few questions from a newby - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

willisch · 01-23-2010, 07:07 AM

Couple months ago I purchased a 65 chevy fleetside lwb for my son and me to work on. He is ten now and I figure I've got 6-7 yrs to before he can drive so we are going to take our time and hopefullly he can learn a thing or two about these old trucks.

Well I got my truck home and started doing a little digging into what I had. Turns out that it is a 65 chevy c20 custom camper with factory in dash a/c, automatic, originally had a 327, bbw, custom comfort package. I believe it has all the trim that could of been added. It is still the original marroon color. It has the foot step in the side of the bed, it still has the camper tie down hooks on the side of the bed, and it also had two lights on top of the cab.

Is there alot of these around? When doing a search very few 65 custom campers come up and the ones that do don't have factory automatic,in dash air, etc. I would hate to modify to much if it is something they did not make many of.

I have taken it completely down to the frame. The body is waiting for sandblasting. I am working on the suspension and frame now tearing it down and rebuilding. Here is where I am a little confused and maybe someone can help. The PO had changed the truck over to 5 lug with disc brakes up front. He has also lowered it. It looks as if he cut the springs up front and maybe heated the rear and put lowering blocks on it. The front upper a arms are pointing up in the air and I would like to fix this while I am rebuilding the suspension.

My question is how far did the PO modify the front. I would like to get suspension parts but I don't know what to order year to order them for. I know a 73-87 parts will bolt up but will 1/2 ton 73-87 parts bolt up to the 65 3/4 ton stuff. I can assume that since it is 5 lug disc and the front bearing is a timken m12649 that the spindle was changed out. How do I know if thats as far as he went. Would he had to of changed the a arms to because of the different ball joints between 1/2 and 3/4 ton? I am trying to figure out do I order springs for 65 3/4 ton or later model suspension and does it matter. Also as for dropped spindles I assume I just order 73-87 ones. And what ball joints do I need? The crossmember is bolted on to the frame. Are they originally riveted to the frame and this maybe a clue that he did a whole crossmember swap?

Here some numbers I found on the various parts
Brakes fdp03fe
front outer bearing timken m12649
Rotors 210404 c thk 965
spindle 75589402 rh cfd 2 72 gm and 15589401 lh cfd 1 93 gm
upper a arm 3786
lower ball joint 6m1 9740977

Dont know if they help but maybe someone will have a clue.

*lakeroadster* · 01-23-2010, 09:20 AM

Let me be the first to say

. Sounds like an interesting project. You might find these links interesting:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ghlight=camper
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ghlight=camper

As far as identifying what has been modified you need to post up some pictures... A picture is worth a thousand words, as they say.

62gmc910 · 01-23-2010, 10:41 AM

Welcome Sounds like you found a pretty rare truck Cool to hear about the father son build plans
Post pics and maybe start a build thread

willisch · 01-23-2010, 11:22 AM

Here some pics of when I bought the truck.

I have more pics at home of the tear down. I will try and post some of the crossmember and suspension. I will also probably start a build thread since I am taking lots of pics.

protrash64 · 01-23-2010, 11:27 AM

Sounds to me like the PO ditched the 3/4 suspension and went 1/2 ton. Pretty common and a better option for customizing/wheels/etc. IMO. It had the 8-lug set-up before.

Thats a well optioned truck and looks cool to me. Looking forward to more pics of your project.

from AZ.

**Captainfab** · 01-23-2010, 01:02 PM

Welcome to the Forum

As already mentioned,a picture is worth a thousand words. To answer a couple of your questions, the front suspension crossmembers were originally bolted to the frames. As for the springs you should be able to use springs for a '73-'87 C10. Of course we need to actually see what you have to make a firm recommendation.

*LILRED66* · 01-24-2010, 03:30 AM

Welcome to the forums from Kansas City, KS. Post your VIN and it can be decoded.

Good luck with your project and it is a low production model truck, that is well-optioned. Please keep us posted with pictures of your progress.

willisch · 01-24-2010, 07:20 AM

I got a few pictures of the suspension.

Here is the rear suspension
As far as I know it definitely is a later model year because of the 5 lug. Date stamp shows E117 which is probably 1977 or 1987. I haven't figure out what the ratio is yet.

Does it look like the coils in the rear have been heated?

I am going to start a build thread with pictures and progress later today.

