Regardless of generation, Chevrolet’s C-10 trucks are popular choices for customization by enthusiasts. However, it’s not every day that you see one with a turbocharged Cummins diesel engine under the hood, like this first-generation 1965 Chevrolet C-10 that’s available here on eBay.
This customized Chevrolet is available in Bandera, Texas with a clean title. There isn’t too much history about the truck itself, but the seller does mention that this was once a farm truck, hence the patina found throughout the exterior.
On the outside, this looks like your average Chevrolet truck, and the wear seems to confirm the farm truck story. Both the front and rear bumpers have surface rust, and there are dents littered throughout the body, with the most significant one located on the passenger door. However, this truck features a variety of improvements that aren’t visible on the surface, such as new springs and shocks, new wheels and tires, disc brakes at all four corners, new ARP wheel studs, and new gearing for the rear differential.
There isn’t much to write home about in the interior – it’s very simple and utilitarian. The patina continues to the metal dashboard, there’s no carpeting, and a Mexican blanket covers the bench seat.
Of course, the engine compartment is the keystone of this truck – there’s a professionally swapped 5.9-liter Cummins turbocharged diesel engine. The engine has 130,000 miles and it pairs to a rebuilt automatic transmission. Modifications to the driveline include an aluminum radiator with thermostat switch, electric cooling fans, a new transmission cooler, new exhaust, and plenty more.
The Buy it Now price for this C-10 is $10,500, and the seller claims that anyone can fly in and drive home in this truck while achieving 20 miles per gallon during their travels. Do you think this Cummins-swapped Chevrolet is worth it, or would you prefer a more original first-gen C-10?
Hoo ha! Everything is better with a Cummins in it! I’m the one who always says “drop in an SBC”, just to wind people up, but maybe I should change that to “drop in a Cummins”.
Now yer talkin Mr Bluetec!
YES!! Finally a truck that I would definitely drive to church on Sunday. If you’re gonna go inline 6..GO INLINE 6
its cool, but not 10 grand cool.
This should satisfy all you “drop a Cummins in it” folks. I really don’t care what makes it move, sans electrics, of course, but they did all this work, why not make it look nice for cryin’ out loud. Wassa matter with you? ( slapping builder with rolled up newspaper across the back of the head) You want to look at a rusty dashboard all day?
Hahahaaha,,,HoA……..I agree to a point. I would definitely sort out some of the aesthetic issues.
I’m not usually a modded kinda guy but this might just be fun for how bassackwards the concept is.
Considering what an unmod’d ‘patina’ shortbed c10 is worth and the amount of effort involved in this conversion, not to mention the other upgrades, anyone would be hard pressed to build an identical for the BIN. With that said – like Howard says I’d expect more than just this sandblasted (read:neglected) finish if I were shopping in this price range.
Even a DIY garage paint job would make wonders to this truck’s appearance. The disc brake upgrade isn’t to much help without a booster. At this point I see it as a project truck with most hard work done. The Cummins conversion is an extremely clever move, if it were mine it’d be a prime candidate for a Greasecar conversion just to be able to annoy any old car haters…!
I’d love to see this done to a late 40’s early 50’s Chev.
YEP, our local Craigslist has a 54 GMC two ton with a medium length wheelbase that would be fantastic to put a Cummins and a five speed. It has VERY little rust and a nice bed on it.
6 cyl cummins is very heavy for a half ton chasis
YEP, 1100 compared to 590 for a small block chevy.
Leave it to a Texan to cunning a short box. What wernt know long bed 3/4 tons left? And lets take it the pretty lady and my ar15 to church.
Must be a Beat Farmer..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qe01Bvvzt6U
we dont need no stinkin clean air.
” If it don’t go, chrome it…” Assuming a limited budget ( like mine ! ) , I’d be much more inclined to do what this person did than spend the money on cosmetics, if I found a C-10 in this condition with a dead engiine. As far as the cosmetics are concerned, no fear of using this truck to do work, and not a likely target for thieves when parked – they probably wouldn’t give it a second glance, since it looks like a poor person’s truck.
Cool truck,before all the 10 grand comments start,im pretty sure if a professional was in control of the entire swap,the springs were replaced/upgraded,maybe boxed frame,all things i myself have done for swaps similar to this.Anyone see a battery or fuel tank? Nope,because these things were thought out and placed in areas average eyes would never think to look.This work isnt cheap for my customers,or any other for that matter,what seller paid doesn’t mean thats what he’ll get,but seriously consider the amount of work in this truck before throwing stones.😁
Well said and I agree.
Nice truck, do you think a professional put that bungee cord on for a throttle return spring.
Hope that drive home is not to far.
Doubtfully so,id say it was put on to fit the theme if you will. A potential buyer would hopefully have knowledge of these pumps as well as anyone throwing stones,and know what type of spring pressure is on the pump from the factory,thus making the bungee part of trucks character.😁
I’ve seen lots of 5.9 Cummins dropped into Chevys and Fords. It’s a tight squeeze but not impossible. The only problem with a 1/2 ton would be the weight. The Cummins will weigh twice as much as an SBC. But once the suspension gets dialed in it should work just fine.
Really cool swap here!!! How can you go wrong with a Cummings in a truck like this????
At first glance I thought $500 truck. But then reading the upgrades it has my attention. Having driven diesel trucks from 1999 to my retirement in 2011, I hate the smell of diesel exhaust. Nevertheless I like what they’ve done with this. Adding a power booster and vacuum pump is no big deal. Then even a no talent moron like me could sand and paint the dash and clean up the inside. I wouldn’t worry about the bumpers or exterior for that matter. If it weren’t for the insurance added on to my already high dollar full coverage low deductible policy, I might be making a trek to another part of Texas. But for now I’ll pass.
God bless America
Lack of power brakes should make for a hair raising drive. Not to mention the horrendous noise level and intense heat inside the zero insulation cab. Will be a lot more tolerable for the new owner if they properly insulate the interior.
I drove a lot of 3/4 and 1-ton trucks over the years with neither power brakes or steering. Never thought anything about it unless I was maneuvering a trailer into a tight hole. Of course, those two additions are always welcome in a modern conveyance…
Two things struck me about the rusty dashboard: 1) it’s rusty, really rusty; 2) the metal clamp screwed into the dash. Every one of my dad’s work trucks back in the day had this cool aftermarket feature, to hold important paperwork clearly in sight.
I like the idea, but not in this kind of truck.
At least let it be a 4WD !
I see it in a short box stepside (any year).
Would have to have the full semi style stacks of course!
Could have painted the engine before installation too.
Otherwise COOL job!