66 c10 big window shortbed dropmember build up.
 

Well everyone it's been awhile since I've been here. But I finally bought a project that brings back all the good memories of my child hood and teenage years. So with a wife and house and an almost 6 year old son that I adore I am off on a quest to make the truck of my dreams or close to it.

So on to the build. First of I did it a little backwards, I ordered a full porterbuilt extreme dropmember and complete rear assembly with uni steer and control arms and spindles.ok so this doesn't sound bad but..... I don't even have a truck yet! But my thinking is, in the 6-12 weeks it's on order I can find a truck and have it before that stuff gets here.

So 3 days after I ordered that stuff, it's now June 4 I found the truck I've been looking for but it's almost 4 hours away. So I tell the boss I'm taking a half day vacation and left with the trailer... 3 hours and 35 min later and countless weekend trips and has tanks and dozens of trucks I show up to see the truck I've been searching for. A 1966 shortbed fleetside big window. Pretty complete and all 6 cylinder 3 on the tree and wellllll to say the least a little worse for ware.

So I'll show you some pics of when I got home after a 4 hour trip home. Stop to get fuel and took some pics.as soon as I figure it out.

Re: 66 c10 big window shortbed dropmember build up.
 

Congrats on the new purchase. Always glad to see more NC trucks here!!!

Re: 66 c10 big window shortbed dropmember build up.
 

Thanks glad to be here.

Well it's been 10 days since I've bought this and finally took some more pics. Yesterday I got the cab and doors stripped down and off the frame and the engine and tranny out. Hopeing that weather holds out for the upcoming weekend to have the cab dustless blasted along with both bedside and some small parts.
Looking at the frame sitting in the garage I noticed the left front rail had a slight 1/4" down from the right side. Talked to my frame guy today at work and hopefully can get that straightened out before I finish striping it down.

Re: 66 c10 big window shortbed dropmember build up.
 

Another of the doors ready for blasting

Re: 66 c10 big window shortbed dropmember build up.
 

Well here's some pics of when I first bought it.. I like doing things backwards.

Re: 66 c10 big window shortbed dropmember build up.
 

Right side

Re: 66 c10 big window shortbed dropmember build up.
 

Why they stopped driving it.

Re: 66 c10 big window shortbed dropmember build up.
 

Saturday drove a couple hours and had the cab, bedsides, doors dustless blasted. Wow that stuff really shows what u think u have you really don't have much when it's done. It did a great job in the problem areas and getting in the nooks and crevasis. Looks like my doors are a little worse than I thought. Bedsides are decent and the cab needs the normal repair panels.
Early this morning got up with and epoxy primed all the parts I had blasted except one door. Don't know if I'm going to try to fix it or get another.
Also put the frame back on the trailer for a good pressure washing and frame pull to make sure it's all squared up and good.
This week was a good one for parts so far. I received the 5 lug axle swap, the complete front disc brake setup from cpp and a used set of front stainless windshield mldgs.

Re: 66 c10 big window shortbed dropmember build up.
 

Right side

Re: 66 c10 big window shortbed dropmember build up.
 

Cab and bedsides after epoxy coating

Re: 66 c10 big window shortbed dropmember build up.
 

Bedsides

Re: 66 c10 big window shortbed dropmember build up.
 

Frame ready to go

Re: 66 c10 big window shortbed dropmember build up.
 

Load of parts for the week :hot::hot:

Re: 66 c10 big window shortbed dropmember build up.
 

Should be a cool build!

Re: 66 c10 big window shortbed dropmember build up.
 

Nice Chevy Guy! Get after it, and I'll be watching.

Re: 66 c10 big window shortbed dropmember build up.
 

subscribed...

Re: 66 c10 big window shortbed dropmember build up.
 

Hell yeah! Subscribed!

Re: 66 c10 big window shortbed dropmember build up.
 

Got the aftermarket doors today from work, passenger side fit about as good as factory... Was kinda excited...went to put drivers door on and wow.. Wonder what blind china man crimped this skin on the shell.. It was so far off I couldn't even get enough to straighten it up with hinges loose... So I'll get them to bring me another and hope to have it Thursday... But hey I only have a half hour in it so far I'm ahead on time..

Re: 66 c10 big window shortbed dropmember build up.
 

how did you go about getting the bedsides off? the rear crossmember is spot welded to the bedsides correct?

Re: 66 c10 big window shortbed dropmember build up.
 

They have a short stich weld were the rear crossmember meets the jamb. Cut it with a cutoff wheel and the other small tack weld behind and below the tailgate trunions let go once the 4 nuts and bolts on each side to the crossmember were removed. Disassembled the entire bed in 1 hours, most of that was cutting rusted bolts and getting old oak boards out that were still decent.

Re: 66 c10 big window shortbed dropmember build up.
 

Well took the frame to work today and this afternoon our frame man said he'd pull the truck and make sure it was square... The best part is our frame man works for BEER in his spare time... So a case of beer and the frame was straight.
When I got home from work also received a package... Woohoo. Some Sheetmetal parts for rust repair. Looks like I have plenty to do. I thought I might be able to get another door this morning after returning the other but found out they had to order one and won't be in till next week. It's all good have plenty to do.

Re: 66 c10 big window shortbed dropmember build up.
 

Some parts

Re: 66 c10 big window shortbed dropmember build up.
 

Haven't got much done in the last few days, plans got changed lately as an elderly gentleman decided to back into the side door on my wife's car. So this morning I put a new door skin on her car and I'll paint it when I get time....;). It's a black car so a semi gloss black skin doesn't look to bad. Found a deal this afternoon on a 2 piece driveshaft with a slip joint setup that I can use when the time comes. Around lunch got the 1st of 2 high hump trans tunnels, whichever I don't use one of the guys at my work is going to need one next season when he starts his 66 c10. So tomorrow will be a day I can get up and do some work.hopefully.

Re: 66 c10 big window shortbed dropmember build up.
 

Didn't get as much done today as I wanted but that's ok. Braced up the cab a little and then cut the rocker off and inner rocker into the floor. Trimmed the front bottom post behind the rocker then cut the kick panel out. Didn't want to take the inner rocker out behind the cab corner but after trimming the cab corner the hole into the cab support was huge and fulllll of dirt..I took 4 pounds of dirt out between the rocker and cab support on that one side. But welded everyone back together and finish grinding for some filler. Spent 2 hours making this aftermarket rocker fit the bottom of the door.... Maybe I'm trying to be to critical as I'm use to working on cars with 1/8 to 3/16" gaps. So that's where I ended it today. Have to get some square 9/16 nuts for the front post to cab support bolts. Then I can weld the rocker and cab corner. I'll put a smaller floor patch into the center since I have to cut out for the high hump.

Re: 66 c10 big window shortbed dropmember build up.
 

Front floor and post