Driving This C10 Might Not Make You Smarter, But It Could Make You Look Like A Genius!
By Scotty Lachenauer – Photography by the Author
You don’t have to be a full-fledged rocket scientist or a member of Mensa to realize that the C10 IS the go-to model to build the bedded hot rod of your wildest dreams. Dennis Schaffner is one of those guys who realized the pure joy and downright monumental delight of owning a classic C10 and has been a solid proponent of all things Chevy truckin’ since his earliest hot rodding days.
Dennis’ journey with this particular ’70 C10 started years ago at the annual Carlisle Truck Show, an event that takes place only a few miles from his home in Millersburg, Pennsylvania. “My son, Colby, bought this base model longbed pickup with its original six and three-on-the-tree trans for $700. With only 100K on the odometer, and good bones and sheet metal, it was a no-brainer in my book,” Dennis states.
What Colby bought was the perfect builder truck; a ride just waiting to be infused with some of his own cranial-conceived concepts; a total blank slate. However, due to life’s ups and downs, a new house, and a freshened interest in motorcycles, the truck languished for years behind Dennis’ house without a wrench being turned on it. After a few more years of “seasoning” in the backyard, Pop took control of the situation and decided to put his son’s C10 to good use. It was pulled into the Schaffner garage to receive a full makeover, courtesy of dear old dad.
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Mind Over Matter
Once on the concrete, Dennis was ready to dig into the C10. “I had a good idea of what I wanted. It was going to be a restomod for sure; lowered, with a refurbished body and interior and of course much more power.” The owner’s cerebral cortex kicked into overdrive as he planned out his first move. “I decided to hit the junkyard and grab a used C10 frame to build up as I was going to ditch the original bed and hunt down a shorty for the project,” Dennis states.
After sourcing the correct bones for the build, the chassis was blasted and modified for Dennis’ needs. “We boxed and C-notched the rear of the frame to compensate for rear axle movement. Next, we installed a RideTech StreetGRIP suspension package consisting of Adjustable HQ-series monotube shocks, dual rate coil springs, a 1-1/4-inch front sway bar, and composite leaf springs out back. After relocating the gas tank to the rear under the bed we added Classic Performance Products (CPP) 2-1/2-inch drop spindles and one of their choice steering boxes,” Dennis says.
While the suspension was coming along the body was ready to get some much-needed love. After being stripped to bare metal, a new one-piece floorboard and rockers were installed. The firewall also received some attention and was smoothed to clean up the engine bay while all-new ’67 sheet metal replaced the originals up front. A repop bed assembly was purchased and added to the mix to turn this pickup into the shortbed that Dennis always wanted. Once the body was prepped, it received a brand-new skin of Audi Nardo Gray in base/clear. It was complemented with Chevrolet Summit White on the lower panels and on the roofline. The two sublime hues balance each other nicely, giving this C10 a look for the ages.
Dennis then looked to what was going to propel this C10 down the straightaways of Central Pennsylvania; the motorvation for this ride. “I decided on a 5.3L LS1 for the truck. However the first one I grabbed for the project was a used mill that didn’t work out for me. So, to make things easier, I decided to go fresh and bought a brand-new one over the counter and snatched up a rebuilt 4L60E automatic transmission to do the shifting,” he says. All this Chevy goodness feeds a healthy Chevy 12-bolt rear end, stuffed with 3.73 gears.
To bring the engine up to snuff, he then installed an Elite Engineering PCV oil catch can system along with Holley fuel rails and LS valve covers. A custom cold-air intake feeds this powerplant the fresh air it needs and sends it to an LS6 intake. Up front, a March Custom serpentine system pulls everything together, joining in the AC compressor and power steering pump in total harmony. An American Autowire Highway 22 provides the spark that makes this LS1 engine rock. Lastly, a Flowmaster American Thunder Exhaust kit provides the healthy rumble that lets everybody know this C10 means business out on the streets.
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To give this old truck a slice of down-home comfort, Dennis decided to enhance his cockpit with a stunning custom interior. First off a Custom Street Glide seat was sourced for the build and modified stock ’72 C10 door panels were added in for good measure. “I roughed in the cab back panel as well as the front kick panels and dash smoothing. A custom cab back was created to house speakers, reprogrammed original ECM, and Ron Francis Telorvek TPI wiring system panel. Fuse box and most electrical devices are located under the seat,” Dennis says.
All the fabrics used in the build are a deep maroon color with exception of a medium gray square-weave carpet. All interior finish work was completed by Brad Wurzbacher at Stitcht Interiors out of Forest Hill, Maryland. Lokar emergency brake, brake pedal, and gas pedal were sourced and used on the build. Custom Autosound Secretaudio SRMS with SiriusXM and Polk Audio speakers and amplifier provide the sounds that keep this C10 rockin’. A Billet Specialties Steering wheel and ididit steering column keeps this truck pointed in the right direction. A Ringbrothers custom billet aluminum gauge cluster with Dakota Digital VHX gauges with GPS speedo keep track of the vitals. Vintage Air’s Gen IV system keeps it cool on those hot summer nights.
Out on the corners, a quartet of Coy aluminum C33 wheels painted to match the body were added for a classic look that’s infused with modern performance. The fronts are 18×8 while the backs are massive 20×10 units. They are shod in Intertrac TC525 rubber, 245/45-18 and 275/40-20, respectively, and the wheels are topped with a set of COPO Camaro–styled dog-dish caps. Braking power up front comes from Classic Performance Products as well, with power discs up front sporting 11-inch rotors and single-piston calipers. Out back, the stock Chevy drums were rebuilt for additional stopping power.
Other choice amenities include a PRC Cross Flow aluminum radiator pushed by an Extreme Cooler dual fan setup. To clean up the greenhouse is one-piece side glass from Brothers Trucks, out of Corona, California. In the interior, retractable seat belts were used as well to keep everybody safe. For a little bling, smoothed-out chrome bumpers were installed fore and aft.
No Gray Areas
Once finished, Dennis put the old truck through the paces. “I build my trucks to drive … no trailer queens! I finished the truck the winter of 2019 but due to the pandemic did not get to drive too much. Had about 600 miles on when I recently left for the Goodguys show in Columbus, Ohio, about 1,000 miles round trip,” Dennis says.
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Like any good truck build, Dennis didn’t do it alone.“The majority of the mechanical and bodywork was done by myself and my nephew, Troy Gutshall. [Gutshall] painted the truck with the assistance of me and my good friend Bob Rothermel, all novice builders. I had some assistance with the hood and front fender alignment from the Lucky Seven Rod Shop in Stewartstown, Pennsylvania. I received additional help from a few good friends and my son, Colby, when needed. Another good friend, Kris Troutman, did a fantastic job color sanding. Special thanks go out to my wife, Dar, for her support,” Dennis states
For now, Dennis is just ecstatic about his most recent build. “This truck will now occupy garage space with my ’47 Chevy 3100 I restored a few years back. They are the perfect one-two Chevy punch.
Dennis’ final thought: “It’s going to be hard to decide which one to drive, but I’m not gonna’ BEAT MY BRAINS out over it!”
