Eagletucky's 61, 65 & 66 build thread

[Eagletucky]

Hey Guys,

I started a project about a month ago. I've been lurking alot here during the day, and tearing down trucks at night when time allows. With a wife and 2 children, sometimes its hard to get to the garage, but I make time when I can.

Anyhow, here's what I started with:



Its a 1965 GMC. I bought it on Craigs List. Came with a 1966 GMC parts truck (never got pics of it) Thought I would just get it running and drive as is. Found that the 305 V6 might be more that I wanted to deal with, I opted to go in a different direction.



I bought this 2 two weeks later. Its a short bed frame (which is what I wanted in the first place) and has a 235 installed. The motor is locked up, But I just happen to have 235/powerglide out of a 62 Impala lying around, so I will pull the 235/4sp saginaw and install the new powertrain. This is going to start as a non cosmetic build, as I just want to get the truck together, get all of the bugs worked out, then make pretty over time. I dig the old, worn paint on these trucks and will wear this while I make my upgrades. I plan to install a 70's to 80's crossmember, with drop spindles, and springs, then install Jeep TJ coils in the back. I have a bagged car (1960 Buick LeSabre), and just want to static drop this one, I dont need it real low, just a little better stance.

This past weekend I sectioned the bed on the 65'GMC so it will fit on the chevy, here are the tacked together results:



We used a crappy $200.00 welder, so we only tacked it together. I have a friend who is a great welder coming over this week with his rig to finish things up. Hopefully, we can then transfer the bed to the 61 Chevy, and i can have the Junk yard take a way whats left of the GMC. I scavenged every usable part out of that truck, just to be safe.

The planned driving date for this beast is May 15, 2009.

Well, thats all for now, Ill post up pics when work is done.

Thanks to all of the guys on the site, I've learned alot in the month I've been a member, with lots of learnin' left to do!!!

[Alan's Classic]

Welcome aboard. Looks like you know what you want to do with it. Keep us up too date.

[Captainfab]

Lookin good!

Just incase you didn't know, the bed mounting points on that '66 GMC bed aren't going to line up with the '61 Chevy frame. You'll have to do a little fabbing/modifying to get it bolted down.

[Eagletucky]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Lookin good!

Just incase you didn't know, the bed mounting points on that '66 GMC bed aren't going to line up with the '61 Chevy frame. You'll have to do a little fabbing/modifying to get it bolted down.

Yeah, I found that out after I bought the 2nd truck, but It wont be that big of a deal. I should have done a little more research before buying the two trucks, I thought they were interchangable (boy was I wrong), oh well, live and learn!!

[retodd7711]

Keep us posted on your progress, with lots more pics!

[Iron-Butt]

Looks like a great start.

[joe231]

nice!!

[Eagletucky]

Yo,

My friend Brian came over today and welded up my bed, then we were able to mount the shortened GMC long bed onto the short bed framed Chevy.

Heres how that now looks. I'm pretty geeked.....





While my buddy was welding, Me and another friend finished the deconstruction of the GMC. Not much left to work with. Its time to sat Bye Bye to Big Blue......We'll miss ya!



Got the gas tank in, switched wheels & tires. Shes ready for a little pressure washer action, then a fresh coat of satin black on the chassis and firewall.

More updates to come!!!

[joe231]

Nice work!!!

[Eagletucky]

Alrighty then,

I was horrible at maintaining a build thread, but I have my truck as finished as its going to be this year. I bought a very low mileage 235 from a friend of a friend, plugged that into the 4 speed that came witht he white truck, painted the engine compartment, replaced all clutch and brake lines, new master cylinders, wheel cylinders, basically got the truck road worthy. Had to rewire the truck down to the basics.

So hear are the pics, feel free to comment.

Thanks,

[Eagletucky]

A few of the engine compartment....





Thanks for all the inspiration guys.......it really kept me motivated!

There is still lots more to do, but I'm up and driving...cant beat that.

[ol Curt]

Let me know if you are interested in selling that camper shell. I'm in Indiana.

[Eagletucky]

Back when I didnt know any better, I waded that shell up and took it to the city dump. I really wish I had kept it.

[jonzcustomshop]

like the early gmmy hood!

[joe231]

that looks sweet!!
love the engine compartment!!
looks like a blast to drive

[protrash64]

Looks like a totally different truck once you open the hood! Good work; talk about sleeper......you'd never guess it was in good mechanical condition.

[Corts60]

That's lookin great! I love that your keeping the eyebrow hood!

[63sbssbbw]

Looks great Et
I'd roll in that
T

[Eagletucky]

Thanks guys,

Funny thing is, I paid more for the hood than the truck!!!

I'm driving to a show in Louisville Monday. Its about 200 miles round trip. Wish me luck.

[Eagletucky]

OK, update number 3. I really am horrible at maintaing a build thread. The digital camers died, we just got another one. So, Here is how she looks now, with a 78' front crossmember and rear end, dropped spindles, cut springs, jeep spring and blocks in the back. It cant go any lower without major surgery. I 86'd the 235/4 speed for a 350/350. I also gave it a "fake patina" paint job so it would be the same color on all panels.









Thats about it. The cab on this one is awfull. I plan to replace that in the next month and start on making her pretty.

I'll try to do a better job on the updates.

Thanks,

[blackmopar]

nice lookin truck

[62gmc910]

Nice ride sweet work on the "old" paint

[joe231]

Looks super cool!!

[markeb01]

Wow a simple 3 step evolution! I wish they were all that easy!!

I dig the early hood, I let mine go years ago as the original owner damaged it in a deer collision. I'm curious what bolt pattern you are running, and how you got there. I've never heard of 5x5 spiders. They look great.

Also - how does is ride with the Jeep springs? Are they softer than stock or does it ride rough like original.

Keep up the great work and more pictures when you can. Merry Christmas.

[Eagletucky]

Originally Posted by markeb01

Wow a simple 3 step evolution! I wish they were all that easy!!

I dig the early hood, I let mine go years ago as the original owner damaged it in a deer collision. I'm curious what bolt pattern you are running, and how you got there. I've never heard of 5x5 spiders. They look great.

Also - how does is ride with the Jeep springs? Are they softer than stock or does it ride rough like original.

Keep up the great work and more pictures when you can. Merry Christmas.

I'm running a 5X5 bolt pattern. Mooneyes came out with 5X5 spider caps about a year ago. They are well made to boot. I love spider caps.

The jeep springs do ride alot softer. I dont have alot of room left before I bottom the rear end on the frame. I plan to c notch the frame in the next few months. The best part was I went to buy them from a craigslist add, explained to a jeep guy what i was trying to accomplish, he deducted that he colud lift his jeep with my old factory springs, so we traded straight up! score!

Thanks for the positive comments fellas. I'm on here a couple times a day, just havent posted much, but I'll try to change that.

Merry Christmas.