Need some advice... Just got started - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ct4613 · 01-23-2010, 02:35 AM

Just pulled my 66 into my shop this mornin, its been sitting inside my dads machine shed for the last 10 years, and i'm wondering, where do I start??
Dont have much money, just bought my farm last fall so I have a pretty tight budget now that i'm a homeowner. Here is my plan. Safety first. Ordering new brake line kit/drums/pads. Also new ball joints. I want to do a static drop, and my springs front and rear are shot. I've seen a kit with springs for front and rear, and shocks for about 600 bucks i think. THinking of eventually dropping it 4" in the front and 5-6 in the rear. So would the spring kit be a good start, and then buy the drop spindles later? Going to do the bodywork myself, i'm just going to clean it up and fix a couple dents/rust spots and shoot it with a flat black primer for this year. Last question for now. I traded for a set of 20" wheels that were on a 02 chevy half ton, that i dont beleive will fit on my 66 because of the large diameter center hub.(they are 6 bolt hubs on my 66) Does anybody make an adaptor plate so i can put more current wheels on my 66. Dont want to spend money on tires(mine are pretty dry rotted) if i can buy adaptors for these 20" wheels i have. Ok i'll stop with the questions for now. Cant beleive i waited 10 years to start on this!!! I think there are going to b some late nights in the shop. I work on dads tractors/combines/and other farm equipment all winter long, but its pretty hard to make a tractor COOL.

62gmc910 · 01-23-2010, 10:49 AM

Welcome to the site if you search around there is some stuff about newer wheels maybe check 70suburbans threads/posts he also did a 6 bolt disc with newer parts
Get pics start a build thread

**Captainfab** · 01-23-2010, 01:07 PM

Welcome to the forum

If you take a look thru the '60-'66 FAQ's at the top of the page, there will be a lot of info there to help get you started. One in particular is the "Front disc brake reference thread". That will help you with the wheel fitment issue and suspension mods.

**DPowers** · 01-23-2010, 07:05 PM

Welcome to the site and congrats on the truck. I would offer some advice to not tear it all apart all at once- but rather take it a step at a time so that you can drive it while you are working on it. Make your self a plan and write it down seems to help as well.
Oh Yeah- We want to see pics too...

robby5323 · 01-23-2010, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DPowers

Welcome to the site and congrats on the truck. I would offer some advice to not tear it all apart all at once- but rather take it a step at a time so that you can drive it while you are working on it. Make your self a plan and write it down seems to help as well.
Oh Yeah- We want to see pics too...

I second this... Do it like you eat an elephant.... One bite at a time...

BMSJaX · 01-24-2010, 12:58 AM

Ya dont rip it apart. I did this once thinkin it would be easier... two years later I scrapped the car. I would start with replacing all brake components, adding a '70 Impala dual line(drum/drum) brake master cyl. Then I would suggest the wiring. I find it easier to get the wiring repaired/replaced first, including running wiring for upcoming additions(HEI, electric fan, radio, better headlights, etc) that way your not constantly chasin gremlins or having to run wire here and there and splice into that line... oops that was a ground not a power etc.

**Chevy Fleetside** · 01-24-2010, 01:10 AM

Geeez what ever happen to...

You guys used to just jump at it..

**Captainfab** · 01-24-2010, 01:42 AM

Well since Joe231 went to "the other side" he isn't here to enforce it as much.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chevy Fleetside

Geeez what ever happen to...

You guys used to just jump at it..

Slow Build · 01-24-2010, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ct4613

Ordering new brake line kit/drums/pads. Also new ball joints. I want to do a static drop, and my springs front and rear are shot. I've seen a kit with springs for front and rear, and shocks for about 600 bucks i think. THinking of eventually dropping it 4" in the front and 5-6 in the rear. So would the spring kit be a good start, and then buy the drop spindles later?

As long as you understand that when you put drop spindles on later you will need to change to disk brakes in front. Anything that you do front drum brake-wise now will be removed later.

