66 SB Step Side- Ex Air Force Base Truck

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by Neatbeard

I havent updated for a while as ive been driving 'her' and having fun at various meets etc.

I fitted a new starter motor to 'her' last weekend (a friend had a brand new one designed for a V8 that I swapped the nose cones/fittings over and it bolted straight on). So no more intermittent starting issues. Plus it flew through the MOT (our annual inspection here in the UK), with no advisories and comments from the guys that "...it's really bloody solid underneath with no rust or welding ever done....".

Just hoping the weather stays good and then I can cruise to the shows and start using it again.

Wheels day??

Chatham docks Steam and Traction show??

Good to see you back.

[TJ's Chevy]

Good looking truck!

[Ta2Don]

Originally Posted by Grizz1963

Wheels day??

Chatham docks Steam and Traction show??

Good to see you back.

Ditto, Glad to see you back...

Hope you and Grizz get a chance to meet at the Wheels Show this weekend...

[Neatbeard]

Awww thanks for the welcome back guys.

I've been pretty busy with DIY work on the house and 'life stuff' suffice to say we have another little 'un due at the end of May!! **EEK**

So most of my 'spare' time has been devoted to getting a nursey ready and decorating bedrooms etc so that my other two lads can share a bigger room. Plus we had a burst pipe that flooded our bathroom and the kitchen below so had that to contend with as well! It's been all go.

@Grizz - I'm afraid I can't make Wheels Day due to family commitments etc. I'm sure we'll get to meet up soon though.

I've been wondering whether to 'detail' bits of the truck. I'm thinking of painting the roof white, the front and rear bumpers white and also the grille/headlight surround white, plus paint the 'Chevrolet' lettering on the tailgate white too......? If it looks naff being all clean n shiny then I guess I can always age it to match the rest of the truck......

Thats as well as adding some pinstriping which im deffo. gona do this summer.....

Hope you guys are all well.

[rusty76]

Really cool truck and don't know how I missed this one.....

[Neatbeard]

Well just got back from the first proper run out this year to a local(ish) car show and it turns out that even with the new starter I have uncovered a new starting issue......

It doesn't seem to want to start when hot...... it starts fine when cooled down, but if I stope for 15/20 mins or less it doesn't wanna know!

Back to working out issues I guess.

[Neatbeard]

Pic from todays show with a couple of mates in their 3100's.......

[Neatbeard]

Been wondering whether to paint my front grille and light surround white for some time now so decided to give it a go today. Im going to pick out the Chevrolet lettering in dark blue and also paint the front bumper white as well. It helps to break the front of the truck up a little I think.....

[Grizz1963]

That looks good from where I am sitting mate.

I like it,

[C@rnut001]

I think it makes the front of your truck look good. Keep up the great work.

[Neatbeard]

Thanks guys.

I wanted a before and after pic so I could compare but my phone dies while taking the before pic! It'll looks loads better with the front bumper being white and repainting the roof too........ hopefully.......

[Neatbeard]

Well I finished off the grill by picking out the lettering in blue and painted the bumper white to match, I even masked up the USAF Beale Air Base stickers so that they are still visable on the bumper. I think it looks loads better now and helps to break up the front a bit more as it was too blue before....

[LoRollinLS]

Lookin' great man!

[Grizz1963]

PS. You can also show off your truck on Retro Rides where older is best.

And of course Neatbeard had a thread on Rods n Sods but you could start your own new chapter and just post a link to his old thread for people who want more history.

Here is my trucks thread on RR's

http://retrorides.proboards.com/thre...edneck-express

The forum is a church of all things automotive.

[Neatbeard]

DUDE!!!!

I'm so glad that you bought my truck fella I really am.

It was a tough call for me to make as I bloody love(d) the truck (and so did the family) and i'm glad that it's gone to a good home where it's going to be used as intended and loved/cherished at the same time.

The guys on this forum are a good bunch and a great source of knowledge/advice and information.

