1960 GMC build - factory stock, of course!

[JQ-72]

Here's my first shot at a build thread! I've done a few frame-off restorations, but did not document them. I'm wanting to track this one since there are some board members who have already been a big help and others yet to come! Here's a little bit about the truck:
1960 short, fleet GMC Custom cab pickup equipped with 305A V6, maunal overdrive, power steering, panaromic cab, custom chrome, bumper guards and back up lamps. I bought it in Summer of 2011 from 2nd owner, whose name was Coy. He bought the truck in 1971 from the local Chevrolet dealership (it was a trade in) and he said it had about 30K miles on it then. Coy was very proud of his truck and drove it regular until around 2000. It then sat in a shed and was occasionally driven around the farm until I bought it. He told me sevral stories about the Jimmy and how the 305 would "out lug a 350 Chevy anyday". Coy also bragged about how many tons of fertilizer it hauled and a story of pulling a horse trailer from here in North Alabama to Indiana. Coy had a bout with cancer a few years ago, but is much better now. I want to get the GMC restored and take him for a ride in his 'ole girl!

The only pre-tear down picture is one we has with our family. The other pictures are what I've done so far. She was originally solid black, but I'm going with the GMC specific two-tone black and white. I'm adding original power brakes (thanks, GMC NUT) and repo hubcaps with wide whites. I'm not going full frame-off because I want to drive it! Wish me luck!
Joshua

[CRGRS 66]

Great truck, great family picture, great story!!!

One thing I find interesting is the back up lights, not a standard until 66'.

LOVE the GMC's I was hoping to find a GMC when I was looking, but ecstatic about my 66 C10.

Will you keep the V6?

[markeb01]

Looking forward to the progress updates. Good luck!

[McMurphy]

That is an awesomely complete looking truck!
For me, if I were to come across something like that, it would be harder to NOT do a total frame off-back to factory build on it!

No matter what though, I bet it is going to be a real keeper none the less!!

to the board and Good Luck !!

[JQ-72]

Here's more:
1) Frame horns welded on replacing bent and broken ones (thanks Paul's pickup parts)
2) Engine degresed. It took a can of oven cleaner, 3 bottles of Purple Power and a variety of wire brushes to get the engine and suspension to this point.
3) Distributor with original aluminum ID tag.

[GMCNUT]

Originally Posted by CRGRS 66

One thing I find interesting is the back up lights, not a standard until 66'

After 20+ years of restoring and tinkering with 60-66 trucks, I am still surprised to find dozens of people every year who are all aware that factory and dealer installed accessories could always be purchased before or after the sale as individual items all the way up through the 1970's, but who are always still uncertain about back-up lights, seat belts and big rear windows. That is the 3 things that puzzle people the most it seems....

So, for anyone reading this, the back up lights were offered from the 1930's all the way up as a single, separate cost factory or dealer installed option. Just like a Glove Compartment light, Heater or any other option. So regardless of whether the truck was a 1966 model it could have back up lights installed on it.
1966 was just the first year they were made a standard feature - same with seat belts. Seat belts were always an option until 66.
The big window question people have is whether it only came on trucks equipped with the Custom appearance package; the answer is no - the "Panoramic Cab" option was available on all trucks - longbeds, short beds, plain janes, 2 ton trucks, firetrucks, etc - has nothing to do with anything or any other option. Purely the choice of the original buyer.

Maybe someone reading this will learn something and share it with others since these seem to be very common questions and often mis-conceptions

[JQ-72]

Here's a few more from the past week or so. Spray bombed the firewall "Argent Silver". It looks OK, I guess (still may have body man spray it right when he get to the cab). Engine painted with Chrysler Red - it's about as close to the GMC red as you can get in a high temp engine paint.

Rear bumper removed and check out the clean steel on bumper bolts after 53 years!

Trailer hitch removed. Anyone know if this may have been an original GMC accessory? It is very professional looking - all machine bent steel and not your typical home made looking rig. It was bolted on, not welded.

JQ

[McMurphy]

Originally Posted by GMCNUT

After 20+ years of restoring and tinkering with 60-66 trucks, I am still surprised to find dozens of people every year who are all aware that factory and dealer installed accessories could always be purchased before or after the sale as individual items all the way up through the 1970's, but who are always still uncertain about back-up lights, seat belts and big rear windows. That is the 3 things that puzzle people the most it seems....

So, for anyone reading this, the back up lights were offered from the 1930's all the way up as a single, separate cost factory or dealer installed option. Just like a Glove Compartment light, Heater or any other option. So regardless of whether the truck was a 1966 model it could have back up lights installed on it.
1966 was just the first year they were made a standard feature - same with seat belts. Seat belts were always an option until 66.
The big window question people have is whether it only came on trucks equipped with the Custom appearance package; the answer is no - the "Panoramic Cab" option was available on all trucks - longbeds, short beds, plain janes, 2 ton trucks, firetrucks, etc - has nothing to do with anything or any other option. Purely the choice of the original buyer.

Maybe someone reading this will learn something and share it with others since these seem to be very common questions and often mis-conceptions

My 66 Tempest Custom is without seatbelts.
Floorboards not even drilled for the mounts.

[truknut]

You always find the good, cool ones.. I'll be watching this build. Keep up the good work.

[greg65]

Subscribed. Looking good Josh.

[1963c-10]

Great project....I really like the bed rails....a hard to find option.

[JQ-72]

Well, a year and a half later and I'm back! The '60 has sat in the back of the garage untouched and I'm just now getting the itch to get her back on the road. Front fenders repaired, inner fenders cleaned and painted. I got it to start back up momentarily before the carb. started leaking pretty bad. It's back off and waiting a rebuild. Lord willing I'll have more pictures back up before another 1.5 years rolls by!
Joshua

[pimpston65]

nice drivers seat, is that stock? also that upper rad hose threws your stock look off, but thats my $.02...

[JQ-72]

Thanks, pimp. The seat is the next model up from the 5 gallon bucket! P.O. had just installed new radiator hose, so I just put it back on. I'm not going to be too picky on this one - just a driver.
JQ

[markeb01]

Nice to see you moving forward again. Life can certainly get in the way of projects! You might also want to join the Jolly GMC site - http://6066gmcguy.com/index.php. They are big on stock GMC's and V6 GMC engines in anything. They can be an excellent resource for those hard to answer questions regarding the engine.

[pimpston65]

Originally Posted by JQ-72

Thanks, pimp. The seat is the next model up from the 5 gallon bucket! P.O. had just installed new radiator hose, so I just put it back on. I'm not going to be too picky on this one - just a driver.
JQ

yeah if all parts work, rock it out!!!

[duallyjams]

What color did you paint the engine.

[JQ-72]

I used Chrysler red in the Duplicolor high heat cans you buy at auto parts stores. It's the closest you can find in an aerosol can.
JQ

[TJ's Chevy]

Very nice! Cool to see you've started back on the build!

[sodly]

Any progress to report?

[TJ's Chevy]

X2 what happened to the build? Just got me a 64 GMC with a 305e. lol

[JQ-72]

Well, life happens! We're possibly going to sell our house to buy another with more acreage and a creek! I've been liquidating some of my trucks and I passed the GMC on to my friend GMCNUT who I know will take good care of her. I also have the first right of refusal if he ever sells it.
Joshua

[mattbert56]

Cool build man. I'm on board

[sodly]

So, GMCNUT, now that you've sold your turquoise GMC what's the status on this new acquisition? Hope you'll keep us posted.

[sodly]

Any new developments with this build?