66 shorty step Easy project....what was I thinking?
 

OK boys and girls, gather round for what is sure to be an entertaining adventure in the life of wtf have I done?! AGAIN! So I stumbled across this site while looking for info on my other build (46 chevy 1/2 ton shorty) and I got to thinking...ok, that's when I should have stopped. (Me thinking is one thing, me doing is usually in my experience a bad thing) The 46 my Dad bought (46 being the year he was born) in 1969 with the intentions on leaving it to me.. Fast forward 30 or so years and...Well he did, he tore it apart, every nut and bolt, then he moved to Fl. and left me the truck...or pile of parts anyway...so this being part of the family is getting the complete everything treatment..as fast as I can move, which will take..years. ....A little background on me, I've got degenerative disc disease, so far I have 14 discs that are a complete mess, I'm 100% disabled, and my life is a constant mix of pain/nerve meds, doctors and a lot of time in the recliner on an ice pack. The doc's say sit in a chair and don't do anything..I say put a bullet in me first! OK back on track. So I found this site, poked around a bit and started thinking it would be nice to have a truck from the year I was born 1966!(I've wanted one since I was a kid and used to sit in my neighbors truck and pretend I was driving) Something that I can throw together and bop around in while I finish up the 46, then I'd focus on the 66...What a great idea!!! THAT day I checked out c-list and found a 66 shorty step about 2 hours away. It had been sitting for sale for awhile and I figure the only reason it hadn't sold was because in the pics it was missing all kinds of parts...well he had them in his garage so the wouldn't get ruined or stolen. ALSO the very same day, a 1987 chevy1/2 ton with a 350/700r4 2wd and an aftermarket 2 1/2" dropped a-arm kit, a dual exhaust set up with 3 sets of high end mufflers and a rebuilt 12 bolt posi to boot, all for cheap money....This all adds up to me to be a sign from GOD! This is just too good to be true...everything I need... the day I start looking...all for short $$...Well follow along kiddies, as soon as I can figure out how to post pics we'll be on our way. Keep in mind the pain, the meds, the back spasms, the weather, all of this and more promise to make for an entertaining ride :two:

Re: 66 shorty step Easy project....what was I thinking?
 

The day I brought this wonderful prize home

Re: 66 shorty step Easy project....what was I thinking?
 

The donor truck

Re: 66 shorty step Easy project....what was I thinking?
 

I was originally planning on a complete front crossmember swap but when my fingers went through the rot I decided on just changing out the a-arm kit

Re: 66 shorty step Easy project....what was I thinking?
 

First problem...as I was happily cutting wires to remove the donor engine a thought stumbled through my mind...This seems to be a lot of wires I'm cutting. That's when I realized it was tbi not carbureted as I was told. I was too busy google eyeing the suspension that I never even looked under the hood. I turned the key, it purred like a kitten, load her up. after further inspection I found out it also is not a 350 but a 305...so now it's let's find a new motor time. Since ya'll like pictures so much I'll throw one in of the motor and tranny coming out. Anybody want to buy a nice running 305 tbi?

Re: 66 shorty step Easy project....what was I thinking?
 

Nose and motor removed from 66, bed off, time to see what I've really gotten myself into.....errr anybody smart would be buying stock in cpp right about now :waah: I got lots of sandblasting and welding and parts to buy...yup, here we go

Re: 66 shorty step Easy project....what was I thinking?
 

Good to see you have graduated from Thread Surfer to Project Builder, and what a project you have there !!!

Too bad about the engine being a 305....although they were a fine motor, IMO they just did not did not have the HP to weight ratio to make them worth the time and effort to build up.

Despite your limitations, you seem to be doing very well at this.
If you have not read through Markb's thread, I highly recommend it for ideas on how to better utilize lifting tools you already have to achieve steps you would normally need 2 people for. He is a well seasoned veteran of this sort of thing !!

Good Luck on this, I hope you are in for the pound, since you already laid out the penny !!

Re: 66 shorty step Easy project....what was I thinking?
 

4 days of sandblasting, my c10 is now a c8 (shaved 1/2 second off the 1/4 I bet!) Thank God I only rent this place, I'd hate to make this mess in my own yard! I'm tore up from the floor up so I planned on a relaxing day painting all the freshly blasted parts...However...weather now calls for 3 days of rain, it started last night. So I numbed up my back and my brain,headed out to the garage to paint the small pieces and found that while I spent 3 days blasting my frame, my compressor spent 3 days spitting oil all over my freshly blasted small parts. So...now is as good a time as ever to start my build thread. If you look close you can see the oil marks on everything. Looking forward to some input, criticism, laughter, whatever.

