newby, my son just got aa 65 longbed
 

First off I want to say hi to everyone. I plan to pic some brains with my boy's new project. Now for the details. My son, who is 14, just bought a 65 longbed this week. He has big plans of what to do to it before he can drive next year. My first question is where do most folks go for parts? The truck has a 250 inline and three on the tree. It runs very good but has a few electrical gremlins and needs some body work. Nothing major just a few holes and dents and a new wood bed floor. My son has worked hard this last year to get the funds to buy this truck and I don't want him throwing money away on over priced stuff. He works 3 nights a week stocking shelves and cleaning up at a corner store near the house. He is pretty handy and learns fast. He has helped me over the last 5 years work on my 74 Bronco so I know he's up to it. Also, what books are a must for this truck? If anyone has any sugestions or helpful hints feel free to pass them along, and thanks in advance.

Re: newby, my son just got aa 65 longbed
 

Just keep an eye out of 1960-66 truck parts on threads, and constantly monitor the 60-66 forum for parts too. I used to have a 65 GMC longbed with the 305 V6 and powerglide. It also had air conditioning! Your best bet with a new wooden bed floor is MAR-K of if your looking for a cheaper in price wooden bed go LMC truck at LMCTruck.com and go from there. Or Do it yourselve with some pine 2x6's from homedepot!

Re: newby, my son just got aa 65 longbed
 

Re: newby, my son just got aa 65 longbed
 

Well for books, I would suggest shop manual for a must, and if you wanted to get into it a little more maybe an assembly manual. you can get them on amazon, ebay, truck sites, etc. And for the things i have bought for my truck which is mainly little things like tail lights, lenses, dome light odds and ends, Classic parts of america have been pretty low priced with some quality products. But theres other sites too, LMC, classic industries, ebay.



Hope this Helps. Should be a fun little project

Re: newby, my son just got aa 65 longbed
 

FAQ truck tech here on the forum.

Vendors Marketplace - vendors that support the site, post deals and specials, etc.. in there.

Review Board - review of vendors, ebay sellers, other members... both good and bad, service and parts quality.


Good luck.

-W

Re: newby, my son just got aa 65 longbed
 

lmc truck is the best place to get parts

Re: newby, my son just got aa 65 longbed
 

Welcome. Sounds like you've got a hard working, motivated kid there which can be half of the challenge on projects. I like checking the parts section here, C.L. has been a pretty good source also. I also like Classic Trucks. The books that I have picked up so far have been old shop manuals from auto repair places. I've gotten them for free because they just don't seem to work on alot of old stuff anymore and haven't used them in years. Have fun with your boy on the project, I know I have a blast when my 6 year old comes out to help and actually kinda knows what he's doing.

Re: newby, my son just got aa 65 longbed
 

I have had good luck with the Truck and Car Shop.

www.truckandcarshop.com

Some people on here have not had very good luck with them though.

I have also bought items from LMC and Classic Parts. Both of which were good to deal with.

Good Luck!

Re: newby, my son just got aa 65 longbed
 

i would say just stay active in this message board, in my opinion this is the best group of guys to know with a very vast knowledge of chevy trucks among other things. If you ask me this board is far better than any book you will ever find. And from time to time if i get really stumpted i will browse the 67-72 forum as well they are always glad to help out.

Re: newby, my son just got aa 65 longbed
 

I suggest an assembly manual for1963, then also the 1965 supplement book.

I have purchased from Classic Parts for 25 years and they are always the lowest price and pretty much all vendors have the same parts. I do encourage you to check with our board sponsor vendors first, they are a big help!

Great story and I wish you and your son "Happy resto-mod" !

Re: newby, my son just got aa 65 longbed
 

The shop manuals are available on Cd. Every piece of original literature you can get your hands on is helpful but takes away from the build budget. You can ask as many questions on this site as you like. Makes for great debate at times!LOL. You'll find your internet searches will almost always lead back to this site, that's why I joined. Also because I get to post as many pictures as I want. LMAO Parts trucks come in handy and you can sometimes recoup some cash selling off extra parts on this site. Welcome to you both and have fun.

Re: newby, my son just got aa 65 longbed
 

Welcome to the site ...best manual in the world is right here...;)

Re: newby, my son just got aa 65 longbed
 

Welcome from Iowa!

Re: newby, my son just got aa 65 longbed
 

Thanks for all the information and help and well wishes. This promises to be a fun build.

Re: newby, my son just got aa 65 longbed
 

Just so you know, we are all addicted to photos.
The more pics you post, the more help you get .....

Just kidding!
Hope you and your son have fun with this, chances are you will be building more than just a truck.

Re: newby, my son just got aa 65 longbed
 

Welcome Steve and Jed.
:welcome2:

You have to post pics or these guys will send you to time out. :lol
Jeds truck has a little history. It use to be the county coroners rig.

Re: newby, my son just got aa 65 longbed
 

Welcome!! This is a great place for information. Do plenty of searches and looking around.

It will be a fun project for you and your son.

Re: newby, my son just got aa 65 longbed
 

can't add too much to what the guys have already said...but if you want/need original replacement parts, you can check with Tony @ http://4-5-6chevytrucks.com/index.html....so far, the only aftermarket parts place i've had experience with is Classic Parts of America; and they were great

on a side note, good to see another person from familiar territory...i'm originally from Corinth, MS....my dad used to take us to Millington for the Super Chevy Show...i've also been to the Relaxed Atmosphere show there as well....i hope ya'll have fun building the '65, and definitely post pics when you can...it's great to see youngsters who take notice to the classics, and it sounds like you're son is a good kid who'll enjoy and appreciate his truck....should be a great father/son project!

