1965 C50 short stepside 4x4

[D Pope]

I'm new to the forum and thought some of you might be interested in my 4x4 project.
I got a 1977 C10 with rebuilt running gear but it was rusty and had a tree fall on it. So much for the 77 body.
I had a 65 C50 at the bottom of the yard with no rust so I figured I'd shuffle the two of them together and see what I could come up with.
First the 77 body had to go. Then the cab came off the 65.
I torched the front X-member with the front cab mount out of the 65 and made it fit the 77 frame. I kept the same distance from the axle centerline to the X-member so the front wheels would be centered in the wheel wells.

[D Pope]

We set the 65 cab on with the front body mounts in place then had to replace the other 77 mounts with the ones from the C50. It was simply a matter of welding them to the frame.
Next came a trial fit of the short stepside box to see how much the frame had to be shortened. It worked out at 15 1/2 inches.
Now off with the cab and cut and weld the frame. With the old picker truck I just rolled the frame over so all the welds were horizontal flat welds so it'll be plenty strong enough.
Next the cab goes back on and is bolted in place.
The 77 chassis had a 4 inch Rancho suspension lift kit on it and the C50 running boards are at just the right height to climb in and out of the cab.
She's starting to look pretty good. My daughter said I'll be able to fit whatever size tires I want in those wheel wells.

[D Pope]

The 65 tranny hump wasn't high enough for the 4x4 setup so I welded the 77 hump onto it and it works just fine.
The steering column just has to be shortened a couple of inches and it will bolt to the steering box.
The box floor was totally shot so I decided to go metal. I bolted some 1" angle iron to the sides and a 2"x8" rect tubing under the endgate then welded in a treadplate floor. Next comes some box X-members then the box can be installed.

[D Pope]

I forgot to mention what all the 4x4 components are.
It's a 12 bolt GM posi rear end and a Dana front diff with Warn locking hubs. The tranny is the GM 4 speed hooked to a warmed over 350. The transfer case is a New Process 205. The spline on the front output shaft was worn pretty bad from running with the nut not tight so I swapped transfer cases before putting the body on the final time.
The Rancho suspension lift kit consists of different front springs with a good arch to them and you use a 1972 rear end housing with the long blocks between springs and housing. It's got the raised steering arm that is fairly hard to come by and a set of Rancho shock absorbers.
All in all a pretty stout setup. No chains or aluminum components!

[diablo03]

I'm jealous of all these big trucks being built at the moment......I need more space at my house
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[D Pope]

I got the box crossmembers welded in place then modified a receiver hitch I had laying around and welded it in place. Next the box was lined up and bolted down. Next comes the fenders.

[D Pope]

The passenger side rear fender is kind of rough but I'll likely find a better one. In the last pic I Photoshopped in a set of front fender flares so they're the same size and width. That helps quite a bit.

[cletis]

That is looking pretty good, it will look sweet when done....

[JayB331]

I love it! Can't wait to see the finished product. Reminds me of Tow Mater from Cars