The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks so many questions

hello, I'm new to this so please bare with me. a little info I have a '61 c10 apache fleetside 2wd 235/3 on the tree. it has never had any work done to it except a paint job somewhere along the line. now down to the questions I would like to updated the brakes, suspension, drive-train ect...to make it essentially a daily driver that I can road trip in also I've had people tell me spend the money on kits to update and others that say get a newer c10 and swap the bodies. I have someone to do the fab work on body swap with experience doing this. opinions on both sides please. want as much info as possible before making major purchases.

This will have torsion bar front 60-62, 63-66 will have coil. Your truck is quite rare. Made with that hood in 60-61 and wrap around windshield 60-63. 60-62 has dual headlights. You don't say if it is a short or long bed. You can do what you wish but there is nothing wrong with your truck going on road trips if you just "service" the "brakes, suspension, drive-train, etc." All parts are available new aftermarket. Some upgraded parts are offered. Body swap or component swaps are pricey and take some expert knowledge. IFS and etc are not cheap. The later value will depend on quality of swaps, if it's a short bed, custom cab and/or big window. Depends, of course, on rust in frame and undercarriage also.

I am working on a 1960 now. I am only refurbishing the rear suspension, as well as the front end. Torsion bar suspensions ride nice. I am upgrading to fron disk brakes. You can buy the spindles on line. Also dual master cylinder.

thanks for the feed back...it is a short bed and actually in pretty good shape rust wise. it could use some new fenders and rocker work on drivers side but frame looks pretty solid. refurbishing isn't looking like a bad option. any suggestions on drive-train combos don't need to fly down the road but be able to drive 75 on the interstate.

Your speedo says 100 MPH. It should run 75 with refreshed components. All non OD tranys are 1:1 in final gear. Your 235 will run all day. Your differential ratio is probably 3.90. Not exactly a hiway speed ratio. Should be several OD tranys that would work with a newer V8. You have to decide the direction before planning what parts to use. I.E. Swap to a modern frame? or swap engine/trans? or refresh to stock? or change rear end ratio? Before I would start swaping frames and doing a front clip, I would sell the truck and buy another with desired Hiway speeds. Otherwise you may end up with a sow's ear from a silk purse.

G. Chavez. Bartamos is giving sound & very wise advice here. Unless the truck you currently have has some sentimental value you will be money and time ahead to simply go out and buy an old truck that has already been built the way you want it.

This is especially true if you are having someone else do the work, as you mentioned in your post.

thanks for all the advice...the truck really doesn't have sentimental value but I did search for this particular body style (60-63) short bed fleetside. my plans for this truck are to take my time with it I have other vehicles to drive and this is my only project so I plan on it being a 5-10 year project and have a set monthly budget for it. also the person doing the fab work is a friend with experience doing frame swaps on these trucks. just looking for as much advise for this project as possible. thanks again for the input....by the way I have been thinking of just refurbishing to original except for paint don't care for original color. Tahiti coral

Some great advice so far.

I would only suggest that keep you truck original as original trucks are appreciating as there are fewer and fewer as people convert their trucks and leave no originality.

I have the 235 motor with the granny 1st gear 4 speed and 390 posi. It will run and drive nicely at 60-65 MPH. Every cruise night or car show I see updated trcks and few to none original trucks and their is a lot of interest in the original truck.

I would buy a truck that has already lost its original components
and build from that truck.

Good luck.
John