Re: 66 shorty step Easy project....what was I thinking?
 

That's it for now. I'll keep plugging away taking pictures as I go. Looking forward to any and all pointers, input, smack in the head, whatever. To the rest of you out there keep on keepin on, I'm reading your builds and stealin your ideas...some of them anyway. A LOT of very talented people here WAY out of my league but I'll gladly try to follow as close as I can. Hope you all have a great weekend.

Re: 66 shorty step Easy project....what was I thinking?
 

Murph, I read your build, took hours, actually commented on it today. Thanks for stopping by. I will read up on his post , thank you. I am so used to working alone having an extra hand sometimes confuses me, but if someone has better ideas than I've come up with over the years ( which wouldn't be too hard) I'm all on it. Thanks again and please , stop by any time!

Re: 66 shorty step Easy project....what was I thinking?
 

Very happy that you started your thread. Looking forward to following along. When I set up my compressor last fall and started to put oil in the feeder my buddy told me to not go there, it will spit oil all over the place. If it had not been for him, I would have been right there with you

Good luck with the back! You are a trooper for doing what you do.:metal: Having suffered through a ruptured disc once, I can appreciate how tough it can be and mine was just one.

Looking forward to seeing lots of pictures! Agree with Murph, good to go from surfer to builder!

Re: 66 shorty step Easy project....what was I thinking?
 

Thanks! I do my best. I just replaced the dipstick on the compressor and this one has breather holes.Don't know if the old one did or not it broke off so long ago. I had a sheet thrown over it before to stop the oil, thought the new dipstick would solve the problem. Then again all that sandblasting ,she was running pretty steady for awhile and heating up. Surprised she was petering out before me. I'm going back to the sheet for the time being. Thanks for tuning in, I need all the support/motivation I can get!

Re: 66 shorty step Easy project....what was I thinking?
 

Well I found out my "Rebuilt 12 bolt posi" is first, not posi, second.....I don't believe the rear is supposed to leak out the front seal like this.....I'm hanging on to it for now just in case I have problems with the stock rear in my truck. I'd hate to junk it , then have to buy one. That and thanks to Murph, I'm afraid I might need a fender, glove box door or piece of roof for some crazy yet ingenious mod. :metal:

Re: 66 shorty step Easy project....what was I thinking?
 

Whoof! Thats a project! Have you heard of that doc in TX that basically grows you a new disc? Pretty cool, 85% success rate. Saw it on tv, wish I had more info. He's at one of the universities.

Re: 66 shorty step Easy project....what was I thinking?
 

I'm in on your build!!!:metal:
Welcome to your new addiction...:bann:

Re: 66 shorty step Easy project....what was I thinking?
 

Can't afford 1 never mind 14! After my 1st operation they found out that I'm one of the lucky few whose body creates too much scar tissue, every 2 weeks another layer grows..slowly squeezing my spinal cord. I'm just lucky we found out before they did the rest of my spine! I thought I was bad now, I can't even imagine. Thank you though for thinking of me.

Re: 66 shorty step Easy project....what was I thinking?
 

Come on in, plenty of room! Thanks for the welcome, and yes what was supposed to be a quickie so I could get back to my main project is now becoming my new "Addiction" Always loved this style truck and am happy to have it. Let's see how good I do:ito:

Re: 66 shorty step Easy project....what was I thinking?
 

Great progress so far on a nice looking truck!

Don’t feel too bad about the oil splatter. The last time I painted my truck I was about ready to shoot the last coat on the left rear quarter of the truck when I had to stop for a paint gun refill. Like a complete first timer, I failed to disconnect the hose as I mounted the gun in the rack. After filling the cup with paint, I stepped on the hose and threw an entire quart of paint all over the back fender, cab, bed, etc. I’d classify that one as a three day mess because that’s how long it took to clean everything up and reshoot the damaged section. The picture doesn’t do it justice, it looked much worse in real life!

http://imageshack.us/a/img819/1739/spill02.jpg

That looks like a very cool front suspension setup. Do you know what brand it is?

One tip for painting small parts in bad weather – use a pair of heat lamps. I have two permanently mounted over the bench where I paint, and adjust the distance from the object being painted depending on what I’m doing. This also works perfectly for applying wrinkle finish paint. The metal can be brought up to oven temperatures before shooting the paint, which guarantees a uniform wrinkle.

They can be seen on both sides above these recently painted wheels:

http://imageshack.us/a/img826/8245/postj.jpg

Re: 66 shorty step Easy project....what was I thinking?
 

