60-66 Truck Build Data Poll

[markeb01]

I find it interesting the linear increase of trucks by year, with 1966 being the most common, fewer 65's, fewer yet 64's, etc, for each preceding year. Only the 60's & 61's upset the pattern, and then only by one truck. And there are as many 62's as 60's and 61's combined. And the number of 63's and 64's combined is almost the same as the volume of 1966's.

It makes sense. In 1960 trucks were trucks, and by 1965-66 more people started buying pickup trucks for personal transportation, camping, etc, providing us today with a greater selection of classic vehicles that weren't beaten to death as work horses.

[jimmydean]

When I was looking for my truck, my focus was on the 64-66 because as cool as the wrap around windshield is, I know that parts are harder to come by.

I found mostly '66 trucks and none had a big back window, all were long beds. There was a '67 that I nearly bought, but the wife liked the lines on the '66, so I went that route.

[markeb01]

When I was looking for one of these trucks, my first choice was a 1963 because I liked the grille best of all the Chevys, and it had the coil spring suspension. My second choice was a 1966. Being the newest I thought the chances of finding a good example might be greater, and I knew I would be able to change the flat windshield by myself. The only truck I didn’t want was any 1960-62 with the torsion bar suspension, and specifically the 60-61 GMC with the hideous screened hood.

So of course I ended up buying the one I most didn’t want, a 60 GMC. It was in excellent condition and had only two previous owners within the same family. Purchased new by a retiree, it was just too nice to pass up.

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by GMC4wheels71

Good poll!

Only three longsteppers so far, let's get them in here!

Longbed Stepsides are rare.
The guy across the street from my house has a long step trailer - I need to go over there and work out a deal with him.

Originally Posted by GMC4wheels71

Also sad to see all the stock trucks gone.

This has been concerning me since joining these forums.

And then I go and dump my 292 for a v8

[tooslo60]

Originally Posted by markeb01

I didn’t want the 60-61 GMC with the hideous screened hood.

So of course I ended up buying the one I most didn’t want, a 60 GMC.

Do you still have the "screen" hood?
If so would you want to sell it?

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by markeb01

When I was looking for one of these trucks, my first choice was a 1963 because I liked the grille best of all the Chevys, and it had the coil spring suspension. My second choice was a 1966. Being the newest I thought the chances of finding a good example might be greater, and I knew I would be able to change the flat windshield by myself. The only truck I didn’t want was any 1960-62 with the torsion bar suspension, and specifically the 60-61 GMC with the hideous screened hood.

So of course I ended up buying the one I most didn’t want, a 60 GMC. It was in excellent condition and had only two previous owners within the same family. Purchased new by a retiree, it was just too nice to pass up.

And you've done such a nice job with your least favorite year/style.

Finding a well maintained by grandpa - 1 or two owner truck would be a dream. I see some who find these and then start chopping the frame :cry:

[SulphuriousSam]

Here's my truck build theme for now...

1. Year: 1966

2. Bed style: Long Fleet Side

3. Cab style: Small Back Window

4. Theme: Hot Rod

5. Engine: V-8 small block

6. Tranny: Manual, 3-speed

[markeb01]

Originally Posted by tooslo60

Do you still have the "screen" hood?
If so would you want to sell it?

Sorry it's long gone. I gave it away to a local restorer back in 1998, and it was like brand new compared to the other hood he had.

It looked decent from a distance, but the original owner had a collision with a deer that substantially damaged the hood. The right side hump was about 1/2" higher than the driver side, and had been pounded out and torched to point of being work hardened. It looked okay in yellow, but when I painted the truck black lacquer the defect would have been profoundly noticeable. It was a real shame because the hood was completely rust free, but the repairs needed were beyond my abilities. After looking for nearly 10 years I was finally able to locate a rust free Chevy hood in good enough condition to buy and install.

Here's what the original hood looked like when I first painted the truck in lacquer. I didn't bother with the hood and just shot it with flat black Rustoleum:

[CaptHutch66]

Hmmmmm very interesting! Great idea!

[lakeroadster]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

Longbed Stepsides are rare.
The guy across the street from my house has a long step trailer - I need to go over there and work out a deal with him....(

I saw a long bed stepside in the Home Depot parking lot today. Here in Colorado you see alot of trailers made from trucks.

[acool66]

Keep this poll alive, great idea.

[lakeroadster]

Bump^^^^

[LostMy65]

...bump...

[Fastrucken]

EFI or not would be a good option as well

[dodgiesdad]

Missed this before, but voted now. I listed custom because my truck is far from stock, but it is a factory 4X4, and driven daily.

[J.Cagle]

I only lsted my truck as a '64 long stepside bed with I6 and 3 spd. But, its currently getting swapped to 350 auto, new rearend, and new front end with PS&PB, and a long fleetside bed. I plan to keep it looking all stock tho, so would it classify as stock, or custom since Im adding a diff motor, tranny, and running gear? I also have a 65 lwb with original 283 3 speed complete running and driving truck I bought for parts. I forgot to add it to the poll and now I cant add it.

[idaho66stepside]

Originally Posted by markeb01

i find it interesting the linear increase of trucks by year, with 1966 being the most common, fewer 65's, fewer yet 64's, etc, for each preceding year. Only the 60's & 61's upset the pattern, and then only by one truck. And there are as many 62's as 60's and 61's combined. And the number of 63's and 64's combined is almost the same as the volume of 1966's.

It makes sense. In 1960 trucks were trucks, and by 1965-66 more people started buying pickup trucks for personal transportation, camping, etc, providing us today with a greater selection of classic vehicles that weren't beaten to death as work horses.

x2

[absintheisfun]

With as many fleet sides there are out there, why does the aftermarket only support flaresides????

[rustyrodknocker]

burb haters.

[1Bad62Pro/Street]

Originally Posted by absintheisfun

With as many fleet sides there are out there, why does the aftermarket only support flaresides????

Interchangeability with the stepsides.
Bed side sheet metal is the same as the 55-59 and 62-66 but the 55-59 angle strip has a different bolt hole pattern. Therefore the bed sides of 1955 -1959 may be interchanged with 1960-1966 if the angle strip is changed to the correct year series.The fender design is unchanged from the 55-59 and 60-62 modelRear sill mounting brackets are about 4" long and 3" tall, 31 3/4" apartThere are three cross sills and one reinforcing strip supporting the wood. The cross sills have a 1" tall spacer welded at each bed-to-frame bolt location. Because of this welded spacer, the cross sills should not be interchanged with any other year series due to the significant modifications required.Seven bed strips and eight boards. The board length is unchanged from 60-62 models but the widths are different than 1955-1959 models. This affects bed strip bolt locations in rear sill, cross sills, reinforcing strip and front bed panel.Bed strip and angle strip bolt locations are the same as 60-62 but different than 1955-1959 models, making them not interchangeable with 55-59.Chevrolet tailgate remained unchanged. GMC tailgates changed to a block style lettering beginning in 1963.
http://www.mar-k.com/bed_side_interchange_gm.html
Posted via Mobile Device

[Rich 5150 69]

Bump

[Rich 5150 69]

for the new guys that have`nt go ahead

[1Bad62Pro/Street]

Theme: Pro-Street 4.50%!!:
Did you know about this?

Listen.... I gotta go....

[EMPIRE63NH]

just noticed this thread "63 short fleet BBW 305 v8 th350 slightly lowered custom

[McCoyAZ]

64 short stepper

in the process of converting to a 327 small block w a 2spd auto trans

just need money to match all the ideas :-)