Project truck dream 65"

[66-PMD-GMC]

What is the deal of the tail end of the frame being boxed up like that,
Did I miss that along the way?
Just curious.

[65Custom]

Nice Build, I subscribed!!!!

[lenguini]

Originally Posted by 66-PMD-GMC

What is the deal of the tail end of the frame being boxed up like that,
Did I miss that along the way?
Just curious.

If you go back to my build during fuel tank relocation,you will see the original cross member was removed to accept the new rear mounted tank and this was welded into place at that time.
The reason behind doing this was to strengthen that area for the tank straps to hang from and not to mention a little more safe as an extra bumper in the event I get rear ended.

Cheers,
Ed.

[lenguini]

Originally Posted by 65Custom

Nice Build, I subscribed!!!!

Thanks,Im glad to see you on board !

Cheers,
Ed.

[66-PMD-GMC]

Originally Posted by lenguini

If you go back to my build during fuel tank relocation,you will see the original cross member was removed to accept the new rear mounted tank and this was welded into place at that time.
The reason behind doing this was to strengthen that area for the tank straps to hang from and not to mention a little more safe as an extra bumper in the event I get rear ended.

Cheers,
Ed.

Gotcha.
Just checked and yup, I looked at it and missed it at the same time.

Completely understand...
I am using a stock 66 suburban tank and also the tank behind the seat on my 66 build.
Wired it up with a 79 dual tank wiring harness and set the switch just under the seat in the center so I can keep the stock look everywhere and still reach it.
I want to be able to drive as far as possible between fill ups.
Like my work truck, it beats me up when I fill it but I fill it 1-2 times a month.
Like this mornings fill up...

[lenguini]

Originally Posted by 66-PMD-GMC

Gotcha.
Just checked and yup, I looked at it and missed it at the same time.

Completely understand...
I am using a stock 66 suburban tank and also the tank behind the seat on my 66 build.
Wired it up with a 79 dual tank wiring harness and set the switch just under the seat in the center so I can keep the stock look everywhere and still reach it.
I want to be able to drive as far as possible between fill ups.
Like my work truck, it beats me up when I fill it but I fill it 1-2 times a month.
Like this mornings fill up...

OUCH ! $690.00 ? You sure there's not a hole in your tank somewhere?

[66-PMD-GMC]

Originally Posted by lenguini

OUCH ! $690.00 ? You sure there's not a hole in your tank somewhere?

That is just my work truck.
2 full tanks and my 3rd reserve tank in the bed.

The 66 has 20+ gallons behind the seat and another 20+ in the suburban tank.
Probably be able to squeeze 41 gallons into it so it's nothing like the old work mules 3 bottomless tanks..
But it will still be over $150 to fillerup...
The thing is, I should have an easy 700 mile range from her.
I'm not even considering fuel economy in the pro-street project.

Are you grafting in a fuel door on the bedside or doing the bed floor door?

[lenguini]

Originally Posted by 66-PMD-GMC

That is just my work truck.
2 full tanks and my 3rd reserve tank in the bed.

The 66 has 20+ gallons behind the seat and another 20+ in the suburban tank.
Probably be able to squeeze 41 gallons into it so it's nothing like the old work mules 3 bottomless tanks..
But it will still be over $150 to fillerup...
The thing is, I should have an easy 700 mile range from her.
I'm not even considering fuel economy in the pro-street project.

Are you grafting in a fuel door on the bedside or doing the bed floor door?

Neither of the two,I spent many and hour along with some help here and decided to use the rear stake hole at the driver side for my new fuel fill.
I lowered the truck 3" and may go more,so the other options wouldn't have worked well for me being 6'5".
I cant wait for my first time at the gas station ! Some of the old timers wondering why I'm pouring fuel down that hole,should be good for a few chuckles !

[66-PMD-GMC]

Originally Posted by lenguini

I lowered the truck 3" and may go more,so the other options wouldn't have worked well for me being 6'5".

Your taller than me, but either way, really nice touch.
I was thinking about putting the fill neck behind the drivers tail light. Never seen this done on a truck but I think 56 chevys were like that.. not sure.

