1971 C-10 Cheyenne
 

After talking to my son about what he wanted as a first vehicle he decided he wanted a 67-72 Chevy or GMC truck. So I set out searching and came across a 71 C-10 Cheyenne sold new in AZ and lived it's life in SOCAL until Sept of 2014 when it came to Kansas. The body is solid or at least it is for what we see here in the midwest.

It's a factory A/C 402/th400 truck that had not run in 12 years when we bought it. Deal with my son is he helps pay and work on it, If he's not in the shop I don't work on it.

We have replaced everything that was required to get it to be a running/driving truck which has been mainly general stuff like belts, hoses, W/P, ALT, fluids, brakes, ball joints, etc. It came with mis-matched tires and wheels up front and some rusted one time chrome wagon wheels with 31" tires on the back.

While the list of things to do is long we started with getting it running and driving, then picked up some stock 15' steelies, and some new tires in the same height as the planned 18" to come in the future and fix the stance "issue" as he called it. We blasted and painted the wheels, then installed a Western Chassis 4/6 drop kit which is how it sits today.

Next up is a 5.3/4L80E/9" swap as I had these already around the shop, after that is 18" wheels, new interior, short bed it, and paint.

First pick is the day we brought it home the other two are as it sits now.

Re: 1971 C-10 Cheyenne
 

That's s cool truck. Where did you find it? I just ask because I'm in Kansas City area too.

Re: 1971 C-10 Cheyenne
 

Great looking project, I'll follow this!

Re: 1971 C-10 Cheyenne
 

Thanks Joesjunk I was searching for trucks on Craigslist and a guy up on 12th and Central in KCK with a smaller auto repair shop had an add for a 68 GMC that was rough. As I zoomed in on the picture to get as good of look as I could I saw this in the background.



Thanks
Scott

Re: 1971 C-10 Cheyenne
 

Thanks jlsanborn,

Going forward I'll take pics, this go around was just trying to get it running/driving, and lower.

Re: 1971 C-10 Cheyenne
 

Things are moving forward, we spent the summer and fall driving the truck and taking it to some local cruise night/car shows.

As winter came we started to tear it down for the next phase. The firewall is smoothed and the 5.3 is mocked up in place. I'll finish the drive train mounts today then we will pull it all back out to paint he motor and frame. One change in the plans is there is now a T56 6speed manual instead of a 4L80E auto. Plan is to have it back on the road by middle to late April.

Re: 1971 C-10 Cheyenne
 

Cool!

Re: 1971 C-10 Cheyenne
 

Nice! How about the interior?? Looks like you got a red head steering gear. You will have to let me know how you like it over a reman gear box! Looking forward to seeing the transmission install as I plan the same!

Re: 1971 C-10 Cheyenne
 

That is my favorite color combo. Nice truck, and even better that you get to work on it with your son.

Re: 1971 C-10 Cheyenne
 

Did you have to notch the rear with a 6" drop? looks great!

Re: 1971 C-10 Cheyenne
 

The interior is a project for this fall but for now its gutted and getting a pair of PRP Daily Driver bucket seats. This fall it will get sprayed with an insulator and sound material of some sort. I'll post pictures when the seats arrive. I spent a number of years as a tech in a diesel pickup truck shop and we installed a number of Red Head steering gears along with a few others and I have found nothing better than the Red Head. The one I got is the quicker ratio one.

Thank You, spending time with him and seeing him learn and get new ideas is really cool.

With out a notch it had about 3" of up travel and rode on the factory bump stops. We put about 300 miles on the truck without notching the frame and you sure knew when you hit a bump. It will be notched before it hits the road again.

Re: 1971 C-10 Cheyenne
 

sweet!

Re: 1971 C-10 Cheyenne
 

Truck sits perfect. Love the color combo too

Re: 1971 C-10 Cheyenne
 

way cool truck!!

Re: 1971 C-10 Cheyenne
 

Very cool!!

Re: 1971 C-10 Cheyenne
 

Do you still have the 80e? I am in Lenexa and would be interested in taking it off of your hands :lol:

-Nick

Re: 1971 C-10 Cheyenne
 

Yes I do have it. I'll PM you my number.

Re: 1971 C-10 Cheyenne
 

Motor and trans are in and the seats showed up.

Re: 1971 C-10 Cheyenne
 

Brake booster and master cylinder are on as is the clutch master cylinder which is a Tilton series 75 7/8" bore. The linkage is a 5/16 heim joint and a swaged radius rod form Rod End Supply.

Rebuilding the steering column is the current project along with repainting it. This weekends plans are column done, installed, make the seat mounts, and if there is time put the front clip back on.

Re: 1971 C-10 Cheyenne
 

Looks good!

Re: 1971 C-10 Cheyenne
 

what size tire are on the 15" wheel

Re: 1971 C-10 Cheyenne
 

Lots of progress! Looking really clean man, nice work!

Re: 1971 C-10 Cheyenne
 

Thanks guys, got caught up watching basketball and Nick had baseball practice today so we only got the column done, filler neck patch panel in, and new body mounts in. Still hoping to get the seat mounts done this weekend.

Tires are 225/70/15 which are about 27" tall which is the planned height when it gets 18" wheels.

New addition being added since the plan went to a 6spd is the rear end is getting 4.56 gears and a posi.
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Re: 1971 C-10 Cheyenne
 

Looks like a great project & some father- son bonding too! Nice the you found a solid truck without a long drive. Those crazy 80's mirrors have got to go!- they look great on the trucks they were made for but not so hot on these! Keep up the good work- thanks for the pics

Re: 1971 C-10 Cheyenne
 

What did you use for a brake booster bracket to get the booster so close to the firewall? Where did you buy the new booster /master combo ?