Newbie with new truck
 

Hi,

I just picked up my new-to-me truck last night. Let me know how you think I did. It's a 66 GMC Custom Cab with the big back window and a 9' bed. Legend has it that this truck was a Forest Service truck. It is green under the white primer and brown hood. The sunvisors are green too. It has the 351 V6. I don't know if it runs yet but it's a nice unmolested survivor. I started to clean up the interior and removed two bags of trash from it. The dash came really clean as did the door panels. The bed came with a test load of crap for the dump.
I have been lurking and reading on this site since I started looking for one of these trucks; I will likely be asking lots of questions. My only plans for this truck is to get it running happily as a work truck for the house/family.
I hope the photos load.

Re: Newbie with new truck
 

Re: Newbie with new truck
 

I now pronounce you man and truck! Great find!
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Re: Newbie with new truck
 

Love it! I'm surprised that the forestry service opted for the custom trim. My forestry truck is bare bones.

Re: Newbie with new truck
 

Thanks all! Hey, how about "Chick and Truck ;)"

Update, I put in a battery and it cranks and turns over. Even ran for a few seconds. The PO says the timing is way off and so I think a tune up will set her straight. The oil looked pretty good for sitting in there for five years but we'll do baseline fluids too. It needs a brake job...no brakes! Thank goodness for the big e-brake.

Re: Newbie with new truck
 

Nice looking truck, congrats on the great find

Re: Newbie with new truck
 

OK Missy, Congrats! Nice unique Truck and Engine as well. Here is the link with lots of info on that 351E. Quite a Find!

http://www.6066gmcguy.org/

Re: Newbie with new truck
 

Wow, congrats! Us longbed stepside guys need to stick together, even though you have a GMC :). I am always happy to see another long step on here.

Seriously though, nice find. Let us know if you have questions. I will be watching your thread.

Re: Newbie with new truck
 

17.5" wheels?

Re: Newbie with new truck
 

Welcome neighbor, you`ve got a good start, glad you joined in the fun and we`ll help you spend your money...:lol:

Re: Newbie with new truck
 

Wow yet another one from Sacramento ! welcome aboard! Like Rich in the ^above post i too am from sacramento...there's a group of local guys here on the forum that get together and cruise to the local car shows keep a eye out;) good luck and hope to see you around!

Re: Newbie with new truck
 

Welcome to the forum :D

Looks like you found a fairly straight and solid truck. Once you get the timing set, give it a tune up and some fresh gas, that old V6 might just fire right up and surprise you.

Re: Newbie with new truck
 

Welcome to the site !!! Looks like a very nice start ... When you do the oil change , don't forget to put in a new roll of toilet paper ... :lol: I believe that should be whats in that stainless round canister on your drivers fenderwell ... A Toilet paper roll , interesting oil filter ...

Re: Newbie with new truck
 

Welcome to the boards. Nice solid truck. Should make for a nice truck when done.
Jimmy

Re: Newbie with new truck
 

Welcome! That is awesome you found a 351E, those engines aren't as common as the 305. Same stroke but larger bore. It's cool the truck has an old Frantz filter installed as well, you must have bought it from an old timer!

Re: Newbie with new truck
 

Welcome to the forum! Very nice truck you’ve picked up. The rockers, cab corners and door bottoms look exceptionally nice. Following up on what 62 Longbed said, the filter you have appears to be a Frantz model. Here’s a link to some additional details:

http://www.frantzoil.com/TOILETPAPER.html

Toilet paper filters were somewhat popular in the 1960’s. I had one of the Stilko versions back in the early 70’s, although I have no recollection of what became of it.

http://www.stilko.co.za/

Re: Newbie with new truck
 

Happy Thanksgiving, all!
Can someone direct me to some info on my wheels? I'm going to need tires and I like the stock (8 lug) wheels but I'm reading alot where people say they are dangerous(?)
Or can I just buy new tires?
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Re: Newbie with new truck
 

