NEW TO THIS SITE!!! Need some direction...

[EDAZUL]

Hello everyone!!! I just picked up my first Chevy after helping friends with theirs over the years i finally did it and I will say this reviewing this site before hand helped me make my decision...I got a 1966 Longbed 327 Automatic that seems to be decent but the interior and exterior needs a lot of work...I have all the tools and some know how that will keep me on this site daily but I think I can make this a great project. I am still new with a lot of the terminology being that ive only restored VW's (59 & 57 Oval Rag) but never the less im sure I will learn quick!!!

I currently have it in the shop ive pretty much got the whole front end off getting it down to bare metal its taking a minute since thers about 7 coats of who knows what but I want to do it right and did a minor tune up changing hoses thermostat and flushing and changing fluids. everything seems to be very basic and wanting to do as many upgrades as my budget will let me do (which isnt too high)...so any suggestions where I should start??? Good Cheap upgrades..power steering, brakes, gas tank???

Thanks Ed

[Hx16457]

Local salvage yards are the cheapest!
For front disk brakes use a later model 75 and up pick-ups front end.
For a rear end get a 72ish this will complete the 5 lug convertion all around and all will bolt right up. No need for cutting/welding anything!
For power steering us later model 70's pick-up, you will need to pick up a new power steering conversion plate kit. I think classic parts has it in the catalog.
Oh, go to the web and get the free LMC & Classic parts catalogs. Those two will give you most of the parts you will need, or at least you can use them to see the parts you might be look for. Also you can use one of them to mark off the parts you have or the parts you need.
Ask around your list of friends, maybe some have rebuild experience!
Searh your local parts stores for possible carry out parts, this can save you on shipping charges!
Just do a little at a time keep moving forward and don't give up! Ask lots of questions and use the web and this great site, for help! These guys have seen and done it all before! Just ask, take pic's, those help in getting your point across.
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[chakah]

Welcome to the site. I was on the same boat. I have a few V-dubs myself and a 66 short/fleet. The family here is amazing. I've had my share of dead ends and the guys here directed me. Now just post some pics, let's check it out.

[lolife99]

Welcome to the board!

[CRGRS 66]

Welcome, pictures are good, we all want to see pictures...

[1963c-10]

Welcome from NC. Cant wait to see some pics of the truck.

[CRGRS 66]

you are new, and I remember thinking... how the eff do you post pictures, when you are posting if you scroll down you will see "manage attachments" click that, should be pretty self explanatory from there.

[Terry12]

I am also new on this site... And I just bought a 66 stepside.... I will keep checking this post for your progress.
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[EDAZUL]

Thanks everyone for all the fees back I can feeeeeel the love on here!!! Hahaha I will post some pics soon have most of them here on my phone and don't see how to post on here yet...is it different with a phone??? Have iPhone btw...nevertheless thanks again and ill have pics up soon!!!
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Ok think I figured it out..and no didn't pay 1700 got it for 950 which I hope was a good deal...
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[1963c-10]

Great deal if you ask me. Especially if runs/drives/stops good.

[tincan1966]

For kits and conversions,brackets and overall knowledge, hit up Captainfab on here, he and ALOT of guys know these trucks inside out and upside down. Use these forums, there's tons of great info here.
BTW nice looking project!

[Captainfab]

Welcome to the forum

There are many helpful threads listed in the FAQ index at the top of the main page for the '60-'66 forum.

What to do first and how much it will cost depends on the supply of good donor parts in your area. In my opinion, good brakes and power steering are fairly important, and can be upgraded on a budget.

[CRGRS 66]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Welcome to the forum

There are many helpful threads listed in the FAQ index at the top of the main page for the '60-'66 forum.

What to do first and how much it will cost depends on the supply of good donor parts in your area. In my opinion, good brakes and power steering are fairly important, and can be upgraded on a budget.

I agree, brakes are number 1, I would place tires in between brakes, and steering as number two.

