1964 Chevy C-10

[vp23271]

I got a little side tracked off my 68 Camaro project and picked up a 64 Chevy C10 Shortbed Fleetside. My plan is to just get it safe and decent enough for now and then really tear into it after my 68 Camaro goes off for paint about 10-14 months from now.

My garage space is occupied with my 68 Camaro and all it's bits and pieces, so I got a local shop to help with the duties. I already have 1 car torn apart in pieces and didn't want to be "that guy" with 2 incomplete projects with neither running lol! The shop that helped me out is in Fullerton, CA and its a family run business called Lee and Son. They quoted me honest hours, did a great job and got me back on the road. I would highly recommend them.

Back in Feb, I found the truck on craigslist and I drove up to Fresno, CA worked out a deal with the owner and towed it back. The truck was stock for the most part and had the usual rust, but was solid. The first things on my list to change were disc brakes and power steering! The drums were just scaring the crap out of me. Sometimes it would pull hard left when I hit the brakes and other times it would pull hard right. No consistency! The manual steering box had so much slop in it, it took a lot of concentration to get the steering wheel to correct the pull from the brakes. Trying to park the SOB with the manual steering box was a challenge to say the least. The other thing that needed to be addressed was the stance! I don't plan on going full tilt with this project, just want to improve the driva'bility and reliability.

Below is what's been done so far:
12" disc brakes all 4 corners
Master cylinder and booster
All new drop coils and shocks
2" drop spindles with 5 lug hubs
5 lug rear axles (6 lug was standard)
5 on 5 15x8 rally wheels (4" bs)
Upper and lower control arms
Quick ratio power steering
All new steering linkage

It currently has the original 283 and 3 speed manual tranny. Both feel like they are on their last legs. In the near future I would like to update the drive train, install the under bed fuel tank and get the bench seat recovered. Paint, body work and the small details won't happen until the Camaro has been handed off from my garage to the paint booth and final build.

[vp23271]

It came with a tool box for the bed and a gun rack for the cab lol!

[formula98]

Nice truck! It doesn't look like a lot of work. looks really clean. Keep up the posts....

[Crafty One]

That is really nice.... wish I had that type of luck...

[vp23271]

Nice truck! It doesn't look like a lot of work. looks really clean. Keep up the posts....

I hope to be dropping in a fresh 350 + auto tranny soon. Will post some more pic's soon.

That is really nice.... wish I had that type of luck...

The pictures make the paint look much better than in person! It's a 20 foot car at best. I just liked the fact that all the body panels were one color and I checked the under body and it does not look likes its ever been in an accident. The guy I bought it from was the second owner and he owned it for 22 years.

I looked at a lot of trucks and even drove to Tucson to look at one. I thought for sure that the one in Tucson was a dead ringer! The pictures looked great .... until I saw it in person. Photo's just don't show the same depth as standing in front of the truck and being able to push on the sheet metal. Needless to say, the truck in Tucson had a bad case of the "frosted flakes". That flaky rust that just crumbles if you touch it. It was definitely a learning experience and also made the wait worth while to have the truck I have now.

[WS6]

good looking truck. I like the stance. I'd throw a Duramax into it personally. That's not cheap though.

[vp23271]

good looking truck. I like the stance. I'd throw a Duramax into it personally. That's not cheap though.

I like this one! (way out of my budget though)

[86Cutlass383SR]

My newphew is fixing up a 65 shortbed stepside. We've been trying to find a 409 to drop in it. Possibly run dual throttle body EFI to simulate the 2x4 look...

Ahhhhhhhhhh...pipe dreams are cheap....(sigh)

Doug

[WS6]

that would be a killer engine choice Rick

[vp23271]

that would be a killer engine choice Rick

I would need a stick of butter and sledge hammer to get that under the hood of the C10 lol! That thing is a monster! I am planning on going SBC with something around the 375hp range. Yea I know kinda dull, but I am trying to funnel my money toward the Camaro and a LS376/480.

[Boulder69]

Killer little truck you got there. I want something similar in the next couple of years. Gonna make it safe and reliable but totally stock appearing. Except for the 5.3 LS truck motor and tranny that is...