Lost My 65

[markeb01]

I like your plan. It's a lot easier to maintain enthusiasm for a truck project that can actually be driven, or at least remains self propelled. And a non-running disassembled project is far more likely to go down the road if an unpredicted life event occurs, like marriage, kids, etc. I'm looking forward to the updates as the rebuild progresses.

[clemdaddy]

Originally Posted by markeb01

I like your plan. It's a lot easier to maintain enthusiasm for a truck project that can actually be driven, or at least remains self propelled. And a non-running disassembled project is far more likely to go down the road if an unpredicted life event occurs, like marriage, kids, etc. I'm looking forward to the updates as the rebuild progresses.

ditto...
gonna follow along for the ride.
and adding my congrats for successfully finding the old obsession and making it a new one.

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by clemdaddy

ditto...
gonna follow along for the ride.
and adding my congrats for successfully finding the old obsession and making it a new one.

Thank you.

I am so anxious to really get going on this.
I have my 6 lug discs and drop spindles and such on order.
Once those arrive I'll start a build thread.
Posted via Mobile Device

[LostMy65]

I couldn't wait another day.
I moved the 66 out of the barn/shop into the Costco Carport, and moved my 65 in.
We had about 5" of snow a few days back, and it caused a big mess. We live within a semi-forest of Douglas Fir Trees, and as every year, we lose lots of branches. This time huge ones came crashing down and busted up our back covered area. This made me very concerned. The costco carport may keep my truck dry, but it surely won't stand up to big fir tree branches. So I didn't want another weekend to go buy without getting my 65 into my barn/shop.

It's actually a good day.... Got my 65 back and ready to start turning bolts I haven't turned for over 25 years.




As I mentioned earlier, I will concentrate my efforts toward first getting her to be a mechanically trustworthy driver.
Then I'm going to see about getting a quart mixed up to match this color, and will just seal up the real problem areas.
Maybe do some patch panels here and there, and minor body work, but definitely nothing major.
I want to be able to drive her to work and back on really nice days this summer. Then, this winter I may dig into her deeper.

This is what the paint looks like wet - I like it.

[markeb01]

A couple of suggestions regarding Costco tent/garages – if you live in a windy area make sure the frame is well tethered. If nothing else use ratchet straps to hold the inside corners to the truck bumpers. This will keep it from flying. Also anytime there is more than a few inches of snow, use a snow rake to remove it as quickly as possible. We had a bad storm a couple of years ago and lost every tent/garage in the neighborhood on the same night – they all caved in. Either the roof tubing collapsed and folded in, or one wall bent inward until the whole thing fell to one side. And if the tubing holds up, enough snow can stretch the fabric until it sags up to 18” between the rafters. This pulls the edges inboard and allows the drainage to run inside the walls.

When they fly, flip over, or cave in they can cause a lot of damage. Ours were triple staked and strapped to concrete, but after losing 3 in five years we finally gave up before anything really bad happened.

[LostMy65]

What is this rear end?
Is it a good rear end?
Are parts available?
What gear ratio options?

[LostMy65]

Nevermind... I figured it out searching the forums.
It's an Eaton HO32

[Dino Driver]

I'm surprised to see this rear axle in your '65, I thought they were all 12 bolts by '65. It's the same 10 bolt that my '60 had and I have been told by many sources to get rid of it....FAST. I am putting a 12 bolt in with 3.73 gears.

[66-PMD-GMC]

Originally Posted by Dino Driver

I'm surprised to see this rear axle in your '65, I thought they were all 12 bolts by '65. It's the same 10 bolt that my '60 had and I have been told by many sources to get rid of it....FAST. I am putting a 12 bolt in with 3.73 gears.

Unless you are going with a high output motor, that rear end is more than adequate for a cruzer...
My neighbor has a 62 with that same rear diff that went 332,000+ miles and when he had the rear gone through last summer and asked the shop to replace everything and the shop told him it would have lasted even longer but the neighbor opted to do the rebuild anyway since it was already out. The shop updated the rear with heavier duty parts and gave him a 3 year 30,000 mile warranty. The neighbor runs a 283/auto.
Point is, you can update what you have.
Just my opinion..
I am looking forward to following your build

[LostMy65]

My 65 is setting on a 62 frame.
It's what was available for me back in 84 when I built my truck back up.
Posted via Mobile Device

[1Bad62Pro/Street]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

My 65 is setting on a 62 frame.
It's what was available for me back in 84 when I built my truck back up.
Posted via Mobile Device

I have a Ford 5 lug 8.8 rear end that will mount up to a '62 frame.
3.08 gear ratio. But the shipping would be crazy ha ha.
Posted via Mobile Device

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by 1Bad62Pro/Street

I have a Ford 5 lug 8.8 rear end that will mount up to a '62 frame.
3.08 gear ratio. But the shipping would be crazy ha ha.
Posted via Mobile Device

Oh, I know. If you lived closer.....
Posted via Mobile Device

[LostMy65]

Are the gears easy to swap out?
Posted via Mobile Device

[66-PMD-GMC]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

Are the gears easy to swap out?
Posted via Mobile Device

For a 10 bolt, what the vendor did was update the original housing my neighbor has with later model carrier and other internals.
According to that shop/vendor, the only thing left original were the axles and housing. (he, my neighbor, did a disk conversion later.)
I only have build experience with 9 inch and old Olds/Pontiac 3rd member style rear ends so I don't know how "easy" it will be to swap out anything. However, it couldn't be all that hard. Because of my neighbors truck, I know it is possible.

