New to me 1965 C10 Custom Cab

[LSXTravis]

Hey guys and gals,

It has been a while since I posted in this forum about my truck. I had a 1964 C10 SWB BBW that needed total restoration. However, I never was able to get a title for that truck so I ended up selling it. I also moved overseas for 3 years but now I am back at home in Texas where I belong.

Ok, so here is the deal. I bought a 1965 C10 custom cab long fleetside bed with small back glass that has been painted baby blue and white and is absolutely gorgeous. The restoration is a 15 year old restoration but it looks great for being done that long ago. Has less than 2000 miles on the odometer since the truck was restored.

1. Matching numbers 283 with powerglide transmission.

2. Ordered with factory air conditioning. Kind of rare and really neat and cool.

3. Deluxe steering wheel. I think these steering wheels came in the earlier Impalas and Novas. Nonetheless I have seen them in many C10 trucks before.

Like I said this truck has an older restoration but it a very handsome C10. Now I would like your comments and opinions about what I want to do with this truck to make it "mine" and bring it into the 21st century.

1. I have secured a BBW interior panel from one of the forum members here. I am planning on having a the small back window swapped out for the BBW.

2. I am also going to have the same shop take the long fleetside bed and frame and cut down to the SWB and short fleetside bed. I know this will upset some of you but it is my truck and I can do with it as I please.

3. Gas tank is still in the cab. I will have same shop move to under the bed.

4. I am going to go with 5 lug disc up front and 5 lug drums in the back. Also going to get the truck upgraded for power steering.

5. Serpentine accessory drive for the SBC. I am hoping this will be compliant with the original A/C and original Power Steering. If not I guess changing to modern A/C compressor, condenser and dryer along with new P/S pump won't be that big of a deal.

6. Go with fuel injection so that the truck will always start in all kinds of weather.

7. Eventually swap the powerglide to a 200-4r or 700-r4.

8. Get rid of chains on the tailgate and go with a Mar K system. Expensive but practical and user friendly.

9. Sand down the original wood in the bed and seal it.

I know it will upset some that I am going to have the long bed cut down into a short bed and having the BBW interior panel installed so that I can have a SWB Fleetside BBW C10 with factory air conditioning, but I own the truck and I will make the truck into what I want. Enjoy the pictures.









Travis

[1963c-10]

Great looking truck!!

[TJ's Chevy]

Nice truck to start with. Half ton long beds never made sense anyhow.

[Clyde65]

I like it like it is but...it is your truck, make it like you like!!

[Mathew21]

Beautiful truck. Keep up updated on your truck's transformation.

[bpmcgee]

If you want a serpentine accessory drive and fuel injection, it might be simpler to drop in an LS1 -- and probably cheaper.

B

[C/10 King]

I like your thinking!

[mehoff400]

beautiful truck!

[Chevy Fleetside]

The 283 dose not have the heads drilled for accessories so you might not be able to use a late model serpentine with it.

[LSXTravis]

As far as the 283 goes for the serpentine belt with accessories I have a couple of options.

1. I could find a 305 TBI motor and use the 305 heads with the TBI unit on it and do it that way in order to keep the original 283 in there. But this does not address switching out the PG for a automatic overdrive transmission.

2. I could find a wrecked late model pickup, Tahoe, Yukon, or suburban with the LS 4.8 or 5.3 with the 4L65E trans with all the front drive belt accessories. This is a very enticing option especially since I am going to have the gas tank relocated under the wood bed anyway. I would have to get new motor mounts and transmission mount for the LS motor and auto overdrive tranny. Plus I will have the serpentine set up for power steering, AC, and alternator. I am thinking this may be the way to go and pull out the 283 with PG and store it in case I ever want to sell the pickup.

3. Same thing as #2 but with a 350 TBI or Vortec 350 with auto overdrive tranny with serpentine belt drive set up. Again take 283 with PG out and store. This way is like six, one half dozen or another with option #2. Just depends on the money I guess.

If the weather is permitting I will be taking the truck out to Waxahachie, Texas this weekend for a free car show "C10s in the park" and show it off. It is a bit dusty but if it rains it will get dirty any way.

Thanks for the compliments and opinions guys.

Travis

[NevEno]

Nice truck!! sounds like a good plan. why 5 lug?

[LSXTravis]

The reason for the 5 lug is that the truck does not have disc brakes on the front of the truck. I prefer the 5 lug pattern for wheel choices. That is the reason for 5 lug is because it is my preference.