Good tip Mark, Thanks. I re-blasted all the little parts today and got them painted my shop looks like a Christmas tree with parts hanging everywhere. The front end is supposed to be a JDM 2 1/2" drop a-arm kit. It's relatively new, all new bushings and sway-bar. I'm leaving that off until I get the cab patched up. I figure it'll be easier to get around and get to whatever I need to get to.

Re: 66 shorty step Easy project....what was I thinking?
 

Great progress will be watching your build thanks for sharing. Had the same thing happen to me was told rearend was posi turned out nope.
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Re: 66 shorty step Easy project....what was I thinking?
 

too bad your running into such issues with your build, that being said i bought my 65 swb big window stepper i 98' and im just now as of 8/31/13 can take pics of a rolling chassis. Can you tell me how to upload pic i have tons but only from my iphone. Back to your build through the yrs i been staching parts from everywhere and i do mean everywhere, ive done my homework on my truck to the point i know where and how every nut,bolt,screw,bracket,brace etc should look and go. It gets to me sometime, but i think if u look at is as a time to enjoy and the friends,knowledge,respect for taking on such a project you get from such a build all the headaches will be just part of it,take from me, so with that said enjoy your build ad keep the pics coming...

Re: 66 shorty step Easy project....what was I thinking?
 

Everything in life has it's obstacles to overcome, normally I wouldn't have mentioned it but people here want details so I figure I'll tell the story step by step how it goes. That and after reading quite a few other builds the ones that start at the beginning and detail the step by step motions are more entertaining. It's kind of like having a journal that not only you but the rest of the world can go back and follow along watching a true novice learn and grow, making new friends as it goes along. Glad to know you know where everything goes! I have a garage full of pieces, can you draw me a picture of how to put them back together? :lol: Thanks for stopping by, come back again whenever you feel, the door is always open!

Re: 66 shorty step Easy project....what was I thinking?
 

Cool project and welcome to our addiction. I too suffer from degenerated discs but am still able to work full time. Hope I can make it another 30 or so yrs:lol: those obstacles you are encountering are just learning experiences. This really is an awesome site and with the help of all the awesome people and knowledge I am slowly turning one of my dreams to reality.
Keep jammin man:metal:
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Re: 66 shorty step Easy project....what was I thinking?
 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------For pics , go to Projects and builds, there is one tilted Anyone building a truck must read. Read the replies, one of them has a link to FAQ that should take care of you. Is there any way of downloading your pics onto your computer?

Re: 66 shorty step Easy project....what was I thinking?
 

Wow! nice to read about your story. Good luck with your build!
Subscribed..

Re: 66 shorty step Easy project....what was I thinking?
 

Nice going hope your truck comes together quick for ya

Re: 66 shorty step Easy project....what was I thinking?
 

Thanks, I was hoping for a quick build...but you know how these things go. Here in New England everything is rust, sandblast, what?? more rust, sandblast...wholes?? And then it begins. I'm taking it as it comes. Thanks again for stopping by.

Re: 66 shorty step Easy project....what was I thinking?
 

Thanks, I'ma gonna need it. I'll definitely be honing up on my welding skills. Thanks for stopping by.

Re: 66 shorty step Easy project....what was I thinking?
 

4 days of rain (weatherman lied again) I've been trying to do some cleaning in the garage it doesn't look like I'll be getting this done before the cold weather sets in. I painted up some of the small parts got them shelved for the moment. Today, clean the yard!!!! I've been like a kid on Christmas morning ripping this thing apart so there are parts everywhere that need to be somewhere else. I was blasting, stepped back , got hung up on something and next thing I knew I woke up on the ground with about 6 holes in me. :thud: Nothing Duct tape couldn't fix and I think I enjoyed my nap. :metal: So far it's only got my blood and sweat, no tears...yet, though I did come close when I had to pay for all the body panels I have to replace. That's todays update kids, I'm cleaning my room.....tomorrow hopefully something special.....you'll just have to wait and see. Until then , keep on Truckin' :metal:

Re: 66 shorty step Easy project....what was I thinking?
 

Ever seen one leak out the front like that? I had the truck on the trailer bouncing around and it had no shocks in it, do you think that could have caused the front seal to tear up? I've never heard of it but it wasn't leaking when I winched it up onto the trailer. When I got home and started rolling it off, as soon as it hit an angle it was pissing out NEW fluid. The kid swears it was just rebuilt by some shop, hence the new fluid....but then again he lied about everything else so???? I jacked it up, everything seems tight, definitely not posi. but it was tight, had fresh fluid and was not the original.....I just don't know if it's worth keeping for any reason. What's killing me is I just trashed a 12 bolt posi from a 70 nova that had been sitting in my yard for years and I do believe that would have fit this truck...

