The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Modernizing a 63 c10 shortbed

Thanks for the opportunity to be a part of this forum. In 1995 I rescued a cherry 63 short bed from N. Carolina. I drove for about a year and decided to do some rustproofing. Took the front fenders off and found it to be absolutely rust free! Sooo- after some soul searching, I decided to do a frame off and do it right. She's been in the garage ever since. Now I'm in the process of installing a new GM L84 engine with a 10 speed automatic. Retirement gives you extra time. I want to keep it factory looking and be able to keep up with traffic.

What are you using for the controller on the trans?

Oh, and welcome. I have a disturbing obsession with transmission controllers.

Do you have some pictures to show off? Sounds like you have a good project.

Are you making any changes to the suspeaion or brakes?

Hiram. Welcome to Stovebolt

Your thread has been moved here to the HiPo Shop since you’re doing a lot of mods and it will be more on topic here.

You’re welcome to post another thread introducing yourself and your truck in the Welcome Centre. Post some photos too.

The entire running gear will be replaced, I understand that it is frowned upon, but the original was not suitable for modern day traffic. The trailing arm rear is about the best that I've seen. I added a 9 in Furd 3.50 traction lock axle. I have a new (3 miles) '22 chevy Silverado lift out, L84 5.3, 10 sp trans, the complete chunk with all accessories. The trans controller is the included Bosch unit. It looks like I'l be selling my collection of timing lights, feeler gauges and dwell meters! The computer- electrical nightmare will begin after this thing has been introduced to its new old home.
I want the truck to look original except for wheels.
My shop is 3500 sq ft with a two post lift, gantry crane, heat-ac, with a full array of tools. The only problem is that I'm gettin old and slow. The tortoise won to race, didn't he?

Frowned upon is very much up to personal preference. I also lean the same way as you that I want the old looks with modern conveniences.

The electrical work really isn't that bad. I find that most of the people who complain about the cost/work of conversions have never actually done one.

It really boils down to how you value your time vs your money. With fairly low skills you can do a conversion for cheap if you are willing to put in the time.

Hiram,

Don't worry about heart transplants. I went half way to where you are and have lots of good company here with questions answered.

I swapped out to a inj 383 and 5 speed. Keeping the OE 3 link and 3.73 gear. Should be able to run with big dogs all day long.

Most of what you want to do has been done. If you are not a good fabricator you will spend more money on premade parts to get the job done. Everything will fit and you will be able to hide it easily.

There is a lot of information and very knowledgeable people on the LS1Tech forum, which has a great "conversions and swaps" section.
Someone there may have already done what you are planning to do, but you will get a lot of help about all the other "details" such as electronics, tuning, fuel system...

Welcome, as others have said your plan is not new as many of us have done one form or another of an updated drive train. In my case a freshs 383 SBC build followed by a NV3500 5 speed manual, driving a 4.10 14 bolt Chevy rear axle in a 1950 3600 (3/4 ton) chassis. I am using the original leaf spring suspension but there have been plenty of 4 link conversions reported on here.

As long as you have all of the computers and wiring that were in the original chassis the engine/transmission came from it should be pretty straight forward to wire.