Mods
Body swapped a 1970 C10 onto a 1998 one ton dually. I built the long tube headers, wrapped them, and made a bunch of stainless steel heat shields to protect the wiring, transmission, and fuel lines. Like Binky I made all the brackets to mount the power train control modal, mount the heat exchanges for the cooling systems, and environmental control system, and the cool air system. I took a GM 14 bolt rear axle from a cab and chassis truck in the junk yard, converted disk brakes using roters from an 80's 3/4 ton chevy 4x4 front and rear calipers from a 1976 Cadillac Eldorado. I also swapped the locker from the white truck into the this axle. The wiring harness is mostly from the 1998 dually I hacked up with parts from the 1970 truck to run the lights and switches. The seat is a bench from a 90's chevy work truck I repared the damaged foam, and stitched a new cover for. I followed Al's advice and took extra care on the peddle location for drivability. The 1998 frame is 6 inches wider than the C10 so I had to move the cab mounts and change the step side to fit the forward spring mounts for the rear springs. The gas tank is from the 1998, and extends from under the cab on the left side to just before the rear axle. I had to cut it down to fit under the cab. The PCM was reprogrammed with HP tuners. The Dash is from Dakota Digital, looking origin, but talks to the PCM for speed etc.
Build story
I am an endangered grease monkey, and I needed a shop truck that can tow and haul junk for my builds. When I was tee-boned in my white truck it took away my ability to do some of the things I wanted to do, like losing your favorite tool. Looking around at a replacement I was not happy with what was in my price range, and I already had one of the best drive trains for my application, so I considered my options, and building a truck for my needs seemed like the best option. I have the capability, if a little crude, to do it. I looked at other donors, my criteria being large enough to fit the big bock chevy, 4L80E, and 14 bolt axle, it had to be cool, and 1975 and older because of California emissions laws. I looked at a Studebaker, Fords, and other chevys. When this C10 come up in my search as a cast off project, missing the engine, taken apart for restoration, and much of the passenger floor and rocker cut out for abandoned rust repair, it was a perfect candidate. It has taken 2.5 years to get it to this point and it ran for the first time Christmas Day 2020. It has been a heck of an experience and in the middle of it I doubted myself like many who take on such a large project, but I persevered, and I m very pleased with the results. Next is to blow it all apart again for body, and paint. And while apart I plane to rebuild the 170,000 mile engine and transmission. I also need to finish the interior, getting the AC and heater working, add a stereo, heat and sound deadening, and floor covering. thank you for your time and consideration.