71 C10/Trazer Project

[konajoe]

Started a new project, picked up this 1971 pickup today. While searching around for a decent 73-87 cab to build as a trail rig I stumbled across this 71 C10 cab mounted on a 69-72 K5 Blazer chassis. It has the usual rocker and cab corner rot, the modified bed is pretty shot on the inside, but overall the truck is in decent shape for the year especially being from New Hampshire

Build plans are...

Dana 60 front
Dana 70u rear
Small block
465 np203/205

52" front springs
60" or 63" rear springs
stretch the wheelbase out to around 110"-112"

40ish tires on Humvee beadlocks

Steel tubing trail bed of some sort

 

[konajoe]

Spent a few hours cleaning out the truck, removing the rear bumper and bed.

Unfortunately the back half of the chassis is not as good as i initially thought it was. It's pretty thin in a few spots. Thankfully from the back of the cab forward its great shape so the plan is to cut it off and build a new rear section.

 

[sweetk30]

fisher plow mount lower frame you have on the front .

you got 1tons already ?

 

[konajoe]

Yeah it was used to plow the owners driveway.

I pretty much have everything needed to put it together except for the tires. Trying to keep this within budget as much as possible, no frame up long term resto like the last one.

 

[campfire]

Why are you getting rid of the bed? It looks pretty nice to me...

 

[konajoe]

The floor, wheel tubs and inner panels were rotted away and really not worth saving.

I want to build a flatbed, trail bed etc... along the lines of something like these rigs

 

[grey88]

Always liked those beds, hope to be able to do one myself, look forward to seeing more of this!

 

[konajoe]

I was able to spend a few a hours yesterday working on the truck.

The cab floor isn't too bad for a 44 year old New England truck.

Only bad spot on the floor besides the rockers and cab corners.

Pulled off the nose and found the cowl is going to need a some TLC. Unfortunately the PO left the truck sitting under a bunch of trees and the cowl was packed full of leaves and junk.

Thankfully the hinge pillars are still decent.

The next step is to pull the cab off the chassis

 

[max 02]

Subscribed...should be cool!

 

[sweetk30]

how is the windshield frame in/out up by the top of the cab ? known problem area from seam sealer drying out and letting water in the seam up in the rain gutter lip .

 

[konajoe]

I haven't pulled the front/rear glass yet but everything around the seals looks ok so far, the rain gutter lip is also in good shape. The worst part of the whole cab is the cowl. I believe the truck sat for eight or nine years under some trees before i bought it. GMCPauls Truck Parts sells the 67-72 Inner Cowl Repair Panel so i'll probably go that route to repair it

 

[K85 Octane]

you don't still have the bed do you? I'd be interested in the tail light housing area

 

[konajoe]

Sorry... already scrapped the bed

 

[Phil513]

This is a really interesting build, looking forward to it!

 

[82355]

Any updates?

Martin

 

[konajoe]

Unfortunately I haven't touched the truck in a couple of weeks... work and stuff around the house has kept me busy.

I did manage to build a new garage woodstove. The main body is a scrap piece of 20"x24" schedule 40 pipe, should keep the garage nice and comfortable this winter.

 

[diesel4me]

That'll never burn out like a 55 gallon drum would after several years !--though the two drums I made my barrel stoves from are approaching their 20th birthday and only recently started developing some pinholes and a couple I put 3/8" bolts in..
I have a 60 gallon air compressor tank I need to carve up and put the barrel stove door on,then I'll never have to deal with rusty barrels..

I bet that pipe will throw good heat and stay warm longer than a thin sheet metal drum will...