The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks put the 65 c 10 body on something more modern

Greeting all newcomer 1oldchevy here.
Got this stellar 65 from my grandfather.
U know how it goes a million things you want to do run through you mind ..love it like it is but it could be so much better if a few this were more modern.. as it is all still original, I thought brake upgrade power steering get rid of straight 6 go for more modern engine and auto trans. After discussing this with a few people, one said why don't you just put the body on a newer truck. you will get every thing you want..probably be cheaper also... So my question to you my new friends and brothers of the 60-66 era is "anybody ever done this before and if so what years are good donors

I was wanting to try putting a 65 on a frame of say a 2000/2003 truck... I am not sure if that would be wise or not. I was gonna research it later.

maybe now you posted this question it would help us both...

What are your concerns over it.. mine is just plain inexperience at doing that kind of thing. And like you, then were would if find any specs to compare on frames.. so I thought I would just see what was out here as far as practical experience..
I am reasonable intelligent but I do recall a cuple of times I thought that and that that was all it took...but i talk about those on the "boy I wish I had that thought back" forum...
we'll see

Your 1965 truck can be upgraded to match any new truck's handling or performance . Putting the body on a newer frame would require major fabrication . No problem if you have the experience , knowledge , and equipment to do it properly . You could pay someone to do it for you , if you have a full wallet . By upgrading the existing platform , it could be done in stages as money becomes available and still driven most of the time . Just my $ 0.02 !

I agree w/ oldblue65. Between salvage yard parts from later models, and kits of new parts, you can make your old truck better than a "new" one. The improvements you mentioned are literally all bolt-ons, with minimal fabrication, and have been done by lots of folks.
We're up to $.04!

I see your points.. Thank you both...(starfire/oldblue) and honestly that is kind of the way I was approaching it to begin with, and it is probably the best all around... Michael1964 I hope this helps you some as well.
God bless each.

To add my $.02 (WOW, we're up to $.06 now), oldblue65 has the right idea. You would be amazed at the interchangeability of the '63-'66 trucks and the '73-'87 trucks. Most of the parts are direct bolt in, or can be installed with minor modifictions. The basic front suspension si the same all the way up to '87, and is easily upgradable. The rear diff was used to '76, so gears and parts aren't a problem there either. On the rear suspension, ever wonder why they call the trailing arms on Nascar race cars "Truck Arms"? Yup, that's right, they are the exact same parts from under the '60-'72 Chevy trucks. Also, any GM engine will work in the chassis, just a matter of having the correct engine mounts. But don't be so quick to dump the 6, especialy if it's a 292. Properly setup, they make as much power as a V8 and alot more torque off the bottom.

stick around for a couple years and I'll show ya pics of my 66 on a 77 frame. . good luck. there's plenty of help 'round here.

i'm changing my 64 to 4x4 right now. I didn't like the way it set on the 86 frame i had so i took the suspension and moved it to the 64 frame. They are right it is alot of work, but luckly I'm a fabracator by trade so it's a little easier for me.If all you want to do is upgrade brakes and things they are right, just get some new model stuff or after market. I hope you have fun building your ride, that's what it's all about.

if it's a stellar truck don't take it apart. at least sell it and buy a cab. i doubt it will get any simpler than working on a 63 to 66 truck, when you get the newer frame and running gear it will have it's own problems. then instead os a $40 part you'll pay $800 at the shop and have to take it in and wait like all the other new junk.

Thankslongbox55.. you has been very helpful.. I would love to persue the hopped up straight 6 you reminded me of one I saw, and I have only seen one, at a show and the guy had 3 carbs on it and it sounded vicious when he cranked it.
I was utterly amazed... think I will look into finding someone that can get me fixed up with that possibility..
I really really liked the way that looked in the truck I saw.