Re: newby, my son just got aa 65 longbed
 

Re: newby, my son just got aa 65 longbed
 

Lets see if this works. Here are a couple that Jed had on his phone. The second one is him washing it for first time.

Re: newby, my son just got aa 65 longbed
 

that looks cool! don't see too many solid white ones....what are the plans for it?

Re: newby, my son just got aa 65 longbed
 

Welcome and good to have ya. If it's not yet clear, the FACTORY GM shop manuals and supplements are the only way to go. Whether in the form of a new cd or an old used/stained book, they are easy to follow and well illustrated from the first turn of the wrench to the last, on just about any task.
If you get stuck, just drop a line here and you'll have ten know-it-alls respond in a flash.
looks like a good truck too! Was it all white originally? Red seat or fawn? (the reds are rare!) - Good luck

Re: newby, my son just got aa 65 longbed
 

nice looking truck, dont look like it needs much or anything really, i would just enjoy it!!

Re: newby, my son just got aa 65 longbed
 

I bet your son lost sleep a few night so far dreaming of all the things he would/could do to it. I find myself still after 12 years doing the same. In the first picture, for the TN. the area this time of year it sure looks mild, grass is green and trees have leaves

Re: newby, my son just got aa 65 longbed
 

Nice solid start truck to start with. ;)

Re: newby, my son just got aa 65 longbed
 

It really is a good running truck. His plans right now are to pull the bed, it's rusted out, and put a flat bed on it, then paint the cab primmer black and polish the remaining chrome and paint the trim red. He want's to kinda rat rod it a bit. The chrome rims will stay. After that is yet to be decided. Thanks for the kind words and offers of help. We will be on a lot more come spring when the real work starts.

Re: newby, my son just got aa 65 longbed
 

Jed and I made some progress today. Pulled the bed and found a solid frame. The cab has a little rust we didn't know about but I think its fixable. Mostly the corners of the cab and door bottoms and one rocker.

Re: newby, my son just got aa 65 longbed
 

Nice Truck! Cab corners and rockers are both really common areas of rust for these trucks.

If you're looking to replace the metal I always recommend TopBanana. I got all of my repopped metal from them and had pretty good luck with it (well, as good of luck as you can have with repopped stuff).

Re: newby, my son just got aa 65 longbed
 

It's about time. Steve

Re: newby, my son just got aa 65 longbed
 

You need to ask Jed how it went. I lifted the bed with the tractor boom. I was closing the tailgate while lifted and Jed was balancing it when the side rail tore out. The bed fell on Jed and trapped his leg. All he kept saying is the bed is not on the tires (we set tires up to rest it on) It took me asking three times if he was ok before he said it was on his leg. I didn't bother with the tractor I just picked the bed up and yanked him out with one arm. He is OK but it scared the crap out of both of us. It could have been real bad. That steel plate covering the whole bed makes it kinda heavy.

Re: newby, my son just got aa 65 longbed
 

...WELCOME FROM SOUTHERN OREGON..If your going to get new sheet metal for your project
I suggest "GOOD MARK" they provide what seams to be a "better" grade of replacement part. most if not all are "imported" and will need some "adjustments"
GOOD LUCK...& HAVE FUN!!

Re: newby, my son just got aa 65 longbed
 

well...finally got the bed off! solid frame!

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Re: newby, my son just got aa 65 longbed
 

woops...its jed and i didn't realize that my dad had already posed the pics!sorry for the doubles!

Re: newby, my son just got aa 65 longbed
 

it's all good knucklehead:lol:

Re: newby, my son just got aa 65 longbed
 

Well Jed and I spent the day on his truck. Only 4 days till he gets his lisc. so he is antsy to have it on the road. Today he wired it for his amp and speakers, put a new battery in and then we put in new a bucket seat. (Thanks Dave, it looks great) All and all a good day.

Re: newby, my son just got aa 65 longbed
 

Looks like he is off to a great start! I might have missed it in my reading, did you say it runs and drives?
Get that stereo in there and working it helps get the motivation juices going, and the stereo is veeeeerrrrryyy important at his age!
BBW 1965 fleets are my favorite
http://i1326.photobucket.com/albums/...085D3FE153.jpg

Keep going Jed!

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Re: newby, my son just got aa 65 longbed
 

Yes, it runs and drives great. I think he has spent all most as much on the stereo as he did the truck.

Re: newby, my son just got aa 65 longbed
 

LOL DAD, "those things are important!"
Everyday/ week do a little something on her!
My wife calls it progress and as long as you are making progress you can keep it.
Jed has a greet solid
Looking truck to start with! Lucky guy! Keep going and enjoy!
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Re: newby, my son just got aa 65 longbed
 

Finally got the title in and got Jed's truck tagged. His second day driving to school it died in our driveway when he came home. Turns out the electric fuel pump gave out. Jed just swapped it out and it's running again. Funny thing about the title, it shows C-15 and not C-10. Could this be a typo or am I missing something? What is the real difference?

Re: newby, my son just got aa 65 longbed
 

Seats look great Jed, and guys trust me when I say Jed has his stereo ready and it sunds great. wish I could have seen you when your brakes went out at the store.:lol::lol: