65 GMC SWB Father-N-Son Build - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ARG0220 · 02-11-2016, 06:12 PM

Hello everyone...I've been lurking on this message board for a long time. I've admired the talent and willingness of members to share knowledge and skills. To date I haven't had anything worthy of sharing until now... My oldest son is turning 15 this month and together we are beginning his first build. The project is a 65 GMC SWB we found in the back of a local tire shop near our home in Phoenix, AZ. The truck has been an AZ truck all of it's life and one day while driving home from work, I saw the truck tucked in the back of the tire shop with a for sale sign written in shoe polish on the window. After some back and forth, I was able to purchase the truck for 3k.

As with many of you, the truck sat for a little bit while my son and I decided on a direction for the build. At first we thought we were going to go the LS route but after attending some car shows locally and in CA. my son decided he liked a more stock appearance. In my opinion he has made the right choice. Besides after some thought it's probably best to limit the horsepower for his first vehicle. For safety we are going to add disc brakes in front with a dual master cylinder, add lap/shoulder seat belts and exchange the leaf spring suspension with a trailing arm setup.

We look forward to any input along the way since it's been awhile since Dad has tackled a project this size. Also, want to teach the boy how to learn/listen to others and not be an IKE (I know everything) kind of guy. So I'll attempt to post some pics and time and money willing keep making progress.

I'll start with some pics of how the truck looked when we purchased it.

ARG0220 · 02-11-2016, 06:27 PM

Once we got the truck titled and home we began going through the truck learn what we could since it wasn't running. Wanted to see if we could get the truck running as an inexpensive way to teach my son some basic mechanics. What better way than on an Inline Six. We found out the truck had a 292 (not the original motor). We spent a few weekends with the engine and after some spark plugs/freeze plugs, distributor&rotor got the truck running. The truck had the wrong front grille and tailgate. We went to some local swap meets and found a GMC Fleetside tailgate and GMC Grille. Went through the front upper/lower control arms brakes and rear end (dana 44 axle).

ARG0220 · 02-11-2016, 06:32 PM

more pics...

canadian_diesel1964 · 02-11-2016, 07:36 PM

That's awesome...your lucky to be in Arizona...will be a great truck!

**DPowers** · 02-11-2016, 11:10 PM

Congrats to you and your son. Great project.

ARG0220 · 02-12-2016, 01:08 PM

Thanks for the replies fellas...didn't have time to post any more pics yesterday so here goes. We found a donor truck (69 LWB) in Phoenix. Nice truck but the owner wanted to part it out so we took the drive train/chassis. The motor is a 350 with a 350 trans only had 89k miles on it with factory air, even has the original GM stamped carb. 12 bolt rear end and 6 lug wheels. Hoping to use the trailing arms and mounting brackets and power steering as well.

Also some pics of the boy getting some time on the wrenches...

Johnny_Lamebridge · 02-13-2016, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARG0220

Also some pics of the boy getting some time on the wrenches...

Nice truck. You and your son will have lots of quality time working together.

northern 85 · 02-13-2016, 10:00 AM

Awesome!!!

ARG0220 · 02-29-2016, 07:52 PM

Some pics of the tear down on the 65...

ARG0220 · 02-29-2016, 07:55 PM

some more...

ARG0220 · 02-29-2016, 07:59 PM

Cab removed.

ARG0220 · 02-29-2016, 08:02 PM

Getting the rotisserie ready and mounting the cab.

ARG0220 · 03-01-2016, 04:29 PM

With the body off the frame we got the donor chassis and drive train ready to go.

ARG0220 · 03-01-2016, 04:40 PM

Some pics of us pulling the motors from the donor and SWB truck

ARG0220 · 03-01-2016, 04:46 PM

Here are some pics of trucks the boy likes and would like to model the build after.

**66ChevyMax** · 03-01-2016, 05:36 PM

Congrats on the father son duo, you guys have a great plan, welcome aboard!

ARG0220 · 03-01-2016, 05:46 PM

Thanks 66CHEVYMAX having a blast so far. I do have some questions for you guys related to the suspension swap. I would appreciate any info related to the suspension swap. Specifically, measurement differences between the 69 Long bed (trailing arm) suspension to the 65 short bed (leaf spring) suspension. Trans mounts, shock mounts, etc.. anyone out there performed this swap?

02-11-2016, 06:12 PM	#1
ARG0220 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Litchfield Park, Arizona Posts: 18	65 GMC SWB Father-N-Son Build Hello everyone...I've been lurking on this message board for a long time. I've admired the talent and willingness of members to share knowledge and skills. To date I haven't had anything worthy of sharing until now... My oldest son is turning 15 this month and together we are beginning his first build. The project is a 65 GMC SWB we found in the back of a local tire shop near our home in Phoenix, AZ. The truck has been an AZ truck all of it's life and one day while driving home from work, I saw the truck tucked in the back of the tire shop with a for sale sign written in shoe polish on the window. After some back and forth, I was able to purchase the truck for 3k. As with many of you, the truck sat for a little bit while my son and I decided on a direction for the build. At first we thought we were going to go the LS route but after attending some car shows locally and in CA. my son decided he liked a more stock appearance. In my opinion he has made the right choice. Besides after some thought it's probably best to limit the horsepower for his first vehicle. For safety we are going to add disc brakes in front with a dual master cylinder, add lap/shoulder seat belts and exchange the leaf spring suspension with a trailing arm setup. We look forward to any input along the way since it's been awhile since Dad has tackled a project this size. Also, want to teach the boy how to learn/listen to others and not be an IKE (I know everything) kind of guy. So I'll attempt to post some pics and time and money willing keep making progress. I'll start with some pics of how the truck looked when we purchased it. Attached Images

02-11-2016, 06:27 PM	#2
ARG0220 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Litchfield Park, Arizona Posts: 18	Re: 65 GMC SWB Father-N-Son Build Once we got the truck titled and home we began going through the truck learn what we could since it wasn't running. Wanted to see if we could get the truck running as an inexpensive way to teach my son some basic mechanics. What better way than on an Inline Six. We found out the truck had a 292 (not the original motor). We spent a few weekends with the engine and after some spark plugs/freeze plugs, distributor&rotor got the truck running. The truck had the wrong front grille and tailgate. We went to some local swap meets and found a GMC Fleetside tailgate and GMC Grille. Went through the front upper/lower control arms brakes and rear end (dana 44 axle). Attached Images

02-11-2016, 06:32 PM	#3
ARG0220 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Litchfield Park, Arizona Posts: 18	Re: 65 GMC SWB Father-N-Son Build more pics... Attached Images

02-11-2016, 07:36 PM	#4
canadian_diesel1964 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Belmont Ontario Canada Posts: 418	Re: 65 GMC SWB Father-N-Son Build That's awesome...your lucky to be in Arizona...will be a great truck!

02-11-2016, 11:10 PM	#5
DPowers One foot in front of the other Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Parrottsville, TN Posts: 5,442	Re: 65 GMC SWB Father-N-Son Build Congrats to you and your son. Great project. __________________ DP's 66 Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=361556

02-12-2016, 01:08 PM	#6
ARG0220 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Litchfield Park, Arizona Posts: 18	Re: 65 GMC SWB Father-N-Son Build Thanks for the replies fellas...didn't have time to post any more pics yesterday so here goes. We found a donor truck (69 LWB) in Phoenix. Nice truck but the owner wanted to part it out so we took the drive train/chassis. The motor is a 350 with a 350 trans only had 89k miles on it with factory air, even has the original GM stamped carb. 12 bolt rear end and 6 lug wheels. Hoping to use the trailing arms and mounting brackets and power steering as well. Also some pics of the boy getting some time on the wrenches... Attached Images

02-13-2016, 10:00 AM	#8
northern 85 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Fairfield Maine Posts: 1,759	Re: 65 GMC SWB Father-N-Son Build Awesome!!!

02-29-2016, 07:52 PM	#9
ARG0220 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Litchfield Park, Arizona Posts: 18	Re: 65 GMC SWB Father-N-Son Build Some pics of the tear down on the 65... Attached Images

02-29-2016, 07:55 PM	#10
ARG0220 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Litchfield Park, Arizona Posts: 18	Re: 65 GMC SWB Father-N-Son Build some more... Attached Images

02-29-2016, 07:59 PM	#11
ARG0220 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Litchfield Park, Arizona Posts: 18	Re: 65 GMC SWB Father-N-Son Build Cab removed. Attached Images

02-29-2016, 08:02 PM	#12
ARG0220 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Litchfield Park, Arizona Posts: 18	Re: 65 GMC SWB Father-N-Son Build Getting the rotisserie ready and mounting the cab. Attached Images

03-01-2016, 04:29 PM	#13
ARG0220 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Litchfield Park, Arizona Posts: 18	Re: 65 GMC SWB Father-N-Son Build With the body off the frame we got the donor chassis and drive train ready to go. Attached Images

03-01-2016, 04:40 PM	#14
ARG0220 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Litchfield Park, Arizona Posts: 18	Re: 65 GMC SWB Father-N-Son Build Some pics of us pulling the motors from the donor and SWB truck Attached Images

03-01-2016, 04:46 PM	#15
ARG0220 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Litchfield Park, Arizona Posts: 18	Re: 65 GMC SWB Father-N-Son Build Here are some pics of trucks the boy likes and would like to model the build after. Attached Images

03-01-2016, 05:36 PM	#16
66ChevyMax Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Wolfforth, Texas Posts: 976	Re: 65 GMC SWB Father-N-Son Build Congrats on the father son duo, you guys have a great plan, welcome aboard! __________________ Craig 1966 Chevrolet C10 - Supercharged LS3 1968 Chevrolet Camaro 1957 Chevrolet 2dr Hardtop "It makes sence if you don't think about it" Mesquite 1966 C10 - LS3 W/ Air Ride http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post4989763



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03-01-2016, 05:46 PM	#17
ARG0220 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Litchfield Park, Arizona Posts: 18	Re: 65 GMC SWB Father-N-Son Build Thanks 66CHEVYMAX having a blast so far. I do have some questions for you guys related to the suspension swap. I would appreciate any info related to the suspension swap. Specifically, measurement differences between the 69 Long bed (trailing arm) suspension to the 65 short bed (leaf spring) suspension. Trans mounts, shock mounts, etc.. anyone out there performed this swap?

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