What did you do to your truck today?

[samuellg1977]

I installed some new-to-my-truck seats today. Now, I can see what is going on OUTSIDE the cab while I'm driving!!! Although, I wasn't counting on the shifter NOT WORKING anymore.

[Leadfoot Lambert]

Over the last week or so, New Champion aluminum radiator installed, Engine and tranny installed and test fired for the first time, new CCP tranny cross member installed

[HEI451]

I built a second battery box, and hold down, from an old bed frame, so I can run an AC converter without having battery issues. Found another oldie in my shop, Cobra 18 Ultra CB with 3 weather channels, works, and a good CB antenna, so, that is tomorrow's project. Mounted the new mud flaps today, laid out the plan for the box above the trailer hitch on the back of the frame for the hitch ball holders and chains. Just got done detailing the inset background color on the C30 fender emblems (red). Lots more projects to do on the truck.

[61_FL_Apache]

Originally Posted by HEI451

I built a second battery box, and hold down, from an old bed frame, so I can run an AC converter without having battery issues. Found another oldie in my shop, Cobra 18 Ultra CB with 3 weather channels, works, and a good CB antenna, so, that is tomorrow's project. Mounted the new mud flaps today, laid out the plan for the box above the trailer hitch on the back of the frame for the hitch ball holders and chains. Just got done detailing the inset background color on the C30 fender emblems (red). Lots more projects to do on the truck.

Man I love bed frames.. You can build almost anything from one.

[A.T. RockDriller]

HEI's doin' it right....
No reason to be scared.....
Parallel = Two 12V DC batts wired + to + / -'s to grd. = 12V with combined CCA
Series = Two 12V DC batts wired - to + / - to grd. = 24V with combined CCA
Three for 36V and so on and so on and.......... whatever
Sounds like a safe system with redundant safeties....and a ton of amps.

[kieth]

Got is driving under its own power, getting it ready to load on the trailer to go tho the muffler shop......forgot to tighten the power steering return line, DUH !!!! but it does sound good with open headers......

http://kieth.smugmug.com/Trucks/66-G..._ZP6N2xH-X2-LB

[hopped up]

drove mine for the first time also! great feeling. installed a tranny cooler ,ran lines , new master, bled brakes. need to get a kickdown cable. but hey i drove it!!
Posted via Mobile Device

[hardwaa]

Painted grill and "surround area".
Before and after pics.

[62 Bowtie]

Originally Posted by hardwaa

Painted grill and "surround area".
Before and after pics.

Hey that looks killer dude what color is that and was it ralttle can thanks, Tony

[kfreeman1966]

I finally gave my daughter the keys to her 66 that that we did a frame off on.... here is the finished product.

[steverino66]

Originally Posted by kfreeman1966

I finally gave my daughter the keys to her 66 that that we did a frame off on.... here is the finished product.

Dude, that's beautiful!
You may have just decided my paint scheme (I have the same truck/same Cragars on mine as well) - what color/code/paint brand is that blue if you don't mind?

[jbgroby]

The blackout looks really great, I wonder why Chevy vs. GMC did not follow the same plan/pattern. I understand why GMC did it as the GMC letters appear to "Float". I wonder IF any trucker found letters and tried to have CHEVY float in the area?

[steverino66]

made more progress on the weekend project:
removed rusty driver side rocker, welded in some small sheetmetal repairs underneath, test fit the new outer rocker

[kieth]

I DROVE IT BACK 6 MILES FROM THE FRONT END SHOP TO MY SHOP !!

DROVE LIKE A DREAM,,,,,,,,,,,,,


Now we have it back in the shop finishing up the wiring and 1000 other small details. I am ordering the A/C system today--------it is 99 and it needs to be cooled offffffff.................Kieth

[HEI451]

I just received a PM about my second battery and box. IN it, the sender didn't want to blow his electrical system up with the "24 Volts" it would then have.

PLEASE, LET ME MAKE THIS VERY CLEAR, I DO NOT WIRE THE BATTERIES TO GIVE 24 VOLTS, BUT WIRE THEM TO STAY AT 12 VOLTS, POSITIVE TO POSITIVE, NEGATIVE ON BOTH BATTERIES TO ENGINE AND CHASSIS GROUND.