[GMR-PERFORMANCE]

Gotta love the deals out here in the west.. Well you have to NOV 11th to get it road worthy and see you at the good guys show BTW I am a long bed guy.. Pic of my completed ride..

[EDAZUL]

Hey there 1963c-10 it was sitting for 6 months or so and the guy got in put in a new battery pumped the gas a few times and started on the second crank which I thought was a good sign...it ran good and shifted really well, just idled a little rough so Iused that as negation to drop the price...

Captainfab your posts are one of the main reasons why I got the year I did...disc brakes and power steering are at the top of my list right after body work which is already started...however am on a budget and so far I'm at almost 500 with body filler primer and some replacement parts...haven't even gotten to paint yet!!! But in So Cal there's a huge market for parts and shouldn't be too hard since I'm not on a time crunch although the Good Guys show on the 11th sounds nice its my one year wedding anniversary so not sure the wife will go for that???
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[EDAZUL]

Here's a pic of my son helping out...16 yrs old and our time together is priceless!!!
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[EDAZUL]

So its been awhile since ive posted on here just been working on my truck when I have the time and looking at some of your posts for some help along the way as I make my way through the restoration process...Im still a long way out from getting it on the road but here are some before and now pics...

[EDAZUL]

Ive romoved ALL rust (except roof, which is next) but still have alot of blocking left...

[EDAZUL]

oh and I did do a bed transplant which is easy with a forklift!!! Bed still needed some work but as you can see waaaaaay better shape than what I had...

[62 Barnfind]

Looks like you are coming along good with your project. I am currently working on my bed right now. it is taking a long time to get all the imperfections out. This site has been a real help to me. Good luck!

[stsalvage]

One thing most of the guys in here really don't talk about have i've had to address it to many times is the steering column.Not saying the 1960--66 column are bad.But they are way difficult to fix and get working right.I've found that the 1967-68 column's seem to work better cus there easyer to work on and find parts for.they should bolt up and use the same emergency brake as the 1960--66 do and the wire harness is almost the same as the 1964--66 trucks.You can use the same steering wheel.Make sure you replace all the cab rubber mounts with rubber mounts.If your truck has a funny looking mount on the rear part of the cab that's not a bisket you will need to find a doner truck to get them from.the guys on here will supply pics to show you.

Even tho Most of the guys have there options on wire harness But when i rewired my 1965 3/4 ton truck from Headlights to tail lights.I used M&H factory harness at the time cost me 500.00 to redo fuse panel and they give you all the factory plug ends and all the plastic push in tabs its all color coded as in factory harness.There is no cutting or connecting its a plug and play system,if your restoring back to factory.They make a newer fuse panel with the plug in small fuses no more glass fuses.that's up to you

[Ta2Don]

Welcome aboard... Nice truck! There's a wealth of info out here and the people here are Great!!!

[Captainfab]

You've made some nice progress

[EDAZUL]

Ok so got my donar roof yesterday and question...and some help...I've seen a couple of people put sound deadening pads between the layer which I'm planning on just using the skin...so question is I noticed there are 2 layers and then the headliner (metal) do I remove the inner layer if I'm using the pad or put it in between those layers??? Can anyone help me out???
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[EDAZUL]

So it's been awhile but still working...got the cab work done...I was going to do a roof transplant but the head welder at the shop I have my truck left and didn't really trust anyone else with a roof swap so I took the $$ I was going to pay him and just got a new cab and have been cleaning that up and taking everything off my original cab...so since I've been doing all this it's turning into a pretty big project lot more than I expected but happy with progress...it's pretty darn close to a frame off resto...I'm cleaning up areas that need attention and now there is zero rust on the entire truck...many nuts,bolts and sheet metal have been replaced an a few upgrades as well...new cab mounts, all rubbers, new brake booster,dual master, carpet, lenses, bezels and building a custom stereo...just getting excited that its all pretty close to being done...here's a couple pics I have


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