1966 GMC Truck Project

[russellmalcolm]

I have been reading many threads with those of you doing projects and builds, and I am really impressed! I bought my first truck a couple of months ago and have been working on it slowly, not a complete project/build, but just getting it to where I like it. Thanks to Markeb01 for his assistance and support!

Here is the truck as I purchased it.





took off the front grille and bumper, thought of painting them a silver /gray, but will instead go with re-chroming

[russellmalcolm]

Because it has been around 115-117 degrees this summer, one of the first things I needed to get rid of was the leather seats, or rather, cover them. Hot sticky weather and leather seats are not a good mix. I took the truck over to Auto Art in Dubai to get the seats recovered, they did an excellent job!

[russellmalcolm]

The lights and chrome trim are also in need of work; cleaned them, some W-D40, and some black rustoleum paint.

[russellmalcolm]

There are several things that need to be worked on, but because I have carpentry skills and like working with wood, I thought I would start with the truck bed. The oak wood was rotten in several places, as well as warped, so I needed to replace the entire bed.

[russellmalcolm]

So out with the old wood and some cleaning and painting.

[russellmalcolm]

Got the Oak boards, now just some staining and polyurethane.

[GMC66]

Nice Custom! Dont paint the grill, they are getting hard to find in chrome. No one manufactures them either....nice work.
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[russellmalcolm]

More pics coming soon.

[russellmalcolm]

Painted the complete dash black this past week.


However, after a few days of looking at it I decided that I wanted to go with the metal au-natural. Spending the weekend trying to strip it down, would like to take it out to make it easier and if it proves to difficult with it in, I may resort to removing it (any tips on removal and how it is best done will be appreciated) I also need a new dash and gauges, but have not located one that will fit any assistance is greatly appreciated.

[russellmalcolm]

Originally Posted by GMC66

Nice Custom! Dont paint the grill, they are getting hard to find in chrome. No one manufactures them either....nice work.
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GMC66, you are correct, finding a grille is very difficult! I looked for several weeks and only found one, and it was in no better condition than the one I have. So, I will get it re-chromed in Dubai next week, will post pics once it is completed. Thanks for the post.
cheers.

[russellmalcolm]

Laid out the planks in the bed with the bed strips, but had difficulty getting them to fit correctly. The new boards have a groove, and some of the strips would not go in correctly.


Took all the boards out and sanded out the groove to make it a lowered lip, allowing me to adjust the boards in either direction where needed.

[russellmalcolm]

Ok, got the bed laid out and the strips all done! Having the boards with the lowered lip really made a difference, it allowed me to slide the boards in either direction to get the best possible layout.
It was really quite the task for one adult to do, I say that because I had my kids assisting me, as without them it would have been even more difficult. I read somewhere in this forum that it works better to take the entire rear bed off, I would say if I did it again I would take the bed off and get another adult to assist!

[MikeS.]

Very nice nice truck and you did a great job with the bed.

[Indian113]

Nice job on the bed,it's hard enough stateside to work on these let alone where your at. Good looking truck

[russellmalcolm]

Thanks Mike! I am pleased with how the bed turned out, first time you sure learn a lot!
Cheers.

[russellmalcolm]

Thanks Indian113. Yes, it was a test, but I am pleased with the outcome.
Cheers.

[Narxoleptic Customs]

I thot I had troubles getting parts... I can't imagine what u guys go thru over there. The bad looks awesome!! U shd build a guage cluster from wood...
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[russellmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Narxoleptic Customs

I thot I had troubles getting parts... I can't imagine what u guys go thru over there. The bad looks awesome!! U shd build a guage cluster from wood...
Posted via Mobile Device

Narxoleptic Customs, that is a great idea!!! I am already making a wooden block/mounting for the stereo and antique clock, a wooden gauge cluster would be perfect!
Thanks for the input!
Cheers

[russellmalcolm]

Ok, did more work on the dash. Will look to get it really clean and then seal it with a gloss coat. Going to take 'N-Customs' suggestion and go with a wooden gauge cluster, just searching for gauges online, any leads would be appreciated.
Cheers.

[russellmalcolm]

Took out the dash cluster, and gave the entire dash a decent wet sanding, will do that a few more times.

[russellmalcolm]

Here is the progress on my dash, used the wood from the old bed, and should finish the cutting, sanding and poly tonight and get it into the truck by tomorrow (maybe with the clock!).

[russellmalcolm]

Ok, here are the new pics of the dash with the wood. Will give the wood another coat of poly. Now, need to find a good affordable set of gauges, still wanting any help with how to go about the wiring... anyone with any links and/or diagrams for doing the gauge wiring is much appreciated.
cheers.

[ozzyman]

very unique, i like the wood look

[russellmalcolm]

Originally Posted by ozzyman

very unique, i like the wood look

Thanks for the feedback. I had a look at your thread, nice work! Will keep an eye on it to see how you progress.

[ozzyman]

Originally Posted by russellmalcolm

Thanks for the feedback. I had a look at your thread, nice work! Will keep an eye on it to see how you progress.

Won't be much progress for a few months, I'm playing in the giant sand box on the other side of the world