NF65 new lwb build
 

Wel lthis will be my main thread for the build up of my new 65' C10. Its really not going to be a custom but I figured I would post something up cause we all love pics and build threads, lol.
Right now its a pretty solid platform to start with. The rust spots are nothing major and ......well lets rewind that, this morning while cleaning the P.O. trash out, in the passenger corner of the cab there was about a good handfull of rust colored sludge. I mean I couldnt tell if it was metal or gravel...but it was pretty moist, almost as if it just had recieved some water. I probed around and couldnt find any rotting spots, corners and rockers look solid, floors from underneath look good as well. I dont know, Ill have to take up the carpet and see whats really up.
Quick plans are to lower it on super junkyard budget, Chevelle rear springs and cutting 1.5 coils off the front. Take off the farm truck mirrors and swap for just a drivers peep mirror. Loose the whip antena, no radio so no need for it. Find some steelies and match them with some new red pin tires.(anyone know of a cheap tire source for those?)
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n...ewTruck036.jpg

Looks like this back dent was at sometime patched with a little bondo work. I think Ill be able to mallet it somewhat smooth though in the near future.
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n...ewTruck039.jpg

Ass view, bumper is coming off when I lower the truck. Anyone know why the old beds lopside like that?
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n...ewTruck038.jpg

Bed wood is just some make shift slats bolted to the steele rails underneath, functional so I dont care.
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n...ewTruck044.jpg

Re: NF65 new lwb build
 

Sweet looking truck, long bed is going to be baaaaad on the ground! As far as the bed being racked, loosen the side that is low, and shim it up with either washers or alignment shims and you'll be set.

Re: NF65 new lwb build
 

Front looks pretty straight gotta loose the Toyota lp frame though, lol!
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n...ewTruck040.jpg

Interior is OK, I really want to redo the bench. Anyone ever add new foam and cover before? and where you did you get your kit?
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n...ewTruck042.jpg

Bench
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n...ewTruck043.jpg

Im pretty embarassed on how sludgy the motor looks so when I get it cleaned up Ill post before/after shots.

Re: NF65 new lwb build
 

May sound like a stupid question, but are the armrests factory? What years should I look for? Would be easier to shut the doors with the windows up for sure!!

Re: NF65 new lwb build
 

:lol: ....the sticker is cool.

Re: NF65 new lwb build
 

Factory options, check LMC truck or the Truck and Car Shop they have them for sale. LoL, it is a bit of a pain to close the doors without them eh? Unless you have lil fingers to grip the window edges.

Re: NF65 new lwb build
 

For those with not so great eye-sight the sticker says " You have to be real secure to be seen in a car like this" lol.

Re: NF65 new lwb build
 

I wish my truck was as good as yours is, as far as the bed being tilted..mine was tweaked too, I added shims in the opposite rear corner and it fixed it

Re: NF65 new lwb build
 

Cool to see ya back NF65.......looks like a solid truck to cruise.

Re: NF65 new lwb build
 

The custom racing stripe on the drivers door is cool too!:burnout:

That truck is a pretty good start no matter what direction you want to take it...nothing wrong with that at all!

It did show me a new approach to the drop hitch I need to add to mine....I never thought about that and it's so simple!

Re: NF65 new lwb build
 

looks like a good start - sh1t almost exactly like mine - we even have matching psgr side bed side dents! good luck with it man

Re: NF65 new lwb build
 

looks like a nice start!
:cong:

Re: NF65 new lwb build
 

:agree:

Re: NF65 new lwb build
 

Today I took off the passenger side mirror, cleaned up the wiring under the dash, and snapped off the Toyota liscense plate frame =) Just these minor fixen's make a world of a difference! Now hopefully Ill get her lowered before xmas and find a set of steelies.
Not going to rush on the body work other than loosing the rear bumper. Im starting to like the way the paint looks...once lowered I think it will have that "weathered farm" kustom look. lol We'll see.

