Re: tuba trucks
 

A BIG Thanks goes out to all my cyber brothers that donated toys to the drive. Most ordered on line and had them shipped here. And a special big thanks to my British Mates. Shirts are on the way...

If anybody wants to be part of the toy drive there's still plenty of time.
Ship to: Tuba Toys, 1798 E. Huntsville Rd., Fayetteville, AR 72701

Re: tuba trucks
 

Happy Holidays and as soon as you can... get your shot. Next year will be a better year.

Re: tuba trucks
 

Recently we've been working on a patina/fauxtina combo. It's a 63 GMC longbed custom cab with the big back window. The picture showing the back of the cab and the firewall are the only places where we worked the paint. Lots of work yet to do. The drivetrain is a 300 horse 350 and turbo 400 with a 3:73 posi rear.

Re: tuba trucks
 

nice!

Re: tuba trucks
 

What became of the original V6 ?

Re: tuba trucks
 

I still have them, 2 of them plus a complete 3/4 chassis that the body originally came on.
Gonna keep the plaid valve covers but the rest is yours.

Re: tuba trucks
 

Occasionally a really unique and rare truck passes through our gates and this is one of those times. A 1945 Diamond T model 201. It is styled after the bigger semi-trucks such that the top appears to be chopped and the wheels look just like semi-truck wheels. This beast has zero creature comforts and rides rough as a cob. Check out the beer keg gas tank and strange rocket ship turn signals. The owner wants this truck brought back to how their grandfather had it back in the day when he terrorized the countryside... and that is our quest

Re: tuba trucks
 

I love the Diamond T> I can't wait to see what you do to it.

Re: tuba trucks
 

Just over a year ago we started on a 66 GMC carryall. A friend from Missouri brought us the project which he and his wife have owned for quite a while. From the previous paint colors we believe the GMC was originally a school bus and then became a service vehicle for an electrical company. The first picture given us by the owners shows why there was so much repair to the body especially the top. "If there's not a ladder handy, just stand on the roof." This truck was a tool.
After tearing it down to the frame the carryall chassis was sent to the powder coaters. We converted the leaf spring rear suspension to a Chevy coil spring system to even out the ride. We overhauled a 95 throttle body 350 and 4L60E and added 355:1 posi rear gears. The dash was altered for a modern nav' system and we are now in the assembly phase. The firewall was painted body color so we could bolt the beast to the frame making final door gaps and alignment possible. There is still a lot to do but we're on it.

Re: tuba trucks
 

Great work. As usual. :metal:

Re: tuba trucks
 

:metal:

Re: tuba trucks
 

Very cool build. I've always liked carryalls.
It looks like all you need to do is the rest of it to be finished. :lol:

Re: tuba trucks
 

I love all trucks that you are doing. Great work on all of them. In Post #635 the seat below is pictured. I am trying to find out what the fabric material is out of and the search on SMS Fabrics has changed since I last used it and no longer lets me search with "fawn" as a choice.

What is that fabric out of? I know it is not the same fabric a the 1965 Deluxe C10 Seat Fabric. Any help would be great, Thanks!

Re: tuba trucks
 

Hi Karl, Sorry man I can't help you. It is a fabric that I bought from an upholstery shop that was going out of business. I bought a bolt of it and have done a dozen or so trucks but now it's gone. If I were you I would go by a few shops and see if there's anything you like. I hear ya about SMS... expensive but good stuff. And they have the original patterns.

Re: tuba trucks
 

Thanks Clem. I was hoping that was not the issue. I will have to spend some time at the local shop once I get that far.

Re: tuba trucks
 

I stumbled upon this thread and really enjoyed it! I knew of Tuba Trucks just a little bit, from Grizz's build thread on his Blazer. I had no idea! All the stories, trucks, events, cats, dogs, it's all really cool.

Re: tuba trucks
 

Very nice :thumbs:

Re: tuba trucks
 

Thanks, I appreciate it and welcome to the story. Grizz is a great friend and I'm glad the world is loosening up enough that we may see him soon.

