66 GMC Fleetside Okie Daily Driver

[kieth]

Before moving the axle back 1.5", which involves moving the air bag mount, adding spacers to the trailing arm mount (or moving the crossmember back, relocating the panhard bar, and moving the shocks and shock mounts, I got under the truck and looked a little today. Had read a lot of stuff on making these old trucks handle and the first step was to install a 2 x 2" solid steel block to lower the truck inexpensively.

So I thought hum, wonder if I could add that block and at the same time move the rear axle back. Drew up a little 2x2 x 9" block that we could bolt from the bottom of the trailing arm in the stock location, drill and tap 2 holes in the stock location then drill and tap 2 new holes in the top of the bar 1.5" back then add a strap to the top of the rear end to replace the U bolt and voila the axle is back without major work, the truck is lowered, the trailing arms have more clearance so the truck can go lower, it does not cost much, and it is easy to do.......what do you folks think ? Kieth

ps----the panhard rod has to be relocated at the same time.

[kieth]

word of warning for all those installing fuel injected engines, when buying the fuel pump and the fuel tank, get the tank with the fuel pump in the tank, it will save you a lot of grief.......................JMO

ps 4 electric fuel pumps burned up--------------learn from my mistakes. Kieth

[kieth]

Lessons learned in this build:

1. Body work is Chinese water torture

2. have a donor vehicle and keep it around you never know when you will need something else off of it.

3. replace all front end parts with new stuff, it is not that expensive including rotors, bearings, disc brake calipers, brake lines, power steering lines, hoses, belts.......

4. Make sure you check the clearance of the fenders with the wheels and tires you purchase along with the lug bolt pattern.

5. Listen to the pros on which air bags to use where.......

6. If going with really wide rear wheels and tires move the whole crossmember & suspension back 1.5"

7. Use original body parts if possible they are lots better than the new stuff

8. If you are going to alter the stance of your truck start with -2.5" front spindles-----then go from there.....

9. It is cheaper to buy a truck some one has already done all the work on but not nearly as satisfying...........

10. If you install a fuel injected engine use all metal lines and install the fuel pump in the tank.....

11. When moving the crossmember back be sure and drill out the rivets for the Trailing arm bushings. Even if you are not going to lower your truck now you may need to flip these brackets in the future and drilling the rivets and replacing with good bolts will allow that mod to be made without any problems........Remember it is a lot easier to modify the suspension and frame with the body off and it will look better later also.

[kieth]

Almost done with the green gmc, still tweaking on the rear suspension, here is a new shot of the stance she now has....

[Clyde65]

Keith, tell me what size tires your running on the back, 17" rims right?

[allaboutchevelles]

Kieth, That GMC is looking good to me. I love that stance. If mine sits like that when im done ill be real happy. Thats a good looking truck!!

[kieth]

265/70/17 Michelins and they barely fit very little clearance on the inside or the outside....rims are 9" wide.....

Fronts are 255 65 r 17 michelins,,,9" wide,I may change them to 245/60/17 and then air bag the front.....to get it a little lower and have more room to drop the front and clear the front fenderwell lip....

Have not notched the rear yet but will just to gain some clearance for the rear axle, it rides like a cadilac now....

Rear: air bags 8" firestone (will be changing to 9000 series)

2" spacer blocks

stock shocks---stock location--will be changing soon after doing frame notch.

Front: stock 6 cylinder springs

2.5" McGough drop spindles

stock shocks

will be changing tire size and then bagging the front soon...

I have a new long panhard rod on order will install it soon.


Thnks for the compliment, it does look different from when I started...

[kieth]

Added a tonneau cover:

picture show trial fitting:




Just a trial fit, not final, not all parts installed including the rear corners...

[McMurphy]

Nice build all around.
I really liked your Lessons Learned list too... I am going to start ordering parts for repair and mods soon and am nervous about making bad purchases.

Where I live taking it back to the store may not be an option, and waiting on the mail man can be painful to the wallet and the watch....

[kieth]

Originally Posted by McMurphy

Nice build all around.
I really liked your Lessons Learned list too... I am going to start ordering parts for repair and mods soon and am nervous about making bad purchases.

Where I live taking it back to the store may not be an option, and waiting on the mail man can be painful to the wallet and the watch....

Thanks for your compliments, but I have messed up quite a few times but maybe changing the truck after you get it driveable is what this process is all about. When my gmc is down for a few days for mods I really miss it.....I really like driving it every day.....it makes a dull drive into a lot of fun.
I am 61 and it has been a few years since young girls have looked at me all smiles and asked me to roll my window down and they say Oh, we just love your truck !! Kind of makes an old mans day.......!!!!!

Funnier still is the lack of knowledge which comes from the young guys, they like the truck, but do not know enough about them to say nice 66 instead they say nice classic ??

Oh well not enough 2 parent familys around to educate their sons.....

Going out to finish the tonneau install......good way to spend a nice Sunday morning. Kieth

[McMurphy]

Kieth I am following up close behind ya, I rolled 48 on my odometer this year too.

Da'Vinci said "you never finish a piece of art, you just abandon it." I kind of think of Classic Cars in the same light. They never truely are finished to the point where you look at them and say "I did everything I wanted to" ..... or at least that holds true for me so far. LOL

All you OK guys make me wish we were still stationed at Ft Sill. Would be great to meet up with all of you from time to time for coffee or beers and brain storming these rigs.

By the way, my Tempest came from Tulsa.
Was a long drive up there to look at it, but went back the next weekend and paid cash for it.
This photo is outside our house in Lawton.

[jason65]

Good looking truck Kieth.

[kieth]

Thanks Jason, yes mcMurphy
Ft Sill is still around but it got a little warm there this summer, there is a salvage here in tulsa that specializes in old 60 to 64 tempest parts........he only sells on the internet you cannot walk in and buy anything........thats a good looking car do you still have it ??

[Ta2Don]

Thanks for the info... it worked, caught Grizz on the train after work...
Have a great week, hope to meet you in person at Clem's...