Re: NF65 new lwb build
 

My incentive to get my truck back going, is that my son wants to cruise Route 66 in it. I better get cracking. Nice to see you back in the game. I would say he has really been bitten by the 60-66 bug..

Re: NF65 new lwb build
 

Hahaha you better hurry up and get to it so you can enjoy the truck a little cause Im sure he is going to have the keys and impressing all the girls with the big block! hehehe

Re: NF65 new lwb build
 

Ok, so nerves have gotten the best of me...Im on the prowl for a new motor and trans. Current one is running good but just want something on deck just in case. Question for you guys though is do you think the 700R is worth the hassle of all the minor things needed for the swap or should I just go with a TH400?
Also can someone give me the run down on 200R's? Im pretty sure I will be going with a auto setup, Im really dig'n the 3 on the tree but once its done Im converting over.

Re: NF65 new lwb build
 

If i was doing a trans swap i would go with a TH350 or 400 and swapin some taller rear gears or rear axle cause you wiil probbly go disc any way???And again nice truck if we could find trucks like that here in the winter wonder land (wonder why we live here??) we would be doing back flips

Re: NF65 new lwb build
 

the 2004r is the exact same size and shape of the turbo350. most 2004r's will have a copo case that will bolt to chev, buick , and pontiac engines.
the 200 has a deeper first gear than the 700, and is why some are starting to use beefed up versions of the 200 in performance applications.
with some mods the 200 will hold up to big power, without they are fine with a basically stock,lightly modded sbc/bbc

both the 700 and the 200 will require a lock up kit for the converter.

I had heard that 700's don't like big torque, and it will eat them up after a while...I don't know about the 200's

Re: NF65 new lwb build
 

kewl sounds like a TH400 will be the choice. With this truck Im all about worry/headache free upgrades. She will be just a driver/parts getter. Although Im starting to feel the big block fever coming on we will see about that when the time comes.

Re: NF65 new lwb build
 

Good start kat!

Re: NF65 new lwb build
 

sorry Jon, I feel that I need to correct a couple of your points

not exactly, the shape is quite different, but the overall length is very close to the TH350 with a 6" tail shaft. The 700-R4 is very close to the overall length of the TH350 with a 9" tail shaft. But the location of the trans mount is different between all of them so you will need to move the cross-member to the correct location


700R4 has a 3.06:1 first gear compared to the 200-4R's 2.74:1 first gear.
the reason many prefer the 200-4R over the 700-R4 is the closer 1st to 2nd gear gap and slightly more of an over drive (200-4R has a .67:1 compared to the 700-R4's .70:1)

The 700-R4 can be built to hold 650HP and 600 Ft. Lbs of torque where the 200-4R seems to top out around 450Hp (not sure of the torque). These are numbers I have found online, in talking with a local trans shop that builds these trans for drag racers, he has told me the sky is the limit, all it takes is money

just for the record, this is what I have learned from my own research......How accurate is it? I have seen the same info from many sources so I believe the info is pretty close to spot on.

The TV cable adjustment and the proper angle on the carb bell crank is critical for a long lasting transmission. The hook up for the lock-up converter is as simple as running some wire along with a vacuum switch and a brake switch with 2 sets of contacts.

Re: NF65 new lwb build
 

Thanks for the added info Joe. The 700R is def intriguing BUT I see too many people having issues with their swaps. I personally am not that knowledgable on the small things needed for the swap to be correct...so right now I just feel more comfy with a TH400.
Anyone know of what axle gearset to look out for to get some good hwy rpms?

Re: NF65 new lwb build
 

no problem.

I think around 3:1 gearing would be an ok compromise.
I have 3.08:1 in my '80 with a TH350 and the highway RPM isn't too bad.
Unless you are going to make big power or run a big block the Th400 may be overkill. The TH400 takes more power to turn it than the TH350.