Appreciate it sir... and appreciate all you do for our builds as well as everyone elses on the forum.

We got a little time on the brownish-fawnish 66 deluxe. The front sheet metal was worked and painted, Got the air conditioning working good and the under dash vents installed. The truck was fired and broken in so the mechanicals are good, the bed is body-worked and ready for final blocking before paint, and the owner opted for a different and fancier seat.
Thats it for now... the energy at the shop has shifted to the '63 GMC patina build and we will post progress on that next time.
A big Thanks to the Tuba Trucks crew...

Re: tuba trucks
 

Sweet ride man. I like your work.

Re: tuba trucks
 

Clean and classy looking.

Re: tuba trucks
 

The fauxtina 63 GMC we've been working on has taken a new twist. Our good friend Marc in Austin, owner of Moment Motor Co. will take this Jimmy and convert it to electric drive. He will install the complete drive train consisting of a 300HP electric motor mounted where the transmission would normally be and a pack of 10 batteries under the hood to create a total electric drive "E-20" GMC.
The owner is in Up-State NY and has a vineyard with pollution free vehicles and wanted a farm truck to complete his herd... so here ya go.

Re: tuba trucks
 

That is a very cool thing for you to be involved in Clem

At the end of the day, progress is progress as Ta2Don used to say, and Progress is inevitable

I am sure you will update us and the Tuba Trucks website as it unfolds.

Re: tuba trucks
 

Looking forward to getting my old lady back to Clem's shop in the next month or two. One more big push and with any luck she'll be thundering down the road under her own power soon!

Super cool to covert one of these trucks to electric. I'm hoping to pass my truck on to my kids some day and have just been daydreaming. I figure it'd be ready for another refresh after a few decades and maybe a good time to convert it to electric. Electric vehicles are great and I see the advantages, but I'd sure miss that rumble of all all 8 cylinders!

p.s. If anyone gets a chance to get by Tuba Trucks, I highly recommend it. If you're a fan of 60-66 C10s, this place is a must.

J. B.

Re: tuba trucks
 

Hi JB,
We'll be glad to get your lil' hotrod truck back in here and hopefully get her finished.
I agree with you on the sound of a rumblin' V8, nothing like it. We had a hot 350 and turbo 400 in the E-20 but when we sold it and found out what the new owner was going to do... it sounded like a good thing. We pulled the gas motor and finished out the patina work. Marc came up from Austin and did a 3D scan of the engine compartment to build the battery trays and plan out what else he needed us to do. Really the further we got in to it, the more it made sense. Besides it's always good to team up with your buddies.

Re: tuba trucks
 

Cool, I'll be interested in hearing how the conversion turns out. I'm a huge fan of these C10s and even though I have my preferences like everyone else, I can certainly appreciate lots of different takes on building one up. Super modern, completely stock, rat rod, patina, restomod... Whatever keeps them on the road! If being able to convert it to electric keeps it on the rolling and out of the junkyard, all the better.

J. B.

Re: tuba trucks
 

[QUOTE=SixFiveJelly;8931301]Cool, I'll be interested in hearing how the conversion turns out. I'm a huge fan of these C10s and even though I have my preferences like everyone else, I can certainly appreciate lots of different takes on building one up. Super modern, completely stock, rat rod, patina, restomod... Whatever keeps them on the road! If being able to convert it to electric keeps it on the rolling and out of the junkyard, all the better.

Thanks Grizz and JB
Here is an update on the 63 GMC. 1st pic- Truck arrives to the Moment Motor's super clean workshop. 2nd- engine bay coated with talc powder and covered with little dots to make a 3D scan. 3rd pic- actual 3d scan. 4th- electric brake system. 5th- beginning of the motor conversion. I will get more pics and info as the guys at Moment Motor progress...

Re: tuba trucks
 

You've got yourself into it now. This will be one of great mods in our hobby. Congrats, my friend. I'm happy you are a part of it.

