Think back to when you first learned to drive; was it in a truck? In the case of Fred’s truck, he got to teach both of his children how to drive his 1967 C10 and create some great memories doing so. Fred created his own first memories back in 1983 when he laid eyes on this C10 when a high school senior needed to sell the truck. After looking it over, the deal was done for $1,300 and Fred walked away with a truck of his own.
Many years passed and Fred used his truck for just about anything and everything. It wasn’t too long before he got bit by the customizing bug and started in with little things to make it look better. The first things done were taking off the chrome, changing the wheels, and lowering it.
Fred drove the truck in this condition for several years, until his 9-year-old son, Derrick, told him his truck was due for a changeup. So Fred visited with good friend Ronnie Childs about some ideas on what he should do. The plan was to transform the truck from a longbed into a short step-side bed. Fred soon found the bed he was looking for at a local salvage yard and the frame modifications began to adapt the step-side bed on his truck. Once the bed was on, more modifications were added to give the rear of the bed something along the lines of a 1950-1951 Ford. A set of 1979 Ford Fairmount taillights and parking lights from a 1968 Pontiac Catalina were cut and frenched into the fenders. Next, the factory antenna was removed from the cowl and recess into the cab corner. While the custom ideas were in motion the tailgate was next. A 16-gauge panel was welded in with a license tag box to give it a smooth, clean look. With the addition of some chrome-reversed baby moon rims and big/little tires and a bright yellow paintjob, Fred got to enjoy his truck in this condition while taking it to local car shows for the next six to seven years.
Letting his son drive the truck to and from school had put some wear and tear on his old truck. After receiving news that his son was involved in a fender bender with another student the truck was repaired and put away in storage until 2011. That’s when Fred met Chris Carlson, the owner of Chaotic Customs in Mulvane, Kansas. They started chatting about Fred’s history with his C10 and how a changeup was due. So the truck went into Chris’ shop for a third buildup. This time the truck received a complete frame-off build. A new heart transplant was ordered up with the addition of a 5.7L Vortec with 4L60E transmission. Vintage Air was adapted into the interior to keep Fred cool on those hot August night cruises. Some body mods included the cab receiving a 2-inch chop and filled driprails. The Chaotic Customs guys spayed on some Sherwin-Williams charcoal paint and laid out Maple Pearl ghost flames to give the overall look an extra pop. Once out of the paint booth, Ron Meyers from Tulsa, Oklahoma, came to Chris’ shop and pinstriped Fred’s truck for him.
Looking back on the 25 years of owning this truck, Fred could not be more proud of how it turned out. It couldn’t have been done without all his friends and family members who supported him along the process.
Facts & Figures
Fred Shanks
1967 Chevy C10
CHASSIS
Frame: 1967 Chevy frame shortened 18 inches
Rearend / Ratio: 3:90 limited-slip 1/2-ton
Rear Suspension: Stock with 5-inch drop springs, 6-inch hangers
Rear Brakes: Stock drum
Front Suspension: 2 1/2-inch drop springs
Shocks: Monroe
Front Brakes: Stock discs
Steering Box: Stock
Front Wheels: Boss 338 17×7
Rear Wheels: Boss 338 18×8
Front Tires: Falken ZE912 235x60x17
Rear Tires: Falken ZE912 255x65x18
Gas Tank: Speedway
DRIVETRAIN
Engine: 1997 350 Vortec V-8
Heads: Vortec heads
Valve Covers: Speedway
Ignition: Factory
Headers: Ram Horn 1-7/8 inches
Exhaust / Mufflers: 2 1/2-inch custom bent, Flowmaster
Transmission: GM 4L60E
BODY
Style: Stock step-side
Modifications: 2-inch chop, filled drop rail, all chrome removed, frenched taillights and antenna, smoothed tailgate, filled bedrails
Fenders Front / Rear: Stock
Hood: Stock
Grille: Stock
Bedwood: Custom Oak
F/R bumpers: Front braces shortened flush fit, rear Speedway modified roll pan
Bodywork and Paint by: Chaotic Customs in Mulvane, KS
Paint Type: Sherwin-Williams, Charcoal
Pinstriping: Ron Meyers from Tulsa, OK
Headlights / Taillights: Stock headlights / Custom taillights
INTERIOR
Dashboard: Stock
Gauges: Classic Instruments
Air Conditioning: Vintage Air
Stereo: Sony
Speakers: MB Quart 5-1/4 inches
Steering Wheel: 1979 Firebird
Steering Column: 1979 Firebird tilt
Shifter: Lokar
Seats: Modified Bench
Upholstery by: Chaotic Customs
Material: Leather with Graphite / Smoke gray
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