'66 GMC K25 - Project "Mabel"

[BFoley]

Came in to work today to get "actual" work done but instead found myself trying to figure out a guard for the SM420 sending unit. After milling a drain slot and some tack welds, we should be good to go.

[BFoley]

New SM420 PTO cover is complete. Decided to go with a guard that should offer some protection for the sensor from road debris.

[62stepside longbox]

Looks nice

[tkeduk8r]

I'm digging this.... Subscribed!
Mike

[BFoley]

Finished installing the new PTO cover.




Now to see if it leaks...

[DKfromIA]

Great looking truck! I like watching your fab skills at work. It looks like you're in the same neck of the woods as I. I'll be keeping up with your progress.

[BFoley]

Originally Posted by DKfromIA

Great looking truck! I like watching your fab skills at work. It looks like you're in the same neck of the woods as I. I'll be keeping up with your progress.

While I can always claim credit for any metalwork/machining and design, I'll just say that it isn't a bad thing that my dad has access to a waterjet and I am fortunate enough to work with people who can weld.

I fear the day that my I.O.U.s for favors will be collected upon...



Also, just noticed you were from Coralville. What's up neighbor!

[namloc]

Like it , cool thought's and cleaning up on the detail's.

[DKfromIA]

Originally Posted by BFoley

Also, just noticed you were from Coralville. What's up neighbor!

It's good to know there is another one of us in the area. Very rarely do I see another 60-66 around here. I suppose most succumbed to salty roads and farm work.

A while ago, I was researching Eastern Iowa phone prefixes and exchange names. If you don't mind sharing, what's the story behind the number and business on your truck. Very cool that yours is ag related, especially around here.

I was planning on eventually doing some door art on my truck to make it more "shop truck-esque" (which is why I was researching the phone exchanges). I'm always interested in the stories behind this type of stuff.

Also, there's a swap meet at Hawkeye Downs on the 9th. Always a good source for parts and tools.

[BFoley]

Originally Posted by DKfromIA

It's good to know there is another one of us in the area. Very rarely do I see another 60-66 around here. I suppose most succumbed to salty roads and farm work.

A while ago, I was researching Eastern Iowa phone prefixes and exchange names. If you don't mind sharing, what's the story behind the number and business on your truck. Very cool that yours is ag related, especially around here.

I was planning on eventually doing some door art on my truck to make it more "shop truck-esque" (which is why I was researching the phone exchanges). I'm always interested in the stories behind this type of stuff.

Also, there's a swap meet at Hawkeye Downs on the 9th. Always a good source for parts and tools.

The whole signage has a story actually. I had wanted a '65 or '66 2wd SWB shop truck for a long time but couldn't pass up truck up once I saw it for sale. Frankly, I didn't think traditional door art would look good on it and the mirrors were in the way so I decided to go with something on the box instead.


The name actually was a spin-off of a name that was stamped into a steering wheel spinner that I had on my first vehicle/truck (Irrigation Pump Co.). I always though it was cool for some reason. For the telephone exchange information, I just did some searching through 1966 cataloged (online) news papers from my hometown and found a few examples of the exchange numbers. The house I grew up in would have been, as far as I could find, an "HI" for "HIckory" and the last four digits were ours growing up. A lot of things that are nostalgic I guess...


As far as the rest of the wording, I just looked at a bunch of pics of old service trucks online and came up with the wording I wanted and the basic layout I wanted. The rest of it I left in the more than capable hands of Hugh Hoffman out of Mt. Vernon. He looked at my pictures, made some chalk marks and free-handed the rest. I think I might have him come back and throw some bright/darker red on the lettering this year and ad some additional lettering to a vintage toolbox I am adding to the back of it. We'll see how it will look, but I am going to paint the toolbox and cattle guard red.


I'll definitely drive it to the Hawkeye Downs swap meet. I am also working on a '39 Ford truck with my dad and hopefully we can get lucky and find some needed odds and ends for it there.

[DKfromIA]

That is awesome. The lettering looks great.

I'm looking forward to seeing your truck at the swap meet. I will, unfortunately, be driving my modern car since my 66 GMC is still in pieces.

[TJ's Chevy]

Nice job on that cover!

[BFoley]

Originally Posted by TJ's Chevy

Nice job on that cover!