[LostMy65]

Great idea on the stake hole for the filler.

[markeb01]

Originally Posted by lenguini

I cant wait for my first time at the gas station ! Some of the old timers wondering why I'm pouring fuel down that hole,should be good for a few chuckles !

I experienced a somewhat silly encounter a few months ago. I have a 33 gallon tank under the bed with a floor fill. After pumping in over 25 gallons the young girl from the booth came out and instructed I needed to set the tank on the ground so I wouldn’t create a static electricity problem. After a few seconds of confusion I realized she thought I was filling a Jerry can, and she simultaneously realized not too many people can pump 30 gallons into a portable gas can! She admitted to being embarrassed and I was left with a funny story.

I really like the stake pocket fill, it's clever, convenient and will no doubt raise a few eyebrows.

[lenguini]

I can thank John Fabris ..,founding member of this site for giving me the idea,he did this on his 67 c10,brilliant idea.

I may have been the first to do it here for this model series....that will be good for the guys on this site building these year trucks.

I will be posting some pics of this in the next couple weeks,Ill get some closeups and be as thorough as I can to help anyone who wants to do the same.I have it down to a science now !

[C@rnut001]

I love your stake pocket fuel filler! Your progress is looking killer and is moving along great! Keep it up!

[lenguini]

Soooooooo,onto the interior,the ideas I'v had over many months will be put to the test now.

You will notice the fresh primer at the transmission tunnel...,well it has now been replaced !Originally this was a standard floor shift tunnel,I changed it out to an automatic hump from another '65.Sorry folks...no pics of that,but pretty strait forward anyway.


I decided to go with the Vintage air compac unit as its small and fits well under the dash.So while the glove compartment lid was removed,I did a final fit and location and my buddy Tyler welded in all mounting brackets.I wanted to make the unit hidden,so It mounted much higher than most I have seen.

In the meantime,I drilled the new hole for the wiring harness at the firewall.I first traced a line around the outside of the inner fender so my location was exact.You will notice two fasteners to the right of the hole,that is the updated e-brake system out of an early 80's Chev pu.Not a fan of the hand release style,so I opted for this.

I wanted to relocate the gas pedal,so I made a mounting block that fits in the v groove of the steering column boss and Tyler welded it into place.I also modified the brake arm,it has now been moved to the left to accommodate the new gas pedal location

You will notice the dash at the heater control area was modified earlier on.To do this,I cut a dummy panel out of a wreck,and had it welded in place.Now both right and left sides of the center dash are the same where the air louvers are installed.

Next the ashtray was cut out.Tyler made up a panel for the new air/heater control on the bead roller and welded it into place.The glove compartment also shaved and welded in place !

I always thought the bottom of the dash on these trucks looked unfinished,so I came up with and idea some time ago and figured I give it a try.I had Tyler "tack it on only",that way If my idea sucked,it could easily be removed.

[jrisch]

Nice build!! Ive been looking for a auto tilt steering colum for my truck, what did youuse for yours

[lenguini]

In between the interior mod's,we went to the back of the box.I decided to put my gas fill at the rear stake pocket.It was a lot of measuring and bending to get it right.I used the original cross sill for a template,so it would be a one time effort when my new Mar-k one arrives.
Multiple cuts were made,until I got the opening for the filler tube just right !

I will once again stress,keep your old cross sill for a template,you dont want to use the new one for this.All fuel tanks,their locations and fabricating will be different by the time you get to this step.
Be patient,the finished project is well worth the time,Im so glad I went this direction.
As I had mentioned in earlier in this thread....."I cant wait for my first time at the gas station "! The looks Ill get when I pour gas into the stake hole will be priceless !

[lenguini]

Originally Posted by jrisch

Nice build!! Ive been looking for a auto tilt steering colum for my truck, what did youuse for yours

Mine is out of a 1973 Chevy Van.I seen them on this site from time to time and that's where I would look if I were you.Maybe try Captain fab for starts.
Trust that what you get on this site will be exactly what they say it is.Good folks here !!

