65 c20 revival
 

Bought this truck in pieces, some photos are from when i picked it up. Since buying, I've painted the frame and front suspension in POR15. I am having a hell of a time trying to re install the front coils with a common spring compressor (no weight on frame). So think I'm going to order a 3/4 drop spring 1" front and 3" rear from gmc paul after he replies to my email. Any body have pics of that specific drop from gmcpaul for 3/4ton? While i wait im gonna move to the rearend. Think im just going to change fluid and reseal the eaton. The front end has been nearly reassembled just need to install springs. I picked up a 72 8lug disk complete member for 100 bucks. After i repainted and rebuilt my drums front suspension already of course, so ill probably do that later if i decide its worth it. all new polyurathen bushings all the way around. moog steering and suspension parts. Repacked front bearings but changed seals, shoes, turned drums. Has a 283/420 combo and was told its in great working condition , im inclined to believe the seller since the truck is an absolute dime so i think ill just clean it up and re utilize. Seller had other plans for truck originally, believe he was going to cut and swap to 5 or 6 lug. i just cant bring myself to do that to this rig. 8 lugs are cool right?

Re: 65 c20 revival
 

Don't have pics of the chassis being put back together, but they'll make here soon

Re: 65 c20 revival
 

Welcome! Nothing wrong with a 3/4 ton truck, especially with that color and condition. I love the door lettering.
You might be able to temporarily install the engine and trans to get enough weight for getting the stock springs back in

Re: 65 c20 revival
 

Thanks happy to be here. Yeaaah thats an option if i absolute have to. Ill probably end up fabing up a compressor that will slip through inside like a ship in a bottle. engine and tranny are pulled apart right now for checks and cleans. Although the rear end is freed up, hmmm. Might have to call over the neighbor and have him set a front loader bucket on it lol, them 3/4 coils are no joke!

Re: 65 c20 revival
 

That is one nice truck. wow. :)

Re: 65 c20 revival
 

Spud,

Give this a try for installing the springs.

Seat the spring on the pockets.

Big ratchet strap SECURELY attached to the control arms.

Use your jack to compress the spring until everything starts moving.

Tension up the ratchet strap and start ratcheting.

62% of the time it works 100% of the time.

P. :D

Re: 65 c20 revival
 

Yes, eight lugs are cool, and that one is a winner!

Re: 65 c20 revival
 

Ill try this, thanks. Was also thinking something similar but a come along was in my mind. Like this better. I have some big 2 inch straps. Ill update when I get them in

Re: 65 c20 revival
 

Thank you guys. Think this a once in a lifetime find for me and very fortunate to have grabbed. I’m going to keep her pretty much all original. GMC Paul never got back to me. Think I’m just gonna use the stock springs for now too. Took a few more pic today I think you guys will like. No crayon marks, must’ve been cleaned off. Truck is extremely clean so I wouldn’t be surprised if PO wiped them off

Re: 65 c20 revival
 

You could always introduce Mrs Spring to Mr Grinder and lop off a coil.

Or two.....

P. :D

Re: 65 c20 revival
 

I may in the future after I see how the 60 year old springs sit, I’ve never seen it put together in person yet 😈 I am under the understanding a 2” lower in the back is leveled. I planned to do a 1 and 3 lower from gmcpaul, I reached out to verify that would be level. As soon as I know for sure I’ll probably order the kit

Re: 65 c20 revival
 

same art is on both fenders. Shows a cartoon character holding some large glass planes.

Re: 65 c20 revival
 

It worked wonderfully. This one is definitely going in the bag of tricks

Thanks Paul

Re: 65 c20 revival
 

Glad to be of service Sir!

P. :D

Re: 65 c20 revival
 

Awesome truck!

Re: 65 c20 revival
 

In for the build, sweet truck!

Thanks all for the kind words. It’s been an absolute blast working on it. Here’s a small update. After looking at my assembly manual think I may have to flip my link bar. Whoops. I rebuilt the steering box as well. Rearend got its first scrub and pressure wash treatment today. It’s stamped HW my manual says this is a 4.11 ratio non posi, thankful for that. I just plan on resealing rearend but may change bearings if I see something I don’t like. Probably squirt down carrier with kerosene.

Thoughts on the kerosene for cleaning a carrier and inside the rearend?

What brand 90wt are you guys using on your HO52s?

Going to use all felpro gaskets, SKF or Timkin seals and my favorite rtv especially on lower bolts. I understand they sweat commonly. I spent an hour with a putty knife before I could even start degreasing
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Re: 65 c20 revival
 

progress,

man that carrier sure weighs a few

Re: 65 c20 revival
 

Small update, big things ahead.

I decided to rebuild trans, that was a waste of money should have just run it but at least I know its exact condition. SM420 kit from novak.com

Going through engine, picked up a 1966 square bore 4-barrel intake. trying to figure out proper carburetor for it. May not use but would be cool to convert my 195hp 283 to the 220hp version while I'm here

Think the engine has been rebuilt at one time. I can't find the paint color to match what's on it. Some sort of blue? Getting conflicting search results for an original engine color on a 283. Was going to paint trans but don't want to cover up those cool crayon marks.

