Four years ago, Ryley Bennett of Bennett Built Fabrication, snatched up this Saskatchewan ’65 C10 long bed after leaving the drag racing scene. Reminiscing over the ’56 big back window Chevy pickup he built with his dad at a young age, he had always wanted one of his own, and now was the time.
Over the next 7 months, Ryley put his extensive knowledge as a Red Seal Journeyman Welder to use, and got the ’65 on the road. The truck has “been never ending since I bought it and always evolving” he says. Once you see it, you will never forget it, this truck stands out in every scene and gets us excited every time we see it.
The list of modifications on this truck is extensive. The whole length of the truck is moved down the road by a cammed 5.3L LS and a built 4L65e with the shifting being taken into control by the stylish Lokar floor shifter and held in place by a Bennett Built transmission crossmember. The sound of the engine is pushed through Speed Engineering headers before exiting through dual 2.5” tig welded and V-banded exhaust with X-pipe and Borla S mufflers. Fuel is delivered from a Suburban rear mount fuel tank through 6AN PTFE fuel lines and a Hellcat 525lph fuel pump. To keep it cool, Ryley installed an aluminum radiator and tig welded stainless steel coolant lines.
In the front, the C10 has Porterbuilt Dropmember front suspension, a front disc brake conversion, and a CPP rack and pinion. The rear is set up with Bennett Built bag over axle, tubular trailing arms, and trailing arm crossmember. The suspension moves with Accuair E-Level air management, Accuair Endo VT 5 gallon tank, dual Viar 485 compressors, all ran through ½” aluminum hard lines to the Dominator 2600 airbags. Rounding out the unique stance is KYB Excel-G shocks, 15x8 wheels with 235/75/15 tires and dogdish hubcaps.
The interior has been finished out with Dakota Digital RTX gauges, full custom stereo, Forever Sharp steering wheel, and an OBS bench seat. Other details include the Switch Suspension hood hinges, and LED lights throughout. The unique patina is original throughout with the fenders, doors, and cab having some rust repair and then painted to match.
Bennett plans to do a short bed conversion, update the interior and add more horsepower. He drives it about 2-3 times a week and can be spotted at shows like Lethbridge Street Wheelers and the Radium car show. Ryley regularly gets pulled over by authorities thinking that the truck isn’t road worthy due to the patina and vintage 1965 plate. He has never been ticketed though as they quickly realize how well built the truck really is and that it is fully insured and registered.
Ryley has many other projects including a ’64 C10 SWB, ’69 C10 SWB, and an ’04 Cummins CCSB, and he daily drives an ’06 Yukon Denali and ’07 Escalade.
Ryley Bennett started Bennett Built Fabrication working out of his garage doing small welding jobs over the years and has progressed into doing custom fabrication, rust repair, short bed conversions, and 3D CAD design. He also offers products for 63-72 C10’s like tubular trailing arms, trailing arm crossmembers, and transmission crossmembers.
What an awesome ride and we will be watching out for more Bennett Built C10’s.
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Article and Photography: Brian Holzli