New to the forum from AZ

[mweishaa]

Was glad to find this forum, looks like a great place!

I'll keep it short, basically I learned to drive a stick on my dad's 1966 Chevy w/3 on the tree back in the early 80s. I always loved that truck. Fast forward many years and I made the decision I had to have something similar. After searching, I ran across one on craigslist that was rough on the outside but solid and ran great. It's a 1964 GMC 1500 longbed stepside w/305v6, 4 speed. Whenever someone would see it they would say "cool truck... does it run?" Well, I got it back from paint a couple of weeks ago so it looks like a real runner now. I have some things to finish up on it to get it complete, but there will always be something to tinker with, which is why I love it.

Enough talking, here's the pics:









The color came out great, but was a bit brighter than I was expecting. It looked much more subdued on the paint chip. But I love it, especially in the low light.


Bed wood is done, just not installed. It is painted gray, and the metal strips are body color.


Does this bumper make my ass look fat?
I'm re-thinking the white stripe on the tailgate, but will wait until I get a small plain bumper to decide. Those hideous trailer lights have been replaced already.




I already have new clear signal lights in. One of my big decisions was what to do with the grille, and I am VERY VERY happy with how it turned out.

[Clyde65]

Wow!, that is absolutely stunning! I love the color and the accents you put on there. I would leave the bumper, it is a large insurance policy against stupid drivers.

[nachodog2]

Welcome to the forum. My truck started out as a longbed stepside too, though it is now a fleetside. I like the stock a/c unit in your truck, the whole thing as a matter of fact.
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[yote1234]

nice! very nice ! and welcome from queen creek.......

[Warrens69GMC]

Welcome from Tucson - Nice truck

[glos55]

Welcome aboard mate! WOW Your truck looks great!!! Really like the colors, throw us another couple of pics of the tailgate before you paint over.

[61_FL_Apache]

You dont waste anytime making a GRAND entrance do you???

Well done and welcome!!

[Driveway Dreams]

Originally Posted by 61_FL_Apache

You dont waste anytime making a GRAND entrance do you???

Well done and welcome!!

I was thinking the same thing. Nice truck! Love it, very nicely put together. And nice transformation.

[CVA59]

Welcome aboard! That is one slick truck you have there.

[Dinos63]

welcome kat , nice work

[Muleman100]

Glad you are aboard

[LeftCoast32]

Welcome and Great GMC!!!

[protrash64]

from Mesa!!! Truck looks great with the new paint.

[66 lwb cs]

Nice ride welcome aboard

[losthope]

welcome to the forum glad you found us!! diggin the paint job alot!! i usually dont like those wagon wheel rims but dont look that bad on your truck..and the a/c looks cool in there, i need to find one...once again welcome and jfyi these guys here are some of the best guys ive met on car/truck forums on the web and love to answer and help so dont be scared to ask ?'s and we always love to see pics !!!

[wc63]

welcome from mesa. im diggin the ac unit, nice color too...so it looks like your pretty much done then

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by mweishaa

Was glad to find this forum, looks like a great place!

Welcome.

Yes, this is a great place.

It's the most friendliest forum I have ever been a member of.

[tazattitude]

Great looking truck! Nice colors!

[ChiefRocka]

Your truck looks amazing ... paint style looks perfect,

Welcome to the family !

[mweishaa]

Thanks for the warm welcome guys! It's good to see some other AZ guys here who are crazy enough to ride around in a steel box in the 110 degree heat.

I still have a list of things to do (I'm sure you are all very aware of that process) so I am sure I'll have some questions. And I'll be posting up pics when I get the bed in. Or maybe as I am putting it in, depending on how smoothly it goes.

wc63, although it looks much more done than before, I still have plenty left. Nothing too major though. If it were ever really "done" I'm not sure what I'd do.

losthope, I wouldn't say those wheels would be my first choice either, but since they were on there I think they worked out pretty well. Not sure how many options I have without changing out the rear axle/hub. I'd definitely have question about how to do that.

Captainfab, I've definitely thought about changing the gearing. One of my requirements for the truck was that it HAD to be a manual trans. But I don't even really use 1st gear at all. That will probably be a future project though. Again, I'd definitely have questions about that process though.

[Captainfab]

If your truck has the HO52 then you won't be able to find any gears for it. In this case you will be best to find a donor rear end. Either a FF 14 bolt or a Dana 60 will be a good choice, and will retain the 8 lug wheel bolt pattern. Some of these trucks did come with the Dana 60 originally. If that is the case, gears and numerous other parts are readilly available.

With the SM420 trans, 1st gear is not used in normal everyday driving. It is typically used when you need that extra grunt to get something moving.

Originally Posted by mweishaa

Thanks for the warm welcome guys! It's good to see some other AZ guys here who are crazy enough to ride around in a steel box in the 110 degree heat.

I still have a list of things to do (I'm sure you are all very aware of that process) so I am sure I'll have some questions. And I'll be posting up pics when I get the bed in. Or maybe as I am putting it in, depending on how smoothly it goes.

wc63, although it looks much more done than before, I still have plenty left. Nothing too major though. If it were ever really "done" I'm not sure what I'd do.

losthope, I wouldn't say those wheels would be my first choice either, but since they were on there I think they worked out pretty well. Not sure how many options I have without changing out the rear axle/hub. I'd definitely have question about how to do that.

Captainfab, I've definitely thought about changing the gearing. One of my requirements for the truck was that it HAD to be a manual trans. But I don't even really use 1st gear at all. That will probably be a future project though. Again, I'd definitely have questions about that process though.

[erock805]

Welcome from Gilbert...Truck looks good man~

all your answers are on this forum...so let er rip...

There are a few sets of 5 slot mags on craigs list right now..what kinda wheels do you want to goto?

[mweishaa]

Hey erock805,
I'm thinking something plain - like steel wheels, painted white (possibly blue), with moon chrome hubcaps. I don't know really, but probably nothing hot-roddish or chromey. I just don't see this truck as a hot-rod. To get anything to fit, I'd obviously have to change out the hubs. I'm 99.99% sure that can be done but am pretty clueless on what the process might be or how much it would cost. I have to watch out for buying up parts I "may" use someday, that can get me in trouble.

[erock805]

Originally Posted by mweishaa

Hey erock805,
I'm thinking something plain - like steel wheels, painted white (possibly blue), with moon chrome hubcaps. I don't know really, but probably nothing hot-roddish or chromey. I just don't see this truck as a hot-rod. To get anything to fit, I'd obviously have to change out the hubs. I'm 99.99% sure that can be done but am pretty clueless on what the process might be or how much it would cost. I have to watch out for buying up parts I "may" use someday, that can get me in trouble.

I know where there are two 5 lug stock steelies. I can scrounge them for free. but you will still need two more and caps. I love the look of factory caps and steel wheels on these old trucks. Lemme know

[jbgroby]

YES! Another GMC _ Great Looking Truck