Shrunken66Stroker's build thread.
 

I'm going to start from the beginning to give you guys a sense of how far this project has come. My Grandfather bought this truck off the lot in 66 along with a chevelle for my Grandmother. I think he must have run into some money to buy both of them at the same time. The chevelle is currently sitting in my Dad's driveway in pristine unrestored condition. It has the original 283, powerglide and only about 70,000 miles on it. That's my next project if I can talk him out of it. Back to the truck.
This truck sat broken down in my yard from the time I was in middle school till I was 21. My Dad and I put a rebuild small block in and I drove it around the country. 30,000 miles later I finally moved into a house with an empty two car garage out back. This was 2 years ago in January 09'. I started stripping it down to the frame immediately. Once the frame was bare metal I decided to convert it from a long to a short bed. With some help from my Brother and Dad, we cut 20 inches out of the frame and the bed. I ordered up the Air Ride Strong Arm kit for the front and back along with a four wheel disc brake set up from Baer. After the bags and brakes were on I put the cab back on the truck and started cutting rust out of the floor board, kick panels and rocker panels. I patched the floors on both sides and moved to the front fenders. I bought new ones but have since decided to cut them up and patch the original fenders. When you get a part for your truck and it has a made in Taiwan sticker on it, it makes you cringe. Plus nothing fits like original sheet metal. I've done most of the hammer and dolly work and have gotten all of the panels pretty straight. When the front fenders are done I'll be ready for primer.
Right now I still have the rebuilt small block in it but I traded out the old 4 speed granny for a T-5 out of a Firebird. It's a good cruising combination for now but it's only a place holder for what I'm in the process of building. I've started a 383 stroker that will have about 450hp and will be bolted to a Tremec TKO500 5 speed. I'll probably have to finish the truck first with the engine and tranny that are in it now and swap them out later. I've had to prioritize since the economy turned to ****.
I'll post as many pictures as I can to give you guys a good look at some of the work that's been done. Some of them are from my phone so there a bit fuzzy but effective.
Thanks for looking.

Re: Shrunken66Stroker's build thread.
 

This is the TIG welded frame with the backing plate. Also, the sheet metal cuts I have from the 20" shortening.

Re: Shrunken66Stroker's build thread.
 

Looks like you have a very good plan and are going to have a very cool truck. Like to see more pics. Also nice shop / garage.!!

Re: Shrunken66Stroker's build thread.
 

The bed is welded up and is now a stock length shorty. If anyone is doing this make sure you brace it up tight before cutting the rear. Both sides of the rear come off at the same time and are connected with the cross sill. I used a piece of angle I had and bolted it where the tail gate chains go. I also braced it in the center the same way. When I put the tailgate back on the gaps and alignment were perfect... or as good as they were before.

Re: Shrunken66Stroker's build thread.
 

These are the brake and engine shots I have from after the install. The set up is from Baer and is not cheap. I broke the bank with these and my build has stalled because of it. Maybe I'll learn to budget next year. Running out of money teaches you things like hammer and dolly technique so it's not all bad sometimes. Elbow grease is free.
I didn't take to many progress pics during the middle of jobs but lots after each was completed.

Re: Shrunken66Stroker's build thread.
 

Cab on, rusty floor out and fresh metal in. Most of the time I'm working by myself which explains the cherry picker.

Re: Shrunken66Stroker's build thread.
 

I cut 3" out of the steering column to have a little more room to roam because I'm 6'3. I've decided to keep the bench because I can't seem to find a bucket that looks like it fits in the truck. I'm going to lower the bench a little for more head room when I get a chance.

This is how she sits now and brings us up to date in March, 2009. It's come along way since the snow shot.

Re: Shrunken66Stroker's build thread.
 

you have a great looking build project.i have never saw a 60-66 bed shortened the way you did it(most people just cut straight down),but it looks fantastic.great welding skills and quality metal finishing.i wish i had your metal working skills.will be sweet truck.keep up the good work.

Re: Shrunken66Stroker's build thread.
 

Great lookin truck.

Re: Shrunken66Stroker's build thread.
 

awesome build!! 2 questions where did you get the front shocks and shock mounts?and second where did you get the tubular trailing arms and crossmember i want to get all of that for my build let me know thanks

Re: Shrunken66Stroker's build thread.
 

Nice and build...and even nicer is the story behind both rides !!! That is way cool, and the only way to get them !!!

Looks like the bed was shortened like they did on "Trucks"....Similar ?

Great work !!

Re: Shrunken66Stroker's build thread.
 

Sweet

Re: Shrunken66Stroker's build thread.
 

All of the suspension parts are from Air Ride Technologies. Not cheap but I'm hoping it's going to give me some great handling. It'll be a while before I find out. Some day I'll be able to afford wheels.

Re: Shrunken66Stroker's build thread.
 

Yes, it's the same cuts and air ride. I'm trying to finish mine before they do but they have a better credit card than me. I'm bustin my ass to save for some rims and tires to get this thing on the ground. It's been on jack stands for almost 2 years. I think I'm going with 20" Coys or Torq Thrusts. Not sure yet.

Re: Shrunken66Stroker's build thread.
 

Wow nice job man. I will say nothing is cooler than seeing a truck in bare metal. Its kinda cool to me and that thing your working on is going to look awesome.

Can I ask a silly question thou? How long can you leave bare metal like that without it rusting? Or is the length of time realitive to the moisture and tempreture in the air?

Re: Shrunken66Stroker's build thread.
 

very nice!

Re: Shrunken66Stroker's build thread.
 

It's not a good idea to leave it in bare metal for long. I live in las vegas where the humidity hovers around 5-10%. I can get away with it longer than most but I'm still worried about it and about to shoot it with etching primer when the front fenders are done. If I lived in a humid climate I wouldn't be so lazy.

