Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Making some progress over the last month or two

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Few more pics

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

I found a T5 transmission couple weeks ago so swapped it in to replace the sm420. I almost didn’t grab it as I wanted to keep truck as original as possible but figured having the better drivability is worth it especially on the hiway commuting to work . I kept the stock 10 spline clutch so I just had to swap input shafts and a couple cuts on the lathe and thing bolts right up . Input shaft was $130 and timken bearing was $20 . Was a much cheaper alternative instead of buying a new clutch kit and adapter plate too mount it all up . Took me about an hour to swap input shafts
Big thanks to lugnutz65 , Jay on here he gave me some great information on the T5 tranny and the jeep input shaft . Thanks Jay !

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

After waiting almost 1 year I finally got my seat cover from sms. Was worth the wait the cover looks really close to the original.
Also fired up the 283 the other day. Thing runs good and can barely hear it lol . It’s going to be quite the difference from my red truck with the 6 litre turbo . The way gas prices are the 283 will get used a lot

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Nice! The cluster cleaned up well

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Thanks! Ya I didn’t spend too much time on it mainly just cleaned everything up and painted the needles and painted the bezel

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Finally getting some work done on truck again. Last summer was pretty much a write off with deck/sunroom Reno’s and winter I was snowmobiling as much as possible .

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Doors and fenders were a lot of work . Ended up patching both outer door skins using the full patches and same with inner bottoms. The outer door patch was a real challenge too not warp . I ended up getting some help to get them straighter

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Few more

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

I blended in some blue on doors and fenders . I’ll wait till I have rest of truck together before I try and match the original patina on those pieces .

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Started putting some trim back on and mocked up the west coast mirrors. I might touch the front fender up with some blue, after wet sanding lots of old repair work started showing through

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Nice work on the paint blend. Should look really good with some future "patina-izing".

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

The paint match is great on your patches. How did you get something close but maybe not exactly the same? I will be looking to do the same on mine. Mine is red but has of course faded. I don't initially plan to pain the entire truck, but need to do a few patches. Did you have a paint shop try to match the faded blue or did you sort of guess. Looks great.

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Thanks . There’s a paint shop I use here will match it up manually to the panel I bring them and get it really close . Other paint shops I’ve used just scan it and it’s never really that close for a match .

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Steering wheel came out looking good . I used por 15 epoxy to fill in all the cracks. I refurbished one for my 65 as well as the one I put on there years ago was white

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Looking great.

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Had to cut a spare driveshaft down, I kept the original along with the Sm420. Cut about 15” as the T5 transmission is quite abit longer. Usually I do it at work in a large lathe but was on days off so I just cut it at home with basic hand tools and welded it up .

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Hammered out some dents on the grille and gave it a good polish. Touched up the chev lettering as well. Pulled the slot mags off and blasted and coated the steelies . I like the look of the slots but also like the look of the original rims with chrome caps just like how she was ordered. Found a 63-66 sport bumper I had a 68-72 as well they fit so much better but will run the early gen one. Have to shim the box up abit at the rear as it sitting low.

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Next up clean up and paint vent window frames install new glass and seals. Blasted seat frame up and fix one broken spring . Going to resuse the seat foam after I priced out a new foam set $525 shipped CAD. Mines not in too bad of shape . I’ll add some foam where needed

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

You've been busy! Cleaning up real nice and good work on the driveshaft!

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Thanks Joe! Ya been going at it. Trying to button everything up as i booked it in for the inspection next week

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Finished installing new door glass, vent glass and all door hardware . Redid seat used the original foam and after trying seat out foam is way too soft . I’ll have to source some foam out locally or order the foam from states and redo the bottom of seat .

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Cut the s10 shifter down and utilized a spare original shifter . Tried using a original shifter boot but boot and plate were too small diameter for the throw so used a hurst shifter boot and plate . I’ll have to put a bend in it as shifter is fine with seat all way back but if the wife drives truck seat will be further ahead and will be hitting seat

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Cleaned up the original lap belts I’ll use them to get it through inspection and probably go 3 point like my other trucks . Went for test drive all was good accept for power steering control valve was acting up. I rebuilt the valve and ram/cylinder maybe still air in system will have to do some more troubleshooting. I unhooked ps belt for inspection.

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Inspection went pretty good. Shop failed it on rear pinion seal leak and said it had a couple brake line leaks . Pinion seal was bad I popped a new one in and went over brake lines everything was new and was just residual oil from bleeding brakes. Still have too do some paint/patina matching and polishing but it can wait for abit . Went for beers yesterday , my buddies 42

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Nice work! How do you like the s10 5 speed so far?

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Thanks! First gear is like bull low just like the sm420 . Shifts nice around town I haven’t had it on the hiway yet. The 283 is sure slow I’m too used to driving my 6 litre boosted truck lol

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Up next will be this 46 survivor. It runs and drives but needs some work to get it road worthy. It’s too original to molest but I picked up a 45 as well last summer with no drive train so I”ll probably end up putting a ls in it and update suspension , front end etc . Be hanging out in the pre 47 forum for awhile

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

The ratios in my t5 aren’t the greatest on the hiway I’m revving 2800 rpm at 60-65 mph and 1st gear is like a granny gear . I should of looked into the specs more before I bought it . I found a Camaro t5 last night for cheap so will swap that in as the ratios are much better . Also putting a set of camel hump heads, cam, intake and carb to help the 283 out

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Sounds like you got one of the 4 cylinder s10 5 speeds with the .8 something overdrive. The new combo for the 283 should be a good time!

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

That interior looks great!!!

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Yes it’s a 4 cylinder S10 tranny . The Camaro V8 ratios will suit this 283 much better

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Thanks !

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Made a couple changes on the 66 over the summer. Found I was down compression on two cylinders so figured I’d just yank it as I have to swap t5 transmissions out. I bought the 283 used and didn’t tear it right down before installing it, anyways found a valve seat popped out of place and a bent valve . I came across a nice 327 for a good deal so figured I’d throw the 327 in place and keep the 283 on the sidelines . Well ended up going right through the 327 as I didn’t want any suprizes. Pistons were in decent condition same with cylinder bores so I just gave it a good hone and new rings and bearings throughout. The thing was a L79 old school spec build pretty much , 10.5:1 compression, trw pop up pistons , 462 big valve heads , big cam, roller rockers and rotating assembly had been previously balanced. I put a smaller comp cam 262h cam and lifters in and had my 461 heads recently all rebuilt from the original 283. I'll get the big valve 462 heads rebuilt as I found a L79 short block while looking for other parts and build it up later for another project.

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Got some vette 2.5 ram horns to replace my 2” ones . Found a 327 iron Intake and a quadrajet carb that I had to rebuild. Had to modify the drivers side ram horn to fit my original alternator brackets . The vettes use a different bracket design

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Went with a 2.250" flowmaster you build it dual exhaust kit and dynomax turbo mufflers. The exhaust shops want around 2 grand for dual exhaust now.
Had to swap tailhousings from a s10 t5 tranny to my camaro t5. Then to retain my the top portion of my factory 2 barrel air cleaner i found a older 4 barrel base and cut it out to fit a newer style quadrajet riser and I was back in buisness

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Really happy with the 327 and camaro T5 . The camaro ratios are night and day better and the little mouse engine rips and revs so quick . I’m revving 2100 rpm at 75 mph and no lugging, 3:73 rear ratio and 28" tires

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Nice work! The fresh 327 looks really good in there. Did you use a rattle can to paint it?

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

No its a Nason single stage paint. I took my bell housing to paint shop and they got a fairly close match from the original grey paint that was on there.

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

That makes sense, thanks