Project: Tiki Express, '65 C10 Panel Truck Build

[northern 85]

Any updates? Hows the wagon?

[chevy_mike]

Originally Posted by northern 85

Any updates? Hows the wagon?

Well, I would have liked to had some positive news but not so much. Back in the beginning of April, coming back from a Nova meetup, the engine went south. I had to pull it, rebuild it, which led me down the path to fix a few other things I wasn't really happy with. I have a week or two left to hopefully have the wagon back on the road.

My plan is after getting the wagon back on the road, I will get back to the panel and finally get it back on the road, having sat for the last year and a half on the side of my house.

Once it's on the road, I need to get back on my '68 truck...

[northern 85]

Thats progress,what kind of build on the wagon engine?

[chevy_mike]

Originally Posted by northern 85

Thats progress,what kind of build on the wagon engine?

Just a mild build on the 250 Inline 6. Also redid the booster/MC setup, front hard lines redone, HEI setup, rewiring the engine compartment and installed my custom built Speedhut gauges.

[northern 85]

Wow everything looks sweet!

[63suburby]

Originally Posted by chevy_mike

Yeah, it didn't help that I bought another car... I SOOOOO need to get back on the panel.

New toy, '64 Chevy II wagon

Ive got a 66 wagon same color

[chevy_mike]

Looks like the wagon is back on the road. Here's how the engine turned out





Now I need to get a couple house things done and back to work on the panel!!!!

[northern 85]

Very nice work!

[mosesburb]

Looks great Mike!! Very clean.

[71chevymike]

Nice panel. I'm in the process of purchasing a '65 panel to build myself. It will be my first ground up build, so I've been looking for places to get parts, not having much luck. I do love those panel trucks.

[DouglasRaymond]

Very nice looking panel, like the slots. Wagon is cool too.

[chevy_mike]

Okay, it has been a LOOOOONG time since I posted any updates or really did any work on the panel. I managed to get it into my garage in Feb. 2014 (yes... 2014!) and had some health issues that really kept me from doing any work on it. Having resolved most of the health stuff, I am starting to get back to this project.

I had picked up a set of later model 15x8 factory steel wheels and had planned to go with the trim rings/baby moon caps with wide white walls. I got the wheels stripped, primed and painted. Then I was floored at the cost of wide whites. I was looking at $1000 -$1200 plus install. I just can't bring myself to do it. I thought about doing standard black wall tires but it wasn't going to be the look I had in my head. That put the project on hold for a bit.

I then figured out that a number of the rear axle wheel studs were screws up and I would need to pull the axles and figured I would replace them all with longer ones while I was at it. Then I really started thinking, if I am pulled the axles, do I really want to stay 6 lug or swap over to 5 lug? I did some searching for wheels I liked that were also reasonably priced. I found them. Discount Tire sells MB Old Schools and I got a 17x8, 4.5" BS wheel to test fit. It fits just like the 15x8 wheels I have. I am going with a 235/60-17 tire which puts me almost identical to the 235/70-15 I was going to run. With that I ordered new Tom's KA axles which should be here any day.

Well everyone likes pics so here are a few to get ya goin'

15x8 steelies, painted with trim rings and moon caps (will be for sale in classified)




New 17x8 Old Schools! Loving these. Classic look with modern flair.





Hopefully you will start seeing more updates.

[earl84]

Love the look of those new rims.

[The_Hub]

Just read through your build. Glad to see you're getting back at it. Have you thought of doing regular black tires with white lettering? I went with cooper cobras lettering facing out. Looks good and I'm ready to see some more progress on it!

[chevy_mike]

Okay, a few updates, yes really updates!!! As for wheels and tires, I have committed myself to the new ones, since I now have all 4 wheels and tires.

This past weekend I swapped out the old 6 lug axles, bearing and seals. I decided that since these new wheels are open and you can see the brakes behind them, I didn't like having drums in the rear. I bought a new set of caliper brackets from CaptianFab (thanks for the quick shipping) and took the rotors and caliper setup off my stalled '68 C10 project. Figured I could put them to use now. Put in a new set of Tom's KA axles (way beefier than the stock ones), new bearing and seals. Painted and installed the caliper brackets, rotors and calipers. Just need to install the diff cover and fill with fluid, then the rear end is done, outside of the e-brake.

On the fronts I got the rotors and calipers painted and installed. Ordered a Corvette master cylinder (going to run manual brakes as I like them in my '65 C10 truck). Need to build some lines and bleed everything.

Since I am staying with a manual trans, I decided I wanted to do another AX15 5 speed swap. I found a recycle yard in Kansas that had a low mileage one for a good price and had it shipped out. It came in today. I'll document it in this thread but I have a write up about the install in my '65 C10 truck I sold. Here is the info AX15 Install

Well everyone likes pics so here they are!

New wheels and tires test fitted (17x8, 4.5 BS with 235/60-17 tires)


Painting parts




Rear axles, caliper brackets and brakes mounted









AX15 trans


With the Thanksgiving weekend here, not sure if I'll get much done as will be doing family stuff. Still, getting closer and closer!!! Stay tuned...

[Captainfab]

For some reason I haven't thought about Toms for axles too. He's not that far from me but I have yet to need to visit him yet.

[AJCK87]

The motor looks great! This is a nice looking panel. Do you have any detailed pictures of the passengers side barn door latch? Both of mine are in different states. Both look like they have a bit broken off

[chevy_mike]

Well not much of a progress update. Lots of stuff going on. I have done some of the brake line stuff but still need to finish that up. What I have been doing is buying parts. The biggest one was picking up a late model 350, 1 piece rear main, Vortec heads, roller cam engine for this project. I am going to swap that in. I just ordered the Novak adapter for the trans, new flywheel, clutch and new mini starter. I also bought a Dakota Digital VHX gauge kit (black face, blue LED). I have on order and awaiting it to ship, a FiTech Go Street EFI kit. Yep, going EFI in this panel!!!

Well hopefully I'll get the parts and start getting this thing together...

[midnight rambler]

dam looking good

[1955 mancave]

anything new on your panel ? I love your build , of course building one my self i'm going to follow this build.

[1955 mancave]

Wow! Almost 100 views and no comments... guess there's no love for the panel... LOL


I know how you feel, I'm like hmm and I know there are panel lovers out there. lol

[chevy_mike]

Well, not much going on. Got side tracked with another toy...

[midnight rambler]

Nice SS

[chevy_mike]

Originally Posted by midnight rambler

Nice SS

Thanks. Not a real SS, just a clone. Was done by the previous owner.

Besides the wheels, tires and bed cover, I also added Dakota Digital VHX gauges, Lecarrea steering wheel and Retro Sound radio.

[midnight rambler]

I like it