1979 C10....The last 20 years
 

I have looked back on my posts here and realize I've never shared the back story on my C10.

My dad and I bought the truck when I was 17 years old, in 1997. It was great! White alum topper, full hub caps, compass on the dash, CB AM/FM radio. Working factory air, drove like a new truck. Had 150k miles on it. 350/350 3.08 Locking diff.

We traded my gas hog 78 K20 farm truck on it and a lowly $500 to the dealer. I was young and dumb and didn't stop to get the camera out and snap a photo of what it looked like the day I got it. So many times I wish I had.

Here it is less than 48 hours after I got it. My brother had a set of alum wheels and nice tires that he was not using, so he loaned me those. I was set!

17 and had a nice 2wd truck just begging for upgrades!

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...0/P1010417.jpg

During HS I bought a truck from a family friend that was very rusted out, an 81 GMC with nearly new dual exhaust. ( gave $200 for truck ) I pulled the exhaust off of the 81 and put it on the 79, I now had some nice pipes and glass packs every kids dream! I also scored a set of look alike Cragar SS 15's and bought a set of tires for them. Really changed the looks of the truck. The rust was starting to get the better of it come late 98.

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As I started college I drove it to and from school about 40 miles one way and it was eating into my wallet. So I parked it and started looking for rust free parts. Again, didn't take time to snap any photos, but they are still pretty fresh in my mind.

I found a pair of rust free GM fenders locally and bought them, the doors where solid and the bed was needing replaced pretty bad. Had a hole in the floor near the rear like many did and the fender wells where eating away. I located a bed in northern Illinois for $400, had some dings but zero rust. I bought it and hauled it home upside down on top of my bed! We used C clamps to hold it in place. Over the next few years I started to replace the rusted fenders and eventually found a guy who would weld in the cab corners and rockers, as well as spray it.

In 2000 It was back on the road and not looking to bad at all.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...0/P1010419.jpg

I got tired of the SS replica wheels and found a set of Wheel Vintique corvette rallies from a friend. They really changed the look of the truck. In college I had also built a 355 small block topped with a Holley 750 vac secondaries. Long tube headman headers, and duals with magnaflow mufflers. Had Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, cam and springs as well. Old truck ran great!

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With anything time takes it tole and I didn't drive the truck much, as gas was starting to creep up and my minimum wage job didn't give me enough to run it much. It sat, carb got junked up and never would be right again. I swapped to a Demon carb but with it sitting it soon found the same fate.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...3/79chevy1.jpg

In 2003 wife and I got married, the truck failed to run enough to drive away from the wedding :(

In 04 or so I started to find a little rust on the doors and one fender. It was time to start on it again. and it took me roughly 3 years go get it back on the road again. And when I did, it was sporting an LS, I was done with carbs and sitting around not getting used.

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It was running great, not shiney loved it! Drove it on 2 legs of the 09 Power Tour and it was a hit. Was not many LS swaps at that point.

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Even made it to Cordova to see what she would do!
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...3/P1010018.jpg

Right is with 3.08 Gears and the left is with 3.73 gears.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...1319156712.jpg

More when I get a chance to.

Re: 1979 C10....The last 20 years
 

In late 09 I hauled the C10 to my cousin Randy in Delphi Indiana. He spent the winter and spring of 10 putting her back to shiny blue!

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He spent a lot of time taking it down and repairing some issues it had under the old paint.

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He spent a lot of time aligning panels and making it look just right. Installed new door strikers and seals as well.


The blue is a Chrysler Blue don't recall exactly what though.

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Got it back home and started to reassemble it.
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Had my ace helper on the job! lol
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Re: 1979 C10....The last 20 years
 

The truck was back from paint just in time to take it on the Power Tour. I worked a ton of hours getting it back in one piece. It was worth it.

For the 2010 Hot Rod Power Tour, I long hauled the 79 from Newton Iowa to Mobile Alabama. It never missed a beat, but didn't have AC, that sucked....

