My 1986 Chevrolet C10

More photos are available in my photo gallery.

HISTORY

I have had the truck since about March 2001. I looked for about a year before buying it. It was the only truck I found that had a relatively straight body, was mostly complete, and not been chopped up in one way or another.

Being an old truck, just about everything was worn out when I got it. I have been doing what I can to fix it up a little bit.

WORK COMPLETED

• Replace the engine with a new GM crate 350.
• Complete rebuild of the front suspension with Moog hardware.
• Front end was lowered 2.5 inches using Western Chassis spindles.
• Rear was lowered 4 inches using Western Chassis drop leaf springs.
• Upgraded radiator from 2 row to 3 row for better cooling.
• Rebuilt transmission (TH350C)
• Replaced cam, lifters, pushrods in original 305 engine. It had a performance cam that was poorly matched to the engine. It idled poorly, did not make enough vacuum for the power brakes, and suffered from poor performance in general. I replaced everything back to stock. It was actually a little peppier, and the brakes and A/C work better as well. That engine was replaced 02/06.
• Sandblasted and repainted all engine brackets.
• Replaced water pump with new one.
• Air conditioner rebuilt. I replaced the compressor with a brand new one. The entire system was flushed, the o-rings were all replaced, and the drier was replaced.
• Replaced tumbler, turn signal switch, and turn signal lever in the steering column. The loose tilt mechanism was also tightened (a common problem in these trucks if they have a tilt wheel).
• Recovered the seat with new upholstery.
• Added front swaybar. Even though it is a Silverado, it was not equipped with a front swaybar. I located one in a junkyard, and installed it with all new bushings.
• Replaced front soft brake lines. The old ones were cracked originals. I replaced them with new, stock rubber lines.
• Replaced steering Wheel. I replaced it with a stock Chevrolet steering wheel from a 88-up pickup. It is thicker and padded, and makes for a really nice upgrade.
• New Horns. The old horns were ineffective, so I replaced them with a pair of new Fiamm electric horns.
• Replaced motor and transmission mounts.

More info to come...