my 65 fleetside build

[sunjester60]

Gents, I need a new front end. Should I rebuild the stock 60 or go with a newer 74-87? If I go newer, what kind of cost am I looking at? I do not have the tools or garage space to even try it myself. Any threads, websites, or other recommendations are welcomed.

[flips72]

Originally Posted by CRGRS 66

be prepared to do some modification to the upper and lower cradles if you go champion. I sent mine back and got my original re-cored, cost a bit more, but worth it in the end. I am sure you can get a multipass core soldered in between your original tanks.

was the tanks too wide or what was the problem?

Originally Posted by sunjester60

Gents, I need a new front end. Should I rebuild the stock 60 or go with a newer 74-87? If I go newer, what kind of cost am I looking at? I do not have the tools or garage space to even try it myself. Any threads, websites, or other recommendations are welcomed.

not sure on the 60 model since its torsion, if you are going to 5 lug the truck i would change the whole crossmember out with a later model and get everything at one time, you can start with 71 for a disc brake set-up, and i am sure ther are alot of shops around that would do the wrenching for you might get a little expensive though. i am sure there are numerous threads on this subject i just dont know how to post the ones i can find but there are alot of guys on here that do. go back to the open forum and start a thread and you will get alot of hits, i am sure of it. good luck.

[CRGRS 66]

Originally Posted by flips72

was the tanks too wide or what was the problem?

Both tanks were what I would call too deep, front to back. The rad wedged into the bottom cradles, and would not go all the way down. The top bracket would not go over the rad at all. I would have A) had to cut some steel from the inside of the bracket, and B) shave the rubber to get it to go over. The rad was also somewhere in the area of 3" too narrow, and had to be set closer to the passenger side as the inlet interfered with the cradle. Outside of the fit, I was also not happy with the look. The welds were cheesy looking, and the tanks were not particularly straight... you get what you pay for it seems. On top of that it was made in China (American Eagle, ya right). I ended up supporting my local economy, and kept my original rad. The cost to me was an additional $150.00, but I am so glad to have kept the original look.

Posting 2 pics, one more to follow.

[CRGRS 66]

last picture is with the re-cored rad installed (excuse the stains on the shroud I will clean it up and paint it this fall when I tear the front end down).

At the end of the day I am just really glad that I don't have to look at that chinese piece of #### everytime I open the hood.

[198plus]

You truck looks killer, what a great job you have done !!!!!!!

[chad64chevy]

, just playing! glad to hear you have been getting some work done!! it has been really hot here too!!

[flips72]

some pics

[flips72]

oops, for some reason i cant upload pictures, i guess thats what happens when your computer illiterate.

[Alan's Classic]

Still waiting on the pics. congrats on the progress!
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[flips72]

some pics

[flips72]

a few more pics

[flips72]

and a couple of the dash, everything is extremely dusty as you can tell in the pics

[likaroc13]

looks great! noticed your CAT battery...my dad has worked for CAT for 20(+) years...i worked for them as a summer student worker during college

[Dinos63]

truck looks killer , engine bay a engine are super clean nice work!you are building a awsume ride!

[Dustin07]

beautiful, really nice work!

[chad64chevy]

flips, the truck is looking really good, now when you get it running long enough to make a short video we all would like to hear it, that red is beautiful!! looks like it wont be long and you'll be done, and driving it by the time it starts to cool off!!

[flips72]

Originally Posted by likaroc13

looks great! noticed your CAT battery...my dad has worked for CAT for 20(+) years...i worked for them as a summer student worker during college

i have worked for a cat forklift company for the past 16 years, pretty good place to work and good fringe benifits

Originally Posted by Dinos63

truck looks killer , engine bay a engine are super clean nice work!you are building a awsume ride!

thanks dino, means alot coming from builder with your skills.

Originally Posted by Dustin07

beautiful, really nice work!

thanks dustin

Originally Posted by chad64chevy

flips, the truck is looking really good, now when you get it running long enough to make a short video we all would like to hear it, that red is beautiful!! looks like it wont be long and you'll be done, and driving it by the time it starts to cool off!!

thanks chad, i tried making a video but with the open headers its just a lot of noise cant really tell much about it, i will try again though.

[flips72]

windshield is in now and belts and hoses are done, my fan and shroud came in yesterday just have to cut out the hole and mount everything up. heres a few pics

[flips72]

a couple more

[chad64chevy]

i just realized that your motor was in the back set of holes just like mine and we have the same style valve covers just mine are different colors! my question is after you made room in the firewall how close are the valve covers to the firewall?? a pic would also help, thanks!!

[Alan's Classic]

Very impressive!! Your still grinnin' aren't you? Your on the home stretch.

[likaroc13]

just curious, who did you use for the windshield rubber? thanks

[flips72]

Originally Posted by chad64chevy

i just realized that your motor was in the back set of holes just like mine and we have the same style valve covers just mine are different colors! my question is after you made room in the firewall how close are the valve covers to the firewall?? a pic would also help, thanks!!

i have at least a 1/2 inch clearence on both sides heres a few pics

Originally Posted by Alan's Classic

Very impressive!! Your still grinnin' aren't you? Your on the home stretch.

thanks alan and you know it

Originally Posted by likaroc13

just curious, who did you use for the windshield rubber? thanks

not sure on the manufacture but i got it through classic industries and it fits great

[LostMy65]

Wow!
I remember when you first posted pics.
I thought; 'why is this guy tearing this thing down, it looks done.'.
Now it's really looking spectacular!
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[Modges'66]

Wow!
Hope that mine looks close to that nice when I get done!
What a fine choice of parts & excellent workmanship, putting it all together!