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The bugs... man! glad to get it out and use it.
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Had a blast on the tour, my best bud Dave and I did the Comp Cams engine build challenge. built in like 38 minutes and it idled! and still got second...
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We drove in rain and shine.
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Farthest south I've ever driven the old 79!
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Hot Rod Power Tour is a blast, can't say enough good about it. If you have not gone, just get up and go in 2016. You won't regret it.

Re: 1979 C10....The last 20 years
 

Its been 5 years since that awesome road trip. The 79 has changed just a little bit.

I have lowered it, finally... axle flip in the rear with a C notch and 2" drop coils and 2.5" drop spindles up front. It has a nice stance finally.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...psc6sx7qbk.jpg

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I also spent a little coin with LMC truck parts and got the interior spruced up. I was able to get color match paint from local paint shop for door panels and kick panel speakers as well.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...psf037f2b5.jpg

Huge improvement
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Got the frame painted in the rear and looking nice again.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...psdrfamvrl.jpg

Kids love it, this is my then 2 year old girl enjoying a trip to the gas station.
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A little action shot going down the road.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...psbvn8eucu.mp4

And this is what its all about for me. I am now able to share this huge part of my life for nearly 20 years with my kids. My son is now 8. He'll get the truck at some point. I will raise him to appreciate just how special memories like this can be. I started out with my dad on this truck, he's helped me get it to where its at, and I want my boy to help me do the same for years to come.

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I drove it into work today, probably the last day of 2015 I'll drive it. I love my old truck, so many great memories. Thanks for looking.

Brad

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...pseif4zgq9.jpg

Re: 1979 C10....The last 20 years
 

Thanks for sharing! Nice truck:metal:

Re: 1979 C10....The last 20 years
 

Thanks tintbox, can't wait to see where it goes next

Re: 1979 C10....The last 20 years
 

Nice story and pics.
Will your son get the eight different tire and wheel changes also????

Re: 1979 C10....The last 20 years
 

very cool brad! i've followed along on this pickup, my first one was a 79 4x4 Bonanza.

love the western wheels you borrowed from your brother, polished up fins with the background painted black looks awesome on those. also, i think a set of white corvette rallies, with highway patrol caps and no rings would look awesome on your pickup!

thanks for sharing.

Re: 1979 C10....The last 20 years
 

There is one thing I like, is a different tire and wheel package. I've never been thrilled with anything I've ran yet

Re: 1979 C10....The last 20 years
 

Is funny you say that. .. this is my winter project, sandblast and clean up the old painted steel vette wheels...
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...psmuqjmwha.jpg

Re: 1979 C10....The last 20 years
 

Bingo, great minds!

Re: 1979 C10....The last 20 years
 

Cool truck and story. Love seeing these get the miles on them.

Re: 1979 C10....The last 20 years
 

Great truck and story. Love it!

Re: 1979 C10....The last 20 years
 

Thanks guys, means a lot

Re: 1979 C10....The last 20 years
 

I greatly enjoyed the pictures and story. Its nice to see pictures of you enjoying your truck with friends and family. These pictures are the memories that makes theses projects and all there challenges well worth it. The kind of memories that at the end of the day, makes you smile and say, aaahhhh yup life is good. :smoke:

Re: 1979 C10....The last 20 years
 

Thank you sir, you are correct, life is good :)

Re: 1979 C10....The last 20 years
 

Great truck and story!

Re: 1979 C10....The last 20 years
 

love it!

Re: 1979 C10....The last 20 years
 

After months of thinking about it...... I finally got the rallies painted and tires mounted. I'm happy with the look!

Went with 15x10 5" back space on rear and 15x8 4.5" back space on fronts.

275-60-15's rear and 255-60-15 fronts

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Re: 1979 C10....The last 20 years
 

brad that looks killer!

Re: 1979 C10....The last 20 years
 

Thanks man!

Re: 1979 C10....The last 20 years
 

Thanks for sharing the adventure and the photos! Great story.

Michelle

Re: 1979 C10....The last 20 years
 

Awesome story, man! That's what these trucks are all about!

Also, the stance, body, and everything else looks great!

Re: 1979 C10....The last 20 years
 

Thanks Michelle and bustin dailey, I appreciate the kind words!

