Re: Our '66 Short Fleet Build
 

nope, my guess is that for some reason, my father-in-law welded it when he swapped in the front cross-member.

Re: Our '66 Short Fleet Build
 

does he not like you

Re: Our '66 Short Fleet Build
 

:lol:
well at first, maybe not so much....
he swapped the stuff in 10-15 years ago.
he passed away a couple years ago and we inherited the truck.
not sure why he would weld it, but i don't think it was directed towards me ;)

Re: Our '66 Short Fleet Build
 

The LCA shaft saddles should be welded to the crossmember, but the u-bolts should not be welded to the shafts. What are you switching around Joe?

Re: Our '66 Short Fleet Build
 

Its always tied up it seems but let me know when and ill clear it out to work on the cab.

Re: Our '66 Short Fleet Build
 

really? didn't realize that.....
i'll be taking everything off the frame for a complete disassemble to blast and paint/powder coat, eventually.....


:thumbs:

Re: Our '66 Short Fleet Build
 

Get R Dun ;)

I saw your comment on painting the underside of the cab. I'm probably going to spray or roll on some POR-15 on mine and then paint over it so its not obviously coated. Of course the entire research thing will begin to make sure its not a completly dumb mistake. MY idea was to hit all the normal rust areas like the underside of the cab, bottom of the fenders or where ever else I discover some "rust love".

I can't wait until I'm ready for the cab like that.

Re: Our '66 Short Fleet Build
 

yeah I think I'm gonna use the raptor everywhere i can, bottom of the inners, back side of the fenders, up inside the bed sides, under the cab, inside the cab on the floor and possibly the back wall of the cab and firewall, figure it can't hurt, and should look good.
I don't think you will have any problem painting over the POR, I believe that is kinda what it is designed for.
you can also get the raptor in a tintable version...

Re: Our '66 Short Fleet Build
 

update

not so funny story...on the way to the blaster I had a ratchet strap break...luckily we were just exiting I-35. felt a thud, looked in the mirror and the cab was back farther. took me a second to realize what happened, at first I thought I had lost the trailer, got the sub/trailer stopped and just knew the cab was finished. the rear strap had caught the cab and dolly. the cab was hanging half off the back of the trailer. I immediately thought the cab was dragging....go take a look...it landed on the back 2 casters on my dolly, it had rolled along like it was no big deal.....it was a very tense moment before we realized it was fine, the wife about cried and I knew she would end me if I destroyed her late father's cab :sumo: but hey, my dolly got a little torture testing and held up :thumbs:
so we loaded her back up and strapped her back tight and were within a mile of the blaster....got it dropped off and should have it back sometime next week, weather permitting. when I get it back I will do a mock up of what happened and take pictures...I was a bit shook up when it happened and didn't think to snap a pic with my phone.....

also picked up a nice little SCORE tonight. a factory auto cross member with the e-brake bar in nice shape, the brake hardware and the upper braces are still attached with the factory rivets....i'll go snap a couple pics and post them in a few.

Re: Our '66 Short Fleet Build
 

Wheeeew Joe! Glad that worked out OK. Things like that kinda get your heart pumping for a few minutes.

Re: Our '66 Short Fleet Build
 

yeah it was a bit stressful :lol:
glad I can laugh now though

cross member pics

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I told the fella I got the cross member from all about this site, hopefully he joins up.....If you are reading this Brad, Thanks so much!!
tomorrow I have to run to the hardware store and and get some bolts...then drill some holes, bolt up the cross member, and take the frame to the car wash. Clean the frame, suspension, engine, and trans up the best that I can, then blow it apart in preparation of the frame blast and coat:metal:
I have a confession...i was getting bogged down and overwhelmed...but now I'm excited again and ready to rock!!!
can't wait to get the cab patches ordered!!!!
I can't say it enough....I love this place!!!

Re: Our '66 Short Fleet Build
 

Dang! I don't know what else to say...

Obviously, your dolly was well designed/assembled.:metal:



I just realized that this happened on Friday the 13th! You definitely had your bad luck for the day.

Re: Our '66 Short Fleet Build
 

What?!?!?! Say it ain't so!!

(I know EXACTLY what you mean.)

Now that's more like it!!!:four:

That's a clean crossmember you got there Joe. Nice score!!

Re: Our '66 Short Fleet Build
 

Dang dude that sucks! At least it didnt come off the trailer and pass you :lol:

I have a 4" rachet strap you can use when you get to bringing it home.

Re: Our '66 Short Fleet Build
 

Glad to here everything ended up ok. That has to be a bad a$$ little dolly. Thats a good lookin crossmember. Have you igured out the diferance in the e-brake cables?

Re: Our '66 Short Fleet Build
 

I feel your pain Joe, had a similiar experience bringing a fleet bed home and the straps came off. It's a sinking feeling going down the interstate. Glad everything worked out.

I think we all get overwhelmed at times. Wondering why the heck did I do this restoration. Keep on keeping on and remember we are here for you.

Re: Our '66 Short Fleet Build
 

Wow...that could of been ugly....(you wife beating your a$$ silly) :lol:

Glad to hear the cab is in one piece....nice score on the X-member, too !!!


