65' K-10 what are your thoughts?

[60724x4]

Okay, First time posting here and I would just like to say hey! I would also like some people to bounce ideas off of. College student so i am on an ultra tight budget but i have to have something to tinker with.
Just picked up this 65 k-10 longbed from a friend, but I am not sure what to do with it. It has a flatbed currently and that will change. It has your typical dents in the door from broken stops and a few other minor dings, but i have dealt with worse. Other than the flabbed the truck is origional, the 292 six sat in the cold without antifreeze it ran, enough to get it on the trailer, and that ford radiator stickin out of there rather annoying.
Trying to decide what i want to do with it though, in the trade we made, i also aquired a 327 out of a 67 camero, double hump heads, forged crank and rods, HEI and some other goodies. I have tossed around throwing that engine in there because, well that would be cool, yet the old school side of me thought about getting another 292. I would like to keep enough stuff on it to keep it a real K-10. Would like to find a stepside bed cheap because i think they 4x4s look nice with a step bed.
I am pretty sure that i dont want to get rid of the closed knuckle front end, just throw some outboard motor grease in the balls and call it good. Have a later model drum drum, master with booster that i probably will throw on. And power steering would be nice, but not sure about that conversion on the 4x4. I am sort of used to not having PS growing up driving a 55' B 3600, that was my first truck wow, thats been 7 years ago already, but the whole no power brakes/steering thing doesnt bother me a whole lot. 5:17s in the rear, oh yea, 45 mph is about what she had, did manage to get a "exibition of speed" ticket in it. But the next truck i bought has me spoilt 71 K-10 and they are basically built from the factory the way that I would. Not having a serious girlfriend and working all the time i wasnt in school paied off i could afford this back then, but not now. I sold off my blue baby 2 years ago when I started going to school.
Anyway, back to the point of this thread, would you just say screw it and throw new axles and everything under it or would you try to leave as much of it alone as you could? I plan on repainting the truck and ill probably stick with orange, ought to look sweet with a stepside. but that is a longgg way down the road.
sorry for the long thread for a simple question
Thanks for your input
Ken

[markeb01]

I'm not a 4x4 guy so can't help with your question, but welcome to the forum!

[aerotruk63]

Factory grille guard on your bumper, nice. I'll be putting one of those on mine. I have the motor mounts for the frame to put in the small block, if your heading that way. Funny, I pulled a small block to put in a 292. I'm no expert on anything, but if I can help in anyway, please don't hesitate to ask anyone on this site. Even if you don't, we'll more than likely add our two cents. Welcome.

My build thread link.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=397681

[DPowers]

Welcome to the forum. CaptainFab may be able to answer some questions about the PS on the K10. I would put the V8 in there as you already have it...and rebuild the 6.

[Captainfab]

Welcome to the forum Ken

Power steering on a K10 isn't any more difficult than on a C10. As far as what to do.....if it is going to be a DD or a semi-DD then I would upgrade to a disc brake front differential, power steering, power brakes, and the 327. But then that's just my opinion. If you could find a good running 292, that would be a quick fix.

[padresag]

if you are going to put the 327 in you will need other frame towers( where the ftrt motor mounts attach to the frame)292 are only for 292.. aerotruk has a set that will fit your truck. they are not that easy to come by
ron

[duallyjams]

For a tight budget the 327 would be the way to go for now.Power steering would be cheaper and easy.Keep the axles unless you have a cheap means for a disc upgrade.My 64 has manual steering,brakes and trans and love it the way it is.Do what you can afford to be safe and enjoy it.
P.S. feel free to ask as many question as you want

[lakeroadster]

Hmmm, I posted the following on Sunday 10-10-2010, and then on Monday 10-11-2010 I noticed my post had mysteriously dissappeared?

So I will post it again.

Welcome to the site, looks like you have a great start to what is destined to be a cool project. I agree that the stepside fenders look cool on 4x4's, especially if they are lifted and have big tires. (see pic)

Since you are in Kansas you may want to talk with Tony Smith about your build. He always is ready to offer up advice, plus he has a lot of parts. Here is his contact data:

Tony Smith
4-5-6 Chevy Trucks
560 South 11th Street
Kansas City, KS 66105
913-207-7789
4-5-6chevytrucks@sbcglobal.net

[j.kirn]

hmmm i wonder why

[60724x4]

thanks alot guys, every little bit of info helps out alot. going to go pull the cab this weekend i think and start working on that on weekends as i have time. wohoo for rust repair... and we will see were the rest of the project goes as far as availability of parts. i know were there is a complete 82 2500 running gear, going to get some more info on that, but i would rather keep 6 bolt wheels and something with faster ratios so i dont have to change gears. Right now i have filler, sheet metal and a welder so ill start there. like Joe Dirt says. "****'ll Buff out"