Bear's 65
 

I am brand new to this world and I have to say I am amazed by all of the incredible work that I have seen. It is also a pleasant surprise to find a community of people dedicated to helping each other. I am glad to be here.

My bio dad bought this truck brand new in 1965. He drove the heck out of it for many years, wrenching' on sprint cars around Northern California. I have many fond memories associated with this truck and the tracks we visited.

The truck has been sitting for almost 30 years. I've had it for 15 years, but I haven't been able to get started because of money, school, work, marriage, building a house, money, etc. The time has come.

Re: Bear's 65
 

Digging out

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Cleaning up

Re: Bear's 65
 

Welcome aboard and have a great time with your truck, cool history, and we like lots of pics...
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Re: Bear's 65
 

Welcome from the land of hockey pucks, maple syrup, and Neil Young:canada:

Re: Bear's 65
 

I think it is in decent shape considering how long it has been sitting.
I appreciate the warm welcome and I'm open to any and all advice. Because I've been around this truck my entire life, I'd like to keep it as original as possible-I want to save the exotic stuff for my next build. I would like to get this thing on the road by April (hahahahaha!) I plan on driving it several times a week when "finished."

Re: Bear's 65
 

oops. did I mention I was new here? honestly, they looked good upon upload.

Re: Bear's 65
 

testing testing

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I think I have it figured.
Famous last words.

Re: Bear's 65
 

I plan on making a new bed out of Cedar.

Re: Bear's 65
 

Many years ago, this door was t-boned. It has been drilled and pulled and coated with pounds of Bondo. This is the worst part of the body.

Re: Bear's 65
 

:welcome2:
All sorts of great info here.
I will be checkin on your progress.
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Re: Bear's 65
 

Thanks Bomp. Funny because I've spent the last hour reading, drooling over your 66 thread and I haven't even finished! I was supposed to be researching rear gas tanks and suspension, but I always lose myself in awsome builds like yours. You are a bad man-in a good way.

Re: Bear's 65
 

Was it a blue truck coated in red primer?
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Re: Bear's 65
 

Thanks........I think sometimes I am just too picky and get lost in the detail.

Remember: pics, pics and more pics!:)

Re: Bear's 65
 

I've only been at this truck a short time, but I think I ran into the same issues building my house. I think it's a combination of:
"I've come this far, so..."
and/or
"I'd rather take the time now then kick myself later."
and of course,
"I'm in love/addicted to this!"

Re: Bear's 65
 

Hi Shok, it was green. It's had that same red/purple primer since the early 80s. I'll post more pics.

Re: Bear's 65
 

cab is full of pieces and parts, dead spiders, etc

Re: Bear's 65
 

Probably the first time this truck has been inside since it left the factory.

Re: Bear's 65
 

The initial plan was to get this thing wired and on the road as soon as possible.

Re: Bear's 65
 

bed off. had to cut some bolts.

Re: Bear's 65
 

I will not be using the original color.

Re: Bear's 65
 

That color looks real good when done right. Here it is in a satin. I shot my truck in the speed blue today. It lays down and covers great.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...2at73206PM.png

Re: Bear's 65
 

In the other pics it does look like the green my truck was originally painted, for the time being I've rattle canned it with a green that's close to that hot rod flatz green. I like the look but I know it's not for everyone.
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Re: Bear's 65
 

It looks solid doesn't look to be to bad from the pics keep wrenching on it and you will be on the road in no time
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Re: Bear's 65
 

It's not my favorite color, but it does look good. I saw it or a similar color on a Peterbilt today. I'll look for picks of your speed blue.

Re: Bear's 65
 

Thanks Solo. Unfortunately, I am only able to wrench on the weekends. It's in my pop's garage about an hour away. Too much work and too much soccer during the week. But there's no turning back now.

Re: Bear's 65
 

https://picasaweb.google.com/oldskoo...80443236750146

trying to figure out these pictures. I've noticed my pictures are smaller. I've been uploading from the computer and now I'm trying to link to Picasa.

Re: Bear's 65
 

I've been taking pics, but haven't had a chance to post them. I'm trying to post a few each day. Here, we pulled the engine and got the frame out of the shop.

Re: Bear's 65
 

It's not the fanciest cart, but we made it with stuff we already had... and it spins as easily as an Ikea shopping cart.

Re: Bear's 65
 

Thats what I call recycling. :metal:

Re: Bear's 65
 

Cool build!

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Welcome aboard!! How much rust does it have? It looks pretty solid.

Re: Bear's 65
 

Hi Alan,

Some rust, but not bad. Some problems with the cab floor, but thats about it.
I haven't done much over the past few months, but I'll post pics of what I've done. Feel free to offer advice:lol:

Re: Bear's 65
 

Pre pictures of frame[ATTACH][ATTACH]Attachment 1112760[/ATTACH][/ATTACH]

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more pics[ATTACH][ATTACH]Attachment 1112766[/ATTACH][/ATTACH]

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post frame picsAttachment 1112777

Attachment 1112779

Attachment 1112778

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engine pic




Attachment 1112785

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not bad for a 20 year old engine that has never been fired.


Attachment 1112786

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cab pics



Attachment 1112789

Attachment 1112788