Rare find, custom cab 1 ton fenderside in great shape. This model is known as a 2500. These were built in much lower numbers than 1/2 and 3/4 tons. The wheels appear to be optional factory 17" 3 piece wheels. Not the most desirable of original equipment wheels.Only commercial truck tire dealers will work on them, don't even both taking them to a car tire place. I recommend finding a set of period 19.5" 1 piece wheels.With 19.5" wheels you can run tubeless tires and keep original hubcaps. Believe it or not, 8- 19.5" tires are approx the same diameter ( height) as your 7.50-17" tires. Any smaller diameter tires will not be compatible with your 4.56 rear axle ratio. Hopefully your plans are to keep it a functional heavy duty pickup.Congratulations!

Re: Newbie with new truck
 

Factorystock, thank you! I thought I had 3/4 ton here. How do you determine it's a one ton? I used the VIN decoder on 6066 GMC but must have done it wrong. Even better!
Can you tell me what year/model trucks came with the one piece wheels you recommend so I can start looking for them?
I forgot to mention earlier, the wood bed is now a piece of sheet steel.
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Re: Newbie with new truck
 

http://www.ricksontruckwheels.com/

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-u...800/image8.jpg
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-m...800/image9.jpg

Part# 3763465 Same part # from 1960-66
http://www.gmpartswiki.com/getpage?pageid=26784

Still exist under different part numbers till 1972 but could have changed center design.
http://www.gmpartswiki.com/getpage?pageid=22460
http://www.gmpartswiki.com/getpage?pageid=22461

List price $25.75 in 1960 http://www.gmpartswiki.com/getpage?pageid=27026

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-f...0/image0-5.jpg

Canadian Parts Book GMC disgnated by 9 before the series. yours would be the equivalent of a 930

GM part #2488004 (http://www.oldparts.com/GM/Truck/truck.html ) they have one hubcap listed.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K...0/image0-1.jpg

Re: Newbie with new truck
 

The 8800 lb gvw kick panel plate tells its a 2500 model. You will also see the 25 on you door pilar vin tag. The 19.5" wheels were optional on 3/4 and 1 tons from the late 50's to late 60's. Can be found on these era pickups but are more common on 4X4's and bread trucks, some old UPS trucks.Best place to look is an old wrecking yard or large swap meet (were I found my set). Any build sheet under seat? I believe your truck was originally bought to haul an "alaskan" type camper.These campers were built in 9' lengths and were heavy and you needed a 1 ton to carry it. The custom cab, large rear window,351 v6 and optional "bus type" mirrors are clues it may have been used recreational vehicle for the original owners.

Re: Newbie with new truck
 

Thanks, no build sheet, unfortunately.

Who is Kat? Not me.

I'll update here once we spend some time on the engine and brakes.
Maybe some more pics too.

NOOB much?
 

Guys I am sorry but I keep coming up with questions. Can you tell I am not cooking Thanksgiving today?

-Can anyone recommend a good service book/shop manual to buy for this thing?
-OK, I have the toilet paper oil filter up top, apparently still hooked up, but I have a standard looking blue spin on filter underneath the motor, on the drivers side? Are there two filters in this truck or do you guys need pics to see what I am referring too? (It's raining)
-What kind of oil goes in the tranny and rear end? Gear oil?
-Finally, my buddy is talking to me about the points system. He is asking whether you can get a Pertronix solid state points kit for my distributor or whether it's even worth it.

Thanks again for all the help. I'll get better at mining the forum for answers over time.

Re: Newbie with new truck
 

Reproduction or Original Shop Manuals, Ebay

http://motors.shop.ebay.com/i.html?_...506.m270.l1313

19.5" wheels:
Chev/GMC have a 4.5" center bore.
Dodge/Ford have a 4.77" center bore.

Re: Newbie with new truck
 

Welcome, i see you have the custom cab trim also. Sweet!