[Captainfab]

So you are saying that your neighbor, had a shop install a different model of 10 bolt carrier and gears into a Eaton HO32 housing? I have not heard of this before. Do you have any info as to what the application of the parts are?

Originally Posted by 66-PMD-GMC

For a 10 bolt, what the vendor did was update the original housing my neighbor has with later model carrier and other internals.
According to that shop/vendor, the only thing left original were the axles and housing. (he, my neighbor, did a disk conversion later.)
I only have build experience with 9 inch and old Olds/Pontiac 3rd member style rear ends so I don't know how "easy" it will be to swap out anything. However, it couldn't be all that hard. Because of my neighbors truck, I know it is possible.

I wouldn't call a gear swap an easy job, but it does require the proper tools to do the job. Which as with any job, the proper tools makes a big difference in performing the task at hand. At a minimum you will need a dial indicator, a magnetic base, a dial caliper, and a H-frame press or some other way of pressing bearings off and on. Plus of course all the necessary bearings, shims and seals along with gear marking compound.

Originally Posted by LostMy65

Are the gears easy to swap out?
Posted via Mobile Device

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

I wouldn't call a gear swap an easy job, but it does require the proper tools to do the job. Which as with any job, the proper tools makes a big difference in performing the task at hand. At a minimum you will need a dial indicator, a magnetic base, a dial caliper, and a H-frame press or some other way of pressing bearings off and on. Plus of course all the necessary bearings, shims and seals along with gear marking compound.

Doesn't sound easy.

[66-PMD-GMC]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

So you are saying that your neighbor, had a shop install a different model of 10 bolt carrier and gears into a Eaton HO32 housing? I have not heard of this before. Do you have any info as to what the application of the parts are?

For fear of stepping out of bounds and having a forum monitor jump down my throat, I hesitate to mention names of businesses, hint of trying to sell something etc...
However, Johns (the neighbor) truck is a GMC, 65 and as a GMC a leaf rear suspension.
(63-66 GMC was only available with leaf rear)
63-87 rear ends all are a direct bolt in with leafs.
Looking at the photos of Roberts diff and then walking next door and taking a peek under Johns truck, he has a 12 bolt, it was updated by a company in downtown Phoenix that deals with diffs exclusively and has for decades. Very knowledgable folks.
I should have looked at Roberts photos before commenting. My mistake....

[1Bad62Pro/Street]

'62 frame.....
Needing a rear end......
heee heeee heeeee
58 Ford Wagon 9” Rear End (Axle Length 57.25 inches)
No narrowing required.
3.70 or for a little more umph.... 4.11 gear....
Rear tires: Mickey Thompson Sportsman Pro Tire, 29x15.50-15LT
One Bad Mamma Jamma '65

[CMACDONALD1]

Great story! Just read through the whole thread.

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by CMACDONALD1

Great story! Just read through the whole thread.

Thanks. All my friends can't believe I tracked down and got it back. I walk out quite often and put my hand on the hood - just to touch it.
Posted via Mobile Device

[LostMy65]

Still haven't got the brakes totally worked out on my 66, but I just needed to do something on my 65 today.
Got all the old carpet scraps and fiberglass insulation crap job tore out of the cab.
Took the air-cleaner off and gave the carb and good cleaning with Gunk Carb Cleaner.
Engine runs nice now.
Next will be getting the brakes good, and then I can drive it some this summer.
I will be doing this to tide me over until the winter when I upgrade to front discs:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=460791

[LostMy65]

Got the brakes split using a impala mc like ChiefRocka suggested.
That thread is closed, but jocko's thread is still open:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=487384

[LostMy65]

Built me a pressure bleeder out of stuff I had lying around.
Worked great to bleed the brakes.
Used it on my 66, and now on my 65.

[cris well]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

Built me a pressure bleeder out of stuff I had lying around.
Worked great to bleed the brakes.
Used it on my 66, and now on my 65.

Any specs or more pics of the pressure bleeder? I'd like to make me something like that.

[LostMy65]

Got the brakes worked out and gave her a good wash.
Engine runs really nice.
I'm good for now.
I'll tinker on the body & interior here and there until winter when I plan to upgrade the front to discs.