Cheers,
Ed.

[65Custom]

Originally Posted by lenguini

Soooooooo,onto the interior,the ideas I'v had over many months will be put to the test now.

You will notice the fresh primer at the transmission tunnel...,well it has now been replaced !Originally this was a standard floor shift tunnel,I changed it out to an automatic hump from another '65.Sorry folks...no pics of that,but pretty strait forward anyway.


I decided to go with the Vintage air compac unit as its small and fits well under the dash.So while the glove compartment lid was removed,I did a final fit and location and my buddy Tyler welded in all mounting brackets.I wanted to make the unit hidden,so It mounted much higher than most I have seen.

In the meantime,I drilled the new hole for the wiring harness at the firewall.I first traced a line around the outside of the inner fender so my location was exact.You will notice two fasteners to the right of the hole,that is the updated e-brake system out of an early 80's Chev pu.Not a fan of the hand release style,so I opted for this.

I wanted to relocate the gas pedal,so I made a mounting block that fits in the v groove of the steering column boss and Tyler welded it into place.I also modified the brake arm,it has now been moved to the left to accommodate the new gas pedal location

You will notice the dash at the heater control area was modified earlier on.To do this,I cut a dummy panel out of a wreck,and had it welded in place.Now both right and left sides of the center dash are the same where the air louvers are installed.

Next the ashtray was cut out.Tyler made up a panel for the new air/heater control on the bead roller and welded it into place.The glove compartment also shaved and welded in place !

I always thought the bottom of the dash on these trucks looked unfinished,so I came up with and idea some time ago and figured I give it a try.I had Tyler "tack it on only",that way If my idea sucked,it could easily be removed.

Sweet I think you and I think alike I have been planning to do the same things on mine, but you beat me to the implementation

Truck looks great

[lenguini]

Dash finished ! I'm tickled the way the extension looks,its a keeper ! The tack's disappeared into a nice long bead.

See !...Tyler like's it too ! Hey Tyler ! (no this is not a cereal commercial)

[GMR-PERFORMANCE]

Nice truck , but I think I will send you 15 bucks for a hair cut Ed LMAO ... Looks great but I have to say man on man I am glad I started with a rust free AZ truck.

As for static discharge, it's super common out here due to lack of moisture ( yea its a dry heat.. 113F is hot any way you cut it) but local guy was working on his holley carb. ANd ended up buring his face very bad as the small amount of vapor exploded. Cell phones can cause it as well. for what ever reason .

[66-PMD-GMC]

Originally Posted by GMR-PERFORMANCE

Cell phones can cause it as well. for what ever reason .

Actually, that was proven a myth on myth busters or one of those shows like that.
I saw it on T.V. and now I don't turn off my cell when pulling into a station any longer.

[lenguini]

Originally Posted by GMR-PERFORMANCE

Nice truck , but I think I will send you 15 bucks for a hair cut Ed LMAO ... Looks great but I have to say man on man I am glad I started with a rust free AZ truck.

As for static discharge, it's super common out here due to lack of moisture ( yea its a dry heat.. 113F is hot any way you cut it) but local guy was working on his holley carb. ANd ended up buring his face very bad as the small amount of vapor exploded. Cell phones can cause it as well. for what ever reason .

Thanks. Hair cut ? You sound like my mother ..do you know each other ?

[GMR-PERFORMANCE]

Funny we have signs on every fuel pump our here that states no cell use at pump??? I can tell you that I get shocks when I get out my vehicle all the time.

[GMR-PERFORMANCE]

LOL just messin with ya, down here I cut my hair REAL short too hot.. Here is a pic of me and the ole lady . That was a bike we built for a give away raffle...

[65Custom]

Originally Posted by lenguini

Dash finished ! I'm tickled the way the extension looks,its a keeper ! The tack's disappeared into a nice long bead.

See !...Tyler like's it too ! Hey Tyler ! (no this is not a cereal commercial)

That dash extension really looks great, truck is coming along nicely!!!!!