First ever C10 project - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Alex41 · 01-18-2015, 02:10 AM

First I'd like to say Hello, my name is Alex and I'm an alco....sorry, wrong forum, I'm a long time car guy, first time C10 owner. I recently purchased this 1981 monster from a guy locally who bought it for his son when he was only 15. They fixed it up from it's sad stock state to what you see in the first pic, only the wheels, bumper, mirrors, and door handles were plasti dipped black. It sports a mildly cammed 350 with a long tailshaft 350 trans and a 2.73 posi 10 bolt...more on that later.

So far I've taken about 5 pounds of under glow lighting off of it, removed a rear leaf, rewired most of the missing comforts, bought new wheels, and replaced the entire rear end.

Funny story about that 10 bolt...it's supposed to be plenty strong but one or two wheel hopping burnouts will snap an axle in a heart beat. I had the wheel and half the axle pass me last Saturday when we tried to do a small burnout coming into our housing complex. My son was worried but I just laughed hysterically for about 5 minutes. I tell people all the time not to keep in it when it wheel hops but what do I do?

So I took the rear end apart only to find the rest of the axle is very stuck in the carrier. This forced me to buy a whole rear end. The local junk yard sells me one that LOOKS like it will work but turned out to be 3 inches too long. I went back and spent 3 hours trying to find a suitable replacement with no luck. The owner tells me he will have one pulled from his other yard and brought over the next day. Well...I get there the next day and there's a rear end that measured up correctly but had a few extra bolts on the cover. I quickly grabbed it up and went home. Dude sold me a 1974 30 spline 3.40 geared 12 bolt.

There will be more to come of this little project to include more of a drop and maybe an engine and trans swap soon.

Big thanks so far to this community for a fun and informative place to learn about C10's. Alex.

73Super8 · 01-18-2015, 11:48 AM

Looks awesome! Great story about the axle. The things we'll do in the heat of a burnout. Cost me an engine once. Lol.

**Gregski** · 01-18-2015, 01:53 PM

truck looks really clean, nice

Alex41 · 01-25-2015, 09:52 PM

I may have gotten the deal of the year today. I just purchased a 69,000 mile LS2/4L65E with pedal, radiator, wire harness, and fans for 4,000 bucks. Greatest thing about this deal was the guy I bought it from was super cool, liked the idea of me doing a c10 swap, and we took it out together. We drove the car into his garage (with lift

) at 9:30 and by 11:50 the engine and trans were on the ground.

I also got a wild hair and did a little painting on the old beast. I really hate the orange but this two tone is pretty sharp. I may just rock this color combo for a good while.

UKNOWME · 01-25-2015, 10:04 PM

Dude, I love that two tone and the new wheels! Congrats and good luck with it!

83swb · 01-25-2015, 10:25 PM

Badass truck, that things going to rip with that ls2! I'm jealous.

Alex41 · 01-26-2015, 08:38 AM

Thanks guys. The engine is pretty stout as it sits but I'd be remiss if I didn't put at least a cam in it before putting it in. Eventually I would love to twin turbo this set up but that's a ways down the road.

Desert1957 · 01-26-2015, 09:33 AM

FYI , "Wheel Hop" while doing burn outs can break ANY rear differential.

10 bolt rears can take a lot of HP if set up correctly.

LSX408 · 01-26-2015, 02:15 PM

Nice truck!

**1774btcrew** · 05-12-2015, 02:14 AM

Looks great! It is really coming along!

Alex41 · 05-12-2015, 08:22 AM

Thanks.

I forgot to update the engine pic. I got these valve covers from a member here for a smoking deal.

Rich84 · 05-12-2015, 08:48 AM

That engine looks sick..Luv it.

**MikeB** · 05-12-2015, 10:05 AM

Coils will mount where, to the top of the valve covers?

Also, was that an 8.5" 10-bolt that broke? Those things will typically handle abuse, at least from a small block with street tires. Nice score on the 12-bolt!

Alex41 · 05-12-2015, 11:16 AM

The coils are on the truck remote mounted under the cab and wheel wells. That pic is with the engine running.

That was a 8.5 10 bolt I broke but like some one mentioned before, wheel hop will break anything. lol.

