Very Sharp Chevy C-10 Cruiser

1976 Chevrolet C-10 Cheyenne Description

Here is a sharp 1976 Chevrolet C10 LWB, CHEYENNE with 5.7L 350 44bl, for your consideration.

Backstory on this truck; I purchased it off eBay while I was deployed to Iraq in Dec of 2017. It was well presented as a clean and unmolested truck, with no rust. I have found a few small surface rust spots, but nothing significant and well expected for a vehicle of this age. As we have gone along in our rebuild, we have made every attempt to sand off the surface rust, and protected the metal underneath. The floor pans and frame are all solid. The usual trouble spots for these trucks, is not an issue on this one. It is nice driver-quality vehicle.

As soon as I got back to the States in late March of 2018, my boys and I immediately flew out of Los Angeles and drove the vehicle back from La Center Washington, to Temecula California (1000 mile road trip). We completed the trip in less than 48 hours.

The goal was to make this my youngest son’s truck (he is 15), and for it to be a father and son(s) project, which it has been. The only items not done by us… were the custom exhaust, the tint job, custom built driveshaft and the alignment. Also, all the wheels and tires were mounted and balanced by a local tire shop.

Now due to new military orders for me and my family, we are looking at needing to sell the vehicle before our next move. This truck has been an awesome experience, and we have no regrets whatsoever, and I will keep it if the reserve is not met (and just store the vehicle if need be).

Work done to the truck since April 2018:

Fresh Roll-on Bed-liner ($190)

New Western Chassis Drop Suspension (initial drop 7” in the front and 9” out back, but that was too low) (we reworked everything and decided on 6” in front 7.5” out back): 2.5 Drop Spindles, lowered shocks, and lowering Coils, Drop hangers, Flip Kit, and C’ Notch ($1020 in parts). We used the body line that runs the length of the vehicle as our level, it averages 33” high from the ground. I was shooting for a lowered, clean and level look, and I believe we nailed it.

New Western Chassis Complete Front-end: Tubular Upper and Lower Control Arms, Ball Joints, Inner and Outer Tie-rods, Idler Arm, and Sway Bar ($1046 in parts).

New Custom made drive shaft (w/ new U-Joints) ($402).

Fresh Front-end Alignment and all new components torqued to spec ($140).

New Leaf-spring Bushings ($25).

New American Racing Torque Thrust II Wheels 20”x8” in front ($441).

New American Racing Torque Thrust II Wheels 20”x10” in back ($457).

New Delinte Performance Desert Storm D8+ Tires in front 245/45ZR20 108W XL in front ($204)

New Delinte Performance Desert Storm D8+ Tires in front 275/40ZR20 108W XL in front ($209)

New Tint professionally installed ($200)

New professionally installed Mid-Length Headman Headers and Complete Custom Dual Exhaust (tucked up tight underneath, and does not drag, even when going over speed bumps!) ($1600)

New inner and outer front wheel bearings, and wheel seals ($85).

New 17x9 Pro Comp spare wheel, and new tire which is within .75” of height of installed tires, placed in the bed of the pick-up, with cover ($230).

New Scissor Jack behind seat ($20).

New Summit Racing (Remanufactured) 4bbl Carb ($270).

New Fuel Pump, and fuel hoses ($50).

New Valve Covers and Gaskets (old-school fin style) ($115).

New Breather, PCV, and Air Cleaner (old-school fin style) ($95).

New Water pump, and pulley belts, upper and lower radiator hoses, complete coolant flush, new thermostat, thermostat housing, coolant temp sensor, coolant temp gauge and wires ($250).

New Fuel Tank Hose, and Fuel Vent Hose for Driver-side Tank ($35)

For the Interior:

We tastefully color-matched the interior to go along with exterior with quality paint from Lowes, to just help the truck look right (it was originally blue, but someone had painted the outside to be grey) ($175).

New Brother’s Truck Digital Radio that fits in the factory space (with old-school look, has aux input, but does not have blue-tooth) ($175).

