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02-11-2016, 06:12 PM
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#1 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Litchfield Park, Arizona
Posts: 18
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65 GMC SWB Father-N-Son Build
Hello everyone...I've been lurking on this message board for a long time. I've admired the talent and willingness of members to share knowledge and skills. To date I haven't had anything worthy of sharing until now... My oldest son is turning 15 this month and together we are beginning his first build. The project is a 65 GMC SWB we found in the back of a local tire shop near our home in Phoenix, AZ. The truck has been an AZ truck all of it's life and one day while driving home from work, I saw the truck tucked in the back of the tire shop with a for sale sign written in shoe polish on the window. After some back and forth, I was able to purchase the truck for 3k.
As with many of you, the truck sat for a little bit while my son and I decided on a direction for the build. At first we thought we were going to go the LS route but after attending some car shows locally and in CA. my son decided he liked a more stock appearance. In my opinion he has made the right choice. Besides after some thought it's probably best to limit the horsepower for his first vehicle. For safety we are going to add disc brakes in front with a dual master cylinder, add lap/shoulder seat belts and exchange the leaf spring suspension with a trailing arm setup. We look forward to any input along the way since it's been awhile since Dad has tackled a project this size. Also, want to teach the boy how to learn/listen to others and not be an IKE (I know everything) kind of guy. So I'll attempt to post some pics and time and money willing keep making progress. I'll start with some pics of how the truck looked when we purchased it. |
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02-11-2016, 06:27 PM
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#2 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Litchfield Park, Arizona
Posts: 18
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Re: 65 GMC SWB Father-N-Son Build
Once we got the truck titled and home we began going through the truck learn what we could since it wasn't running. Wanted to see if we could get the truck running as an inexpensive way to teach my son some basic mechanics. What better way than on an Inline Six. We found out the truck had a 292 (not the original motor). We spent a few weekends with the engine and after some spark plugs/freeze plugs, distributor&rotor got the truck running. The truck had the wrong front grille and tailgate. We went to some local swap meets and found a GMC Fleetside tailgate and GMC Grille. Went through the front upper/lower control arms brakes and rear end (dana 44 axle).
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02-11-2016, 06:32 PM
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#3 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Litchfield Park, Arizona
Posts: 18
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Re: 65 GMC SWB Father-N-Son Build
more pics...
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02-11-2016, 07:36 PM
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#4 |
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Registered User
 Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Belmont Ontario Canada
Posts: 418
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Re: 65 GMC SWB Father-N-Son Build
That's awesome...your lucky to be in Arizona...will be a great truck!
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02-11-2016, 11:10 PM
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#5 |
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One foot in front of the other
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Parrottsville, TN
Posts: 5,446
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Re: 65 GMC SWB Father-N-Son Build
Congrats to you and your son. Great project.
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02-12-2016, 01:08 PM
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#6 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Litchfield Park, Arizona
Posts: 18
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Re: 65 GMC SWB Father-N-Son Build
Thanks for the replies fellas...didn't have time to post any more pics yesterday so here goes. We found a donor truck (69 LWB) in Phoenix. Nice truck but the owner wanted to part it out so we took the drive train/chassis. The motor is a 350 with a 350 trans only had 89k miles on it with factory air, even has the original GM stamped carb. 12 bolt rear end and 6 lug wheels. Hoping to use the trailing arms and mounting brackets and power steering as well.
Also some pics of the boy getting some time on the wrenches... |
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02-13-2016, 01:22 AM
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#7 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Cambridge, Ontario
Posts: 507
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Re: 65 GMC SWB Father-N-Son Build
Quote:
__________________
* My 63 C10 SWB Fleetside (converted to BBW): http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...58#post6851558 @johnny_lamebridge on Instagram 
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02-13-2016, 10:00 AM
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#8 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Fairfield Maine
Posts: 1,759
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Re: 65 GMC SWB Father-N-Son Build
Awesome!!!
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02-29-2016, 07:52 PM
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#9 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Litchfield Park, Arizona
Posts: 18
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Re: 65 GMC SWB Father-N-Son Build
Some pics of the tear down on the 65...
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02-29-2016, 07:55 PM
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#10 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Litchfield Park, Arizona
Posts: 18
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Re: 65 GMC SWB Father-N-Son Build
some more...
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02-29-2016, 07:59 PM
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#11 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Litchfield Park, Arizona
Posts: 18
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Re: 65 GMC SWB Father-N-Son Build
Cab removed.
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02-29-2016, 08:02 PM
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#12 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Litchfield Park, Arizona
Posts: 18
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Re: 65 GMC SWB Father-N-Son Build
Getting the rotisserie ready and mounting the cab.
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03-01-2016, 04:29 PM
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#13 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Litchfield Park, Arizona
Posts: 18
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Re: 65 GMC SWB Father-N-Son Build
With the body off the frame we got the donor chassis and drive train ready to go.
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03-01-2016, 04:40 PM
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#14 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Litchfield Park, Arizona
Posts: 18
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Re: 65 GMC SWB Father-N-Son Build
Some pics of us pulling the motors from the donor and SWB truck
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03-01-2016, 04:46 PM
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#15 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Litchfield Park, Arizona
Posts: 18
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Re: 65 GMC SWB Father-N-Son Build
Here are some pics of trucks the boy likes and would like to model the build after.
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03-01-2016, 05:36 PM
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#16 |
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Senior Member
  
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Wolfforth, Texas
Posts: 976
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Re: 65 GMC SWB Father-N-Son Build
Congrats on the father son duo, you guys have a great plan, welcome aboard!
__________________
Craig 1966 Chevrolet C10 - Supercharged LS3 1968 Chevrolet Camaro 1957 Chevrolet 2dr Hardtop "It makes sence if you don't think about it"  Mesquite 1966 C10 - LS3 W/ Air Ride http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post4989763 |
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03-01-2016, 05:46 PM
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#17 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Litchfield Park, Arizona
Posts: 18
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Re: 65 GMC SWB Father-N-Son Build
Thanks 66CHEVYMAX having a blast so far. I do have some questions for you guys related to the suspension swap. I would appreciate any info related to the suspension swap. Specifically, measurement differences between the 69 Long bed (trailing arm) suspension to the 65 short bed (leaf spring) suspension. Trans mounts, shock mounts, etc.. anyone out there performed this swap?
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