How hard is it to add these options

[JimJones]

I don’t currently have a C10 my plan is to buy a beater and do a frame off complete restoration and I'm wondering how hard it would be to add these factory options if the base truck I buy didn't come equipped with them or only some of them. The list is as follows:
Tilt steering wheel, Tach, Sliding rear window, AC, and column shifter for an auto tranny
I know that there are aftermarket sources for all of these options but I want to keep the look of the original interior so I want original factory parts or the equivalent reproductions
How hard is to add these options on a truck that didn't come equipped with them? Can these parts be bought easily? Are these parts readily available in catalogs?
If so who is the best source to deal with?

[Frijolito1988]

If you want AC cheapest best option is to start with a truck that already had AC so you have all the holes. For the tilt buy a new reproduction tilt steering wheel for AUTO for around $300 i think. original TACH will run you about $500 for a brand new gauge clauster with new original gauges . They are all fairly simple to do but does take patience and time.

[Ironhorse]

All those options can and have been added by folks who have a base line low optioned truck. My '71 4x4 was a plain jane Custom/10 and over the years I've added the following: auto tilt column (converted from van column), factory tach (found years ago in a salvage yard & bought NOS printed circut, then still available), rear slider, tow hooks (found at a swap meet), 4 core radiator, factory am/fm radio (swap meet find) custom 40/20/40 seat with folding cente another swap meet buy), moved tank from behind seat to under bed behind rear axle (purchased from GMC Paul board vendor) 8'' rally wheels, and Line-X bed spray. Don't have total amount spent in front of me which is probably a GOOD thing, LOL Your biggest hurdle would be to add in factory air, either by replacing the cab or adding factory A/C piece by piece or go for an after market like Vintage Air or Old Air.

Your best bet and bang for the buck is to consider spending the $25 membership option and start watching the parts forum. All the parts I've mentioned have and do show up on the parts forum but be aware some are quite pricey sometimes. Start hitting swap meets, garage and yard sales, salvage yards and just keep looking. Hope this is of some help and good luck in your decisions and your search.

[mmiddle]

If you are doing a frame-off.... It will not be any harder than re-installing the original parts. Adding A/C is a little harder due to the fact you either change the dash or cut the holes in the old one. You stated in another post that you are going to have a shop do all the work so, all it costs is money.

[Tinkermc]

If you have some cash and some time you can be very sucessful

[JimJones]

Originally Posted by mmiddle

If you are doing a frame-off.... It will not be any harder than re-installing the original parts. Adding A/C is a little harder due to the fact you either change the dash or cut the holes in the old one. You stated in another post that you are going to have a shop do all the work so, all it costs is money.

Yeah that is what I'm planning on. Do you know of any shops that specialize in these kinds of projects?

[engineer_gregh]

I own three of these trucks and I can tell you first hand that unless you are planning on doing a lot of the work yourself its cheaper to buy one already restored. You never get all your money back out of one if you're hiring the restoration work out.

[hugger6933]

If you are doing a frame off the options are the last problem you have if you are worried about if you can pull it off. Yes you can and it is done all the time, in fact I am doing it on all three truck that I am building or have planned to build that are in the works now. The tilt is just a matter of changing a steering column out and since the frame off, the column will most likely be out anyway for cleaning and service. You can buy a factory type tilt or a replacement type is now available through many of the board members ,and then there is the motor home tilt that look very similar to the factory truck tilt unless you look under the dash or the hood, and they are pretty easy to find and they were used up until the mid 80's in P30 motor home chassis. also a lot of people use van tilts that will work as well it needs a little more alterations but it is all outlined in the tech tip section of the site here under the 67-72 section. tac dash is the same for the tech tip section and the air you probably would want to go aftermarket it would work better IMO. Now the back glass, now that just can't be done . Sorry. Nah, just messin, it is just a matter of taking out the glass once again you'll want to do that any way in a frame off, and when the replacement time comes just put in a slider. Good luck, Jim. Jim

[mmiddle]

The only one I know of in Vegas is Counts Kustoms. I'm sure they would do it, but at a premium price. But hey, you might get on the show.

[JimJones]

Yeah out of all the car shows Counts Customs is a little bit less douchey than the guys at gas monkey garage but they're is just something about a grown man dressing up like a biker/vampire that turns me off. I mean I stopped trying to "dress cool" when I was in high school.

Plus most of that show is fake and I doubt he is even accepting customers. But who knows?

[hugger6933]

If your gonna have a shop out there do a frame off? plan on somewhere around I'd guess50k on the bottom and the sky is the limit. Things are a LOT cheaper in AR wink wink. Just kidding, but not really like I said in another post the other day one of these [of the three] was supposed to be mine but I don't ever get to keep anything long. I spent a long time when my kids were real young teaching them the difference between a car salesman and a car collector. there has been a ton of them I would have liked to kept, Hurst Olds, Monte Carlo SS,350 5 sp IROC. 69 Camaro 72 M/C with a tuneport,71 Chevelle. 82 Indy pace Camaro.. That would have been a start to a great little collection. Now I'm a little sad for cars gone by, not to mention the V8 S10's and the turbo diesel duallys[ loved them]. Jim

[JimJones]

..

[leftybass209]

Your best bet is to maybe find some vehicles you like around your area and find out who/where they were built. Then call the shops and explain your plans. It would help if they had background with these trucks as well. Some people may know NOTHING about these trucks. In which case it could cost you more if they are inexperienced with the aftermarket.

[In The Ten Ring]

I've never restored a vehicle although I am paused for the winter on my 1972 and all I am doing is getting it "nicely roadworthy again" so I'm not cutting out cab corners or anything. But....

I have renovated (which is still going on) a ski condo at a ski resort and although it's been a lot of enjoyment and a great learning project, it hasn't been cheap. I think it would be better to get a truck that came with AC rather than try to put it on and if you feel it really needs a lot of options, I'd at least get a good cab that already had that stuff.

It's just easier to start from scratch rather than redo something....and much cheaper also.

My truck will not get AC but if I ever get another one, I'll look for one with factory AC.

[Eddie H.]

As a general rule, you can count on a complete restoration taking twice as long and costing three times as much as your budgeted for.

[Tom Vogel]

Originally Posted by engineer_gregh

I own three of these trucks and I can tell you first hand that unless you are planning on doing a lot of the work yourself its cheaper to buy one already restored. You never get all your money back out of one if you're hiring the restoration work out.

^^^^^^^^ Tis True