Lunchbox's 1964 Shop Truck

[Lunchbox1019]

Been lurking for while, so let me start by saying this site has been a great resource for information and ideas. I figured I would post our project to get some ideas and opinions.

I was able to talk the executive commity at my job into letting us build a shop truck for small local deliveries. We plan on having this satin black (of course) with our company logo on the side along with some of our vendor's logos that have donated $$ for the build. Despite all that we still do not have alot of cash to work with. But this does not need to be a show truck, just needs to look cool from a distance.

Heres the truck the day we purchased it.

[Lunchbox1019]

Here it is back at in our shop. We work for a water works wholesaler, not a hot rod shop so be gentle

The body appears to be in okay shape and the main rust problems are on the hood. We are on the fence as to replacing the hood or repairing it. The floors have minimal rust and the corners are great. No rust around any window seals.

So far we have rebuilt the carb, replaced/rewired the tail lights, new fuel cell and filled sanded a few minor areas. We plan on having the interior and exterior painted at the same time. We also are removing the bed to have a new strip welded where the bed bolts down to the frame as its pretty shot. Then we will more than likely have a peice of diamond plate cut for the bed bottom. Also ordered some red powder coated smoothies with chrome baby moons from Rally America. Going with 15x8 on the back and 15x6 on the front. Will 15x10 fit on the back with out cutting the bed? I have time to change to order.

[Lunchbox1019]

Sorry for the pic quality. My phone was all I had.

[jonzcustomshop]

the hood looks tough.. I would replace it. alans classic here on the board might have an extra one..
he is in atlanta.
check out lakeroadsters build, I think he is running 15/10's on a step..

[lakeroadster]

Originally Posted by Lunchbox1019

.... Going with 15x8 on the back and 15x6 on the front. Will 15x10 fit on the back with out cutting the bed? I have time to change to order.

Originally Posted by jonzcustomshop

... check out lakeroadsters build, I think he is running 15/10's on a step..

Hey Lunchbox, welcome to the forum!

I am running 15x8-1/2 US Indy slots (3-3/4" Back Spacing)... but I widened the bed 4" and mini-tubbed also. I still had to metal work the fender lip for clearance with the 33x12.5 rear tires. Check out my build thread link below for specifics.

The overall fender width on the stepside beds are narrower than fleetsides. You can get some decent width tires under them though but you need alot of backspacing, so much that it's tough to find any wheels "off the shelf" that work.

Your other options include a narrowed rear, 3" wider than stock fenders or custom offset wheels.

The only sure-fire way to really know for sure what will work for your truck is to jack it up under the axle, take off the tires/wheels on both sides and start measuring.

Good luck!

[DPowers]

Welcome- I think it is cool to have a 4-5-6 represent your company- but I would look for a different hood.

[kalirodding]

Looking good. I really like that blue it was painted.

[Lunchbox1019]

Thanks for the replies. I like the blue as well, but they company's logo colors are red and black so I'm stuck with that.

I finalized the wheel order with Rally America today and ended up with 15x6 on the fronts and 15x8 on the back with a 4" backspace.

I will check with Allen's Classic on the hood. Where else can I score a hood (other than hunting craigs list and the u-pull it yard)? Does anyone make a decent reproduction?

Oh and Lakeroadster, love your build. Wish I had your skills....and tools.....and garage.....

[GMR-PERFORMANCE]

repo hoods are a decent starting point but far from primer ready. They will have dings dents and some stuff may not be as correct as stock ... plus seem to be made of much tinner steel.. Took me about 1 month to locate a 95% ding free OEM tail gate.. FOr me its worth the wait to have a good quality part. Maybe time to look into a cowl induction hood no better time than this

Myself I would put in the time and locate a OEM hood.. I hate to say this but I cut a hood as they are common out here. I used it for filler patch metal on the stake hols, fuel hole, and small screw holes that needed a backer before putty...