Thanks! Not even leaking as of yet. Now unfortunately I have to start *actual* work on the truck instead of all this clean cosmetic stuff....

[BFoley]

Took some time off of my projects to work on my dad's '39. Between his and mine, the next few weeks will entail tons of media blasting and priming parts.

[BFoley]

It's been a while since I posted and a lot of work has been done to the truck. I made a to-do list before winter and have been working diligently to get everything done. So far, I only have a few things left on the list and plan on posting a bunch of pics and info. While I am here, I do feel obligated to leave something visual.

My heater core cover artwork (in-progress)



My brother's '84 (squarebody shout-out)



A preview of the new paint scheme (Allis-Chalmers-ish...love it or hate it)

[TJ's Chevy]

Love the paint !

[Palf70Step]

[BFoley]

Originally Posted by TJ's Chevy

Love the paint !

We'll see how it looks. Spare tire propped up in box as well as the old tool box I am putting on it will be the same color. If I like it, I will get the same color mixed with some black thrown onto my box lettering. I originally wanted a burnt red, but my neighbor suggested the orange and his has kind of stuck with me.

Worst case scenario, I will strip everything and re-paint over winter.

[DKfromIA]

The paint scheme looks great! I like the heater core cover art work, too. You have a great theme going on.

[BFoley]

Originally Posted by DKfromIA

The paint scheme looks great! I like the heater core cover art work, too. You have a great theme going on.

Were you still thinking about getting Hugh Hoffman to stripe your air cleaner? I will hopefully have him do some more work on my lettering in a month or so.

[DKfromIA]

Originally Posted by BFoley

Were you still thinking about getting Hugh Hoffman to stripe your air cleaner? I will hopefully have him do some more work on my lettering in a month or so.

Yes I am. I've had a few delays, but I'll eventually get to it. I hope to get the truck on the road in the next month or two, then I'll be able to concentrate on the aesthetics. I'm looking forward to getting to that point since the truck is far from a looker.

[BFoley]

Finally starting to wrap up my laundry list of things that I started after putting the truck away for the Winter. As of today, the list is looking like something as follows:

Done:

- Redo valve covers (work dents and paint)
- Redo air cleaner (work dents and paint)
- Strip and spray grill guard
- Burn out radiator
- Replace radiator hoses
- Replace belt
- Refinish wheels/change out tires
- Refinish spare tire
- Refinish emblems
- Install radiator overflow reservoir
- Build SM420 cover w/ temp sensor
- Change SM420 fluid
- Replace both rear brake cylinders
- Fabricate cluster for aux. gauges
- Install new aux. gauges
- Fab aux. switch panel and install switches
- Replace main gauge panel and clean/service gauges
- Replace all rear brake hardware on both sides
- Clean/service/lube front and rear brake assemblies
- Install dual master cylinder (for '67)
- Redo rear diff. cover (work dents and paint)
- Clean out rear diff. and replace fluid
- Service both Warn manual hubs
- Replace both inner hub seals (National Oil Seals P/N 416273)
- Clean and re-pack all hub bearings (replaced driver outer w/ National Bearing P/N LM501349)
- Remove 850 lbs. of grease/dirt from frame/axles/grease fittings

To do:


- Run all new hard/soft brake lines
- Replace rag joint
- Check front knuckle lube
- Refinish tool box
- Fab spare tire/handyman jack mount
- Fab rear bumper bracket/install rear bumper
- Repair under-box wire splices
- Drop/repaint fuel saddle tanks
- Install seat cover
- Check/adjust lifters

Hopefully I am 2 weeks out from being able to enjoy the truck until next Winter

[BFoley]

This morning, I finally got around to sorting through some of the pictures that I had on my phone and figured I might as well post some. Everyone likes pictures. A lot more to come...

Switched back over to aluminum mags after polishing. Finish courtesy of grey scotchbright, Mothers polish and Gibbs protectant




A now "kind-of-sort-of-cleanish" engine bay




Current toolbox project and adapter plates - box will be same orange as bumper guard, spare tire rim and emblem trim








Getting there....

[Palf70Step]

You are making really good progress. Wish I could work that fast.

[BFoley]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

You are making really good progress. Wish I could work that fast.

Pretty sure my wife isn't a huge fan of how much time I am spending in the garage. Then again, she wants it done so she can ride in it. That might be my only saving grace.