**DPowers** · 01-24-2010, 12:41 PM

Welcome to the site.

willisch · 01-24-2010, 09:46 PM

LILRED66 here is the vin number c2545b134770

**Captainfab** · 01-25-2010, 02:05 AM

From what I can see of the front suspension, I'd say it is original or at least older C10 style, except for the disc's it has.....can't see the spindles or rotors.

In the rear, I'd say that the differential is likely a '73-'87 since it still has the leaf spring pad on it. And yeah those springs have been heated.....they're junk IMO. Someone didn't take much pride in doing a nice job on that rear swap.

62gmc910 · 01-25-2010, 10:27 AM

If you could pull a front wheel and get some shots of the rotor and knuckle as well as how the pan hard is mounted in the rear .... The rear drop blocks need to have tubing in the bolt holes to carry the bolt load instead of squishing

willisch · 01-25-2010, 06:35 PM

Here is the front suspension

[img]

Anyone have a clue of how far back it the PO replaced? And if he replaced the spindle would the 3/4 ton a arm work with the later model spindle?

protrash64 · 01-25-2010, 08:34 PM

He definitely replaced the spindles as they are disc('71+). The control arms appear to still have the older style bushings so they are original or '63-'66 1/2 tons. I thought that 3/4 ton arms would not work with '73+ balljoints, but I may be wrong. Others may know for sure.

**Captainfab** · 01-26-2010, 02:07 AM

Going by the style of the caliper mount those spindles and rotors are the '88-'98 parts. The control arms are of the '63-'72 C10 and C20 style. I'm going to guess that the lower control arm is the C20 piece since the spindles are of the '88-'98 vintage. One way to verify the newer rotors is the studs will be 14mm instead of 1/2"-20.....those lug nuts look metric to me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by willisch

Here is the front suspension

[img]

Anyone have a clue of how far back it the PO replaced? And if he replaced the spindle would the 3/4 ton a arm work with the later model spindle?

**Chevy Fleetside** · 01-26-2010, 12:48 AM

They have a vin decoder on this site http://www.americanclassic.com/ But it wasn't working when I tried it.

**Chevy Fleetside** · 01-26-2010, 06:35 PM

LMC has a chassis chart
C= 2WD
25= 3/4 TON LONG BED 127" WB
4= PICK UP TRUCK\
5= MODEL YEAR 1965
B= ASSEMBALY PLANT BALTIMORE

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cbe/full.aspx?Page=8

2manyprojects · 01-26-2010, 07:21 PM

Cool, I almost bought that truck, but didn't have anywhere to store it at the time. I'm pretty sure the PO told me he just rigged up the suspension to get it low. You might be better off starting over so you know what you have. It's a good start though. Looking forward to seeing your progress.

willisch · 01-28-2010, 01:35 AM

One other item I was curious about. This truck has a place for two lights on top of the cab, one on either side. The look like they were teardropped shape. Any one have picture of a truck with these. Thinking of replacing if I can find a place that sells them. Might have to retro fit some.

01-23-2010, 07:07 AM	#1
willisch Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Powhatan Va Posts: 13	few questions from a newby Couple months ago I purchased a 65 chevy fleetside lwb for my son and me to work on. He is ten now and I figure I've got 6-7 yrs to before he can drive so we are going to take our time and hopefullly he can learn a thing or two about these old trucks. Well I got my truck home and started doing a little digging into what I had. Turns out that it is a 65 chevy c20 custom camper with factory in dash a/c, automatic, originally had a 327, bbw, custom comfort package. I believe it has all the trim that could of been added. It is still the original marroon color. It has the foot step in the side of the bed, it still has the camper tie down hooks on the side of the bed, and it also had two lights on top of the cab. Is there alot of these around? When doing a search very few 65 custom campers come up and the ones that do don't have factory automatic,in dash air, etc. I would hate to modify to much if it is something they did not make many of. I have taken it completely down to the frame. The body is waiting for sandblasting. I am working on the suspension and frame now tearing it down and rebuilding. Here is where I am a little confused and maybe someone can help. The PO had changed the truck over to 5 lug with disc brakes up front. He has also lowered it. It looks as if he cut the springs up front and maybe heated the rear and put lowering blocks on it. The front upper a arms are pointing up in the air and I would like to fix this while I am rebuilding the suspension. My question is how far did the PO modify the front. I would like to get suspension parts but I don't know what to order year to order them for. I know a 73-87 parts will bolt up but will 1/2 ton 73-87 parts bolt up to the 65 3/4 ton stuff. I can assume that since it is 5 lug disc and the front bearing is a timken m12649 that the spindle was changed out. How do I know if thats as far as he went. Would he had to of changed the a arms to because of the different ball joints between 1/2 and 3/4 ton? I am trying to figure out do I order springs for 65 3/4 ton or later model suspension and does it matter. Also as for dropped spindles I assume I just order 73-87 ones. And what ball joints do I need? The crossmember is bolted on to the frame. Are they originally riveted to the frame and this maybe a clue that he did a whole crossmember swap? Here some numbers I found on the various parts Brakes fdp03fe front outer bearing timken m12649 Rotors 210404 c thk 965 spindle 75589402 rh cfd 2 72 gm and 15589401 lh cfd 1 93 gm upper a arm 3786 lower ball joint 6m1 9740977 Dont know if they help but maybe someone will have a clue.

