This is my 1985 Chevrolet Custom Deluxe long bed C-10. I bought this beauty when I was 16 and drove it around with a 4.3 liter V-6 in it. It started its life with me 100% stock but I soon added a steel roll pan and a racer back as you see in the picture. Soon after I blew the little 6 banger up and went with an almost blown up 305. So ended my story with this truck. But this summer I dug it out for a full frame off restoration! So far i've got the frame in primer, another 305 for it, rocker and floor are half way done, bed is started, its dropped 4 inches in the rear and I plan on going 3 in the front and it goes for paint this winter. I'm also planing a 300 + horse 355 stroker for under the hood as well as building up the factory Turbo 400 tranny. I'm also gonna beef up the 10 bolt and hope it holds. I'm planning on a stock interior with Autometer gauges. As for paint I plan on going back to factory with the ralley's going into black powder coat. Should be mean with its lower stance! Keep checking back for updates because sooner or later it will thunder down the streets once again!
While screwing around I found these two pictures from when I was driving it yet. I miss driving this thing soooo much!
I was considered smoothing the tailgate too. For the plate number reffer to the 96!
Here it is after the bed was pulled off and the floor and rocker were started.
Heres the plated rocker and floor. Someday I'll finish it.
20 Some years of rust and crust on the rear cross memebers. I've since gotten replacements and have begun putting them in.
Well they say that if you work at it long enough things will come together. This old truck has been a royal bitch through it all so far. I've recently found out they dont make the parts for these trucks that I thought they made so recently QUALITY replacements have been a nightmare to find! When I ordered the lowering kit I also ordered brand new inner fenders. I've never in my life seen brand new parts in such BAD shape! And to top it all off the lowering kit was for a 3/4 ton! So I called them up, some parts and cash were exchanged and a brand new 1/2 ton Bell Tech lowering kit and polly bushings were awating me! So after a trip to the local body shop I had a quart of single stage Gloss Black, a quart of primer and a little bit of elbow grease I had the frame in black, FINALLY! I also got the kicker panal mostly patched as well aas the floor and rocker about finished up. The 4 inch lowering kit is also mounted.
Now as you can see this old frame didnt turn out too bad. Now the bed on the other hand is a different story! I've recently gotten one of the cross members in and wow.........what a bitch! As you can see its undercoated and the entire bed has been blown off. Still some work left under here but I've knocked out one major step.
Now the cab........wow..........I've never had it so easy! Little welding here and a patch or two cut there and PRESTO! the interior body work is done! still have a little ways to go but this is yet another major step just about out of the way.
Ever hear the story about a guy having a 305 given to him? The guy has a feeling he should run the numbers, ya know, just to see what year it is, but he discovers its a 69-79 350? Well thats exactly what happened to me!
