We see lots of classics that have been updated, upgraded and rat rodded. While some turn out great, not all of them are done nice enough to actually drive. Well, reader Travis A saved this Chevy C20 farm truck from the same destiny of so many other old trucks. He’s done a ton of work to make it a fun driver. Of course, there are still things left that could be done to take it to the next level, but you can jump in this one and cruise as it sits. If you’d love to take a closer look at it, you can find it in the Barn Finds Classifieds with a $7,900 asking price.
The C20 was essentially the same truck as the C10, just beefed up to handle more weight. They were rated at 3/4 ton, rather than 1/2 ton, making these popular trucks for hauling farm supplies and campers. Since Travis wasn’t worried about doing either of those tasks with it, he decided to lower it with new springs and shocks all around. He also went ahead and replaced the brakes and the front brake lines to make sure it’s safe to drive in traffic.
While you could option your 1969 C20 with anything from an inline-six all the way up to a 396 V8, this one has a 350. That’s not a bad thing though, as the 350 is a great balance of power, driveability and dependability. It won’t burn as much fuel as the 396, but with the right upgrades can put out almost as much power. The fact that it’s one of the most popular engines ever means parts are easy to find and there’s a seemingly never-ending list of upgrade options. Travis already installed a few upgrades to make it run well. It’s got an HEI ignition conversion and a new carburetor, plus a new water pump, clutch, and dual exhaust.
Being an old farm truck meant there were issues that needed to be fixed to make it a driver. It had some rust in the cab, so he removed it and put in new metal. He also painted the entire frame with what appears to be POR-15 or a similar product. The next owner might want to consider coating the rest of the underside, just to make sure more rust doesn’t creep up on you. Once he had that all done, he installed new carpet, mats, dash pad, gauge bezel, and glove box. A previous owner had cut holes in the doors for speakers, so he decided to go ahead and just install new speakers in the holes and a new Bluetooth stereo. Hey, if you are cruising, you might as well crank up your favorite band!
I really like the route that Travis went with this truck. He fixed what needed to be fixed to make it a driver and he added a few custom touches. Things like lowering it won’t appeal to everyone, but you always have the option to return it to stock height. You can buy a full set of stock height springs for about $300. Personally, I’d leave it lowered and just put it to work as a parts hauler, for trips to the home improvement store, and to cruise around in on the weekend. What about you?
Where is this located?
Hillsboro, Oregon
Nice truck, however, and I’ll have to bring out the big guns on this one, I’m not sure that’s a 350. My 350 has the oil cap on the right valve cover, and I thought all 350’s had electronic ignition, geomechs? Great find at a decent price, finally. I wonder if those headers help mileage?
HEI was available on all GM in 1975. I think Caddy might have had it in ’74. Need to remove the factory resistance wire all the way to the firewall and run 12 AWG pink GXL if you want the module to live.
Valve covers are correct. Crankcase fresh air backside passenger. Extended oil fill backside driver with pcv vlave front side driver.
Appears to be missing bi-metallic spring to operate divorced choke quadrajet.
3/4 ton and 1/2 trucks are considerably different in the chassis. The frame is taller and has a corresponding greater section modulus. The rear trailing arms are plated and the rear end is a huge 10-1/8 ring gear HO52. Of course all of the spindles and hubs are bigger and badder.
Things that are the same include the front sheet metal, cab and doors, bed and tailgate. Engine would have been a 350 four bolt. The 3/4 tons of this year should have come with a TH400, while ’71 & ’72 got a TH350.
All in all, I like this truck, but I’m biased. I have a ’71 3/4 ton with 383 Vortec, 1903 Quadrajet, dual 2.5″ exhaust, 4L80E and stock 4.10 HO52. Will pull a trailer and is a comfortable driver (trailing arm suspension) with great efficiency. No problem hanging with modern traffic.
Yikes! You know your stuff! The only thing I saw was a cool blue truck.
I thought only the lighter duty 1/2 ton pickups came with the coil spring rear suspension back then?
HEI ignition was not available until 1974,,
This one does have the H.E.I. ignition but it’s obviously not original to this truck since it wasn’t introduced until 1974. It’s a nice upgrade though. As far as the oil fill cap goes, I believe that they were on the left valve cover from the factory (after GM switched from the fill tube in the intake manifold) since, as this one shows the P.C.V. and its hose have to be located in the right side cover. They did switch the dipstick location from one side to the other in the late 70s though
Hei distributor were not available til the mid 70s and I think the valve covers can be swapped from side to side?
Hei distributor were not available til the mid 70s and I think the valve covers can be swapped from side to side? good price for that truck as long as rust has been held at bay!
Great truck I really like it, Just wish it were a automatic,
Owner has done allot of work and done a great job,
Great job Travis!
Great truck at a good price!! This won’t last long!! Best Chevy truck body style from the modern era!! Wish it wasn’t so far away!!!