01-23-2010, 09:20 AM	#2
lakeroadster Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: High Plains of Colorado Posts: 2,485	Re: few questions from a newby Let me be the first to say . Sounds like an interesting project. You might find these links interesting: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ghlight=camper http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ghlight=camper As far as identifying what has been modified you need to post up some pictures... A picture is worth a thousand words, as they say.

01-23-2010, 10:41 AM	#3
62gmc910 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Cremona AB Canada Posts: 370	Re: few questions from a newby Welcome Sounds like you found a pretty rare truck Cool to hear about the father son build plans Post pics and maybe start a build thread __________________ 62 GMC 910 short fleetside 454 super t10 14 bolt w/gov lock 70s c20 front discs (built in the 80s) 65 GMC 930 dualwheel 292 4spd all origonal 39k mi(my sons truck) 63 GMC 950 camperized school bus, (Gus the bus) 350 4speed 2 speed rear 64 GMC 950 "spare" bus 283? 4speed detroit locker 53 GMC 1ton dual wheel bus 78 GMC c25 short course off road race truck(son's truck) 355 th400 14 bolt (www.wheel2wheel.ca) 88 Peterbilt 379 longhood (hauls race truck)

01-23-2010, 11:22 AM	#4
willisch Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Powhatan Va Posts: 13	Re: few questions from a newby Here some pics of when I bought the truck. I have more pics at home of the tear down. I will try and post some of the crossmember and suspension. I will also probably start a build thread since I am taking lots of pics.

01-23-2010, 11:27 AM	#5
protrash64 Resistance is Futile Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mesa,Arizona Posts: 3,520	Re: few questions from a newby Sounds to me like the PO ditched the 3/4 suspension and went 1/2 ton. Pretty common and a better option for customizing/wheels/etc. IMO. It had the 8-lug set-up before. Thats a well optioned truck and looks cool to me. Looking forward to more pics of your project. from AZ. __________________ 64 CHEVY PICK-UP > http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...otrash+re-hash 64 CARRYALL >http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1964+suburban 66 LB >http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=427852 STRENGTH/DETERMINATION/MERCILESS/FOREVER .......posted via stationary device

01-23-2010, 01:02 PM	#6
Captainfab 60-66 Nut Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Posts: 23,252	Re: few questions from a newby Welcome to the Forum As already mentioned,a picture is worth a thousand words. To answer a couple of your questions, the front suspension crossmembers were originally bolted to the frames. As for the springs you should be able to use springs for a '73-'87 C10. Of course we need to actually see what you have to make a firm recommendation. __________________ Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE Last edited by Captainfab; 01-23-2010 at 01:02 PM.

01-24-2010, 03:30 AM	#7
LILRED66 Account Suspended Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas City, KS Posts: 3,906	Re: few questions from a newby Welcome to the forums from Kansas City, KS. Post your VIN and it can be decoded. Good luck with your project and it is a low production model truck, that is well-optioned. Please keep us posted with pictures of your progress.

01-24-2010, 07:20 AM	#8
willisch Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Powhatan Va Posts: 13	Re: few questions from a newby I got a few pictures of the suspension. Here is the rear suspension As far as I know it definitely is a later model year because of the 5 lug. Date stamp shows E117 which is probably 1977 or 1987. I haven't figure out what the ratio is yet. Does it look like the coils in the rear have been heated? I am going to start a build thread with pictures and progress later today.

