Is This C-10 Frame Salvagable

[reb162]

I'm a newer member on this board, but I've had my Gramp's C-10 since I was given it when I was 16 (1992). I drove it into college until 1999 when I got more reliable transportation. It has sat at my parents house outside Philly for the last 14 years in the weeds until I finally had it transported out here to Ohio a few weeks ago where I know live.















She never was a pristine truck (usually cab rust etc) but the years of sitting have not been kind to her. A lot more rust now...bed is toast..fenders are toast..hood is toast. About the only think I expected to salvage was the frame and cab and start from there...engine I'm on the shelf about.


Yesterday I got the bed off and finally got a better look at the frame. Its a bit worse than I remembered. When I drove it as a teen, I had already repaired the coil spring perches once. Those same areas have rotted again. There is also some rot on the left bottom rail right behind the cab (thinning actually..might be able to be reinforced but it is 1.5' long). The rear top sections of both rails are thinned where the bumper mounts go. The area at the track bar mount is also pretty well gone.

Rear Frame


One of the cross bars is gone, but that is easy to fix


Thinning of top of frame by bumper mounts at rear


Thinning of left bottom frame behind cab


Coil spring mounts previously replaced but now bad...frame thinned


New area...the area of the frame where the trackbar mounts is toast...would likely have to remove the mount and get new one and replace the bottom flange of the frame in that area




So...the question is, do I spend time fixing this frame (long bed)? I know I will be spending a lot of time just on the cab but I plan to get a welder and learn how to weld. But frame work is thicker and more critical.

Is this my opportunity to get a short bed frame or should a resurrect this thing from death?

[Ironangel]

"Burnt Toast!" Part out what salvageable and invest in something with less cancer...That thing looks like it was parked in a salt yard! "My not so humble opinion"

[hugger6933]

I will tell you in my professional opinion that that frame needs to be replaced. As I was first reading the post I thought I could give good news till I saw the pics. Around here the frames never get into that shape and even good ones got cut up all too often. I am sure one in a whole lots better[read safer] shape could be found and started as foundation as your truck. By the way, when I say my professional opinion, I own a body shop, and have since 1987, and rebuild wrecks from there. Jim

[spatz]

I agree, replace the frame, my 69 was just as bad and I replaced the frame. Alot cheaper and more reliable

[reb162]

Spatz, since we are in the same area, I'm curious where you were able to source a rust free frame. Did you get one local or did you have one shipped from the "lucky" states (southwest). I think I'm convinced to get a new frame but looking to spend 300-400 bucks not including pickup. I'm willing to drive a bit, but not as far as the southwest.

[Todd68Chevy]

Are you just needing a frame or are you wanting a rolling chassis? I have 6 frame right now ranging from very clean to rusted enough they need to be cut up. I am probably 3 1/2 hours away from you. If you are interested then let me know what you are needing and I will see what I have and price range for it.

[mmiddle]

Yes... replace that frame.
Look on the "sale" side of this board. the frames pop up every now and then.

[spatz]

I got mine from a boardmember that lives about 25 miles away. I was buying some overload springs for a coil rearend, and was talking to him about his short frames when he told me he had a long box frame w/o rearend for sale. sounds what Todd68chevy has is up your alley and close by.

[HIGHWAY BY THE SEA]

Replace that frame. That thing is DANGEROUS! There are good frames in junkyards everywhere.

[blue 72 gmc 4x4]

Yep that thing is done! Got lots of good frames out here!

[allons]

I'm not too far from you and I can tell you that if that truck was in Ohio in the winter, the frame is TOAST. When I decided to build a truck I searched all over and found a good, but used up, C10 in dry Arizona. Even though the truck was used up, it was relatively rust free and the frame was intact.

You've got to replace that frame, it's dangerous.

There is more of us in the Mid-west group, check it out!

[gysgtc]

I have an entire 67 frame that was sandblasted, painted, drop spindles, disc front brakes all new steering and suspension parts for $600 listed in the for sale section.

[reb162]

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[reb162]

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If you need any further assistance with that please contact any [URL="http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showgroups.php"]