Re: 1979 C10....The last 20 years
 

Cool! beautiful truck and great story. BTW I am now on the lookout for a cousin Randy. He did a great job on your paint. Glad to see you doing the generational thing. How are those to 255/60s? That's what I'd like to run on all four corners.

Re: 1979 C10....The last 20 years
 

Rears are 275-60s I think the fronts are 255-60s. They are short lol I don't drive it enough to like/dislike them. They hold air and don't shake at 90 so they can stay.

Re: 1979 C10....The last 20 years
 

Great story on your truck Brad. That is a keeper for sure!

Re: 1979 C10....The last 20 years
 

I have come to a cross roads with my use and love of the 79 C10. I love the stance the wheel tire package and the look. That being said, I am going 180* the other direction with it starting this winter.

I am working on a deal for a K20 Frame/Axles/205 T-case and going to donate the body from my C10 to the truck I have always dreamed of.

I grew up on a farm in central illinois in the 80s. Like the rest of you my age do you recall at EVERY farm you drove past you saw a 77-80 K20 with a Cattle trailer hooked to it, or stacked full of square bales. These trucks sported directional mud tires and factory duals in most cases. Cocky looking ride height. They made a TV show with a K20 as the star when we where kids. I have to do it, its just in my blood.

The truck that has always been my unicorn was the 78 K20 my dad bought new in 78. Was a 350/400/203 truck with 3.73's He love it, to this day speaks to how tough of a truck it was and how nice it was. Farm life drove it into the ground and it was lost to horse trading long before I was in to trucks.

My dad is 74, my son is 10, I'm nearly 37. Life is ticking away, we are not promised tomorrow. I am going to build the truck of my dreams out of the truck Dad and I have slaved over and put our time into. My dad said I was nuts, but chuckled and said "ya, I'll help" The 10 year old was easy to convince, he likes big trucks.

The plan is to do a little engine swapping with my current 72 Suburban. It has a cammed LQ9 that is strong as an ox. I will use a 4L80E and a 205 Tcase, 4.10 axles and depending on lift I settle on ( 2 or 4 we'll see ) 33's or 35's.

This truck will be a fair weather trailer tow rig and continue its cruise inn duties from time to time. I'm excited, will give me a piece of my childhood past, my current truck and memories of continued gear head stuff with the family!

Here is a pic of the motivation.http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...psa8fhgnsm.jpg

Re: 1979 C10....The last 20 years
 

Cool plan. Nothing wrong with some locking hubs!

Re: 1979 C10....The last 20 years
 

I get it completely. Those K20s and probably that same TV show are what got me back into these trucks after having one when I was 23. You might be able to get a complete truck for about the same that you would get that chassis, transfer case, and axles. If you got room, maybe you can just have two!

How ever you decide to do it, good luck!

Re: 1979 C10....The last 20 years
 

Don't go 4". Two at the most! I like your idea, but will be sad to see the 2wd version of this pickup go. 33's fit pretty good at stock K20 ride height...just saying.

Re: 1979 C10....The last 20 years
 

Thanks for sharing! Great post. Beautiful truck.

Re: 1979 C10....The last 20 years
 

I picked up an original frame from an old farm truck. 79 even!

3.73 Gears posi rear. Wanted 4.11 but hey, this will work for now, i can always change them.

Purchased a 4L80E already mounted to a 205 as well. Frame is going to take a trip to the sand blaster at some point. I'm pumped about this transformation!

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...ps6mxczrer.jpg

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Re: 1979 C10....The last 20 years
 

Is there some plan for the bed pieces? Looks like a shop bench in the making.

Re: 1979 C10....The last 20 years
 

Bingo, also got the front nose off of two different 78 Chevy Trucks too

Re: 1979 C10....The last 20 years
 

Love the truck. Great color!

Re: 1979 C10....The last 20 years
 

Cool story and I will ride along.

Re: 1979 C10....The last 20 years
 

Well... the C10 continues to live as is as was in my last update. the K20 project stalled and another K20 came into my stable. The C10 was left alone!


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