What year or generation C10 is the lightest?
 

I'm looking at buying a truck to build as a hot-rod and I want to make sure I'm not starting off with something heavy. I like the style of the 67-72 trucks the best, 73-87, would be next, fleet or step swb on any, and I've done a lot of searching for accurate info. on what years are the lightest and I haven't been able to come up with anything defenitive.

Does anyone know?

TIA

Robert.

Re: What years & bed configuration C10 is the lightest?
 

Ttt

Re: What year or generation C10 is the lightest?
 

Cant speak for everyone else. but my truck seems to get lighter every time I slam the doors. But it leaves little rust colored flakes on the ground also.:uhmk:

Re: What year or generation C10 is the lightest?
 

I dont think there is any significant difference in weight between the yrs..(67-72 that is)....lightest I would say SWB fleetside......good luck with your project....

Re: What year or generation C10 is the lightest?
 

I agree with knsmodels. You could always get a fiberglass front clip and gut out the interior.

Re: What year or generation C10 is the lightest?
 

I would think it more depends on the options than the year

such as power steering, power brakes, transmission, and of course driver :)

Re: What year or generation C10 is the lightest?
 

I've now seen 2 sources with info. that is similar so I'm going to assume it is correct...although it doesn't make sense to me as to why a stepside would be lighter. I have to wonder where is the extra weight in a fleet? I wonder if the bed floor in a fleet is thick steel, or multiple layers of thick steel therefore being much heavier than the wood in a step, and if the floor was removed out of both, which one would actually be lighter? At this point I doubt anyone will have gone to this length, but who knows, a lot of people remove the bed flooring in these trucks and a lot of people race them so maybe the answer does exist. :)

Here's the info I have:
Official numbers from GM for '69 model

CS10704 -- (C10, 6 cyl, SWB, stepside) = 3447#
CS10904 -- (C10, 6 cyl, LWB, stepside) = 3536#
CE10704 -- (C10, 8 cyl, SWB, stepside) = 3570#
CE10904 -- (C10, 8 cyl, LWB, stepside) = 3643#

CS10734 -- (C10, 6 cyl, SWB, fleetside) = 3527#
CS10934 -- (C10, 6 cyl, LWB, fleetside) = 3631#
CE10734 -- (C10, 8 cyl, SWB, fleetside) = 3651#
CE10934 -- (C10, 8 cyl, LWB, fleetside) = 3743#

Per a 1977 issue of N.A.D.A Used Car Guide:-

1972 Ship Weight
C10 - Pickup Stepside 6/12' ..........................3560
" " FleetSide 6 1/2' ........................3630
" " Stepside 8' ..............................3640
“ “ Fleetside 8' ............................. 3720

C20 - " " Stepside 8' ..............................3940
" " Fleetside 8' ..............................4030
" " Longhorn 8 1/2' .........................3950

The ship weight
is defined as the shipping weight less fuel, coolant and lubricants.
weights per gallon ( lbs per gallon) fuel - 6; oil - 7; water 8.

1968 GM Restoration Guide Curb Weight No Rear Bumper heaviest entry, each class...
C10 SWB 3640 lb CE10734
C10 LWB 3745 lb CE10934
C20 LWB 4133 lb CE20934
C20 Longhorn 4195 lb CE21034
C30 Longhorn 4357 lb CE31034

Re: What year or generation C10 is the lightest?
 

stepsides are only one layer of metal fleetsides have inner and outer skins on the beds// tailgate alone is alot more weight on a fleet

racers who are smart and in the know go for fleets because of the important extra weight is put where it's needed over the rear wheels then they work on removing weight off the front wheels

Re: What year or generation C10 is the lightest?
 

Good info.

So with that being said, are you, and other racers of the opinion that maybe a LWB fleet would be even better, not just b/c of the extra wheelbase, but because of the extra weight as well?

Re: What year or generation C10 is the lightest?
 

Another good thing about the 67-72's compared to a 73-87 or such is the trailing arms. They are a good drag suspension when setup right. Better than leaf springs

Re: What year or generation C10 is the lightest?
 

You need weight over the rear or forget about hooking up. The more weight over the rear, the better. You don't have to go for a long bed just for that reason. You can always add ballast to the rear, move the battery to the rear, move the gas tank to the rear, etc.

Re: What year or generation C10 is the lightest?
 

Not to mention the extra space the fleet gives you to move more weight over or behind the axle. Stuff like the fuel tank and battery. Also alot less cutting to put more rubber back there. Doing a mini tub will allow a 16.5"(right at 13" or tread on the ground) wide tire just by cutting the floor to the frame and widening the wheel wells.


The trailing arm suspension is not much different than an aftermarket ladder bar suspension,just alot longer, that guys pay alot of money to put in. Although if your putting massive power down you may need to reinforce them.



Frank

Re: What year or generation C10 is the lightest?
 

Trucks weights are all very close.It`s all about horsepower with trucks.If you want light,go with a smaller vehicle.

Re: What year or generation C10 is the lightest?
 

I don't race, but I was thinking air flow over the fleet may be better. Maybe use a 67-68.

Re: What year or generation C10 is the lightest?
 

those numbers sound pretty good, my '68 350 lwb fleetside weighs 3700lbs

Re: What year or generation C10 is the lightest?
 

If the '69 numbers above are correct the 67 C-10 is the lightest
Model Body Body Type Price Weight Total Production
1/2 Ton - Model C - Series 10 - 115 in wheelbase
CS10703 - Chassis & Cab $2,223 2,914 lbs 2,790
CS10734 - Fleetside 6.5 ft. $2,371 3,333 lbs 43,940
CS10704 - Step-Side 6.5 ft. $2,333 3,255 lbs 45,606

1/2 Ton - Model C - Series 10 - 127 in wheelbase
CS10903 - Chassis & Cab - - 39
CS10934 - Fleetside 8 ft. $2,408 3,440 lbs 165,973
CS10904 - Step-Side 8 ft. $2,371 3,345 lbs 19,969
CS10905 - Panel $2,742 3,502 lbs 3,827
CS10906 - Suburban $2,986 3,670 lbs 5,164

Re: What year or generation C10 is the lightest?
 

Something else to think about if you are gonna build from the ground up, the 3/4 ton frame is .050 thicker than the 1/2 ton frame. The 3/4 ton frame could be used to back half your truck. It is stronger and the weight is where you need it.

Re: What year or generation C10 is the lightest?
 

yep, I believe a 3/4 ton has more braces aswell. If you're lucky you could get one with a dana 60, perfect. Just swap out to 5-lug aftermarket axles