I'm having the same 'looking out of my window' moments as you dude, but for the opposite reasons...... it's weird not seeing 'my' truck blocking the light into our lounge.

Hopefully I will find an equally cool ride to spend (your) hard-earned on..... time will tell whether I made the right choice or not....

Keep this tread alive dude as i'll still be lurking.

Take it easy man and love to you n the family.

[Hansome]

Originally Posted by Neatbeard

DUDE!!!!

I'm so glad that you bought my truck fella I really am.

It was a tough call for me to make as I bloody love(d) the truck (and so did the family) and i'm glad that it's gone to a good home where it's going to be used as intended and loved/cherished at the same time.

The guys on this forum are a good bunch and a great source of knowledge/advice and information.

I'm having the same 'looking out of my window' moments as you dude, but for the opposite reasons...... it's weird not seeing 'my' truck blocking the light into our lounge.

Hopefully I will find an equally cool ride to spend (your) hard-earned on..... time will tell whether I made the right choice or not....

Keep this tread alive dude as i'll still be lurking.

Take it easy man and love to you n the family.

Hello DUDE!!

still smiling!!!!!!!!................!!!!!

I find myself just going outside to the truck and just sitting in the cab

Im so glad you sold it to me!!!

Now, let me see......i got a sheet of ply somewhere we can board your front window up with so you think its still there.. well as long as you never leave the house again.

going to update when i do something to the truck but other than that is back to working (saving) money for some new bits and bobs.

i did see a bel air estate (on the bay) and thought thats a lot of extra space

The Family love it!!

take care of you and yours

Dan

D x

[Grizz1963]

............ Aaaaaand ??

Still grinning.

[1963c-10]

Nice progress. And a few pics from Vietnam in 65 with some air force police trucks. Last pic is your truck....noticed they are both 66B on the doors

[Grizz1963]

I think it is appropriate to mention HAPPY BIRTHDAY Buddy !!!!!

Hope its a great one and that you show us what the boss gave you for your birthday, later.

[Ta2Don]

Just for info sake...

the breakdown of the Numbers is as follows

66 = Year Model
B = Air Force Series Designation; B is General Purpose Vehicles
6394 = Vehicle's serial number

Happy BDay & God Bless!!!

[1963c-10]

Very cool in Don, never knew that. Is that Air Force only or was that standard for all military vehicles?

[Ta2Don]

Originally Posted by 1963c-10

Very cool in Don, never knew that. Is that Air Force only or was that standard for all military vehicles?

Only the Air Force numbered vehicles this way, not sure how the other services do their vehicles.

[McMurphy]

Originally Posted by Ta2Don

Only the Air Force numbered vehicles this way, not sure how the other services do their vehicles.

The Army only numbered vehicles on the side like that for a short period, though I cannot say for certain when they did it or stopped. However, the Army did, and still does a bumper numbering system which will allow an observant person to identify the unit, platoon, and squad of the vehicle. For example my weapon systems were always labled:
driverside = B22 ___________________ pass side= B2-62ADA

Which would mean the gun was in Bravo Battery 2nd Platoon, 2nd Squad and
Bravo Battery 2nd brigade of the 62nd Regiment Air Defense Artillery

We also tend to stencil the driver and Squad Leader names and rank in the windshields.
I will have to pay attention now that we talked about it as I cannot say I have consciously read any of those in the past few years.
Kind of like grass as you drive by, you see it, but you dont really look at it....

Just a little Military lore for you.

[Neatbeard]

Oh WOW!! Seriously thats awesome info thanks guys. Ihave tried doing a bit of research on the military/Airforce vehicles and kind got no where, that is seriously cool! Thank you guys.

Cheers for the happy birthday Grizz. I spent the best part of 5 odd hours in some pain for my birthday...



It was worth it though as my better half has made a start on my new tattoo sleeve - good times.

[1963c-10]

I think I put some more pics up in the nostalgic pic thread of 60-66 era trucks in Vietnam....might be worth a check.