Re: NF65 new lwb build
 

3.07, 3.08 s were real common in late 70s 1/2 tons a few had 2.73 s in twelve bolts 3.07 /3.08 would probably give a nicer balance

Re: NF65 new lwb build
 

:devil: muwhahahahahahaha! 454 might be going in. Seriously contemplating the swap now that I know drill and procedure. The lil 350 feels peppy with the manual behind it but theres just something about the torque of a bbc! hahhahaha! I love it!:burnout:

Re: NF65 new lwb build
 

Those WIDE rocker covers can be addictive

Re: NF65 new lwb build
 

Just cruise'n around town today with my girl and feel'n the truck out some more. 2 quick questions though. Do any of you guys add water wetter to your radiator? Also, where does your oil pressure guage sit at idle? Right now mine is sitting one mark above 0 and then in regular driving it stays in the middle...is this normal? Last trucks pressure guage didnt work so Im not sure where it should be. Heres a short vid and couple pics of me and my girl.


Enjoying a morning drive in my truck
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n...ewtruck006.jpg

My lil co-driver.
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n...ewtruck009.jpg

Re: NF65 new lwb build
 

awesome truck
did i see an ac vent in that vid

Re: NF65 new lwb build
 

Hahahaha, nah no AC..theres a working heater though. I think what you saw was my vacum/gas milage guage!

Re: NF65 new lwb build
 

oh :haha:

Re: NF65 new lwb build
 

my oil guage does exactly that...
It freaks me out every time I look at it and it is hovering on the first mark, but when there is a load on the motor it stays in the middle. mine is a 283 2bbl 65.

Re: NF65 new lwb build
 

Thats a relief. I was getting a tad worried for a sec. Tempted to get a mechanical guage but I really dont want to touch anything unless needed. Hell Im almost too sketched on even cleaning the gunked up engine bay cause maybe all of its whats holding everything in place! :lol:

Re: NF65 new lwb build
 

Well you looked happy anyway... :c2:

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Know the feeling. These rigs all have spirits and get used to doing things their own way, and sometimes if you mess with that routine they turn on you like a snake!

Mac. :mm:

Re: NF65 new lwb build
 

Exactly Mac, thats what Im thinking. Mechanically Im just going to keep her oil thirst quenched and make sure I can stop. Going to slowly piece together a new motor and trans for when the times comes for it to want to show that spirit! lol

Re: NF65 new lwb build
 

Your not enjoyin' that truck are ya???
The drop in oil pressure is normal for a chevy engine , they have a gear pump and its pressure curve is not linear and at idle it is common to drop to 15 psi or so
watch the guage when you let off the gas cruising the press will jump up a couple of pounds when the engine unloads (the crank is close to the top mains under deceleration.
Also NICE to see the smooth gentle hand on the shifter:metal:
Down there where its warm all year you should be able to run straight grade CF-2 30 engine oil that might help if you have oil consumption problems

Re: NF65 new lwb build
 

When my truck had the 230 - straight six with about 220,000 miles on it, it had the same oil pressure. Never a problem - just didn't mash the throttle when the motor was cold. Probably would have still been driving it if it didn't get ripped off. The thing really ran well on cool evenings with that little one-barrel carb.

Re: NF65 new lwb build
 

yah still so far so good with everything other than the fact I broke my turn signal switch yesterday! Guess it just gives me another reason to visit the Truck Shop with my xmas money! hehehehe.
Holiday is really putting a damper on my progression of minor things like tune-up and lowering. Im not driving it hard at all though so figure if I baby it should be fine.

Re: NF65 new lwb build
 

cool truck cuzzin:metal:...as far as the bed being uneven, before you put shims under the bed you might wanna check the cab mount bushings as well...i had a similar problem with my 66. the bushings on the left side were pretty much gone and the passenger side bushings were on their way way out as well...kind of a common sense/easy way to double check-->park the truck on a level surface, use a yard stick/measuring tape at all 4 corners of the cab and bed and measure distance from ground to body...that'll give you an idea of where your leaning the hardest...