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The Classic GM Truck Restoration Guide: C10, Stepside, and Beyond

The Classic GM Truck: America's Favorite Restoration Project

Classic Chevrolet and GMC trucks have become some of the most sought-after vehicles in the collector car market. The 1960–1972 "Action Line" trucks and the 1973–1987 "Square Body" generation are especially popular — they're handsome, mechanically simple, and available in enough numbers that parts are still findable. Whether you're building a show truck, a restomod, or a faithful driver-quality restoration, getting the interior right is a key part of the project.

This guide covers the shop manuals and interior parts you need to restore a classic GM truck correctly.

Start With the Factory Shop Manual

GM truck engineering changed significantly across generations, and the factory shop manual is your primary reference for any serious restoration work. This is especially true for the electrical system — classic GM trucks are notorious for wiring issues, and the factory wiring diagrams in the shop manual are often the only reliable source for tracing circuits correctly.

We carry factory shop manuals for Chevrolet and GMC trucks spanning over six decades:

Note that several years were published as supplements — for example, the 1961, 1964, and 1965 manuals supplement the base manual for the prior year. You may need both the base manual and the supplement for complete coverage of your truck. Browse our full truck manual collection for additional years.

Interior Restoration: The C10 and Square Body

The Chevrolet C10 pickup — produced from 1960 through 1987 — is the most popular classic GM truck for restoration. The 1967–1972 "Action Line" C10 and the 1973–1987 "Square Body" C10 are the two generations that dominate the market, and both have strong parts support.

Carpet

Classic GM truck cabs were not always carpeted from the factory — many came with rubber floor mats as standard equipment, with carpet reserved for higher-trim Custom and Cheyenne models. For a show-quality or comfort-oriented restoration, replacing or upgrading to carpet is a popular choice.

We carry ACC carpet for the C10:

Floor Mats

For trucks that came with rubber floor mats from the factory — or for owners who want easy-to-clean protection over their carpet — we carry floor mats specific to the C10:

The low tunnel vs. standard tunnel distinction matters — the floor mat must match your transmission configuration (three-speed manual vs. automatic) to fit correctly.

Cab Interior Panels

Beyond the floor, the cab interior of a classic GM truck includes the rear cab wall — the panel behind the seat that faces the rear window. On trucks used for work, this area often takes significant abuse. We carry a replacement rear cab wall panel for early C10s:

Gas Tank Cover

On 1967–1972 C10s, the in-cab gas tank (mounted behind the seat on some configurations) requires a cover that's part of the interior presentation. We carry a replacement:

Classic GM Truck Generations at a Glance

Understanding which generation your truck belongs to is essential for ordering the right parts:

  • 1947–1955 (Advance Design) — The postwar workhorse. Simple, rugged, and increasingly collectible. Our 1958 truck manual covers the transition to the next generation.
  • 1955–1959 (Task Force) — Introduced the wraparound windshield and a more modern cab design. Our 1958 truck manual covers this era.
  • 1960–1966 (Action Line, first gen) — The first independent front suspension on a GM truck. Our 1960–1965 manuals cover this generation.
  • 1967–1972 (Action Line, second gen) — The most popular classic GM truck generation. Cleaner styling, better interior, and the most active restoration community.
  • 1973–1987 (Square Body) — The boxy, utilitarian design that defined American trucks for a generation. Our 1974 C10 carpet and floor mats fit this era.
  • 1988–1998 (GMT400) — The modern-era full-size truck. Our GMC R-V and S/T manuals cover this generation.

Installation Tips for Classic GM Truck Interiors

  • Know your tunnel configuration — Three-speed manual, four-speed manual, and automatic transmissions all produce different tunnel heights. Order carpet and floor mats that match your specific transmission.
  • Check the cab floor for rust — Classic GM truck cabs rust along the door sills, under the floor mat, and around the cab corners. Address rust before installing new carpet or mats.
  • Reference the shop manual for wiring — If you're doing any electrical work while the interior is apart, the factory wiring diagrams are essential. Classic GM truck wiring is notoriously difficult to trace without the factory documentation.
  • Warm molded carpet before fitting — The transmission tunnel in a classic GM truck cab is a tight fit. Warming the carpet with a heat gun makes it significantly easier to work into place.

Ready to Restore Your Classic GM Truck?

Jackson Automotive Products carries factory shop manuals for Chevrolet and GMC trucks going back to 1932, along with ACC carpet, floor mats, and interior panels for the C10 and other classic GM trucks. Browse our truck collection to find the right parts for your restoration, or contact us if you need help identifying the correct manual or interior parts for your year and configuration.

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