1964 GMC Lightly Toasted

[1slo64]

Build thread for my 1964 GMC fleetside swb, this was on another forum that was unfortunately shut down today without notice, so I get to start over. Has been in the family since the 70s I believe, originally the shop truck for my great grandfathers business, was then passed on to my dad, and then me in 2014. This was a father/son restoration project that was started when I was 12 and never really stopped. I received the truck when my parents moved to California and weren't sure when they would be coming back. I put on a porterbuilt rear suspension with ridetech coil overs shortly after.

Unfortunately in 2015 it was involved in a garage fire, they believe it started from the old 1980s fridge my grandmother had in there. The fire uncovered some rust problems that I thought we had fixed but apparently just covered with bondo the first go round. So I decided to tear it apart and fix it all the right way.

[The Rocknrod]

Glad to see your working on it again, keep us posted.

[1slo64]

Started disassembly to figure out what all needed to be replaced. Somehow the wiring didn't get burned up and we were able to get it started for a brief period. Interior all had to be thrown away though, it was more water damage from the firefighters than anything else. I was able to clean the wheels up and bring back the shine.

[1slo64]

While stripping the truck down I started uncovering all of the rust and dents that were never repaired.

[1slo64]

Some of the new sheet metal showed up.

[1slo64]

Drivers side rocker was replaced and it was time to move on to the floor pan. Looking back at it I'm not happy with the way I welded the floor up, so there is a good chance I will go back and replace all of that again.

[1slo64]

Then I moved on to the drivers side door. It had a pretty bad dip in the middle of it, so I just decided to reskin the bottom half.

[1slo64]

Moved on to the driver side portion of the bed next. I got lucky and found a company that made a full long bed rear patch panel and was able to trim it down to fit.

[1slo64]

After getting the outside patch welded up I moved to the inner patches.

[1slo64]

Since around middle of 2018 not much has really been done to it. I have mainly just accumulated new parts for it. Not pictured is the front porterbuilt suspension for coilovers and stewart warner gauges.

[1slo64]

Hoping towards the summer I can finally get it out of my grandmothers garage and into my shop so I can get the ball rolling on it once again.

[Palf70Step]

Nice ride and good to have the history behind it. Looking forward to more updates.

[88Stanger]

This will be awesome to see when you are done, after the fire and all. Great start!

[Indian113]

Looking Good! Love those wheels, nice work so far. Keep us posted and good luck

[1slo64]

Now that I'm finally near the finish line on my dad's 66 mustang I started moving parts over to my garage. Hopefully will get the truck hauled over in a couple weeks.

[Palf70Step]

[1slo64]

Well I thought I was done with the mustang back in July, my dad drove it home right after July 4th. Unfortunately he passed away a month later due to cancer so I got the mustang back and just finished it this past week. Last night I got my trailer and hauled the GMC home, looking forward to finally getting to work on it again.

[Palf70Step]

Sorry to hear about your dad. Glad to see you are able to get back on the ole truck.

[Grizz1963]

As Bill says, sorry to hear about your dad.

Somehow missed this build first time around.

Amazing work so far.

And the wheels……. ❤️

[1slo64]

Bought a set of gmc hubcaps last month with the intention of restoring them. But after seeing them in person and setting one on the wheel I am going to use I am going to leave them patina for now. I will be straightening them out as much as possible(as much as my limited skillset will allow) and maybe put a satin clear over them.

[Palf70Step]

I like that!

[The Rocknrod]

Wow that wheel combo looks great.