How to tell if extended cab is factory?

[KWKENUF]

I stumbled upon an ad for a 1981 extended cab chevy for a good price.  My question is,  what are some signs that can easily point out if this is a factory cab or if someone made their own?  I know zieg has one so I hope he shows up to give input.  Anyone else?  Any links you can give me?  Thanks guys!

[zieg85]

First of all, it is only factory in the sense that 1 company was authorized to do this conversion.  Those conversions, as far as I can tell, were done by CVI out of Arlington, TX.  The "factory" conversions were done without disturbing the standard wheel base.  These were done to the standard 131.5" long bed and the standard crew cab.  The key is the frame was never touched to retain the new GM warranty.  http://conversiontrucks.net/  is Choptop's site for additional info and pictures

[KWKENUF]

Awesome!  Thanks zieg85!  That is a good site.  Thanks for getting my facts straight for me.

[zieg85]

No problem, I have read everything I could on the subject and took 3 years to find the one I have now.  In a nutshell 18" was removed from the bed.  They cut the back of the cab off, used the bed floor for the floor of the extended cab part, the bed sides as far up as it would take them and pieced in the rest.  What was left was a 6.5' bed so that the aftermarket toppers would fit.  Most common are the C10's starting life as a Silverado.  Mine is a C30 Custom Deluxe which is the only one I have seen.

[KWKENUF]

I am not sure what this one I have found is yet.  All I know is it's an 81,  2wd,  with a bad 305.  From the pictures it looks pretty solid.  They want $550 for it.  I plan on getting out to see it hopefully tonight.  I will update as things progress.

[zieg85]

If you pass on it, I'd like a crack at it.  Grand Rapids is doable.  I want to build one but a long bed.  Keep us posted...

[blazing816]

Where in Grand Rapids is it??? do you have the a online listing for it, because that is only 45 min from me, so if you do not take it....I would not mind a crack at it too. I have never seen any this north (other then Ziegs) I have been wanting one for awhile. Thanks

[blazing816]

I have never seen a legit CVI conversion with those type of windows (I have not seen many) .... also where the "rocker" is on the ext part, looks like it has a body "bump" which I do not think CVI every did either, also may be the picture but those newer Chevy wheels and tires do not look centered in the wheel wells.......but it looks clean for Michigan, and all the conversion were done in Texas. I am curious what you find out, or if your going to buy it or not.

[blazing816]

Also just realized it does not look like the gas door is close enough to the front of the bed (in all of choptop's the gas door is only like 2" from front of the bed it looks like and this looks like more like a foot)....it actually looks like a true 6ft bed. I am starting to think someone made one on a new style frame that was a ext cab 6ft bed (hence why tires do not look right).

Also if you go look at it....it is suppose to be about 18" added to the cab (which in turn is taken from the bed, which should be about 6.5ft) If I remember choptop's measurements.

[zieg85]

Most of the windows that I have seen were plexiglass and the originals could have been replaced like mine were.  Mine came from a S-10 that pop out.  Here is what my truck looked like before it turned into what I have now.  The bed on that blue truck does look like a true 6.5' off a SB truck.  The previous owner made the same mistake with buying one when the bed was shot.  He then turned around and bought a 8' and cut it like the factory conversion did.

[blazing816]

Zieg what you think about the part on the bottom of the ext cab part that looks like a "bump" out in the metal?? that is the part that through me off first. I wish it was not in Muskegon because I would so go look at it, but that's 2.5hrs away from me. I am hoping KWKENUF looks at it and gives us a report, because I am curious now and he is a lot closer then I.

[zieg85]

Zieg what you think about the part on the bottom of the ext cab part that looks like a "bump" out in the metal?? that is the part that through me off first. I wish it was not in Muskegon because I would so go look at it, but that's 2.5hrs away from me. I am hoping KWKENUF looks at it and gives us a report, because I am curious now and he is a lot closer then I.

Probably a poor patch job or attempt at covering up rust IMO.  If you look at the wheel well, it was adjusted because of the bed.  The rear window looks 86-90 Fordish to me...

[KWKENUF]

Yes that is the one I am referring too.  I have not been able to get out to look at it,  just to busy with more important stuff.  Shooting for this weekend to get out there.  Muskegon is only half hour away for me.  I will say that the chances of me buying it are slim at this point.  Just to many logistical points that I don't want to deal with.  I don't need this truck that bad that I am willing to work it all out.  But...  I am willing to look at it.  Where would the CVI tags be if that is who do it?

[blazing816]

Should be in the passenger side door jam. A lot of them are missing because of repaints. Should be riveted on (and even if they took tag off you might still see the two little holes where the rivets were), but the other thing to look at in the interior panels in the back to see if all the plastic and carpet looks right.....or if someone hacked it together, because CVI did put plastic/vinyl interiors in the back.

If you go look at it and could get a few pics of the inside, and then could send them to me, that way I would could make a better decision before the 2 hour drive from Kalamazoo.

[zieg85]

Should be in the passenger side door jam. A lot of them are missing because of repaints. Should be riveted on (and even if they took tag off you might still see the two little holes where the rivets were), but the other thing to look at in the interior panels in the back to see if all the plastic and carpet looks right.....or if someone hacked it together, because CVI did put plastic/vinyl interiors in the back.

If you go look at it and could get a few pics of the inside, and then could send them to me, that way I would could make a better decision before the 2 hour drive from Kalamazoo.

Sure steal it from me???  Just kidding, I'll get the next one.  I just need a good cab anyway for what I am wanting to do...