Bringing the '65 back to life

[racecougar]

Shot the second coat of black, then relocated the small parts and tented the axle to protect it before shooting two coats of silver. I'll probably take tomorrow off to let the paint cure a bit before reassembly.


We also took a look at a 6.0L that had been in a vehicle fire. Unfortunately, it had cooked to the point that the valvecovers melted...way too baked to take a gamble on. We're keeping our eyes out for a cheap, rebuildable 6.0L longblock.

[racecougar]

Stuck the stock 3.73 open diff back into the housing for now, then attached the trailing arms, springs, and axle housing to the frame today. Also ordered up a custom set of axles from Moser, a ARP main cap stud kit, and a Ultimate cover from LPW.

[deejaaa1]

looking good!

[Ta2Don]

Trailing arms look great...

Happy hunting for the 6.0...

[racecougar]

Thanks guys! Installed the panhard bar, wheel cylinders, lower shock mounts, and e-brake cables (they're not clipped into the backing plates yet) today, then began looking at the bed floor crossmembers.

[racecougar]

Installed the other steering wheel today, worked on the bed floor cross-members, installed all the goodies into the rear axle, and stuck the rear "tires" on it.


In summary, the '65 GM Truck 12-bolt rear axle has received:

Tubes welded to center housing
Moser 7950 housing ends to accept the "big Ford" style bearings/retainers (eliminating C-clips)
Narrowed the housing by 7" total (3-1/2" per side)
Custom-order Moser 30-spline alloy street/strip axles
1/2-20 x 3" screw-in studs on a 5 on 5" bolt pattern
"Big Ford" tapered wheel bearings
Larger "JB5" style drum brakes
LPW Ultimate Cover
ARP main cap studs
Stock 3.73 open diff...until the final rear tire diameter is determined.

The rear "tires" will help us decide on a final tire size. Dad even went as far as making them hubcentric.

[racecougar]

Now that the rear axle is done, it's time for the bed! We decided to set the bed in place to determine tire clearance before the metalwork commences. I brought the bed in through the side door while Dad guided me along. Good thing the shop has high ceilings.


It might look a little goofy at the moment, but the bed is sitting about 1/2" rearward and the suspension will compress a couple inches once the bed floor, tailgate, fuel tank, etc. are installed.



Drop it a bit and stretch the wheelwells forward a couple inches and it'll look pretty good.

[chad64chevy]

I ended up finding some long bed w/wheel well arch an cut them down since the long bed arch is 3" longer! I haven't got it done yet but I will as a winter project, I also got 15x12 rims but I got the rally rims an 15x7 up front! when I tubbed the bed I used 67-72 tubs and widened them 4.75", the tubs are 16" wide not including 1-2" or so when bolted to the bed side! the tubs pretty most go straight up from the frame! what was the back spacing on those rims??

progress is looking good, keep it up

[racecougar]

Yep, the longbed guys have quite a bit more room. I think stretching the front of the wells forward 2" will do the trick here. The Cragars have 4-1/2" of backspace. Thanks!

[racecougar]

Blew the bed apart today and started investigating exactly what we have to work with here. It looks like we'll be combining two driver bed sides to make one good one, but we may end up needing a patch panel or two for the passenger side.

[racecougar]

Letting the sparks fly.


We were getting the panel all fit up, and I was just about to start tacking it in, when Dad asked if I wanted to quit for now and come back to it next weekend after he picks up a tank of gas for the welder. Uh, heck yeah! I've done enough FCAW on thin sheetmetal on this project. I'm totally ready to take the "easy way out" and start doing MIG.

[racecougar]

Reworked the bed crossmembers today to fit the board layout that we're going with (all boards the same width, board in the center rather than a trim strip, and hidden bed mounting bolts), then started mocking them up on the truck.

[racecougar]

Today's picture might not be too exciting, but we accomplished quite a bit. All of the bed floor supports have the mounting bolts and pads welded in place and are in primer now. We also welded up a tank mounting bracket and installed it to the welding cart for the C25 tank.

[Ta2Don]

Keep Rockin'

Diggin' the progress! …and those wood wheels are sweet!!!

[racecougar]

Switched the welder over to 0.025" solid core and C25 this morning, then began welding the drivers bedside back together. Holy cow! Welding with smaller wire and sheilding gas is a walk in the park.

The front of the wheel opening is 2" further forward than stock to both center the wheel in the opening and better accommodate the large diameter tire.




We shot all of the bed floor crossrails with satin black, and Dad started sanding down the floor boards.

[66WideinOhio]

Just read your Build and this is ONE SWEET TRUCK. I'll check in again.
Ray

[racecougar]

Thanks!

Finished welding in the relocated front portion of the wheel opening today, then attacked the crease and dents that were at the lower rear section. Work on the passenger bed side to begin tomorrow. A sharp eye might catch a new development in the background of this photo.


Dad has been laying down coats on the bed floor boards. This is the second coat on the bottom side of the boards.

[deejaaa1]

is that a trailer with slicks?
never mind, i see the plastic cover. it's a truck though, i think.

[racecougar]

Originally Posted by deejaaa1

is that a trailer with slicks?
never mind, i see the plastic cover. it's a truck though, i think.

Yep, that's the '65 C10. Dad bought a pair of Welds with 33x11 Goodyears from Gateway Intl's head tech inspector's rail last week. We figured they would be cool rollers to stick on the truck until it's finished. We just need to stick tubes in them so that they'll hold air for more than a day or two.



Today was spent battling the rust monster, banging out a multitude of dents, waves, and creases, and fitting up the rear lower patch panel. I'll finish welding it in next weekend before stretching the wheel opening. Dad also threw the final coat onto the bottom side of the bed floor boards. Hoping to start putting coats on the top side later this week.

[racecougar]

Finished up the rear lower patch panel today, then zipped out the front of the wheel opening.


Dad installed a tube in one of the slicks and mounted it up. It definitely has the right attitude.

[racecougar]

Fitting up the panel for the front of the wheel opening today.

[racecougar]

Day 220: Welded in the panel on the passenger bed side. The front of the wheel openings have been stretched forward 2" on both bed sides now.

[Ta2Don]

Sweet work!!! Love the slicks...

[racecougar]

Thanks. Thought they'd be good rollers for now.

Worked with Dad on reducing the fender lips today. He bent up the round stock and I zippped it in place.


All in the name of more tire. Gained 1" of tire clearance on the passenger bed side today. Driver side to follow.

[racecougar]

Worked on the drivers bed side fender well lip today until both the welder and I ran out of gas. Got a good start though. Dad will get the tank refilled this week, and I'll get back to it next weekend.