*LILRED66* · 01-24-2010, 03:09 AM

Welcome to the forums from Kansas City, KS and congrats on getting started on your '66. Pics are good, but a good plan is important to keep you and your project on track. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

01-23-2010, 02:35 AM	#1
ct4613 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Fairmount, North Dakota Posts: 10	Need some advice... Just got started Just pulled my 66 into my shop this mornin, its been sitting inside my dads machine shed for the last 10 years, and i'm wondering, where do I start?? Dont have much money, just bought my farm last fall so I have a pretty tight budget now that i'm a homeowner. Here is my plan. Safety first. Ordering new brake line kit/drums/pads. Also new ball joints. I want to do a static drop, and my springs front and rear are shot. I've seen a kit with springs for front and rear, and shocks for about 600 bucks i think. THinking of eventually dropping it 4" in the front and 5-6 in the rear. So would the spring kit be a good start, and then buy the drop spindles later? Going to do the bodywork myself, i'm just going to clean it up and fix a couple dents/rust spots and shoot it with a flat black primer for this year. Last question for now. I traded for a set of 20" wheels that were on a 02 chevy half ton, that i dont beleive will fit on my 66 because of the large diameter center hub.(they are 6 bolt hubs on my 66) Does anybody make an adaptor plate so i can put more current wheels on my 66. Dont want to spend money on tires(mine are pretty dry rotted) if i can buy adaptors for these 20" wheels i have. Ok i'll stop with the questions for now. Cant beleive i waited 10 years to start on this!!! I think there are going to b some late nights in the shop. I work on dads tractors/combines/and other farm equipment all winter long, but its pretty hard to make a tractor COOL. Last edited by ct4613; 01-23-2010 at 02:37 AM.

01-23-2010, 10:49 AM	#2
62gmc910 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Cremona AB Canada Posts: 370	Re: Need some advice... Just got started Welcome to the site if you search around there is some stuff about newer wheels maybe check 70suburbans threads/posts he also did a 6 bolt disc with newer parts Get pics start a build thread __________________ 62 GMC 910 short fleetside 454 super t10 14 bolt w/gov lock 70s c20 front discs (built in the 80s) 65 GMC 930 dualwheel 292 4spd all origonal 39k mi(my sons truck) 63 GMC 950 camperized school bus, (Gus the bus) 350 4speed 2 speed rear 64 GMC 950 "spare" bus 283? 4speed detroit locker 53 GMC 1ton dual wheel bus 78 GMC c25 short course off road race truck(son's truck) 355 th400 14 bolt (www.wheel2wheel.ca) 88 Peterbilt 379 longhood (hauls race truck) Last edited by 62gmc910; 01-23-2010 at 11:01 PM.

01-23-2010, 01:07 PM	#3
Captainfab 60-66 Nut Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Posts: 23,252	Re: Need some advice... Just got started Welcome to the forum If you take a look thru the '60-'66 FAQ's at the top of the page, there will be a lot of info there to help get you started. One in particular is the "Front disc brake reference thread". That will help you with the wheel fitment issue and suspension mods. __________________ Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE Last edited by Captainfab; 01-23-2010 at 01:08 PM.

01-23-2010, 07:05 PM	#4
DPowers One foot in front of the other Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Parrottsville, TN Posts: 5,442	Re: Need some advice... Just got started Welcome to the site and congrats on the truck. I would offer some advice to not tear it all apart all at once- but rather take it a step at a time so that you can drive it while you are working on it. Make your self a plan and write it down seems to help as well. Oh Yeah- We want to see pics too...

01-24-2010, 12:58 AM	#6
BMSJaX Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Trabuco Canyon, CA Posts: 173	Re: Need some advice... Just got started Ya dont rip it apart. I did this once thinkin it would be easier... two years later I scrapped the car. I would start with replacing all brake components, adding a '70 Impala dual line(drum/drum) brake master cyl. Then I would suggest the wiring. I find it easier to get the wiring repaired/replaced first, including running wiring for upcoming additions(HEI, electric fan, radio, better headlights, etc) that way your not constantly chasin gremlins or having to run wire here and there and splice into that line... oops that was a ground not a power etc. __________________ 1964 Chevy C10 a.k.a. Julie Ann H.E.I. cause its better to be pointless

01-24-2010, 01:10 AM	#7
Chevy Fleetside Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Francisco Posts: 4,782	Re: Need some advice... Just got started Geeez what ever happen to... You guys used to just jump at it.. __________________ "A man and his truck, what a beautiful thing" 65 Short Fleetside BBC 65 Long Fleetside 283 3 on the tree for now. my build thread http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=259536

01-24-2010, 03:09 AM	#10
LILRED66 Account Suspended Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas City, KS Posts: 3,906	Re: Need some advice... Just got started Welcome to the forums from Kansas City, KS and congrats on getting started on your '66. Pics are good, but a good plan is important to keep you and your project on track. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.



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