73 C-20 Long Bed Project

[Stampede]

I've been enjoying this forum for months--and using it to build up the courage to start this project. The information and documentation on here is amazing. I have no real mechanical skills, but through trial and error (I haven't had the need to turn a wrench on a car for 25 years--somehow some of it is coming back to me) and lots of research here I go...

My 73 came to me as a family friend--the owner's father purchased the truck new in Sacramento the summer of 73, and owned it until he passed away 10 years ago. It was carefully set up first to haul a 11.5 ft camper, then a fifth wheel trailer up into the Sierras--so we have heavy duty everything and what appears to be a 4.10 rear end to keep things pulling. The owner was apparently not one to be last up the hill--we have an RV cam, Edelbrock intake/carb set up and a shift kit in the transmission, plus that low rear end that has it wound up pretty tight at today's freeway speeds. He kept every receipt for every nickel he spent on this truck--so I have an unusually thorough history which is really interesting and informative--it never missed an oil change or a tune up it's entire life. I bought it from the owner's son, who kept it around thinking he'd one day get it back into shape but never could find the time. It comes to me with 170k on the clock and runs amazingly strong, and doesn't seem to burn any oil (although it leaks a fair amount LOL). My goal is to preserve it, improve it a bit, and enjoy it for what it is. No customization and limited non-stock items--I have fond memories of these rigs from my teens, so it needs to stay as stock as possible.

The truck left CA in the mid 80's, and move to the Bremerton area here in Washington--and that's where it's trouble started--the rain. While the owner was spot-on with maintenance, he wasn't so good at getting the crud out of the fender wells and of course, combined with wet that means rot. There was also some kind of incident which resulted in the bed stabilizers (shock absorbers mounted horizontally in the bed and attached to the back of the cab--part of a factory option package) causing a small tear in the sheet metal--and for years the rain slowly leaked in. I managed to save the floor pan and got the leaks fixed--my first step in this project--and it was a chore. Now I'm working on the replacement fenders, touching up the hood, and getting ready to drop an electronic ignition dizzy into it. After that is the bed (repair or replace?) and a paint job and then either having the motor rebuilt or at least just getting the seals replaced to stop the oil leak.

Thanks for putting up with this novel--but I wanted to let you guys know how much I have enjoyed and appreciated this forum. Especially but not limited to you Mr. Gregski. So you know--I'm yet another Greg...except I can't document like the other Greg's do. LOL

A couple of photos will follow as soon as I figure out how to get the pic size down to something that's "up-loadable". Well I've screwed around long enough here this morning--I have a couple of fenders in the garage that aren't going to prime themselves...

[chvtrkman]

Welcome ! Another C-20 project to keep an eye on.. I enjoyed your story about the truck's history, and yeah, I understand the reason for wanting to keep it stock.. so keep us posted on your progress.

[old Rusty C10]

welcome would you like your build posted in the projects and build side?