**MikeB** · 05-12-2015, 01:58 PM

Some seriously long coil wires, then.

Alex41 · 05-12-2015, 03:15 PM

Actually they are no longer than your typical SBC style plug wire. I was able to use a kit from my local parts store that was a universal DIY kit and re used the LS type coil ends. Bit of a pain but I got it in the end...no pun intended..lol.

c-man405 · 11-17-2015, 10:43 PM

Holy crap you took a good looking truck and made it awesome! I defiantly need a ls2 in my life with a nice engine bay like that. But one thing that sticks out to me is the crazy factory brake lines coming out of the master cylinder. Other than that, you have one sweet truck!!

Alex41 · 11-17-2015, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c-man405

Holy crap you took a good looking truck and made it awesome! I defiantly need a ls2 in my life with a nice engine bay like that. But one thing that sticks out to me is the crazy factory brake lines coming out of the master cylinder. Other than that, you have one sweet truck!!

Thanks, and YES...I TOTALLY hate the brake lines..lol. I've been wondering if the coils coming off the master cylinder are really necessary. If not I'm game to re do the whole thing since I want to do a disc rear brake conversion anyway.

UKNOWME · 11-26-2015, 02:42 PM

Looks great!

74CustomK20 · 11-26-2015, 06:13 PM

That looks awesome! I want an 81-82 or so bumper for fog lights

rip2174 · 11-26-2015, 10:15 PM

nice bumper.
Where you get it from?
It looks like it is straight, no bend in the middle.

Alex41 · 11-26-2015, 11:43 PM

Yes, there is no bend in the middle of it ;really wanted it to have a bit but it's not too bad. Everyone who has seen it in person seems to like the look of it.

It's a 2002-08ish Ford van rear bumper. Ordered it off ebay for 136 shipped to my door. All I had to do was fab up a few brackets by chopping up the stock ones and bolt her up. It misses the fenders by less than 1/2" on each side so it gives it a tucked Foose like look.

Cape Codder · 11-28-2015, 11:53 AM

The coils in the brake lines are for body to frame flex and are needed if using hard line. If you switch to flex hose you don't need the coils.

T1mb0 · 04-14-2016, 05:18 PM

Goodness Gracious, your build is now my goal. im heading down on sunday to pick up my first C10 (1981). Your engine bay is impressive. beautiful build man.

Alex41 · 04-14-2016, 11:05 PM

Thanks boss.

Little problem with this build....on Feb 5th an unknown driver (fled the scene) hit and pitted me spinning the truck into oncoming traffic resulting in it being totaled.

I got TOTALLY screwed on the insurance money but kept the truck and am in the process of stripping it down to put parts on the 84 I bought.

In all this I have to thank my savior BigGuy who has agreed to help me get the body back in shape and painted....hopefully for a June truck show in MS.

I'll post pics when I get them loaded but they are just sad.

01-18-2015, 02:10 AM	#1
Alex41 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Fort Belvoir VA Posts: 58	First ever C10 project First I'd like to say Hello, my name is Alex and I'm an alco....sorry, wrong forum, I'm a long time car guy, first time C10 owner. I recently purchased this 1981 monster from a guy locally who bought it for his son when he was only 15. They fixed it up from it's sad stock state to what you see in the first pic, only the wheels, bumper, mirrors, and door handles were plasti dipped black. It sports a mildly cammed 350 with a long tailshaft 350 trans and a 2.73 posi 10 bolt...more on that later. So far I've taken about 5 pounds of under glow lighting off of it, removed a rear leaf, rewired most of the missing comforts, bought new wheels, and replaced the entire rear end. Funny story about that 10 bolt...it's supposed to be plenty strong but one or two wheel hopping burnouts will snap an axle in a heart beat. I had the wheel and half the axle pass me last Saturday when we tried to do a small burnout coming into our housing complex. My son was worried but I just laughed hysterically for about 5 minutes. I tell people all the time not to keep in it when it wheel hops but what do I do? So I took the rear end apart only to find the rest of the axle is very stuck in the carrier. This forced me to buy a whole rear end. The local junk yard sells me one that LOOKS like it will work but turned out to be 3 inches too long. I went back and spent 3 hours trying to find a suitable replacement with no luck. The owner tells me he will have one pulled from his other yard and brought over the next day. Well...I get there the next day and there's a rear end that measured up correctly but had a few extra bolts on the cover. I quickly grabbed it up and went home. Dude sold me a 1974 30 spline 3.40 geared 12 bolt. There will be more to come of this little project to include more of a drop and maybe an engine and trans swap soon. Big thanks so far to this community for a fun and informative place to learn about C10's. Alex.

