Project: Tiki Express, '65 C10 Panel Truck Build

[chevy_mike]

Got a bunch more little things done over the weekend. Actually have it sitting on it's own wheels for the first time in about 3 years. I even washed it for the first time in that long. Looks good. Too bad the roof paint is toast. Side areas look okay but the top completely spider cracked and lifted. Whole roof needs to be repainted.

[chevy_mike]

Chipping away at more stuff to be done. Had my best friend come out and wired up my Dakota Digital VHX gauges. This is the second time I have used the VHX line (did my '72 El Camino) and just love them. Found a few electrical gremlins I'll need to work through. Funny story, we were trying to figure out why the headlights were not coming on (it had gotten dark by now) and until I went around to the front did I notice the problem. I hadn't put the grill assembly back in yet... My buddy was looking to throw something at me.

Some pics

[chevy_mike]

Knocking out more items. Got the gauge cluster installed and mounted the driver's side seat.

[chevy_mike]

Yesterday was a HUGE milestone. I needed to switch places on my side yard, between my '55 Chevy wagon and the Panel. Wagon does not run so I had a couple friends over to help push it out of the way. Then, for the first time in over 7 years, the Panel moved under it's own power!!! It actually drives!

I still have a number of little things to still do before it's ready for the road but there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Oh, this is open manifolds, not exhaust yet. LOL

Video my wife took,
65 panel moves under own power

Here's a pic on the street.

[cwcarpenter98]

That's sweet! I love that blue

[Captainfab]

That is great to see.

While I have driven my Suburban around my shop to move it, I have not driven it on the street in 9 years. I am once again hoping to drive it again this year.

[zden]

Cool panel! What seats are those? I have a 66 burb with the factory seats and want to swap to buckets. What will you do for seatbelts?

[chevy_mike]

Originally Posted by zden

Cool panel! What seats are those? I have a 66 burb with the factory seats and want to swap to buckets. What will you do for seatbelts?

Thanks.

I was told they were out of a Fiero and reupholstered but the guy I got them from, they were in a 1930 Model A pickup. He was swapping to a bench seat.

As for seat belts, I am going to use a set of aftermarket lap belts and mount them to what seems to be a location of current ones. I am not sure if they were factory, dealer or PO installed but I'll post up pics when I get that part done.

[chevy_mike]

Ticking off another project. Installed new cap and rotor and made up a set of plug wires. Unfortunately no one had 8 of the spark plugs I wanted in stock so I still have to swap those. Need to get some wire clamps to clean up the routing.

[chevy_mike]

Finally got the panel picked up and dropped off at the exhaust shop. They are going to work on this week. With my availability I won't likely pick it up until Saturday. Getting closer!

[midnight rambler]

that's the exhaust shop in P.B.? how's there work I need a system installed.

[chevy_mike]

Originally Posted by midnight rambler

that's the exhaust shop in P.B.? how's there work I need a system installed.

Yep, Dual Tone right off the 5 on Mission Bay Dr. I had them do my '72 El Camino last year and was really happy with how it turned out. Haven't got the panel back yet. I have had them do a couple other cars many years back. The guy who does the exhaust work has been there 40 years!

[midnight rambler]

cool ill have to stop by there

[chevy_mike]

Got the panel back from the exhaust shop. Very happy with how it came out. I ran it outside the frame so I don't have to worry about any clearance issues if/when I change transmissions and install the e-brake crossmember.

[midnight rambler]

high n tight like it

[RockTonka]

Looks perfect!

[chevy_mike]

This past weekend was a busy one! After 7+ years, it is now on the road.

First thing was to get the grill painted, installed and the headlight put in. I also replaced the driver side hood light socket and installed the seat belts. Forgot to take pics of the socket and belts but here is the grill.

[chevy_mike]

I needed to get the pass. side mirror installed, as being a panel, I have zero viability out that side without it. Downside of no windows. The previous owner had made some pilot holes for the mirror but there was no way to screw it in. Luckily I had some "riv-nuts" that were the right size for the screws. I enlarged the holes in the door, installed the riv-nuts and bam, I could install the mirror.

[chevy_mike]

And finally, on the road!!!! Still need to final adjust the headlights before installing the covers but it is road legal. Still need to paint the bumpers.

Here is a video I took driving.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pQi8-wuTBk

[RockTonka]

Painting the front bumper will set that off...looks good.

[Captainfab]

Looking and sounding good........that is a great feeling when you get to take that first drive.

[chevy_mike]

Well I was able to find the new mirrors my buddy, WolfmanMIKE gave me and got them installed.

[chevy_mike]

Made it to its first car cruise night!

[chevy_mike]

So last Friday I took the panel up to a local cruise night, which had me drive on the freeway for the first time. Good news is the cooling system seems to be working well running between 180* and 190* based on speed/load. Bad new was, without an overdrive, freeway speeds (65-70 mph) was spinning 3000-3200 rpm's. So what do you do with a truck you just got on the road for the first time in 7 years.... tear it apart to do a transmission swap, of course. LOL

I had bought an AX15 5 speed trans a couple years back, for this project. Decided between no overdrive and the shifter that had so much slop, you were never sure what gear you might get, I am swapping in this trans. I did this same swap in my last '65 C10 and loved it. This also gives me a chance to fix the center of the floor that was hacked up by a previous owner.

Prepping the AX15 with the Novak Adapter plate. This allows this trans to bolt up to a GM bell housing. It is a 10 spline input shaft so GM clutch works too. Pics also show the floor from underneath and above before removing it.

[chevy_mike]

Next order of business is to remove the floor, the old trans, clutch, flywheel and pilot bearing. Overall it went smoothly, taking a few hours. Need to get the flywheel resurfaced. Also glad I am doing this as the rear u-joint is toast and likely would have failed fairly soon. Looks like I will need to shorten the driveshaft about 2.5" but will figure that out once mocked into place. I'll also start mocking up the new floor piece I got from another member here, as while back.