Project truck dream 65"

[DLOE65]

Making great progress! Your fast dude!!
Posted via Mobile Device

[lenguini]

Greetings all,I cant seem to keep up with all the reply's so Ill post as best as I can and say thank you everyone for your interest ! I appreciate it and its keeping me motivated !
Just so you all know,I'm behind on the pics...and the work done just looks like its been going at warp speed.
I have one and half years into this build to date and it never seems like its not getting done fast enough,but I'm somewhat of an impatient critter !

[lenguini]

Cab now ready for the chassis,had Steve the tow guy come pick it up with his flatdeck.Looks like Doug and I put it together right,the chassis rolled up the deck smoothly with no "skid marks" !....,Im referring to the deck of course !

[T Smith]

You might want to fill that slotted hole above the heater hole too, there's a cable that runs through it and you're not going to be using that anymore...

[lenguini]

Lowered the cab onto the chassis .No pics of that ...sorry folks,forgot to bring my camera for that step.

My wheels on the way back to my shop.

Twas a great day !

[66-PMD-GMC]

What is the deal of the tail end of the frame being boxed up like that,
Did I miss that along the way?
Just curious.

[65Custom]

Nice Build, I subscribed!!!!

[lenguini]

Originally Posted by 65Custom

Nice Build, I subscribed!!!!

Thanks,Im glad to see you on board !

Cheers,
Ed.

[lenguini]

Originally Posted by 66-PMD-GMC

What is the deal of the tail end of the frame being boxed up like that,
Did I miss that along the way?
Just curious.

If you go back to my build during fuel tank relocation,you will see the original cross member was removed to accept the new rear mounted tank and this was welded into place at that time.
The reason behind doing this was to strengthen that area for the tank straps to hang from and not to mention a little more safe as an extra bumper in the event I get rear ended.

Cheers,
Ed.

[66-PMD-GMC]

Originally Posted by lenguini

If you go back to my build during fuel tank relocation,you will see the original cross member was removed to accept the new rear mounted tank and this was welded into place at that time.
The reason behind doing this was to strengthen that area for the tank straps to hang from and not to mention a little more safe as an extra bumper in the event I get rear ended.

Cheers,
Ed.

Gotcha.
Just checked and yup, I looked at it and missed it at the same time.

Completely understand...
I am using a stock 66 suburban tank and also the tank behind the seat on my 66 build.
Wired it up with a 79 dual tank wiring harness and set the switch just under the seat in the center so I can keep the stock look everywhere and still reach it.
I want to be able to drive as far as possible between fill ups.
Like my work truck, it beats me up when I fill it but I fill it 1-2 times a month.
Like this mornings fill up...

[lenguini]

Originally Posted by 66-PMD-GMC

Gotcha.
Just checked and yup, I looked at it and missed it at the same time.

Completely understand...
I am using a stock 66 suburban tank and also the tank behind the seat on my 66 build.
Wired it up with a 79 dual tank wiring harness and set the switch just under the seat in the center so I can keep the stock look everywhere and still reach it.
I want to be able to drive as far as possible between fill ups.
Like my work truck, it beats me up when I fill it but I fill it 1-2 times a month.
Like this mornings fill up...

OUCH ! $690.00 ? You sure there's not a hole in your tank somewhere?

[66-PMD-GMC]

Originally Posted by lenguini

OUCH ! $690.00 ? You sure there's not a hole in your tank somewhere?

That is just my work truck.
2 full tanks and my 3rd reserve tank in the bed.

The 66 has 20+ gallons behind the seat and another 20+ in the suburban tank.
Probably be able to squeeze 41 gallons into it so it's nothing like the old work mules 3 bottomless tanks..
But it will still be over $150 to fillerup...
The thing is, I should have an easy 700 mile range from her.
I'm not even considering fuel economy in the pro-street project.

Are you grafting in a fuel door on the bedside or doing the bed floor door?

[65 old school]

Nice work !.
I'm with you the dash stopped to short.
I added 2 & 1/2 inches to mine for a/c vents

[Captainfab]

Those are two of the nicest dash extensions I have seen.....nice work to both of you. I think I have only seen one other that looked good. Most of them definitely look like an add on.

[lenguini]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Those are two of the nicest dash extensions I have seen.....nice work to both of you. I think I have only seen one other that looked good. Most of them definitely look like an add on.

Thanks Cap,appreciate the complement,have a great night.

Cheers,
Ed.

[cdp]

Lenguini, Awsome metalsmithing! I own a rod shop in N.E. Ohio my first truck was "65 GMC You're doing great. I will stop back

[lenguini]

Originally Posted by cdp

Lenguini, Awsome metalsmithing! I own a rod shop in N.E. Ohio my first truck was "65 GMC You're doing great. I will stop back

Thanks,I appreciate it.I'll give Tyler a pat on the back for you as well ! He's a very talented lad and I couldn't of done it with out his help and expertise.
We did have some issues with corner pieces the first time around,but got it right on the second.