Re: 66 shorty step Easy project....what was I thinking?
 

Ok so it rained AGAIN, STILL, so things didn't go as planned. Onward and downward. I picked my Avalanche up from the shop where I had had both knock sensors, harness and intake gaskets replaced. Next day check engine light...problem with voltage on 2nd regulator I believe. I of course had bought all these parts online to save some $$ so I couldn't just run down the street and get it replaced. Sent away got another sensor and had it installed. I picked up the truck yesterday and on the way home my check engine light comes on again, same thing...any ideas???

Re: 66 shorty step Easy project....what was I thinking?
 

I know how that goes....things not going as planned....

At least you have a garage to clean....I don't, which makes the weatherman a very important person to me...as long as he's right...lol

sorry to hear your issues with the avalanche too....do you have a scanner? what code is it popping?

Re: 66 shorty step Easy project....what was I thinking?
 

i have an idea on newer better vehicles with all that fancy stuff, junk it!!! just kidding the more i've gotten into my 65stepper and other builds i find its so simple and will outlast most things on the road and with a couple of turns of a flathead its fixed. but maybe its your fuel choice or something with ur spark, too many littles sensors will drive you crazy... hope u get it handled ps i can download the pics, but when i try to email or upload my 5yr old pooter just says error and if i had a road map to putting ur truck back together u would end up in china with all the twists and turns, as a matter of fact im heading to Ky. next month for some original bumpers for my project hopes its a good source if it turns out to be i'll share with ya....
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Re: 66 shorty step Easy project....what was I thinking?
 

I finally got around to checking out your build thread. Too bad about the donor engine, but hopefully the 700r4 is in good condition.....plus you got that cool front suspension. The differential likely just needs a pinion seal, and possibly a speedy-sleeve on the yoke.

Re: 66 shorty step Easy project....what was I thinking?
 

Welcome aboard. Yes I did get some good parts, I always see the silver lining. As far as the rear goes I'm only hanging on to it until I find out if my original is good. If I need it...then I'll be fixing it. Glad you stopped by, I welcome any and everybody's input, come by anytime.

Re: 66 shorty step Easy project....what was I thinking?
 

I agree. The worst part is if you rip off all the "pollution control" crap the car runs cleaner and gets better gas mileage, how screwed up is that? Follow the money...Going all the way to Ky.? wouldn't re-plating yours be cheaper? Or do you not have any? I have my originals in good shape and for now they're going back on as clean as I can get them. My truck is going to be a door-slammer not a show truck...I don't want a show truck I'll scratch the paint or get a ding in it and I don't want to have to worry about it all the time. It will be a darn nice driver though :metal:

Re: 66 shorty step Easy project....what was I thinking?
 

Hey don't look at my build thread or you will think I'm a (insert derogatory word of your choice here). The first truck I bought was rusty so I got another one. The first ones looking better after seeing your build!haha!

Stick with it. It seems like you are having a blast:metal: Sitting on your wallet will be far worse for you than crawling all over that ol' truck(as long as you've had your Tetanus shot).

As far as that rear end goes, did you have the pinion pointed down for quite a while when you were moving it around? It's pretty common for them to leak in that position since they spend many years relatively horizontal. At the very least since most of the juice is gone you might as well see what's inside so you know what you got. Sooner or later gear ratios will be important and you might have exactly what you need sitting right there leaving reminders all over the place.
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Re: 66 shorty step Easy project....what was I thinking?
 

Yes, I am having a blast (sandblast haha) and you're right sitting on my wallet is getting far easier since I started working on this truck, most likely because it is getting so much thinner. The rear end was supposed to be a rebuilt 12 bolt in an 87 pickup. It's in my donor, I'm not concerned with fixing it unless I need it. Tetanus shot??? I eat rust for breakfast!:lol:

Re: 66 shorty step Easy project....what was I thinking?
 

naw its a show stopper daily driver, the only reason im buying new one cuz my got swiped from the side of my garage i left em out side to get some real patina on then brackets and all both front and back bumpers man i was pissed!!!! but were doing a road trip anyway so i figure stop by Ky on the way, i been following others leads of course but this is "maybe" a sure thing. ima have my lady show me how to load my pics sorry lack of the starting of my build cuz when i started smart phones were just a dream and we internet was only dial up, but i'll show what i do have in my phone til next time keep em old school.
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Re: 66 shorty step Easy project....what was I thinking?
 

Ok, done sandblasting.....now what?........This is what's left....