01-24-2010, 12:41 PM	#9
DPowers One foot in front of the other Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Parrottsville, TN Posts: 5,443	Re: few questions from a newby Welcome to the site.

01-24-2010, 09:46 PM	#10
willisch Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Powhatan Va Posts: 13	Re: few questions from a newby LILRED66 here is the vin number c2545b134770

01-25-2010, 02:05 AM	#11
Captainfab 60-66 Nut Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Posts: 23,252	Re: few questions from a newby From what I can see of the front suspension, I'd say it is original or at least older C10 style, except for the disc's it has.....can't see the spindles or rotors. In the rear, I'd say that the differential is likely a '73-'87 since it still has the leaf spring pad on it. And yeah those springs have been heated.....they're junk IMO. Someone didn't take much pride in doing a nice job on that rear swap. __________________ Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE Last edited by Captainfab; 01-25-2010 at 02:05 AM.

01-25-2010, 10:27 AM	#12
62gmc910 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Cremona AB Canada Posts: 370	Re: few questions from a newby If you could pull a front wheel and get some shots of the rotor and knuckle as well as how the pan hard is mounted in the rear .... The rear drop blocks need to have tubing in the bolt holes to carry the bolt load instead of squishing __________________ 62 GMC 910 short fleetside 454 super t10 14 bolt w/gov lock 70s c20 front discs (built in the 80s) 65 GMC 930 dualwheel 292 4spd all origonal 39k mi(my sons truck) 63 GMC 950 camperized school bus, (Gus the bus) 350 4speed 2 speed rear 64 GMC 950 "spare" bus 283? 4speed detroit locker 53 GMC 1ton dual wheel bus 78 GMC c25 short course off road race truck(son's truck) 355 th400 14 bolt (www.wheel2wheel.ca) 88 Peterbilt 379 longhood (hauls race truck)

01-25-2010, 06:35 PM	#13
willisch Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Powhatan Va Posts: 13	Re: few questions from a newby Here is the front suspension [img] Anyone have a clue of how far back it the PO replaced? And if he replaced the spindle would the 3/4 ton a arm work with the later model spindle?

01-25-2010, 08:34 PM	#14
protrash64 Resistance is Futile Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mesa,Arizona Posts: 3,520	Re: few questions from a newby He definitely replaced the spindles as they are disc('71+). The control arms appear to still have the older style bushings so they are original or '63-'66 1/2 tons. I thought that 3/4 ton arms would not work with '73+ balljoints, but I may be wrong. Others may know for sure. __________________ 64 CHEVY PICK-UP > http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...otrash+re-hash 64 CARRYALL >http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1964+suburban 66 LB >http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=427852 STRENGTH/DETERMINATION/MERCILESS/FOREVER .......posted via stationary device

01-26-2010, 12:48 AM	#16
Chevy Fleetside Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Francisco Posts: 4,782	Re: few questions from a newby They have a vin decoder on this site http://www.americanclassic.com/ But it wasn't working when I tried it. __________________ "A man and his truck, what a beautiful thing" 65 Short Fleetside BBC 65 Long Fleetside 283 3 on the tree for now. my build thread http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=259536



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01-26-2010, 06:35 PM	#17
Chevy Fleetside Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Francisco Posts: 4,782	Re: few questions from a newby LMC has a chassis chart C= 2WD 25= 3/4 TON LONG BED 127" WB 4= PICK UP TRUCK\ 5= MODEL YEAR 1965 B= ASSEMBALY PLANT BALTIMORE http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cbe/full.aspx?Page=8 __________________ "A man and his truck, what a beautiful thing" 65 Short Fleetside BBC 65 Long Fleetside 283 3 on the tree for now. my build thread http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=259536

01-26-2010, 07:21 PM	#18
2manyprojects Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Richmond VA Posts: 670	Re: few questions from a newby Cool, I almost bought that truck, but didn't have anywhere to store it at the time. I'm pretty sure the PO told me he just rigged up the suspension to get it low. You might be better off starting over so you know what you have. It's a good start though. Looking forward to seeing your progress.

01-28-2010, 01:35 AM	#19
willisch Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Powhatan Va Posts: 13	Re: few questions from a newby One other item I was curious about. This truck has a place for two lights on top of the cab, one on either side. The look like they were teardropped shape. Any one have picture of a truck with these. Thinking of replacing if I can find a place that sells them. Might have to retro fit some.

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