65 Panel Truck "RWC"

[Ratman74]

Hey everybody, I have been following this website for a while and finally decided to start a project thread. I got a 1965 Chevy C10 panel truck two years ago. It was mostly complete and drivable, so that's what I have done for the past 2 years. This past summer I decided to finish/personalize it. The PO had already installed a 350/TH400, PS, PB, and 5 lug axles.

[Ratman74]

The first thing I did was install a new battery/battery tray and hold downs.

[Ratman74]

Here's two years ago when I washed it before a cruise night. The black 78 has been my DD for 28 years.

[DPowers]

Very nice

[Captainfab]

Nice panel

What are your plans to 'personalize it'?

[Ratman74]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Nice panel

What are your plans to 'personalize it'?

I want to make it into a "shop truck". The PO carpeted everything and bolted 4 buckets in the back. It also has laminate flooring on the side walls and ceiling. I am gutting all of that.

[Ratman74]

replaced the original 6 cal radiator, it ran 230-240 in the summer. Installed a US Radiator, new upper/lower hoses from Summit.

[Palf70Step]

Very nice looking truck!

[TJ's Chevy]

Very nice !

[Ratman74]

Thanks everyone, I have been drawing inspiration from all the great trucks on this site. Number one thing I have learned to do: take photos with this crazy smart phone all I really use it for is music, lol).

So a box of parts arrived today from the Truck Shop in Ca., but I spent all day working on my daughter's S10 (heater core leads to radiator drain/flush, leads to battery tray, leads to vapor canister, leads to vacuum lines, leads to EGR valve, leads to...shower) phew! Gotta take care of your girls, both flesh and iron. LOL

[65chevysub]

Originally Posted by Ratman74

The first thing I did was install a new battery/battery tray and hold downs.

Are you using an original style hold-down for your battery? Pics of it installed? Also, I notice you have your overflow bottle on the inner fender. How does it work there? I have mine behind the grill right now until I get the nipple on my radiator neck turned towards the drivers side.

[Ratman74]

Originally Posted by 65chevysub

Are you using an original style hold-down for your battery? Pics of it installed? Also, I notice you have your overflow bottle on the inner fender. How does it work there? I have mine behind the grill right now until I get the nipple on my radiator neck turned towards the drivers side.

I will have to take some pics when I get home. I am using a factory tray/support and hold down. The overflow was mounted there when I bought it, but now with the new radiator I would like something a little nicer looking. It works fine there.

[Ratman74]

The biggest challenge on this truck is cleaning up after the PO, he unfortunately had passed away before I bought it. He installed PS/PB and a 350/TH400 which saved me a ton but there are things half done and wires going nowhere. I am enjoying it, while I work out the kinks and change some things. I just got the factory assembly manual and the cd with all the shop manuals. Now I can start chasing wires.

[The Rocknrod]

Killer panel man, I had one once (older year).

[Ratman74]

Nothing pretty, but it's solid. The battery that came in it (mototrcraft) didn't even fit the rusted tray and had nothing securing it (scary). Unfortunately I took no photos back then.

[Ratman74]

I got it down to bare walls a few weeks ago. Apparently it had a window at one time. It would be cool to learn the history of this truck. What company/shop first used it?

[Ratman74]

Originally Posted by The Rocknrod

Killer panel man, I had one once (older year).

Thanks, I have enjoyed cruising with it. This website has inspired me to start tearing into it.

[Ratman74]

after watching Roadkill, I realize that I need to make a list of things to be done. I am at work right now, but here are some things to tackle:
dynamat the cab floor
new carpet or vinyl floor
seat belts
move tach (currently a knee knocker)
glover box liner
paint interior panel walls
new rear coil springs
remove laminate wood ceiling
fix gas gauge
change alternator to int. regulator
do something about the rats nest of wires under dash
adjust rear doors (don't close properly)
fix passenger taillight (only works as brake light)

I'm sure there's more, but back to work...

[Katrina/10]

Cool truck, I like what you're doing with it. Looks like there was another window on the other side that was covered up. Are you going to keep the sunroof? That must have been a cool party rig back in the day.

[Ratman74]

Originally Posted by Katrina/10

Cool truck, I like what you're doing with it. Looks like there was another window on the other side that was covered up. Are you going to keep the sunroof? That must have been a cool party rig back in the day.

Thanks, I was surprised to find the window spot when I cleaned her out. I am curious as to what company had/used this truck. As far as the sunroof, it does not leak, so I will leave it alone.

[65chevysub]

Originally Posted by Ratman74

Nothing pretty, but it's solid. The battery that came in it (mototrcraft) didn't even fit the rusted tray and had nothing securing it (scary). Unfortunately I took no photos back then.

Thanks for the pics. I bought a repro hold down but not sure how it was supposed to mount. This helps a lot.
Thanks

[Ratman74]

Originally Posted by 65chevysub

Thanks for the pics. I bought a repro hold down but not sure how it was supposed to mount. This helps a lot.
Thanks

yea, I had to play around to figure it out. My kit came with two J bolts, equal length. That didn't make sense, there are grooves on the radiator support for the forward one, so I cut one bolt down. Then I see in a catalog, there should be a short and long one. Oh well, it's all good now.

[Ratman74]

Here is the carpeted "cover-up", I wanted to get underneath and discover what was underneath. Plus, I like the look of the original panel floors. As you can see, the PO had built out over the wheel wells and carpeted everything.

[Ratman74]

Particle board over top of the floor. Then WAA-LAA, original bed! Truck unsquatted 1 1/2 inches...

[Ratman74]

We burned those 2x2s to make hobo dinners (that is my daughter, amazingly electronic free, LOL).