Ill be posting more pics soon.

Cheers,
Ed.

[lenguini]

Originally Posted by 65 old school

Nice work !.
I'm with you the dash stopped to short.
I added 2 & 1/2 inches to mine for a/c vents

Nice job on your dash Clean and looks right !

Cheers,
Ed

[LostMy65]

Great idea on the stake hole for the filler.

[C@rnut001]

I love your stake pocket fuel filler! Your progress is looking killer and is moving along great! Keep it up!

[lenguini]

Soooooooo,onto the interior,the ideas I'v had over many months will be put to the test now.

You will notice the fresh primer at the transmission tunnel...,well it has now been replaced !Originally this was a standard floor shift tunnel,I changed it out to an automatic hump from another '65.Sorry folks...no pics of that,but pretty strait forward anyway.


I decided to go with the Vintage air compac unit as its small and fits well under the dash.So while the glove compartment lid was removed,I did a final fit and location and my buddy Tyler welded in all mounting brackets.I wanted to make the unit hidden,so It mounted much higher than most I have seen.

In the meantime,I drilled the new hole for the wiring harness at the firewall.I first traced a line around the outside of the inner fender so my location was exact.You will notice two fasteners to the right of the hole,that is the updated e-brake system out of an early 80's Chev pu.Not a fan of the hand release style,so I opted for this.

I wanted to relocate the gas pedal,so I made a mounting block that fits in the v groove of the steering column boss and Tyler welded it into place.I also modified the brake arm,it has now been moved to the left to accommodate the new gas pedal location

You will notice the dash at the heater control area was modified earlier on.To do this,I cut a dummy panel out of a wreck,and had it welded in place.Now both right and left sides of the center dash are the same where the air louvers are installed.

Next the ashtray was cut out.Tyler made up a panel for the new air/heater control on the bead roller and welded it into place.The glove compartment also shaved and welded in place !

I always thought the bottom of the dash on these trucks looked unfinished,so I came up with and idea some time ago and figured I give it a try.I had Tyler "tack it on only",that way If my idea sucked,it could easily be removed.

[jrisch]

Nice build!! Ive been looking for a auto tilt steering colum for my truck, what did youuse for yours

[lenguini]

Originally Posted by jrisch

Nice build!! Ive been looking for a auto tilt steering colum for my truck, what did youuse for yours

Mine is out of a 1973 Chevy Van.I seen them on this site from time to time and that's where I would look if I were you.Maybe try Captain fab for starts.
Trust that what you get on this site will be exactly what they say it is.Good folks here !!

Cheers,
Ed.

[65Custom]

Originally Posted by lenguini

Soooooooo,onto the interior,the ideas I'v had over many months will be put to the test now.

You will notice the fresh primer at the transmission tunnel...,well it has now been replaced !Originally this was a standard floor shift tunnel,I changed it out to an automatic hump from another '65.Sorry folks...no pics of that,but pretty strait forward anyway.


I decided to go with the Vintage air compac unit as its small and fits well under the dash.So while the glove compartment lid was removed,I did a final fit and location and my buddy Tyler welded in all mounting brackets.I wanted to make the unit hidden,so It mounted much higher than most I have seen.

In the meantime,I drilled the new hole for the wiring harness at the firewall.I first traced a line around the outside of the inner fender so my location was exact.You will notice two fasteners to the right of the hole,that is the updated e-brake system out of an early 80's Chev pu.Not a fan of the hand release style,so I opted for this.

I wanted to relocate the gas pedal,so I made a mounting block that fits in the v groove of the steering column boss and Tyler welded it into place.I also modified the brake arm,it has now been moved to the left to accommodate the new gas pedal location

You will notice the dash at the heater control area was modified earlier on.To do this,I cut a dummy panel out of a wreck,and had it welded in place.Now both right and left sides of the center dash are the same where the air louvers are installed.

Next the ashtray was cut out.Tyler made up a panel for the new air/heater control on the bead roller and welded it into place.The glove compartment also shaved and welded in place !

I always thought the bottom of the dash on these trucks looked unfinished,so I came up with and idea some time ago and figured I give it a try.I had Tyler "tack it on only",that way If my idea sucked,it could easily be removed.

Sweet I think you and I think alike I have been planning to do the same things on mine, but you beat me to the implementation

Truck looks great

[lenguini]

In between the interior mod's,we went to the back of the box.I decided to put my gas fill at the rear stake pocket.It was a lot of measuring and bending to get it right.I used the original cross sill for a template,so it would be a one time effort when my new Mar-k one arrives.
Multiple cuts were made,until I got the opening for the filler tube just right !

I will once again stress,keep your old cross sill for a template,you dont want to use the new one for this.All fuel tanks,their locations and fabricating will be different by the time you get to this step.
Be patient,the finished project is well worth the time,Im so glad I went this direction.
As I had mentioned in earlier in this thread....."I cant wait for my first time at the gas station "! The looks Ill get when I pour gas into the stake hole will be priceless !