Project '64 Cheapskate

[chevyrestoguy]

It happened.......
After installing the 2" blocks, it put the back of the truck exactly where I wanted it. I haven't had a chance to see the truck on the ground and sitting "right" in a long time. You will also notice in this picture that sliding the front wheels 1" forward when it got Z'd made a HUGE difference.



We got most of the bed wood removed today, and the next step is to cut the bolts that won't loosen (the ones that just spin) and then remove the wheel tubs. After that, the c-notch goes on, and the bed floor gets raised, followed by a bunch of other stuff that I won't divulge just yet. The ideas I have are going to be mods that I've never seen anyone do before. I think you'll like them.

[earl84]

That looks freakin' killer, dude.

[rusty76]

I don't think I'm going to like those mods you have never seen done before.....lol. Seriously the truck looks freaking killer man. So Kool. Right stance, right wheels and everything. Let's go to Lowes....you want to?

[TJ's Chevy]

WOWZA! AWESOME!!!! Looks killer!

[theastronaut]

That looks RIGHT!!

[duallyjams]

I'm convinced know gotta move the front forward 1"

[likaroc13]

Stance is killer! This is another one of those long beds I just can't help but like even though I'm a short bed guy.

[KJSR]

Looks great Alex!

[Low Elco]

This's better'n Christmas! You win, that looks Bitc*in'! The wheel move was good. Can't wait for the next stage!

[chevyrestoguy]

Originally Posted by earl84

That looks freakin' killer, dude.

Thanks, Earl!

Originally Posted by rusty76

I don't think I'm going to like those mods you have never seen done before.....lol. Seriously the truck looks freaking killer man. So Kool. Right stance, right wheels and everything. Let's go to Lowes....you want to?

Thanks, Rusty! The mods I'm planning to do are not crazy custom stuff, but very subtle additions that will package a lot of usable features in a very small area.

Originally Posted by T.J. MCCAULEY

WOWZA! AWESOME!!!! Looks killer!

Thanks, T.J.!

Originally Posted by theastronaut

That looks RIGHT!!

Thank You, John! It's amazing what a little height adjustment can do. Now, I have a lot of work ahead of me getting the notches done, moving the bed floor up, and other things.

Originally Posted by duallyjams

I'm convinced know gotta move the front forward 1"

To me, the one thing that always stands out is how the front wheels on the 60-66 trucks always move back in the wheel openings after you lower them. Once your eyes catch it, it's so obvious every time you see one that's been lowered. Moving the wheels forward makes a huge difference in aesthetics.

Originally Posted by likaroc13

Stance is killer! This is another one of those long beds I just can't help but like even though I'm a short bed guy.

It's funny you say that. I have always been a short bed guy as well, and I when I started on this one, I figured that I would do some of my normal tricks and let the chips fall where they may. Honestly, I've been a bit surprised at how much the long beds have grown on me. Even still, if I'm building an all-out hot rod, it'll be a short bed. If I'm building an all-purpose, fun to drive, beat-around-town truck, then it'll probably be a long bed just because you use them for a lot of different things. This truck WILL get used as a truck!

Originally Posted by KJSR

Looks great Alex!

Thanks, Eric! How's your truck coming along?

Originally Posted by Low Elco

This's better'n Christmas! You win, that looks Bitc*in'! The wheel move was good. Can't wait for the next stage!

Thanks, Chip! The next stage will involve a lot of sparks, grinding, painting, welding, and saw dust. Once this phase is completed, then it'll be plumbing and wiring.

[eldogg]

You nailed it! Can't wait to see what's next.

[ZouchaR]

Awesome looking build!!!!

[Ta2Don]

Love the Stance!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

[flips72]

man I love this truck and I agree, stance is perfect.

[chevyrestoguy]

Not too much to show, but the last few days were spent removing the original bed wood. That was a real treat. I am trying to save every bit of the original wood, so it was done very carefully. Lots of the fasteners just spun in their holes so they had to be drilled out. After the wood was removed, the torch got fired up and the rivets common to the area where the c-notch is going got hot-wrenched and then driven out with an air chisel. I have to say that GM did an AWESOME job installing those rivets 50 years ago because every one of them was a pain to get out!

I cut the frame on the passenger side for the notch, and it's about 80% there. Still a little more grinding to do to get it to fit nice and tight. Anybody who has ever done this job knows that the frame is double-walled in the area of the notch. It takes a while to make all the cuts. I'll move over to the driver's side tomorrow.

Here's a shot of the nasty looking frame. I'll do all of the fab work first, leave it all rusty and dirty, and then blow it all apart for paint when it's done. The bed crossmembers are going to the blaster, the bed wood will get semi-restored, and the inside of the bed will get CLR'd, lightly scuffed and then shot in a satin clear.

[rusty76]

I can't wait to see more.....hardly can wait now.

[chevyrestoguy]

Not too much to report on fab work because the wife has had the last few days off and we're hanging out together. She works in retail (manages a Coach Leatherware store), and we hardly see each other from Thanksgiving to Christmas.

I DID, however, sneak out yesterday and drove 200 miles round trip to pick up a used '67-'72 fleetside sport bumper for $70(!). It has a few minor scratches on it, but it's perfectly straight with original chrome, and it's exactly what I was looking for. The guy put it on Craigslist about 2 weeks ago, and then went on vacation to Hawaii. I called on the ad figuring that it was gone, and he had just gotten back from his trip yesterday morning, so I was kinda first in line. Sometimes, you just get lucky.

So, I'm looking for a set of bumper brackets, if you know anybody that has any.

[Low Elco]

Nice snag! I like those on the 60-66's. Cleans up the rear.

[rusty76]

Oh nice score dude.

[98GMCSierraGuy]

Makes me want to make an offer on a buddies 64 rusting away in his back yard. Has original straight six and three speed sitting in the bed. It would be a shame to see it rust away. But this is definitely inspiration for me!

[chevyrestoguy]

Originally Posted by 98GMCSierraGuy

Makes me want to make an offer on a buddies 64 rusting away in his back yard. Has original straight six and three speed sitting in the bed. It would be a shame to see it rust away. But this is definitely inspiration for me!

Go get that thing!! The prices of the '60-'66 trucks are going up like crazy. If you've been wanting one, I would suggest not waiting too long. If I had the money and the space, I'd buy every one I could, because I just like 'em and it breaks my heart when they get sent to the scrapper. I would be like the Crazy Cat Lady of trucks!

[98GMCSierraGuy]

Originally Posted by chevyrestoguy

Go get that thing!! The prices of the '60-'66 trucks are going up like crazy. If you've been wanting one, I would suggest not waiting too long. If I had the money and the space, I'd buy every one I could, because I just like 'em and it breaks my heart when they get sent to the scrapper. I would be like the Crazy Cat Lady of trucks!

Yeah im trying to save up the cash so i can go to him in person with cash in hand and make a persuasive offer.

[Low Elco]

Oh, there's a semi-stripped '65 near here that's calling my name. My friend Flyin' Ryan keeps tryin' to talk me into layin' hundreds on the hood 'til the guy gives it up. He's even offering a '75 front clip for it.

[McMurphy]

Originally Posted by chevyrestoguy

If I had the money and the space, I'd buy every one I could, because I just like 'em and it breaks my heart when they get sent to the scrapper. I would be like the Crazy Cat Lady of trucks!

Yep that is me too !!
These things are crazy easy to work on, a lot less cramped and tight spaces as my Pontiac of the same era.

[rusty76]

Plus they're kool trucks with the right looks.