Re: tuba trucks
 

Cool project for sure! I'm a fan of performance and utility so as long as the vehicle can be used for its intended purpose I dont care what is powering it, that said I hate chevy's half cocked approach with just slapping batteries in bed or rear floor (C10 and K5 they did) where they cant actually be used for anything other than commuter.

Plus the more electric vehicles out there the more dino fuel left for me lol.

Re: tuba trucks
 

OK, here we go guys. It's Toy Drive time of year again. Any who would like to join us for the party and truck show this year please give us a shout out. We can sleep about a dozen comfortably here at the shop and you won't want to miss Kim's shrimp boil with all the trimmings. The total electric GMC E-10 is the feature truck for this year's t-shirt. Shirts are completely free with a donation of some toys. Can't make it but want a shirt or want to support a great cause, Mail some toys to Tuba Trucks 1798 E. Huntsville Rd., Fayetteville, AR 72701. Include a mailing address and your shirt will be on the way. Thanks, it's all about the kids who wouldn't have a Christmas without your help.

Re: tuba trucks
 

Clem, sadly I will not make it this year.

But, please post your last post into my thread as well, different people read different threads.

Re: tuba trucks
 

This weekend is the yearly charity toy run that we have visited a few times before at Tuba Trucks in Fayetteville in Arkansas.

Run by Clem and Kim Johnson the entry ticket to the whole day including food, live music and friendship is a kids toy.

Dennis used this as a deadline for taking his 1966 Nascar C10 there along with partner of more than 25 years, Deb, she makes an amazing breakfast too,

So last night the truck was loaded.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...x/IMG_0225.JPG

This morning.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...x/IMG_0206.JPG

On the road…..

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...7afd6ee34a.jpg

Dennis relaxing.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...00cbe1657c.jpg

And eventually Arkansas

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...e35fce175d.jpg

And then Clems place.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...c1213a9476.jpg

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...12f1efed47.jpg


https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...ef11fed3bb.jpg



And there you have it.

@pauly dreams of this truck.

We all want 800plus bhp in a 2015 NASCAR racing truck camouflaged as a 1966 C10

Or don’t we.

Re: tuba trucks
 

Thanks to all those that sent toys and or money for toys. Lots of kids will have a great Christmas because of your thoughtful generosity. There was a total of 43 bikes and 36 contractor bags stuffed full of new toys. What a haul... Each year we deliver them to elementary schools in our town and they distribute to the families that need them. It's truly a heartfelt effort and the folks that donate make it a success.

Thanks again guys

Re: tuba trucks
 

About a year ago or so we started on a 63 custom cab short-bed with small back glass. We installed a RamJet 350 crate and new 4l60E plus a 3:55 posi. A static drop, Classic Instruments cluster, Vintage Air and power everything done in that great baby blue and white 2 tone paint. One of the highlights is the Belair look in the interior. The seat and glove box have Chevy script touches. All that's left is the rest but we're on it.

Re: tuba trucks
 

Looking nice and clean, like always!

Re: tuba trucks
 

Nice work!!!

Re: tuba trucks
 

Thanks... but it's a team effort here at Tuba and the praise should go out to the guys that work together on these projects.

The fawn colored 66 Custom Cab long bed is going away this week to a very happy owner. He has been active in most of the decisions on this build and very patient during the 2 years it took to build it. Here is some pics from this afternoon.

Re: tuba trucks
 

Stellar work as always from the team Clem.

Nice Christmas prezzie for someone.

A wonderful festive season for you, Mrs J and all the creatures.

Missing you guys man.

Re: tuba trucks
 

Very nice and clean looking build. I'm sure the owner is proud to be driving it around!

Re: tuba trucks
 

Sweet, love your work. :)

Re: tuba trucks
 

Thanks for the updates. I really enjoy them. The stock look with adaptation as needed for modern driving and comfort is cool to watch. Thank you for the effort that you guys make with the toy drive. I'm too late this year, but look forward to next year. Seeing those pictures of all the toys and bikes really affected me. Both that there are so many people willing to give, and that there are so many kids that need something special for Christmas. Blessings on you all, and thank you for the reminder of the less fortunate little ones.