The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 61 C10 Chevrolet

Ok guys I got a couple questions about a 1961 C10 Chevrolet pickup. I don't know too much about it, because I've only taken a couple looks at it (it is sitting in a pasture)

First question, what type of front and rear supsension was used on this pickup. I believe it would be a coil sprung axle in the back, with A-arms in the front??

The truck has a 4-speed manual transmission. What model trans might this be?

And lastly, is there any possible way to convert a 2wd pickup of this era to a 4wd? :confused: If there is, I might consider in for a project truck (Not rusted too bad, and I could probably get for free, as it is sitting on my uncles land). Maybe a conversion kit somewhere, or a website where I could find some guys who have done this. I've had a couple of guys tell me to swap the body onto a 73 or later frame, is that possible? Or better yet, is there any chance of finding the frame and drivetrain of a 4x4 pickup from this era? I've never seen one around here. I just love the way this truck looks, and would like to have it.

Thanks

You got Torsion bars up front, with coil in the rear.

Trans is a GM SM420.

The only way to convert this truck to 4 wheel drive, is to change every thing below the body or a frame swap.

See the web site listed below in my Sig and you will find a link to the 6066 Chevy site and a link to the 6066 Chevy group.

Thanks for the help. Sorry it took so long to reply, my ISP was having some problems last week.

What type of frame would you recommend I look for to perform a swap. A good friend of mine said we could place the body on a frame from a 73-87 truck fairly easily, but I'm having a hard time believing that. If it can be done, where will be some areas of difficulty. Or do you think I should look for a 60-66 4x4 frame and running gear? I'm assuming that I could use a frame from any of those 6 years for a swap.

One last thing, what are some areas where this truck would be prone to rusting. It has a good bit of rust damage right in front of the doors, but everywhere else appears in good shape.

Thanks again.

Look over the top of the windshield. Poke it with an awl. If yours is good at the seams especially, then, bingo, you hit the jackpot. One in a million. "A" pillars are prone at the bottoms as well. Back of cab in the middle. Obviously, rockers and cab corners. K10

Thanks for the tips. I wouldn't have thought to look at the top of the windshield or the bottom of the A-pillars. I did check out the rocker panels, and suprisingly they seem in great shape. Only minor surface rust from what I can see, and I hope thats all there is.

What part of Kansas are you and this truck in? We've been known to help each other out when possible.

Well, I'm in Salina and the truck is on a farm outside of Jamestown (about 1 hour northwest of Salina).

I'd like to get the truck out of the pasture before winter sets in, but my ole man insists that the truck not show up at his house. LOL And since I'm in college, I don't have a place to work on it where I'm at. I think I might be able to get a place lined out to store it, and then I can start getting serious about this.

why do people buy these trucks when they have NO IDEA what there getting into? buy a Pinto and leave the truck in the field until someone who KNOWS about them lovingly comes along to take it home,(as I did mine, and I've owned 8 of these trucks, in various states of disrepair). As to 4WD, Napco cssomes to mind - save your money for coll 'ege, buy a Camaro or a Vette, and 10 years later if you want to pull your hair and various body partsding out, well come on out-we'd love to have another fool around.I'm kidding of course-welcome to the rubber room.

look at the thread date. November 2001. almost 10 years old