Lost My 65

[66-PMD-GMC]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

Yeah, I asked him about that when I first bought it back.
He said he could only get the one bolt to line up.

Posted via Mobile Device

Dang!
Sure glad he didn't have trouble with the lug nuts!

[LostMy65]

Bottom corner on the passenger side of the Radiator support was rusting out. It also had some other bad areas.
I took another Radiator support that also had some bad areas, and combining the two, I made one good one.
.
Here is the left-over bad portions:



.
Here is the patched and repaired support:

Posted via Mobile Device

[66-PMD-GMC]

Nice... livin' the dream... too cool..
Wish I could find my old ride.. you are one lucky dude...

[LostMy65]

Beings I patched and repaired my Radiator Support, and properly installed my Motor Stands which raised the front of the engine, I figured I'd mock up my new 62 Shroud.
Looks good. The fan is nicely centered.

Posted via Mobile Device

[66-PMD-GMC]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

Beings I patched and repaired my Radiator Support, and properly installed my Motor Stands which raised the front of the engine, I figured I'd mock up my new 62 Shroud.
Looks good. The fan is nicely centered.
Posted via Mobile Device

Hey! that is nice...
I have been waiting to see what you are going to do on this truck.
Nice to see some progress. Haven't seen any posts on the service truck but I check from time to time.
I am subscribed to both.
I sure like that tire/wheel combo that you have. I like the stance of the truck with them too.
I would love to find some rims similar to those for my tires that I am using on my 63. I have 18" M/T sportsman radials (6655) for the rear and 8" (6650)for the front.
My biggest problem is finding any 15" wheels at 15" wide.. for those rear tires.
BTW how wide are the front tires on your truck??
... Wish I could find a GMC grill as clean as yours...
Keep on making those small steps my friend and before you know it you will be cruisin in that bad boy...

[LostMy65]

I appreciate you always checking in on my threads.

I feel that I won't ever be really doing what we call a 'Build Thread', but I'm pretty settled now on a direction/theme.
I see others build these classy beauties and I think of how I'd be afraid of every possible ding and chip. Also, with this truck there is so many layers of memories and experiences in the paint, the body, and even the chassis.
Things that I want to keep.
So, stripping down to metal and smoothing out every ding and ripple just doesn't seem right.
The faint dents on the roof are from a canoe during a fishing trip with my friends Rick and Scott. The dent on the dash on the passenger side is from my friend Todd's chin when we got in an accident.
The underlying layers of paint are layers of time. Under the blue; the bed is Red Oxide and then White. The Cab is Red Oxide and then dark blue with a white stripe down the passenger side.
I like the idea of sanding down in kind of a faux-weathered look to expose portions of these layers. This allows me to see these layers of time and memories, but also allows me to not have to be worried about future dings and dents.

Originally Posted by 66-PMD-GMC

BTW how wide are the front tires on your truck??

The wheels and tires are the same size all around.
The over-all width of the tires is 12"
Posted via Mobile Device

[66-PMD-GMC]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

I appreciate you always checking in on my threads.

"I feel that I won't ever be really doing what we call a 'Build Thread', but I'm pretty settled now on a direction/theme.
I see others build these classy beauties and I think of how I'd be afraid of every possible ding and chip. Also, with this truck there is so many layers of memories and experiences in the paint, the body, and even the chassis.
Things that I want to keep.
So, stripping down to metal and smoothing out every ding and ripple just doesn't seem right."

"I like the idea of sanding down in kind of a faux-weathered look to expose portions of these layers. This allows me to see these layers of time and memories, but also allows me to not have to be worried about future dings and dents."

"The wheels and tires are the same size all around.
The over-all width of the tires is 12"
Posted via Mobile Device

As I often times say, it's your ride, build it your way and for you...
I get asked "WHY" about my choice of a power plant for my truck all the time... but it's what I want, so Pontiac motivation it is.. ...
You can't beat a driver that you don't need to worry about when you are parked at the store..
Nuff said...
As for tires, I was thinking of going with a 10" wide tire, section width that is for the front, but wasn't sure it would fit...
If your tires are 12" then there is a god chance 10" will fit on mine...
Keep posting progress ..
I'm still searching for the right wheels for my 63..

[66-PMD-GMC]

Ok...........
I have been thinking about this and I have to ask your opinion...