I use high amperage large case GM alternators, producing 130/140 amperes, and single wire them, one per vehicle. This alternator/battery configuration maintains each battery in top charge.

I do run a diode between the positive posts of both batteries, with the current flow TO the second battery, and not OUT of it. This way, the one alternator will charge both batteries fine, with each battery being able to single output to different accessories.

My neighbor with the Dodge dump truck built his own hoist/winch, and simply wired both his batteries to give high amperage and 12 volts, no diode. He needs the high amperage for his winch motor, virtually a starter motor that uses a lot of cranking amperes.

My battery box is an ole bed frame, L shaped steel angle, cut to clear the battery I am using, with each end of the angle cut at 45 degrees, so they match at 90 degree angles. I then use a thin sheet of steel plate set into the box, with a liner made of an old rear floor mat, just cut to fit, leave sides so they will cushion the battery in the box. The hold down is simply, round steel rod, bent to fit, and brackets made of strap steel. One end has a bracket welded to it, and bolts to the core support bolt at the battery, the other end is threaded, and sits into a hole in a bracket welded to the bottom of the box. I then also add two large long nuts, bolted together, thread the rod on the top of the battery, so I can change the length of the rod, for different width batteries.

The fellow wanted pictures, and I will take some, and will need help posting them, because when it comes to adding pictures to a web site, I am a real dummy. I really enjoy looking at the pics on these pages, and will have to learn how to post 'em.

[lwb66step]

Drained the fuel tank, installed new battery, changed oil, new plugs, wires, coil, cap, rotor, AAAAAAAAAND.......no start all i can think of is it needs a new fuel pump.....

[HEI451]

When we built the winch on the dump truck across the street, it would work OK for large logs and railroad ties with the idle sped up and one battery, but, if it was any heavier, no dice, the electric motor on the winch wouldn't do well. This winch is mounted on the side of the dump bed, is changeable length, and uses the same cable to lift itself up to higher angles.

With both batteries and the engine rpms risen to 1,600 idle, we lifted a tree trunk that was over 3 feet in diameter, and longer than the 9' 8" dump bed, with NO problem. We came across the street and lifted a complete Yamaha XS1100 motorcycle, over 8 feet in the air, no problem. We were going to lift the front end of his son's Dodge Neon, but the kid chickened out and left in a big hurry before we could hook it up, DANG.

[Clyde65]

Lucky girl for sure!

[kieth]

Well we got the rear bumper on, wired the rear lights, set the timing, it sure runs better and actually idles at a stoplight. tomorrow we will install the grille and get the front turn signals and running lights working.........it is coming along.....finally

ps I bought a 66 C10 today BBW, factory air, power steering , custom, 283, powerglide

How will I ever finish them ??

[markeb01]

I never appreciated how puny and undersize the rims look on VDO gauges until I mounted the vacuum gauge in the same accessory panel with two Autometer gauges. The new Autometer vacuum gauge arrived today and was installed a few minutes later. Both are 2 1/16" but comparing the two, the Autometer version is certainly more impressive (IMHO). The fun part being my wife inspired the upgrade. She insisted after all the work that’s gone into the project the gauges all need to match, so the new 160 mph Autometer speedometer should also arrive Friday.

Here’s the before shot with the VDO gauge in the center. The rims are so small they will fall through the hole if it's cut slightly oversize:



And here’s the after shot with the Autometer matched set:

[steverino66]

Originally Posted by markeb01

And here’s the after shot with the Autometer matched set:

Much better - looks great.

[willyp]

replaced battery and starter today, lesson learned.

[jayman68]

Scored a pair of outer cab floor extentions as part of selling my 96 Suzuki Sidekick.

[pdxhall]

I finally finished all the rear frame cleaning I could get to and sprayed a few unreachable areas with rust converter. Ready for paint when that dries. I removed the axles and backing plates from the rear end to prep the rear end and plates for painting and to change to 5 lug axles and drums. By the way, in the for sale section I have the 6 lug axles and drums posted. I also ordered trailing arm bushings, new u-bolts and a new fuel tank for the rear.

[Blue Blood]

Changed the oil, contemplating pulling the original (see:beat) wood bed out, & am today starting some minor surface rust removal/sealing in the usual areas, bottom of f. fenders, inner rockers, drivers floor pan.