Ujoints are here and driveshafts are cleaned up and painted. I went with the Spicer 1350X non greaseable. I'm not going off road it and don't want to bother with a re-greaseable type.

I have the body pieces sealed up in storage. I probably wont to the big move until weather gets better. April showers have been especially bad this year

If any of you chevy veterans can point me in the right direction on engine 4-barrel swap info and paint color, it would be appreciated. Currently seems to be the stock 283 with powerpack heads.

Re: 65 c20 revival
 

Stock color for your 283 would be grey
The square bore 4 barrel carb you're looking for is the Rochester 4GC

Tracking down the correct grey for engine was too much of a hassle. Orange looks great. Cab is up next 😎
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Re: 65 c20 revival
 

Nice!

Re: 65 c20 revival
 

All downhill from here!

Re: 65 c20 revival
 

Very nice, the Doorarts is a so pretty

She runs and drives without stopping now lol. Working on my parking brake cables and brake bleeding. Going back inside for a sheet metal makeover. Next pics should be awesome
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Re: 65 c20 revival
 

Love the art on the door and fender!

This is going to be very nice when done.

Good work.

P. :D

Re: 65 c20 revival
 

SpudWrench

Welcome, I just noticed this, nice run so far. By the way, nice to see a close by local truck! I'm just down the road a bit. I am working on a 1966 short bed.

Ahhh I’ve been found out. We’ll have to meet up sometime!
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Summer has been fun so not a whole lot of cool updates. Doing a lot of paint work. Was hoping to make it to a truck meet this weekend but that’s not happening lol. Will have some cool updates soon. She’s getting really close
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Re: 65 c20 revival
 

LOL, your license plate was the first give a way and then I seen the door... LOL just about 40 Miles away.
anyways, you know I have alot of older parts and some new ones that I am not in need of or will be selling.. if you are interested. I can take some pics and send to you.
I have a new frame cross piece that the rear trailing arms attach to that I am not using. (the damn name of that piece is escaping me)

Re: 65 c20 revival
 

Exhaust is in. Not sure if I’m happy with how I laid it out. Will probably redo it. Bed is on. Trying to track some original tailgate latches, seems I don’t have them. Lots of work ahead still. Dad helped out big time with paint, matches up really well. On to the bed now

Re: 65 c20 revival
 

Sweet! Good to see it back on the road

Re: 65 c20 revival
 

How is this truck coming along?

Re: 65 c20 revival
 

Well… still got it. She runs great still. Life has been crazy. New house and twins. Right now the bed has had a lot of work patching auxiliary tank holes. Awaiting clear coat. Summer got away from me this year. Have a disk swap from a 72 and looking for a 14 bolt with better gears than 4:10. She runs like a champ and don’t want to give up my original 283/420 combo yet but an ls swap is definitely taunting. Got a power steering kit. A lot of interior stuff ready. I need to upload pics and will do so. Hoping to have lots of updates this off season. Lots of stuff stored and ready to go in. I’m planning to put it in 1/2 ton springs and a very minor drop. I’m leaving it 8lug, she’s a beauty of a c20 and tossing back and forth the idea of putting on some Detroit smoothies and utilizing my original center caps.

Re: 65 c20 revival
 

Ha ha, that looks fun! Thanks for the update-the lettering on that truck is great.

Re: 65 c20 revival
 

Some updates!

While waiting for weather to improve so I can finish color matching the bed and clearing the truck I decide to basically redo all the chassis work I’ve already done… sigh. Super excited though

Picked up a 79 squarebody front end, disassembled it and should be back from my powder coater in a week. Ordered captain fabs brake booster and power steering adapter. Gathered up 2 power steering boxes ones from a 72 and ones from a 76, they look identical. Still trying to hash out my parts for the booster and dual master upgrade, Picked up a 69 c10 12 bolt. Doing a full rebuild on that with 5 lug conversion axles from Yukon. Will post pics of the rebuild when finished. Currently all torn apart and awaiting a coating before new bearings go in. Going to order cpp modular 2.5 modular drop spindles, waiting on a good OT check to come in cuz them spindles are pricey. Scored on market place on bell tech 1” front springs and 2-3” rear springs with 2” blocks. Should put me at 3.5/5 drop. Waiting on a set of staggered 18” ridler 606 wheels i back ordered. Told I still have another 30 days at least. Going to assemble my front and rear end ahead of time and swap it all in at once in one big move. Lots of work ahead. Should have a flood of pictures coming in as we head into spring

Re: 65 c20 revival
 

Parts mountain lol

Re: 65 c20 revival
 

Ridler 606

Re: 65 c20 revival
 

Sad to see a fellow 8-lugger go to the dark side, but it's still going to be awesome! ;)

Re: 65 c20 revival
 

Man I knew I’d get called out! Shifty it was a really hard decision and I battled it for a long time. I had no intentions to do this until the last 6 months. I’m leaving the c20 badges on it though. Combination of 3/4ton axle ratios, cost of suspension components and how much of a pain to find factory type wheels that would take my center caps and didn’t need to sell my soul for made me pull the trigger. It was just so much easier to go all in on 1/2 ton stuff. I still feel halfway guilty about it haha, all the 3/4ton stuff will get stored indoors for safe keeping, never know maybe one day it’ll all go back in.

I think it’s gonna be awesome too!