Every now and then we must reset our minds when planning out a new project. That was the case for Rex, as he is no newbie to the custom scene. His past builds had involved classic cars and a few modern muscle cars that he would take to local car shows, so this time around, he wanted to change things up a bit and build a classic truck.
After seeing the truck scene grow larger and larger, Rex and Patti went looking for a clean starter truck that would make a perfect canvas to build a custom classic pickup. After attending several local car and truck shows, they liked the looks of the 67-72 C10 body style. This began to turn the gears in Rex’s head. He came across a deal on a ‘72 C10 sitting out in a pasture. The owner of the truck made a deal that couldn’t be passed up, and Rex’s newly found truck was on his way home to begin the building process.
With the truck safe at home in Rex’s garage, he began planning his vision for the build. Before long, Rex contacted Kyle at Laid Back Recreations in Mcloud, Oklahoma. The truck needed quite a bit of TLC after sitting in a pasture for many years. Kyle removed the cab and bed off the frame and began to rework and replace all the parts that could not be salvaged. Once the body and bed were restored back to its original condition, Kyle gave the whole truck a new coat of BASF Glasurit 55 Line black paint.
To give the truck the proper stance Rex was looking for, the truck received a set of CPP 3” lowering springs and 2-1/2” drop spindles up front while the rear of the truck uses a set of CPP 5” drop springs and 2” lowering blocks. With the truck back on the ground, a wheel setup was next on the list of plans. Rex looked up Billet Specialties for a set of their Vintec series 20” billet rims that would be wrapped in a set of Toyo tires. To aid with improved stopping power, Rex decided on a set up CPP 13” front and 12” rear upgraded brake kits.
With the body and suspension portion wrapped up, it was time to focus on the motor that would drive this beast. Rex wanted something modern for the drivetrain and turned to R&P Machine shop to help build him a healthy GM LS3 package that would make any of us gear heads grin. A high-performance Brian Tooley cam was installed into the heart of the motor along with other performance goodies to give Rex’s motor new life.
To finish up his truck, the interior was next in line. Broken Spring out of Shawnee Oklahoma took the original interior pieces and wrapped them in a black and white houndstooth material. The original carpet could not be saved, so a new black looped style carpet was put in its place. A new Dakota Digital VHX gauge package was installed to track those miles Rex and Patti had planned to put on their truck. To keep them cool during those hot Oklahoma summer months, a Vintage Air system was installed.
With his C10 out of the body shop, Rex was ecstatic knowing he had achieved what he set out to accomplish and build a cool custom classic pickup that he could go cruise down any highway and have the power to go up against any opponent at the stoplight. Rex would like to thank his lovely wife Patti for her support along the way. Plus, Jeff Dandy, Kyle Gambrell, Kody Van Dyke, and Kayla Dandy with helping him create a truly powerful sport truck.
Rex & Patti Van Dyke • ‘72 C10
- GM LS3 5.3L engine by R&P Machine Shop, 386hp/400 ft/Lbs
- Brian Tooley camshaft 224/224 duration, .600” lift
- JP Performance roller timing chain
- GM LS7 lifters, Brian Tooley hardened pushrods, and valve springs
- Taylor ignition wires
- Proform valve covers
- Spectre air breather
- 2.5 inch Stainless Steel Magna Flow
- CPP headers
- GM 2002 4L70E transmission
- B&I 11” torque converter, 2,400 stall
- Precision Driveline Custom driveshaft
- Billet Specialties Vintec, 20×8.5, 20×10
- Toyo tires, 255/35/20 front,315/35/20 rear
- Stock 1972 frame
- CPP tubular upper/lower control arms
- CPP sway bar
- CPP front/rear shocks
- 3” drop springs
- 2-1/2” drop spindles
- CPP C-Notch
- CPP 5” drop springs
- 2” lowering blocks
- GM 12-bolt 8.875 rear end w/4.11 gears
- CPP 13” disc front, 12” disc rear brakes
- Wilwood master cylinder
- Hydra Stop power booster
- Stainless steel lines
- 18 gal. aluminum gas tank in the rear of the frame
- Goodmark Grille Shell/insert
- Goodmark front/rear bumpers
- Black BASF Glasurit 55 line paint by Laid Back Recreation
- White/Black houndstooth upholstery by Broken Spring
- Black loop carpet
- Factory bucket seats with console
- Vintage Air A/C
- Dakota Digital VHX gauges
- LeCarra Steering Wheel
- Kenwood head unit
- Kenwood 6×9 speakers