01-18-2015, 11:48 AM	#2
73Super8 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: South Charleston,WV Posts: 138	Re: First ever C10 project Looks awesome! Great story about the axle. The things we'll do in the heat of a burnout. Cost me an engine once. Lol. __________________ 1973 K10 Super 8 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=645525 Sold 1988 S10 http://www.s10forum.com/forum/f135/p...-papaw-470214/ 2010 Nissan Frontier 4wd DD 2008 Ford Escape Limited Awd Momma's Ride 1978 C20 Farm truck Sold

01-18-2015, 01:53 PM	#3
Gregski Post Whore Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 10,868	Re: First ever C10 project truck looks really clean, nice

01-25-2015, 09:52 PM	#4
Alex41 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Fort Belvoir VA Posts: 58	Re: First ever C10 project I may have gotten the deal of the year today. I just purchased a 69,000 mile LS2/4L65E with pedal, radiator, wire harness, and fans for 4,000 bucks. Greatest thing about this deal was the guy I bought it from was super cool, liked the idea of me doing a c10 swap, and we took it out together. We drove the car into his garage (with lift ) at 9:30 and by 11:50 the engine and trans were on the ground. I also got a wild hair and did a little painting on the old beast. I really hate the orange but this two tone is pretty sharp. I may just rock this color combo for a good while.

01-25-2015, 10:04 PM	#5
UKNOWME Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Clovis, NM Posts: 2,705	Re: First ever C10 project Dude, I love that two tone and the new wheels! Congrats and good luck with it! __________________ 2018 Audi S5- wife's ride 1980 Chevy Scottsdale http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=543511 1981 Chevy Silverado- in pieces 1964 Chevy c10 2017 Jeep Wrangler JKU

01-25-2015, 10:25 PM	#6
83swb Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: CT Posts: 133	Re: First ever C10 project Badass truck, that things going to rip with that ls2! I'm jealous.

01-26-2015, 08:38 AM	#7
Alex41 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Fort Belvoir VA Posts: 58	Re: First ever C10 project Thanks guys. The engine is pretty stout as it sits but I'd be remiss if I didn't put at least a cam in it before putting it in. Eventually I would love to twin turbo this set up but that's a ways down the road.

01-26-2015, 09:33 AM	#8
Desert1957 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: New Freedom Pa. Posts: 1,335	Re: First ever C10 project FYI , "Wheel Hop" while doing burn outs can break ANY rear differential. 10 bolt rears can take a lot of HP if set up correctly.

01-26-2015, 02:15 PM	#9
LSX408 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Ruston, LA Posts: 44	Re: First ever C10 project Nice truck! __________________ 1983 GMC SWB - 350, TH-400 2002 Camaro SS - 408 9sec street car 2000 Trans Am - H/C/I 2014 Chevy Z71

05-12-2015, 02:14 AM	#10
1774btcrew Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 4,603	Re: First ever C10 project Looks great! It is really coming along! __________________ AZPartsLocators on Instagram 1972 Cheyenne Super Short Bed big block "Blackie" 1977 Crew Cab GMC Short bed with 4BT Intercooled Cummins Diesel and a 4L80e "The Junkyard Dog" 1985 Crew Cab Chevy dually with 5.9 Cummins "The Big Dog" This is what my dad liked to be called by the grandkids before he passed so it seems fitting for his old truck.

05-12-2015, 08:22 AM	#11
Alex41 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Fort Belvoir VA Posts: 58	Re: First ever C10 project Thanks. I forgot to update the engine pic. I got these valve covers from a member here for a smoking deal.

05-12-2015, 08:48 AM	#12
Rich84 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Woodbury, Ct. Posts: 1,693	Re: First ever C10 project That engine looks sick..Luv it.

