86 C-10 project.

[zieg85]

Pictured is what I am starting out with.  When I bought it the original hubcaps was the stock dog-dish style and it had a straight front bumper which the chrome was shot but you get the picture.  Luckily it is a fairly clean rust free truck from Tennessee with 70,800 original miles.  Stock power-train is the 4.3L V-6 with a 3 speed converted to the floor.  I rounded up a floor shift steering column but will retain the manual steering and manual disc brakes.  I have a fairly stock 350 that runs strong backing it with a 4 speed overdrive manual transmission MY6.  Dual exhaust with headers all the way out the rear.  I have a straight GM rear step-bumper for it as well as the complete 4 headlight core support and Silverado grill.  For the interior I landed a nice set of red buckets out of a 91 Suburban with the center console.  It is a radio delete truck, haven't decided which way to go on that.  I also have a rear sliding window.  Stock 15X8 rally rims with 255 70R15 BF Goodrich tires for now.  I also plan to install a front sway bar off of a 85 C-20 Suburban.  I hope to start this in a week or two if the skeeters die down a bit.  The body moldings will be removed and I'll match the paint in a single stage 2K urethane.  Those after-market mirrors are going.  I will either go with the stock sport mirrors or the more popular swing out as I have 2 sets of either to choose from.

[VileZambonie]

Cool!

[rudedog67]

Nice start to a Good truck

[yellasldrboy_04]

NICE.....Mine was red to when I started off...I will stay tuned

[zieg85]

Wow it has been a while since I've done anything with this truck but it is now going to be next in line to get going since I sold my hauler.  Plans have changed a little in scope but I will update with pictures as I go.  I've pretty much given up on finding all the parts needed to go back with the original 3 on the tree set up so I will go to 4 on the floor and change out the column.  My sons and I pushed it to the driveway where I will start the work on it.  Stay tuned...

[zieg85]

after 6 years of sitting a little more rust is showing on the rockers and cab corners but other than 6 years of grime, not bad.  I also have been using it as a storage shed.

[bake74]

     Looking forward to the progress pics Zieg.

[DustyRusty]

  I also have been using it as a storage shed. 

LOL.  I resemble that remark! 

[zieg85]

FINALLY the weather is cooperating.  Had to give it a bath for inspiration, 1st. one in 6+years.  Tomorrow I will get it in the garage and start on it.  It has been a long time coming so I am excited to get it going.  Progress will be slow but I will be driving it this summer yet. 

[zieg85]

I am stoked... Found a column shift and linkage locally.  Now all I am missing is the 2 levers on the transmission to put it back stock...  Hoping to make the trade this coming weekend and meet a fellow 85 C10 owner

[bake74]

     That's great, hopefully you can get those linkages and get it all back to stock.  Are you going to keep it or ?

[zieg85]

     That's great, hopefully you can get those linkages and get it all back to stock.  Are you going to keep it or ?

It's a keeper, I've been wanting a plain jane farm truck with a V-8 3 on the tree since the 64 I had when I was in my teens.  Armstrong steering and brakes, 1 v-belt + the air pumps.  I am going to keep the radio delete plate and install the radio in the dash pad like the GMC I had.  I am also toying with putting my name on it as a shop truck. 

[zieg85]

I am stoked... Found a column shift and linkage locally.  Now all I am missing is the 2 levers on the transmission to put it back stock...  Hoping to make the trade this coming weekend and meet a fellow 85 C10 owner

Found the 1st reverse lever for trans, NOS on eBay.  Seller says fits 73-79, hopefully it is all the same.  Part # is 6271385 if anyone has a book to confirm???  Headed out to do some trading today and meet a fellow 1985 owner...

[zieg85]

A CL find... all the linkages, transmission levers found.  Now for the actual shift lever...

[zieg85]

I must be living right.  After I found the linkages I was commenting on one of the 73-87 facebook pages and someone was talking about their 3 speed, and I mentioned I needed the shifter.  Another fellow pipes in and says he and his friend just parted out a 1984 and I could have the shifter.  Oddly enough he is in the next town down from me.  I get there and he asks do you want the whole column, it shifted fine when we got it.  6+ years of searching complete.  I never thought I would ever find the stuff, let alone extras...