictures of the other one soon. I am not really worried about it being orginal so I might leave the leafs alone.

[1963c-10]

Great looking truck you had.... The fun part is starting over again. As long as the leafs are in good shape I'd leave them in also. Be a bit of work to convert to coils, but can be done. The big back window is a desireable option.

[faribran]

i vote to leave the leafs alone.. if they are in good working condition.... but as they all say.. "its truly your call to make"

[65truckowner]

This one is next. I am going back with the maroon and white top and all new chrome. I will probably just keep the leaf springs.

[gimmy 64]

can you tell someone changed to the leafs because they were an option when buying new and standard on gmc.

[65truckowner]

These have been added. It still has the mounts for the coil set up.

[MARTYZ]

Nothing wrong with leaf springs, but if you are doing a retoration the coils do offer alot nicer ride , i my opinion

[faribran]

sure appears to be a NICE starting point............keep us posted as you go along.

[65truckowner]

Hope to get it in the shop this week and start on it the first of next.

[glos55]

Looks to be fairly solid....keep us posted on the progress!!

[65truckowner]

I moved the truck to the shop today and was looking at the chrome down the side of the truck and some of it looks good. The other truck I bought new chrome but is there a way to clean the chrome I have?

[Captainfab]

It is not exactly 'chrome', it is polished aluminum. To clean it up you will have to strip the clear anodizing off and polish the aluminum. Oven cleaner works good to strip the anodizing.

Originally Posted by 65truckowner

I moved the truck to the shop today and was looking at the chrome down the side of the truck and some of it looks good. The other truck I bought new chrome but is there a way to clean the chrome I have?

[65truckowner]

Here is a picture of the leaf spring set up. The only thing is for some reason the passenger side is 3/4 of an inch lower not sure if it is the springs or what

[Clyde65]

those shocks arent doing ANY good right there!

[65truckowner]

Yeah I know Not sure what I am going to do about them.

[65truckowner]

Ok I removed the leafs today. The truck was sitting a good 1/2 inch lower on the passengers side.I removed the rearend so I could measure a little better and one of the spring hangers was lower than the other. So instead of trying to fix it I am going to put the orginal set up back under the truck.Also the shockes were not working with this setup. I need a set of axles with five lug instead of the six so it will match the front. I am leaving the disk brake set up in the front. Can I buy a five lug axle that will fit the 66 rearend I am putting under it? If yes where?

[Captainfab]

You can get them from Summit Racing, Moser, CPP, ECE, LMC, and I'm sure there are a couple other sources.

Originally Posted by 65truckowner

Ok I removed the leafs today. The truck was sitting a good 1/2 inch lower on the passengers side.I removed the rearend so I could measure a little better and one of the spring hangers was lower than the other. So instead of trying to fix it I am going to put the orginal set up back under the truck.Also the shockes were not working with this setup. I need a set of axles with five lug instead of the six so it will match the front. I am leaving the disk brake set up in the front. Can I buy a five lug axle that will fit the 66 rearend I am putting under it? If yes where?

[65truckowner]

Thanks. I will check them out.

[65truckowner]

All I could find in my lmc book for 65 was 6 lug.

[Clyde65]

summitracing.com

[kieth]

I just pulled the axles and had them drilled for 5 x 5 cost about $100.00 plus new studs and brake drums.......beat the heck out of 500.00 Kieth

[1963c-10]

To clean & polish the aluminum...make sure that the oven cleaner has sodium hydroxide in it or it will not work. Its listed on the front or back label if it has it.