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LS-Powered Shop Truck: 1986 Chevrolet C10

Chevrolet’s “square body” pick up trucks are favorites among truck enthusiasts, but the single cab, short bed variant is one of the most sought after. This body style has the potential for serious performance, and it’s fair to say that this LS-powered 1986 Chevrolet C10 that’s available here on eBay meets those expectations.

This truck is available in Defiance, Ohio with a clean title, but it began its life in Georgia, and the seller claims it is a rust-free example. I’d believe that to be the case, because this truck is very clean, and it’s impressive how it combines both modern features and old-school flavor in a clean and refined package.

The exterior received a paint respray at some point, and the lowering suspension with a tasteful drop brings out the 20-inch US Mags wheels.

 

Inside the cabin, you’ll find a blue cloth interior nicely complements the exterior, especially with some of the white trim elements. It’s a surprisingly comfort-oriented space as well, benefitting from power windows, power locks, power steering, and a Retro Sounds radio. Last but not least, both the heat and air conditioning work excellently.

Under the hood, you’ll find what is arguably the star of the show – a 6.0-liter LS V8 engine. The powerplant pairs to a 4L60E automatic transmission to drive the rear wheels, and while it’s unclear how many miles are on the swap, the seller mentions that they would not hesitate to drive this vehicle across the country.

At the time of publication, bidding is at $18,000 with 35 bids and 120 watchers, so it’s safe to say that a lot of folks have their eyes on this truck. I think this truck is extremely clean throughout, and I can only imagine that it’s a blast to drive. How do you feel about this LS-swapped square body?

Comments

  1. Avatar photo bobhess Member

    Just right!

    Like 8
  2. Avatar photo Nevadahalfrack Member

    Excellent job on the truck! Out here though we’d want to turn it back into a REAL truck-raise it back to truck height, sell the wheels and buy a set of original size rims..for some of us, doing the boulevard cruiser thing to a machine like this is kinda like dropping a ‘Vette body on a Duramax frame/drivetrain-yeah, it can be done but why would you?? But then, everyone has different preferences which is why most of us find that this forum is always interesting.

    This a good truck with a great powerplant/drivetrain combo.

    Like 6
  3. Avatar photo Jackson Gay

    I wouldn’t think a 4L60 wild last long behind a 6.0.

    Like 3
  4. Avatar photo FordGuy1972 Member

    Very nice modern take on a vintage pickup. It looks well done in and out and should bring top dollar, whatever that is these days. Hard to beat a turn-key truck, there’s a lot to be said for that. While many like to build a vehicle like this, I don’t have the skills or the patience. I’m still putting the finishing touches on my ’95 regular cab short bed F150 which was a long, expensive and sometime frustrating restoration so I can certainly appreciate one that’s done. Beautiful truck here even though it has a bow-tie and not a blue oval.

    Like 8
  5. Avatar photo dirtyharry

    These are last years news, kind of dated now. I can’t imagine lifting a sports car to use in the dirt or lowering a truck, limiting its abilities. Generally, all my trucks get lifted.

    But, I see both and just saw a 911 rally Porsche with 10 lights on it, which proves we are a country of free thinkers, dreamers and creators.

    Like 4
    • Avatar photo Nevadahalfrack Member

      Some sports sedans, like the Group B Porsche, Lancia Strada, and the Ford RS200, have some seriously respectable off road creds-remember the Audi Quattro 2+ liter inline FIVE cylinder with 700+ horsepower?
      We did, however, counter with the Jeep Wagoneer…very successfully for awhile! Yes, we have our free thinkers, dreamers and creators-and every true gearhead appreciates another’s creatively built machine even if we don’t care for the resulting execution of it. We all understand hard work and the drive -pun intended- that goes into something like this truck. Would I do it like he did? No. But then I don’t lift my trucks like you do, dirtyharry, because that’s not who I am either. That’s not a criticism-we just have different things we do to personalize our individual machines. I do appreciate that you have the hard learned knowledge to do it and that’s what we all have in common with our approach to our love of cars, bikes, trucks and the like.
      And the most obvious reason I won’t lift the suspension on a truck-I have a fairly limiting leg inseam measurement…😆

      Like 5
  6. Avatar photo Tom reardon

    Would love to do a powertrain swap like this to my 2008 shortbed Sierra but the feds won’t let me.

    Like 0
    • Avatar photo Michael

      Why won’t they? Sounds like some BS to me.

      Like 1
  7. Avatar photo Joe Haska

    eBay says, It sold for 18 k, If that’s true someone stole a very nice C10 and I also believe in the tooth fairy!

    Like 0
  8. Avatar photo Desert rat

    If this was my truck and it was also 2 wheel drive, this is exactly how it would be done! Are there not enough stock pickups running around all ready, so you want to convert this one back to stock also, really …

    Like 2
  9. Avatar photo Nevadahalfrack Member

    sold-$18,000

    Like 0
  10. Avatar photo Maynard Reed

    Nice truck. To bad someone put an ls in it instead of a healthy big block. Just my opinion of course.

    Like 0
  11. Avatar photo 38ChevyCoupeGuy

    Cool truck all over,not my type of wheels,but hey,I didn’t build the ole girl.Cross country? Judging by the looks of engine bay and overall appearance, I would jump in and do it for sure.
    One thing I’d have to do before flight, is straighten the steering wheel ! These little details are important to a lot of folks, those same folks may judge the rest of the workmanship off of this minor flaw. Have saw several builds with steering wheel out of wack, why not take another 20 minutes/ half hour and make it right . Definitely a cool truck. 😁

    Like 0
  12. Avatar photo Patrick Huot

    Awesome job on an awesome truck!
    Would have to paint it though. Truck too nice to be in a plain white paint job.
    Alas, I need one with 4WD!!
    Any out there??

    Like 0

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