05-12-2015, 10:05 AM	#13
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,597	Re: First ever C10 project Coils will mount where, to the top of the valve covers? Also, was that an 8.5" 10-bolt that broke? Those things will typically handle abuse, at least from a small block with street tires. Nice score on the 12-bolt! __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, recent AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then!

05-12-2015, 11:16 AM	#14
Alex41 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Fort Belvoir VA Posts: 58	Re: First ever C10 project The coils are on the truck remote mounted under the cab and wheel wells. That pic is with the engine running. That was a 8.5 10 bolt I broke but like some one mentioned before, wheel hop will break anything. lol.

05-12-2015, 01:58 PM	#15
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,597	Re: First ever C10 project Some seriously long coil wires, then. __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, recent AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then!



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05-12-2015, 03:15 PM	#16
Alex41 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Fort Belvoir VA Posts: 58	Re: First ever C10 project Actually they are no longer than your typical SBC style plug wire. I was able to use a kit from my local parts store that was a universal DIY kit and re used the LS type coil ends. Bit of a pain but I got it in the end...no pun intended..lol.

11-17-2015, 10:43 PM	#17
c-man405 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: oswego illinois Posts: 50	Re: First ever C10 project Holy crap you took a good looking truck and made it awesome! I defiantly need a ls2 in my life with a nice engine bay like that. But one thing that sticks out to me is the crazy factory brake lines coming out of the master cylinder. Other than that, you have one sweet truck!!

11-26-2015, 02:42 PM	#19
UKNOWME Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Clovis, NM Posts: 2,705	Re: First ever C10 project Looks great! __________________ 2018 Audi S5- wife's ride 1980 Chevy Scottsdale http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=543511 1981 Chevy Silverado- in pieces 1964 Chevy c10 2017 Jeep Wrangler JKU

11-26-2015, 06:13 PM	#20
74CustomK20 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Tell City, IN Posts: 637	Re: First ever C10 project That looks awesome! I want an 81-82 or so bumper for fog lights __________________ Big Nate Carp. Local 224. Buy made in the USA! 03 F350 6.0 Daily Race Truck. 79 C70 366 Project Dump.

11-26-2015, 10:15 PM	#21
rip2174 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: wilmington nc Posts: 492	Re: First ever C10 project nice bumper. Where you get it from? It looks like it is straight, no bend in the middle.

11-26-2015, 11:43 PM	#22
Alex41 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Fort Belvoir VA Posts: 58	Re: First ever C10 project Yes, there is no bend in the middle of it ;really wanted it to have a bit but it's not too bad. Everyone who has seen it in person seems to like the look of it. It's a 2002-08ish Ford van rear bumper. Ordered it off ebay for 136 shipped to my door. All I had to do was fab up a few brackets by chopping up the stock ones and bolt her up. It misses the fenders by less than 1/2" on each side so it gives it a tucked Foose like look.

11-28-2015, 11:53 AM	#23
Cape Codder Registered User Join Date: May 2013 Location: Centerville,Ma. Posts: 1,223	Re: First ever C10 project The coils in the brake lines are for body to frame flex and are needed if using hard line. If you switch to flex hose you don't need the coils.

04-14-2016, 05:18 PM	#24
T1mb0 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Fort Worth TX Posts: 3	Re: First ever C10 project Goodness Gracious, your build is now my goal. im heading down on sunday to pick up my first C10 (1981). Your engine bay is impressive. beautiful build man. __________________ "No, no, no. There's two "Os" in Goose boys."

04-14-2016, 11:05 PM	#25
Alex41 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Fort Belvoir VA Posts: 58	Re: First ever C10 project Thanks boss. Little problem with this build....on Feb 5th an unknown driver (fled the scene) hit and pitted me spinning the truck into oncoming traffic resulting in it being totaled. I got TOTALLY screwed on the insurance money but kept the truck and am in the process of stripping it down to put parts on the 84 I bought. In all this I have to thank my savior BigGuy who has agreed to help me get the body back in shape and painted....hopefully for a June truck show in MS. I'll post pics when I get them loaded but they are just sad.

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