New Brother’s Truck upgraded front Dash Speaker ($75).

New 5 ¼” door speakers, and 10” sub and amp behind seat (Nothing fancy) ($250).

New Carpet, and seat cover ($175)

New LMC Truck 3 point Seat-belts (driver, and passenger), (matching lap belt for center passenger)($250).

New LMC Truck cup holder that slides in ash-tray (black, matches dash and floor) ($40)

New Cab and Door weather seals ($150).

New Door Strikers ($20)

Haven’t Installed, but have the parts to go along with the truck:

New LMC Truck pre-bent Rear Brake-lines that go along Rear-axle ($50).

Header Wrap ($80)

I believe in full disclosure, so here are my numbers:

Vehicle Cost was ($3800)

Parts listed above ($8500+)

Countless Man-hours that made this a father son(s) project (priceless!).

There are numerous other small parts, nuts and bolts, and misc. items, and of course the man-hours of everything my sons and I have done that are not factored in above.

Known things that might want to be addressed:

The Dash pad is cracked, but I re-painted it to go along with the black and grey theme inside of the truck, and it is presentable.

The Windshield Washer is in-op, but LMC Truck offers a universal one very affordable (less than $50)

High-beams are currently not functional (I believe I accidently cut the floor switch line when cleaning up items under the dash, when installing the new radio and new speakers), as it worked fine when we drove it home in March.

The RH (passenger-side) fuel tank was bi-passed at some point during the life of this truck, and the truck is wired to only feed off the LH (Driver-side) fuel tank (I believe it is a 16 gallon tank). Honestly, I was contemplating removing both saddle tanks, and upgrading to the rear mount tan, that goes where the spare tire mount use to be. Yet, the driver side tank is (100% functional).

Let’s be honest on what this is: It is a 42 years old truck, which still has its original engine and transmission. Therefore, it has all of the normal leaks from old gaskets and seals, but runs out strong and brakes straight and just as strong (as it has front-disk brakes). This in no way is a new truck, nor is it a show truck.

This is nice daily-driver quality truck, that is very reliable and you can work on it, while customizing it!

The paint was done awhile back, and is completely driver quality, and was probably done by an amateur (or maybe a MAACO Shop). Again, it runs really well and brakes great, I cruise on the highway at 75 to 80 with ease when traveling down to San Diego. All of the safety equipment works with the exception of the high beams (just need to trace the wires), all other lights and turn signals work, and the horn works. The wipers work, and have the upgraded intermittent setting.

We have driven this truck on a 1,000 mile road trip from Washington to Southern California, and it ran awesome. Since doing all the customization, I have been averaging 300 to 400 miles a week. As I live about 70 miles from job, and use it a couple of times a week to commute to work. I get compliments on it everywhere I go. We made every attempt to be tasteful with the upgrades and customization.

If I keep it, the next upgrade would be a crate motor and transmission, then it would be a complete resto-mod. JEGS offers a brand-new GM Crate motor and transmission combo for under ($3500), or a 383 stroker would fit nice under that hood. Obviously many people like the LS Swap, but that is too expensive for my taste.

It was originally a factory A/C truck, but the I removed the in-op compressor, to get rid of the extra weight. I wanted a clean motor, with only a carb and headers, no other added junk. The truck was originally blue (in and out), but someone had put a flat grey driver quality paint on the outside. We ran with that theme for the interior, and it flows well, but again is driver quality. We did all of this work in our own garage, and I have the pictures to show it, and busted knuckles to go along with the evidence.

We also removed the inner fender wheel wells, to accommodate the drop as we did not want them to rub on our brand-new 20” (it originally had 15” rims).

Lastly, I am a military Florida resident; therefore, this truck is registered in Florida, and has a clean Florida Title. If you are a CA resident, please realize that it is not compliant with California emissions that are required for all 76 and up vehicles.

Please read my feedback as a seller (I have done projects like this numerous times), I am honest in all my dealings, and will remain that way!

God bless,

Chris