Re: Shrunken66Stroker's build thread.
 

Great job so far!! Keep it up.

That's a cool story behind the truck. Good luck in talking your dad out of the Chevelle.

Re: Shrunken66Stroker's build thread.
 

Thanks. I figured as much. All this metal work stuff is over my head. I"m a computer geek with a camera and trying to be computer geek with a grinder and a cut off wheel. ;)

Worst case I'll get tons of pictures of my mistakes. hahahaha

Either way I subscribed to this thread because its kinda cool. Your backstory was awesome as well.

Re: Shrunken66Stroker's build thread.
 

It doesn't have to be over your head. I'm a photographer not a fabricator. Over the last few years I've read, watched and learned as much as I can and made my own mistakes. This is my first real project. I just take my time and if I don't know how to work out a problem I search it out on the internet. I also watch youtube videos about body work, welding, etc. and apply it to my truck. Learn from your mistakes. If the panel you welded is warped or messed up, cut it out and go slower next time.

Re: Shrunken66Stroker's build thread.
 

the truck looks nice in sheet metal, front and rear baer breaks look great... sweet build!!

Re: Shrunken66Stroker's build thread.
 

Thanks, maybe I'll just clear coat it. Nah, it's going back to original white... I think.

Re: Shrunken66Stroker's build thread.
 

Since nobody else has mentioned it. Your avatar is freaking me out. hahaha

How low are you planning on sitting and what size wheels?

Re: Shrunken66Stroker's build thread.
 

in south louisiana i can't leave something bare metal for more than 2 hours with this 80-100% humidity!!

Re: Shrunken66Stroker's build thread.
 

That's my sand blasting set up. You don't want to mess around breathing anything in when you're blasting. Eyes and ears too.
It's apocalyptic.. that's what I was going for anyway.
20s. 10" wide in the back and 8.5" wide in the front.

Re: Shrunken66Stroker's build thread.
 

Nice build man and welcome to the board! It'll be awesome to see it sitting on 20"s.:metal:

Re: Shrunken66Stroker's build thread.
 

Thanks, I can't wait to get it back on the ground.

Re: Shrunken66Stroker's build thread.
 

Looking great man. Ridiculously nice setup all around. Love the Baer's , drivetrain, and Air Ride. I wish I could afford an air ride setup but it's just going to be sitting stock with 20's and blacked-out drum brakes all around.

Re: Shrunken66Stroker's build thread.
 

This is the column after I cut three inches out. I've had some how to questions so here are the finished pics. Unfortunately you can't see exactly where I cut but just make sure you don't cut any threaded holes out and you'll be fine. I hope these help.

Re: Shrunken66Stroker's build thread.
 

Very nice work.....looks to me like you've been doing it longer than 2 yrs. Looking forward to more progress.

Re: Shrunken66Stroker's build thread.
 

I got the driver's side together.

Re: Shrunken66Stroker's build thread.
 

Maybe I missed it, but what did you have to do to that fender?

Re: Shrunken66Stroker's build thread.
 

Man, your doing a fantastic job!!:metal: Keep the progress going and take us along for the ride.

Re: Shrunken66Stroker's build thread.
 

I bought a new fender on ebay and when I got it home and took the made in China sticker off I realize it was a piece of $#!t. I decided to cut it up and patch the old one instead of using it. There were all kinds of problems with the way the repopped fender fit. The holes on top didn't line up, it was too long, it made the door gap too tight and the seam in front was way off. I would have had to cut it apart anyway so I just patched the old one and now it fits like it use to. I rest easier knowing that it's an original part. The bottom of the original was rusted out and the support behind it was rusted too. I cut both of them out and welded in the new brace and patch.

I actually used this fender to practice welding sheet metal a few years ago. I wish I hadn't done that but at that time I thought I was going to throw it in the trash after I was done with the build. I made about 5 cuts with a cutting wheel and welded them up. At that time I didn't know how to weld so it was a complete warped mess. Lesson learned.

Re: Shrunken66Stroker's build thread.
 

:c2: That's some nice work. Obviously, the welding practice has paid off!!

Re: Shrunken66Stroker's build thread.
 

hey shrunken , what is your process of stripping the paint from your panels down to metal ? great build by the way !!!

Re: Shrunken66Stroker's build thread.
 

I've used all different methods. It's pretty much an experiment. I've had good results with paint stripping discs that mount to my grinder. They take of paint and don't harm the metal if you move them around. You never want to stay in on place too long and get the metal hot. Aircraft stripper works well. Messy process though. I also blast but not on large flat panels. I've used a DA sander too. Try a few out and see what works best for you. If you want to go down to bare metal then use the stripping disc or aircraft stripper. If you're just looking to scuff the paint and reshoot it then use the DA sander. A bit of everything is the answer.

Re: Shrunken66Stroker's build thread.
 

I agree on the fender......I think the re-pops suck and its worth the effort on the originals. After seeing LILRED66 posting up some body repair action I went out and banged on a fender for about three hours and I'll be damned if I didnt get about 95% of it looking good. Just need the patch panels.

Nice job on your truck so far; its looking really sweet.

Re: Shrunken66Stroker's build thread.
 

shrunken:

Great build and awesome information and pictures. Thanks for sharing and keep the progress pictures coming.

Good luck with your project.

Re: Shrunken66Stroker's build thread.
 

This is an awesome build with a cool story to go with it. Everything you've done is sick! I guess that BHS education has paid off! :lol: Great job! I can't wait to see it complete.

I know what you mean about the chinese fenders. I have one on my '62 and it fits like crap. I need to do like you did and just use that fender for patches on a real one.