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Images BY THE AUTHORefore the days of intense aftermarket support, a truck build would often require some type of donor vehicle. Junkyards were great for small parts, but it was usually more cost-efficient to buy a donor vehicle that could be scavenged and eventually sold off for scrap. These days, buying a donor truck is a good excuse to start another project, and that’s exactly what happened when Jay Rusk bought this ’66 Chevy C10 for $600 more than a dozen years ago.
Even before Jay dove into a full build, he had a particular look in mind that would require some extensive chassis modifications. He started by adding a C-notch to the rear framerails to provide adequate room for the rearend housing. Up front, he sectioned the front crossmember so the truck would sit lower and relocated the upper control arms to prevent excessive camber change when the air is let out of the suspension. Jay also modified the stock control arms and replaced the original steering box with a rack-and-pinion setup. A GSI Fabrication splined sway bar finishes off the front suspension. Out back, the trailing arms and airbags attach to a 12-bolt rearend housing that has been narrowed 6 inches. An AccuAir system controls the air suspension. Braking power comes from a manual system, starting with a Wilwood tandem master cylinder, which leads into a four-wheel disc brake system made up of stock C10 rotors and Wilwood calipers up front and aftermarket rotors with Impala calipers out back.
A huge part of the truck’s stance is the tire-and-wheel combination. Jay wanted 15s and fat tires for the ultimate old-school look and he accomplished it with a set of American Racing TTO five-spoke wheels. The straight spokes and gray centers are a great look, and the 15×7 and 15×8.5 staggered fitment is exaggerated by an intense rubber rake. Jay went with 205/65R15 front tires and meaty BFGoodrich 285/70R15s that tuck deeply into the widened wheeltubs. Jay raised the wooden bed floor to accommodate for the sizeable C-notch required for the lowdown stance.
Other engine bay details include a Billet Specialties Tru Trac serpentine system to clean up the front of the engine with slick black brackets and polished accessories. The cooling system includes a Griffin universal aluminum radiator and Derale electric fan with custom brackets. Other engine bay details include Porterbuilt cowl-mounted hood hinges, satin black finishes, and button-head fasteners throughout. Behind the traditionally dressed small-block is a 700-R4 overdrive transmission. Jay added a shift kit and an upgraded servo for excellent shift performance, and he used a Dacco 2,200-rpm torque converter. Moving further back is a 3.73:1 ring-and-pinion that sends power to Moser axles.
Jay used GM’s Fawn hue for the painted interior components and worked in a splash of Fawn on the smoothed firewall for a nice contrast in the engine bay. Rhoades Upholstery in Madison, Georgia, covered the stock seat in the original-style pattern from SMS Auto Fabrics. Jay used a stock steering column but replaced the original wheel with a 15-1/2-inch Billet Specialties Classic steering wheel. A stock-look radio head unit from Custom Autosound feeds Rockford Fosgate amplifiers and speakers, while the stock heater controls operate the Vintage Air system.
Although the truck has been together since 2017, it still looks fresh and has timeless styling. The stance and simplicity make this truck the complete package and it has reliable underpinnings to make it highway friendly and downright fun. Jay handled nearly all the work himself with the support of his wife, Melissia, and a few friends along the way. He plans to continue driving and enjoying it—even when new projects come along, his slammed C10 is an all-time favorite.
