1981 Chevrolet C50 Pick-up Conversion

[UPNADM]

Here is how the truck is currently sitting.

Planning to get the box in next and get it prepped for paint.

Then shorten the drive line and prep cab.

[UPNADM]

In between the body prep, I have been sandblasting small pieces.

[Leedogg]

sweet!

[UPNADM]

Just found a 5 speed transmission out of a split rear end medium duty truck not to far from my house. The truck currently has a farmer 4 speed.

50 mph = 3100 rpm.

Also made a trade for a regular bench seat for my Bostrom and buddy seat combo. Good riddance.

As far as I know the transmission swap should be a non issue. Any thoughts...

[JRANGER]

this should be cool

[J Knight]

This is going to be bad azz! Im curious, what is different about the firewall and floor of the c50 and c60 trucks? Does it have the same cab mounting points as a c10,20,30? Ive always wondered if I could use a c50,60 cab on a c10 frame for the small back window.

[UPNADM]

Thanks for the compliment, I am looking forward to it being done.

The cabs are quite different, and in my opinion you would be up for some major modification to mount on a traditional frame.

The floor in the cab is flat from front to back.

The firewall is also recessed. Above photos show it.

[J Knight]

If you take the cab of the frame post some underside and firewall pics if you can.

[JRANGER]

WOW< I cant even paint my house with a roller that well lol

[matchstick321]

Dude that is sweet now I want one!

[UPNADM]

I was a long time finding a suitable project truck. I was originally going to buy a medium duty with a Detroit Diesel, but after countless less than favorable reviews of that engine and my limited experience with diesel engines I decided to go with gas.

The next thing was finding a truck that was not completely rotted. That was a bit of a challenge. I do not mind a bit of body work, but cab corners and rockers are not my forte.

My next thing was finding a truck with budd style wheels and not Dayton style wheels. After about a year of searching this truck appeared. And so the story goes...

[matchstick321]

I wish I had the time and money to do these kinds of projects! I need to find me a sugarmomma.

[J Knight]

A little inspiration.

http://houston.craigslist.org/cto/2820130221.html

[UPNADM]

Originally Posted by J Knight

If you take the cab of the frame post some underside and firewall pics if you can.

Took some photos for you to see of the cab floor and firewall...

Firewall is kind of forward over the engine. The floors are flat.

[UPNADM]

Moving forward...

Slow day, so I came home early and power washed a bunch of mud and dirt off my dually box. The underside of the box is a little punky for my liking.

A question... Can I modify a fleet side box to make it a dually box side. Has anyone done this before. Any suggestions.

After that I got eager and cut the dump box off. See photos...

The truck frame is pretty clean considering its a 30 year old Ontario truck.

[UPNADM]

Originally Posted by J Knight

A little inspiration.

http://houston.craigslist.org/cto/2820130221.html

I look forward to the day when its complete... Ha..

[JRANGER]

good work so far man....

[ghettoluxury]

Originally Posted by UPNADM

A question... Can I modify a fleet side box to make it a dually box side. Has anyone done this before.

It is easy, edually bed is just a chopped up fleetside. There is a thread here called dually bed with out fenders, or something like that. Just look for it and you will see the difference.

[matchstick321]

Originally Posted by ghettoluxury

It is easy, edually bed is just a chopped up fleetside. There is a thread here called dually bed with out fenders, or something like that. Just look for it and you will see the difference.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=486779

Make sure to put some big mudflaps on it!

[truckfan]

I'll lurk

[J Knight]

Thanks for the firewall/floor pics, it looks like the front cab mounts are the same as a c10 but I didnt see the rear cab mounts.

You mentioned cuting the frame to shorten the wheelbase, a common technique used on big class 8 trucks is to move the suspension and crossmembers forward, remounting it to the frame and cut the excess off of the end of the frame rather than cut a section out of the middle then welding it back together. Just thought I would share that as an option.

[UPNADM]

Originally Posted by J Knight

Thanks for the firewall/floor pics, it looks like the front cab mounts are the same as a c10 but I didnt see the rear cab mounts.

You mentioned cuting the frame to shorten the wheelbase, a common technique used on big class 8 trucks is to move the suspension and crossmembers forward, remounting it to the frame and cut the excess off of the end of the frame rather than cut a section out of the middle then welding it back together. Just thought I would share that as an option.

Absolutely my man. That is what I plan to do, got the truck in my shop now and that is soon to come on the list.

[UPNADM]

I spent the morning organizing and moving some stuff around in my garage. Finally got the truck into the shop.

Started stripping paint on the cab. I hope to get it in primer this week.

I will also be pulling the engine and transmission this week. I will be sandblasting all covers and brackets.

I am painting the truck yellow... What are peoples thoughts for block color. I am leaning towards keeping the blue.

[UPNADM]

Another good day's work.

Got up and pulled the engine out of the truck. Degreased the engine and stripped it to the long block.

Wire buffed the block. Tomorrow I will blast the intake, valve covers, timing cover and oil pan. I will also be blasting all pulleys and brackets.

Will pick up new gaskets, plugs, wires cap and rotor tomorrow.

Decided on Ford Blue for the engine, yes I know that may be a little blasphemous but I like the bright blue better.

Now that the engine is out, I will be degreasing the inner frame rails, and other spots I missed on the front end. Then I will be hitting it with a high gloss black.

I will also be prepping the firewall and changing the color to bright yellow.

I hope to have most of this done during this week.

I also ordered a pair of block hugger headers last night, hoping that works out...

[ghettoluxury]

The Ford Blue will really pop against the Yellow. I did the engine bay in my old civic Ford Blue and Daytona Yellow. They complement each other so well.