The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts How can I make a C60 more drivable?

I have a 1960 c60 in pretty decent condition. Runs great, brakes completely rebuilt, built a flatbed for it. I really love the truck and I put a bunch of time and money into it to get it where it is. It was fun driving around the farm and back roads in Nebraska but now I have it in Phoenix and it's just awful to drive here. Top speed is too low to get it on the highway, and it's too slow getting to speed to drive on side streets.

So I'm thinking through options to make it a little more enjoyable.

Option 1 - a 5.3 with 4l80e swap. But that's a lot of work and I still have the awful brake setup, ancient suspension, heavy rear end, obsolete wheels, bad gearing etc etc (I'm not towing grain trailers anymore). If I add a rear axle swap... I may as well go on to..

Option 2 - full chassis swap. I know most people on here are purists and I understand that viewpoint. But for me an all original truck that will never be driven is more of a shame than an updated truck that I can and will actually drive around. I haven't looked into measurements but thinking about buying an old 7.3 F450 dually and swapping the cab over. Blasphemy I know.

I have a 1958 Chevy delivery van swapped onto a Tahoe chassis with a 5.3 motor and I drive it all the time. With all original equipment I never would have been able to drive it and it would be rotting away somewhere. Chassis swap allowed the van to go to car shows in Vegas, Long Beach, all over Phoenix, and I drive it around for work. Gave it a second life.

Anyway just brainstorming so figured I'd post here. Any insights comments advice criticism is greatly appreciated.

Option 3 - Sell it to someone that will keep it in original condition and then you buy something to get around town in.

Anything above about a C-30 is getting into "real truck" territory. That includes the frame, the running gear, wheels, tires, brakes and other stuff that's intended to haul heavy loads at moderate speeds. It also gets into license plates and insurance rates that aren't very friendly to a Cowboy Cadillac daily driver. Unless your local DMV has some sort of accomodation for project vehicles that aren't used for their original purposes, licencing and insuring it could turn into a bottomless money pit. Even with your photo blown up several sizes, it's impossible to tell if the truck is running the Firestone RH-5 "widowmaker" wheels. If so, your first concern will be a couple of thousand dollars' worth of legal wheels and tires. Smaller, more modern wheels and suspension will look completely out of place on a big rig. Give some thought to what you intend to do with the finished project, and proceed accordingly.
Jerry

You are absolutely right, this is probably the best option.

Between Arizona's lenient registration laws and Hagerty for insurance, no real issues with any of the paperwork stuff. The wheels are not the widowmakers. Already spent that couple thousand dollars...wheels are solid and all six tires are brand new.

If I did the chassis swap I would use some steel wheels and appropriately sized tires.

Leaning towards not messing with it though, like Dingo suggested.

If we had some property that warranted a bigger truck than my C20 I would offer to buy it. I really like the 60s Series C50s and C60s, they have cool look to them.

Dont do it. Keep it original with frame or sell it to someone who will. Find another truck thats trashed but for the cab and hv at it.

Ditto.

And based on the answers above, which all seem to be in agreement, you may be looking for an answer that we, in good conscience, can't give you.

But whatever you decide, we're here to help as best we can.

Regards,
John

Looks like your fronts are tubeless 22.5” , rears are 20’s, is that correct? If your hub diameter is 6.250”,
those tubeless wheels can be redrilled to fit 10 on 7.250” bolt pattern, need 5.250 to 6.250” adapter also.

Ed

Just drive it.

My C60 traverses the 75 miles between two farms on the regular, thru small towns and two smaller cities. Not it is not conducive for getting onto the highway (which I do) nor for traversing city streets, but I do exactly that. Most big trucks recognize my limitations and make accommodations in the slow lane without any hassle minus the occasional sneer over the CB when traffic is heavy and I am loaded and starting from a light. As to the other cars on the road; whatever, everyone could use a little slow down in life sometimes.

I have honestly found more enjoyment and content from being the slowest on the road than anything, and in turn, it keeps me from having to be in a rush, so its a win win. No need to sell or do surgery on the old girl, just drive her, and to heck with what anyone else will think about you on the road. Life is too short to not enjoy what you drive. Do routine brake maintenance and inspection and keep the e-brake ready and you'll be fine.

Plus, every time I am in the city, I get plenty of thumbs-up and lots of comments. For every nasty driver there is one who is all about it.

Beetroot Of the 30 or so AD trucks Iv'e had my 51 6400 shortened into a 98 inch wheelbase pick-up has been the best. Driven it 8000 miles since 2018,not an interstate mobil but fine around town.Has plenty of stopping power too.

beetroot My 51 6400 is now 98 inch wheel base,basically a pickup with 8.25x20 rubber all3 piece wheels,of the 30 trucks AD type I've had it has been the best. 8000 miles since 2018,now I live in the wilderness but drive it to town keeps up with the traffic,has plenty of brakes. Get a lot of thumbs-up with it ! Yours will work too,built my own 4-link with 7/8 heim joints has 235 top speed is about 50 ! Check on insurance in your area before you start !!

beetroot Make your 60 into a pickup,not very hard and you''ll run the wheels off of it,I don't think you'll even have to weld any frame. Didn't have to on my 51 6400 !!

beetroot My neighbors had a51 6400 outdated truck (to small) combine hopper held more than the truck. Bought it cut wheelbase down to 98 inches,it is the best AD pickup Iv'e ever had and have had about 30 AD's over the years. Runs 50 MPH handles fine gotplenty of brakes,done all work at home. If you want to hear more PM me. Have driven it 8000 miles since 2018.

My 1958 Viking 60 is running stock everything except engine (1967 327) and a Ranger overdrive in front of the trans (just to lower RPM when traveling down the hiway). I drive it all over the place, 65-70, no problem, highest I have had it is 85mph. Right now, we are in the middle of a road trip with it, pulling our 35' vintage trailer. We went from Seattle, WA to Lincoln, Nebraska, we're in Missouri at the moment, then heading to Tulsa, OK. and then back home. we'll probably put close to 4500 miles on it this trip, towing the trailer, weighing in at just under 19K.

That said, you could put in a V-8, add an aux trans to it and get more power ans speed out of it. (one more option)