Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...
 

Hello everyone, found this forum when I began searching for an early 60's truck to add to the family. My current DD is a 90 Silverado Short Fleetside and I 've always loved the 60's GM trucks, owned a '61 GMC Short Fleetside in the mid 80's and regretted selling it... Finally decided it was time to return to my generation, I was built in 60 so...
In March, I considered buying a 60 apache off of a friend, fellow Tattoo Artist, but after an in-depth inspection along with research completed on this forum and price considerations, I decided to pass and found my 65 SWB Step side through another acquaintance. Truck had previously been gone over, PO had 350 and Turbo 350 tranny installed, '91 Burb buckets, and used a HIDEOUS black with rainbow metal flake paint throughout engine bay and various interior accents. Purchased the c10, minus engine, in April and immediately began the process of making the truck mine.
Been hemming and hawing over starting this thread, Thanks to Icewatercarter for getting me motivated to finally do this. I've posted replies and pics on the "What Did You Do To Your Truck Today" thread, and have finally stepped over the edge (so to speak)...
Over the course of the coming week I plan on bring this thread up to date, here are pics of the truck the day it was delivered...

Re: Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...
 

This is the progress made after two days, The truck was delivered on a Saturday, I had to work all day. Sunday afternoon we started on the truck and this is the progress by Monday afternoon...

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Plans are to do a Static Drop, swap to 5 Lugs with Disc/Drum Power Setup. Going to go SeaFoam Green with a base/clear and flatten out the clear.

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The truck looks to be clean and solid in the otherwise problem areas.

I like budget builds.

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Gauge Pod done up with Whiteout Gauge package, Valve covers after adding the orange accents, Serpentine Belt Brackets, Water Pump and Pulleys

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Not sure what happened, here are the pix

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2 outta 3, here is the Gauge Pod

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Guess I'm gonna wait for better Internet connection before I continue...

Re: Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...
 

heck yeah man, looks real good. i like the gauges, gives me ideas...and motivation. been lazy(broke).

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Thanks Rick
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Me and my Help in the midst of dealing with a stubborn Radiator Support Mounting bolt, ended up cutting it off, Front sheet metal, sans fenders, on the ground, The Son playin' LOW RIDE ERRRR!!!!

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After the '85 Crossmember installation...
My new used wheels...
After the dropped spindles installed and 1 coil cut from springs...

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'70 Chevelle Rear Spring next to OEM Spring...
New springs installed...
in lieu of a BFH I borrowed a friend's Snap On 1/2" Electric Impact. After soaking spring bolts in penetrating oil for a week, still had to break out BFH to tap on trailing arms prior to motivating the bolts with the Snap On beast... Waiting on tires to arrive so I can get back to a rolling chassis, then time to mock up engine and front end, then bed to check out stance, thinking I'm still gonna need lowering blocks...

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A pic of my '61 GMC... miss the old truck...

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your making some serious progress. i dont understand the coilovers and springs though.youll be done in no time at this rate

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I assume you are talking about the shocks, they need replacing, and I'm waiting to get back to a rolling chassis so I can put bed on to see how low the new springs settle with the bed weight. Gonna evaluate then on whether or not I need lowering blocks, then get proper shocks. Will post pic of stance this coming weekend...

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Dropped the old pistons and rods, along with the new pistons, off at the machine shop... Once those are back I can get the engine buttoned up, now I gotta get motivated on the firewall...

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Picked up the pistons Friday Morning, Today, got them installed as well as the heads...

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Now that the 350 is coming together it's time to get on the firewall and get rid of the hideous rainbow metal-flake black the PO had applied...

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BTW the truck is going to end up Peacock Blue like the firewall, Sorry to the members with yellow trucks, but the yellow has to go...

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I like your blue.
Here's the blue that has my liking:
http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/...65/image-2.jpg
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Re: Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...
 

Thanx LostMy65... Going to do truck in the same Peacock blue as the firewall and do the trim items in white with chrome bumpers, Interior will be same color theme. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/i...ilies/mmmm.gif

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Ordered the rear lowering blocks and my friend delivered a chrome rear bumper with brackets and bolts... Thanks Jon

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Over the weekend, I installed the pushrods, and mocked up the 350 with the intake and water-pump, then prepped and painted the heater box and radiator core support trim pieces.

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nice man that motor lookin good!!!

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Fast,,,,Fast,,,,,,,,Down right BLAZIN FAST. Watching the build and getting motivated. :metal::metal::metal:
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Thanks for the comments, very encouraging... enlisting some help from a friend soon to help with some bodywork. He's re-shooting his 70 Nova this weekend, I'll be installing 2" Lowering blocks in the rear and grabbing A/C parts from a '97 donor truck.

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Thanks Coulter, getting the motor buttoned up, got the oil pump installed and the oil pan painted and bolted on... had original manifold bolts, so when I tried to bolt up Edelbrock performer intake, couldn't get torque wrench on right side center bolts due to clearance issues, off to O'Riely's in the morning to get correct bolts.

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Installed the rear lowering blocks, here's the blocks installed and a pic of the stance before mocking up with bed and front sheet metal. Gotta get on the body work...

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Been focusing on some of the small stuff recently, got my adjustable track bar in, painted it and installed... ordered my peep mirrors... waiting on an exhaust manifold... still need to start some body work... been thinking about and researching wiring harness...
will post pics soon...

Re: Donz '65 SWB Stepper Budget Build...
 

looking good, keep it up! that motor is going to really stand out with that blue firewall!!

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Can't wait for the pics.:metal:
Trying to devote an hour a day to getting out to the shop.

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Got the Ram Horns blasted and painted today...

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Bolted on the ram horns and mocked up the carb and thermostat housing...

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Started painting the old beat-up aluminum wheels...

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Didn't get alot done,worked on cleaning and painting sway bar for frontend and adjusting the brake lines to work with the dropped spindles... Here's a pic of Kate hanging out while I play around with the '65

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Got the front sway bar installed... little by little...

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This is as High-Tech as I plan on getting with this project...

The 65 Plate that came with the truck the day it arrived...

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Pulled the Vent Windows and Window glass, ordered new seals and rivets. Getting ready to tackle Vent window rebuilds. Alan's write-up in the FAQ section is awesome. Thanks to all who document their experiences, gives me the motivation to venture into areas into which I have no prior experience.

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Received my Booster bracket from Captainfab, Thank You Sir! Mounted it, Painted the booster and prop valve bracket, extended the booster pushrod (using the original pushrod as the donor) then mounted the booster and master cylinder. Time to plumb the brake lines...