I have a 62 GMC...
The frame weighs a ton and I am thinking that it would be easier for me to roll this 62 over to a 63-66 frame ...
You went the opposite way I know but my question is.. are the rear cab mounts in the same place?
I have several frames and I built a frame jig and I will be shortening a frame to a short wheel base, grafting in the power steering section off a 67-72 frame and possibly fabricating a way to hang a C4 vette rear suspension off the rear.
All of this could be done on the 62 frame too except I don't think shortening the 62 frame would be all that easy...
You have seen a 62 frame.. got any opinions?

[LostMy65]

I only went with the 62 frame because back in 84 I didn't know right off the differences.
My friend Todd's dad offered me the 62 gmc for a donor to rebuild my 65 after I totalled it.
If I knew what I know now, I would have looked for a shortbed 66.
But getting it back, I'll be keeping it on the 62 frame because of memories and nostalgic reasons.
.
With the upgrades you want to do to your truck, I would think the newer frames would be the better choice.
.
Now, I heard the reason they changed the cab in 64 was because more twisting of the 63+ frame was putting much strain on the wrap-around window style cab. So they redesigned the cab's front pillars to create more of an 'A-Frame' structure to the cab.
.
And yet, I haven't heard any complaints from those who have a 63 as this being an issue.
.
As to your other question; the rear cab mounts are the same. It's the front cab mounts that are different, but still easily works.
.
Shortening a 60-62 frame would probably be way too much work.
Me, I wouldn't attempt it.
.
From reading these forums, Shortening a 63-66 frame doesn't seem to be that difficult at all.
Posted via Mobile Device

[66-PMD-GMC]

So, are the rear cab mounts/bolt holes in the same place between the two sets of year cabs?
Measuring on my 62, the best that I can alone says they are really really close or the same.

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by 66-PMD-GMC

So, are the rear cab mounts/bolt holes in the same place between the two sets of year cabs?
Measuring on my 62, the best that I can alone says they are really really close or the same.

I'll double check tomorrow.
Posted via Mobile Device

[66-PMD-GMC]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

I'll double check tomorrow.
Posted via Mobile Device

My 62 is complete and on blocks and jack stands so measuring is an exercise in yoga... LOL
I wasn't sure if you remembered having to drill new holes or ?..........
Thanks for checking for me.

[66-PMD-GMC]

They are the same

[LostMy65]

Oops, I forgot. Sorry.
I've been working crazy hours lately.

[66-PMD-GMC]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

Oops, I forgot. Sorry.
I've been working crazy hours lately.

No big deal...
I got it and now I am making plans for C-4 vette rear suspension,
Porterbuilt coil over front....
This next truck will be for the skid pad.......

[LostMy65]

I had a leak in the cab.
I found it at a seam under the vent cowl cover.
I dug into it yesterday.
There's about forty spot welds.
I wasn't looking forward to drilling all them out.
It went a lot easier than I expected.


Here are a few pics:

[Palf70Step]

At least you are doing it better than the PO of my 69 parts truck did; beer can and tar.

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step;60395 45

At least you are doing it better than the PO of my 69 parts truck did; beer can and tar.

Believe me, I was tempted to go the tar route.
Fortunately, I have a donor cab that has that portion in good shape that I've already cut out to repair that section right.
Posted via Mobile Device

[LostMy65]

A friend at work just gave me this:




Posted via Mobile Device

[LostMy65]

Got the patch piece from the donor cab cut to size.
Fits good.
I'll probably try and get it cleaned up and tacked in tomorrow.


Posted via Mobile Device

[likaroc13]

cool find on the protection plan, & the patch looks like a nice fit

[WhippinSaw]

You make it look easy lostmy65, Thanks for posting. Was wondering how that dang thing came off. I am going to work on this next winter. Wish I had a room for a donor.

[LostMy65]

Finally got the patch for the cab welded in.
.
I put the truck back together.
I'll tinker here and there, but I'll wait until winter before I do anything major again.
I really would like to get some concrete poured in my pole barn to make it easier to work on the truck.







Posted via Mobile Device

[66-PMD-GMC]

Nice job!

[LostMy65]

The Shrinking Discs I ordered from Wray Schelin arrived today.
I'm going to keep the truck drivable for the summer, and just tinker with bodywork.


Posted via Mobile Device