Motivation does come and go......nice to hear that we got you back going again !!! ;)

Re: Our '66 Short Fleet Build
 

Thank God you and your wife are okay Joe.
I have seen a lot of wrecks involving trailers and the stuff people are hauling falling off of them. you guys had someone looking out for you for sure,

Good looking crossmember. keep us updated.
David

Re: Our '66 Short Fleet Build
 

dang! your right, i didn't even think of that.....

haha, thanks!

:lol:

well, i think the problem was....we have a '63 frame and it had e-brake stuff from a '66, believe they changed in '66....this cross member and a set up from a '63-'65 should fix the issue, I might have to shorten the cables due to the using the 700R4 (as you know the cross member has to be moved back).
we will see:ito:

did you completely loose the bed?

thanks for the encouragement!!

:lol:
yeah, and right on the side of the interstate for all to see too:lol:

hell yeah!! you guys rock!


funny you say that. the wife says it must have been her dad back there holding it, we could just picture him holding it up saying "oh s*#t" over and over, and trying to get our attention :lol:

I will do my best to do my duty and keep you all informed!!!

THANKS EVERYONE!!!

Re: Our '66 Short Fleet Build
 

I towed my truck from Mesa to Phoenix to an exhaust shop and I had no problems, but I still had the adrenaline going knowing all that metal was behind me and being on the freeway, too. Trying to look a 1/4 mile ahead to see any problems.

Hey Joe, usually I lose motivation when I have something difficult in front of me; if I go tackle it I end up with a break thru and I can get a bunch of stuff done. Sometimes you have to just stare at stuff until it all makes sense.

..and while Im typing, make sure your shoes are tied:lol:!!

Re: Our '66 Short Fleet Build
 

yeah man...the simplest thing had me in a loop of indecision and frustration....
the silly trans cross member......i just couldn't make a decision:lol:
but it is all good now:thumbs:

shoes tied....check, one less thing to worry about thanks;)

Re: Our '66 Short Fleet Build
 

Hey Joe what about the shop keys?........Check? :haha:

Re: Our '66 Short Fleet Build
 

my shoes are tied...what more do you want from me???
i can't take all the pressure :lol:

Re: Our '66 Short Fleet Build
 

went to the wife's uncle's today and snapped some pics

GMC school bus, not sure of the year...
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Re: Our '66 Short Fleet Build
 

more

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Re: Our '66 Short Fleet Build
 

and more

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Re: Our '66 Short Fleet Build
 

and some more

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Re: Our '66 Short Fleet Build
 

still more

apparently this was an Air Force, 1 ton panel truck

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some of the left over parts

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Re: Our '66 Short Fleet Build
 

few more

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Re: Our '66 Short Fleet Build
 

few of uncle's K10, I believe it was also a military truck
all the red rusted through sheet metal is from this truck, he found the big window cab, it didn't need any patch work

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Re: Our '66 Short Fleet Build
 

Wow...sweet pictures man....That suburban/bus is awesome !!!

I think you probably should blow some of that stuff out of the engine bay before you try and fire it up :lol:

Looks like he has alot of good parts out there....nice weather too.....

It's POURING rain here in Cali....

Forget the crewcab...I'd roll that thing !!!

Then again...that hottub in back of the panel would be cool with the chicks !!!!

Re: Our '66 Short Fleet Build
 

:lol:
yeah the bus is my bro-in-law's.....he lives in Alaska and has wanted to take it up there for years. It ran when it was parked, just needed a starter, been a few years though.

we are having some pretty good weather, close to 50* today....supposed to be in the 70's this week.

the panel was the father-in-law's
hopefully it is next in line for us after the '66:metal:

Re: Our '66 Short Fleet Build
 

Nice pictures Joe,
Lots of parts, so what's the hold up on yours:lol::lol:
what was the 305 in, the school bus?
really nice and clean 4x4 your uncle has.

Re: Our '66 Short Fleet Build
 

Oh!!!! I see how yer financing the projects, Joe. Cookin' up a batch in that bathtub, huh???:lol:

Re: Our '66 Short Fleet Build
 

:lol:

Are you gonna build the panel as an old school Pro streeter since it's already tubbed?


Seriously, that is some cool pics. Looks like your uncle has several parts trucks sitting around.

Re: Our '66 Short Fleet Build
 

:lol:
yeah, the v-6 is in the bus

:rolleyes:

:haha:

Re: Our '66 Short Fleet Build
 

You should slam the school bus down on its rockers and daily drive it. Mabey even a sticker on it that says short bus so Rocka and I could ride in it. You should talk him out of it.

Re: Our '66 Short Fleet Build
 

:lol:

Re: Our '66 Short Fleet Build
 

Hey Joe, what is the hose/panel deal on the driverside inner fender on that bus? Get a good side shot of it and jonzcustoms can start photoshopping it.

Also, whats up with the cab thats all cut up?

Re: Our '66 Short Fleet Build
 

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1234749064

Man, I’ve heard that ‘Going Green’ is the latest trend - but I think I’ll be satisfied with the 12-14 mpg via my 2-barrel on my newly rebuilt engine, versus having to cover my intake manifold in tree droppings.

That’s about as gross as the ‘Tree Hugger’ girls that never bother shave.

:lol: