Low Budget C-10

[felixthecatjr]

One day you realize that you need a truck, so then you want a truck. The only thing is that truck must be on a budget. I went on a mini quest to find that truck only to find that a good cheap truck does not exist, or at least not locally. A friend on mine came a across a 1985 C-10, decent shape, needing a lot of TLC. I went to go and take a look at the truck, no motor or trans but the bed floor was solid and the cab was good. After some back and forth with the owner I get the truck for free only if I get the truck off the property before code enforcement arrives, which they where due in 10-15 minutes.

Once the truck was in my possession I need to find a motor and trans fast. The quests to build a cheap motor, again cheap motors are not common. A few dollars later and parts throughout the garage floor a running motor is assembled.


The truck is a decent runner minor tweaking here and there to keep it alive. One day all seems like it is going fine and that faint smell of gasoline; I see no puddle smell goes away months go by until the entire floor under the truck is a lake of gasoline. This is when the fun times begin. Time to install a new tank, not what I wanted to do but it had to be done.




Tank Out


Tank Going in


I did not realize that replacing the tank straps was just a workout.

[felixthecatjr]

While the bead was off I figured take advantage and replace the cab corners.

[felixthecatjr]

Replacing the corners.

[st1]

Nice looks like you got it under control. I bet the code enforcement people was like where did that truck go? past owner what truck?

[felixthecatjr]

Originally Posted by st1

Nice looks like you got it under control. I bet the code enforcement people was like where did that truck go? past owner what truck?

Code enforcement still got them on some other minor issues. Once I got the truck up and running I drove by the house and the guy wanted the truck back. Sorry mine now

[felixthecatjr]

the finishing on the cab corners

[evan]

As good as new!

[BigRedSled1985]

never have i been so motivated to purchase an engine lift and a welder!! :p

i haev a few spots like that, plus i know the frame is probably in need to a good once-over, very good (and informative) pics there! good luck on the project!

shaun

[silvereagle07]

Nice work, lookin good.

[tvblazer78]

Very nice work man! Keep it up..

[jchav62]

Nice!

[JohnC]

Nice score man! Looks like a pretty decent project. I would have loved to see the previous owner's face when you went by!

[felixthecatjr]

Originally Posted by BigRedSled1985

never have i been so motivated to purchase an engine lift and a welder!! :p

i haev a few spots like that, plus i know the frame is probably in need to a good once-over, very good (and informative) pics there! good luck on the project!

shaun

Thanks

Originally Posted by silvereagle07

Nice work, lookin good.

Thanks, sileragle07

Originally Posted by tvblazer78

Very nice work man! Keep it up..

Thanks, tvblazer, your blazer is just bad ass

Originally Posted by JohnC

Nice score man! Looks like a pretty decent project. I would have loved to see the previous owner's face when you went by!

thanks John,

[felixthecatjr]

one of the many reasons why I got the truck was that the bedfloor was real nice and solid as compared to some other trucks I have seen in the area.


After some sanding and treating the metal with ospho, then applying POR-15 to the underside of the bed.



Then the frame got the same treatment.

[flamingbig10]

nice, my truck was a low buck project but it went a little out of hand

[felixthecatjr]

One section of the bed needed some attention. At the time for some reason I thought the spot was worse it turned out I did more work than was required.










Ospho working it's magic

[felixthecatjr]

The replacement panel was ok, all replacement panels always need some TLC to make them fit.

[evan]

Sweet! I really need to learn how to weld.

[SBTork]

Your really making this truck something, keep it up.

[felixthecatjr]

Wow it's been a few months since I have posted any updates on the truck, been busy with my other project


So this has kept me busy all summer, can't what to get it done.

So back to the truck, I was sick of looking at my ugly floor, the rubber floor mat was old and falling apart. Then thanks to cash for clunkers the local junk yards are filling up with older Chevy trucks, Ok I am not 100% happy about people getting rid of there trucks but figure I can keep my beast alive as they kill off there's. Any way I got a sweet deal on a new floor mat




The mat was practically brand new and full size as my old one was only half the cab.

My truck never came with a headliner from factory, actually this truck came with zero options.


Having the Florida sun beat on you all day can be painful. So I came across, new to me a headliner for the truck


Ok not very pretty but to me it was a god send. With some prepping, cleaning and black dye



I was on my way to getting a somewhat new interior.




So know I feel as if I have a new truck. Oh yeah still looking for a good seat mine is sort of beat up



I know some of you guys are saying big deal you got some old parts from the junk yard, I know but figure I only sent $30 for the complete headliner, trim pieces included and $20 for the floor mat. Trust me I feel like a king in my truck, well going out to hit a few more junkyards looking for my treasure.

[felixthecatjr]

After reading a few post on sway bars decided to get one, much improvement. if I can locate a rear bar I would like to install one as well.

[54Caddy]

did you read the post i had about rear sway bars. apparently the camper special trucks have a stock rear sway bar. Im going to look for one next month for my truck. Low on funds this month or id be hitting up all the pick n pulls and grabbing as many as i can

[felixthecatjr]

thanks for the info, be on the lookout...

[54Caddy]

alrite no problem