1965 short fleet bbw build thread "hot rod"

[blk65fleet]

i started workin on the truck again so i figured i would get a build thread up so i could get some feed back from you guys. i got the truck when i was 16 it was my first vehicle and about 8 months later i figured out that a jeep cherokee stops way faster than my truck could and rearended him.

i am goin for a hot rod muscle truck style

being a not so smart 17 year old i decided to do a full frame off resto mod and 2 years later i still dont see the light.

so far i have installed a few upgrades

mildly built 350 w/double hump heads
aluminum radiator from brothers
2/3 drop from cpp
front disc swap from a 85
sway bar from cpp
relocated the gas tank with the fuel cell kit from cpp
new front clip parts from lmc
went thru 3 hoods to find a good one and it still needs work
went with a weld in rear roll pan
shaved the gas fill hole
shaved old school frenched in power antenna
in the process of converting to a 4 speed with borg warner super t 10
had the frame sandblasted and powder coated black

and im sure there is some more stuff i am forgetting

please let me know what you think.

all opinions are greatly appreciated

[blk65fleet]

the current status

[62gmc910]

looking good

[63 & 64 Bowties]

Looks like you're going all out this time. I'll be watching this one. Love the fabricated valve covers. I've got a set for my 64.

[ChiefRocka]

Good job so far...Keep it up !!

[chillware]

looks good! Kinda the same direction im going with mine

[blk65fleet]

as far as wheels go i have been thinkin about maybe going with some 22" centerline smoothies if i can find a way to afford them.
what do yal think

also does anyone have a photo of a truck with the 2/3 drop

[198plus]

Craig, it looks like your off to a very nice Build !!!!!!!

[blk65fleet]

i thought i would show off the sweet tool selection i have used thus far on the build.

[62gmc910]

Originally Posted by blk65fleet

as far as wheels go i have been thinkin about maybe going with some 22" centerline smoothies if i can find a way to afford them.
what do yal think

also does anyone have a photo of a truck with the 2/3 drop

I like the wheels it's sitting on not a big fan of ''tuner"wheels, just my opinion

[DPowers]

Looking good- what are the continued plans?

[blk65fleet]

im planning on having it done by this summer. i cant decide on wheels tho because i really like the pro touring style but still not sure. but im also leaning towards old schoold hot rod truck kinda if they had come out with a 65 ss c10

[Rogue]

Originally Posted by 62gmc910

not a big fan of ''tuner"wheels.

I agree with that, Torque thrust FTW!

[LILRED66]

I liked the look in the first pictures. Good job. Please keep us posted and thanks for sharing.

[Dinos63]

Very slick! Nice work!!

[jchav62]

Awesome!

[markeb01]

[QUOTE=blk65fleet;3729921] i got the truck when i was 16 it was my first vehicle and about 8 months later i figured out that a jeep cherokee stops way faster than my truck could and rearended him.

My son had the same experience when he was 16. Showing off with a friend in a 1966 Chevy short step with a 396/4 speed, he plowed into a lowered car that stopped to clear a pebble.

I think your looked great before the teardown and shows a lot of progress. Is it being painted black, or have you decided on a color yet?

If you want a 1965 look in wheels, it would have basically been a set of slot mags if running 6 lugs, since they were about the only thing available in that bolt pattern. If you could afford to redrill to 5 lugs, American Torque Thrusts would have been at the top of the heap. I don’t remember seeing Cragar mags until later, maybe 66 or 67. Chrome rims were always popular, but I don’t remember seeing many on trucks back then. Keep up the good work.

[blk65fleet]

Well right now it is in the middle of a 5 lug conversion. So the front is 5 with the newer brakes and the rear remains 6. But I have been lookin at the torq thrusts like the set on the truck of the year c10.

[muddpile]

Personally, I think the centerline smoothies would look amazing on your truck, They're my new favorite wheel at the moment. Your progress looks great as well.

[JRBECK64]

Can I suggest Four Wheel disc brakes. This is going to be one sweet truck when your done with it. Have you figured out what color your going to paint it when your done with it? Keep up the great work and send more pictures.

JRBECK64

[jgh64pkup]

cool truck
whats done to the engine?

[blk65fleet]

i really like the centerline wheels too but cant decide between the torq thrusts or smoothies both will look sick but i think the torq thrust will go better with the theme of the truck.

i am painting the truck jet black

i plan on goin to 4 wheel discs when i finish converting the truck to 5 lug in the rear funds are just slow so i have to do it slowly

the motor is a 350 thats been rebuilt and has a bigger cam full roller rockers, double hump heads, flat top pistons, aluminum intake, fab aluminum valve covers, billet serp conversion, protronix hei dist, and prob goin to top it off with a barry grant 650

[ruffrida2005]

Truck looked good before, Cant wait to see it put together again. I dont know how I missed it.

[Hillbilly Deluxe 65]

what kind of headers are you runnin?

[jason65]

Nice looking ride.