Re: 1981 Chevrolet C50 Pick-up Conversion
 

Nice ! Good work ..man.

Re: 1981 Chevrolet C50 Pick-up Conversion
 

I drive by 3 of these trucks almost every day now and they never move....It makes me want to do this.....Ahhh if I had the time, money, and know how to put a bed on.....yeah....ahhhhh it kinda drives me crazy

Re: 1981 Chevrolet C50 Pick-up Conversion
 

Those gas tanks are awesome!!

If I had a regular lifted truck I'd put a set of those on, they are COOL!

Re: 1981 Chevrolet C50 Pick-up Conversion
 

if you ever need anything from Harbor Freight that you can't get there, let me know. We have one here in town and i'd be glad to get it for you and ship it if need be.

Re: 1981 Chevrolet C50 Pick-up Conversion
 

The summer months have been a challenge, but I have spent some time on the truck this week. It seems every weekend there is something going on keeping me out of my shop.

One of the longest challenges has been getting the box ready for primer. Many layers of paint and a bunch of asphalt.... apparently this box may have been on a municipal truck.

It is now ready to prime. I have have got the fiberglass fenders back to primer and fairly smooth.

See attached photos... oh and if anyone is wondering, the 2x4's holding up the box is just a template to get my height. I will be making a metal sub frame.

Hopefully I can get back in the swing and get some regular work done. I am getting sick of having to work around this machine and push it in and out of my garage... Ha!

Re: 1981 Chevrolet C50 Pick-up Conversion
 

I have been wondering, in your opinion, what would it take to make this a 4x4?

Do you have any idea what one could use an axle?

I have always dreamed of one of these (crew cab) but it would have to be 4x4

Re: 1981 Chevrolet C50 Pick-up Conversion
 

I think it would be very doable to make this a 4wd, the frame is a straight rail, anyone with some fabrication skills could make some hangers for a front axle and leaf springs. Adding a transfer case would be fairly easy, a cross member and making the appropriate length drive shaft and getting your pinion angle.

I personally think the hard part would be getting a crew cab. Not sure if they came this way in the 80's, but the firewall and floors are different in these trucks... not to say it isn't doable though.

Giver!!!

Re: 1981 Chevrolet C50 Pick-up Conversion
 

Much appreciated!!!

Re: 1981 Chevrolet C50 Pick-up Conversion
 

Very Cool Great job.

Re: 1981 Chevrolet C50 Pick-up Conversion
 

I have seen people cut the firewalls off these trucks and weld them to a crew cab. As for axles I would probably find a set of rockwells. Might make the truck taller with the top pinions but rockwells can be had for pretty cheap and will defenetly handle the weight. Maybe run a divorced transfercase to make the drivelines better.
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Re: 1981 Chevrolet C50 Pick-up Conversion
 

Third day in a row I have got to continuously work on the C50. Late night start but got the box on its end and ready to start cleaning up the underside.

Unfortunately I really didn't take my time searching for a box... with that in mind it is not a show stopper underneath. With that in mind, I am not expecting the 100 point show judges to be looking at this truck, nor will it be driving over the Barrett Jackson chassis cam, so....

Rubberised undercoating will be my friend. I sprayed the underside of the cab with it as well, so it will technically match, HA!

I am now committed to working on this truck. As you can see the box is now on the shop floor. I would like to get this all back and sitting on the truck permanently.

As for the chassis, I have some brake line relocation work to do, drill the shackles, shorten the drive shaft and paint everything from the cab back shiny black.

Getting there!

Re: 1981 Chevrolet C50 Pick-up Conversion
 

Progress is good. I am sure it won't be long now and she will be up and running.

Re: 1981 Chevrolet C50 Pick-up Conversion
 

Another late start but made some progress. Got the underside cleaned up and under coated.

Looks presentable to me.

Hoping to get the inside of the box in primer this morning.

Here is what I got done tonight...

Re: 1981 Chevrolet C50 Pick-up Conversion
 

Nice work, this is going to be a very unique vehicle.

Re: 1981 Chevrolet C50 Pick-up Conversion
 

Motivation was with me this morning. Got up and and got the inside of the box primed.

Hopefully some lads will drop by and I can get this back down on saw horses and get the boxsides finished.

Going to a bbq this afternoon and hoping I will still have motivation tomorrow.... Ha!

I hope to get the shackles drilled and bolted and get a measurement for my driveshaft so I can get it sent out Monday.

Re: 1981 Chevrolet C50 Pick-up Conversion
 

Well I finally got the spring shackles in place and bolted down. As you will see in the attached pictures I still have more drilling to do... ha. My 3/8 drill and Canadian Tire drill bit set are doing it, but with too much effort on my end.

I am going to get a good 1/2 bit tomorrow from our local industrial supplier...

I have also got the rear wheels off, going to get everything cleaned up and get my driveshaft in to be shortened.

Re: 1981 Chevrolet C50 Pick-up Conversion
 

I am starting to envision the finished product....

Re: 1981 Chevrolet C50 Pick-up Conversion
 

Great build, keep it up!

Re: 1981 Chevrolet C50 Pick-up Conversion
 

Got the first half of the driveshaft on today, now I have my measurements and hopefully can get my rear shaft done pretty quick.

Got 1 rear wheel cleaned up and ready for paint.

Re: 1981 Chevrolet C50 Pick-up Conversion
 

great job man!

Re: 1981 Chevrolet C50 Pick-up Conversion
 

Thanks for all the words of encouragement, it is good to be back working on this truck... I am so looking forward to taking this for a drive!

Re: 1981 Chevrolet C50 Pick-up Conversion
 

looks great ,rims cleaned up nice!

Re: 1981 Chevrolet C50 Pick-up Conversion
 

This thing is looking good man! Can't wait to see it finished.
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Re: 1981 Chevrolet C50 Pick-up Conversion
 

Well an early start to the day and a late finish at that.

I was up early and got my driveshaft into Lindsay Driveline and got it shortend to the right length. They balanced both shafts together. Mint.

Ordered some c channel for tomorrow for the box.

Bought a new 1/2 inch drill and a real bit for finishing off all the shackle holes and bolts.

Have a few adjustments to make to the pinion angle and I will be moving this truck under its own power....

Re: 1981 Chevrolet C50 Pick-up Conversion
 

OOF, I don't envy you drilling holes in those frame rails, one of my least favorite jobs for sure.