1966 C1434 SWB Custom Cab

[CustomCab66]

Big thanks to bj388ss for the use of his engine hoist to do the swap.

[CustomCab66]

Couldn't help myself I had to see what it sounded like with open headers. I tied some wires to a 12v source and added fuel. I bumped the starter over and the engine came to life. YES IT RUNS!!!!!!........ Well only briefly because I haven't finished the cooling system. I'm on the down hill slide now

[CustomCab66]

Since I labeled everything a while back it's just as simple as connecting the dots basically. The drill walked some when I was drilling the holes for the PCM so it doesn't sit level. well to late now I do not want any more holes in the firewall so I'm gonna leave it as is

[CustomCab66]

After I finished intergrating the PCM wiring with the existing truck harness my OCD kicked in so I leveled the PCM.

[CustomCab66]

I carefully installed the original 51 year old glove box. It survived so I'll save the NOS one I have for later. I chose to put the OBDII port in the glove box so none is the wiser. You can't even tell the computer is under the dash unless you sit in the seat. The interior is all stock except for the aftermarket tachometer and the seat cover. One day I will buy the reproduction material from SMS and do it up right. Not to bad for a 50+ year old interior

[northern 85]

Very nice!! I like the flasher too!!

[CustomCab66]

Originally Posted by northern 85

Very nice!! I like the flasher too!!

Looks just like a photograph directly out of the GM brochure even after 51 years

[CustomCab66]

Almost ready for a test drive. The yellow wire hanging around the alternator is actually a trigger for the electric fan that I haven't installed yet. So for now it's just hanging out

[jimmythompson1964]

That LS looks right at home

[CustomCab66]

Got the lower radiator hose sorted out. Fan shroud had to be trimmed in order to clear the power steering pump shaft. I had to trim 3/8" off of the radius of the fan to keep it from rubbing the bottom of the fan shroud.

[CustomCab66]

I should be driving it by Monday if everything goes as planned. Hope the road test is a successful one. I let it idle for a while yesterday afternoon. If I did a proper job on the drivetrain and it doesn't shake itself to bits I'll take it out on the highway to see how it runs. So far no leaks detected.

[CustomCab66]

Took my truck out for its maiden voyage. This was the first time its has seen daylight in three months. Ran great although the 1-2 shift needs a little work it still cruised nice around town. Need to get the exhaust patched up and it's done. Next project might be A/C

[northern 85]

Awesome , congrats! We need a vid now.

[CustomCab66]

Some more pics, I need to sort out the exhaust before my ears start to bleed. I'm so happy with the way it turned out. Once my pocket book recovers from the cheese I spent getting it running I may add a new LS1 hot cam or some comp cams grind and take it for some tuning.

It seems to pull real nice as it is. The LS is actually an LM7 truck motor which is LS based but everyone calls them LS1. It is essentially the same thing except it's an iron block vs an aluminum block. No overheating, oil pressure seems to be par, and the charging system works flawlessly.

Need to sort out the tach wiring at a later time but the speedometer is a different story. The 4L60e uses an electric speedo when these old trucks use a mechanical one. It's ok I'll just use my gps for speed when traveling.

[jimmythompson1964]

Looks good under the hood

[CustomCab66]

Originally Posted by northern 85

Awesome , congrats! We need a vid now.

I didn't know that I could post a video. I get right on it once I wash it up and polish the wheels

[CustomCab66]

On February 2nd 1966 A.D. Woody Jr. took delivery of a black 1966 Chevrolet C-10 at Crabtree Chevrolet Company in Glen Rose Tx. A.D. Ordered it with all the custom trim packages and deluxe interior. A.D drove the 66 until 1978 when he purchased a new Chevrolet truck. The truck was stored on an old pole barn until 2004 when an old high school friend of A.D's purchased it. Shortly after I found the 66 C-10 up for sale in Hico Tx. . I bought the truck from the second owner and continue to drive it till this day.

I met A.D years ago after purchasing his old 66. A.D. was a carpenter by trade
during his younger days and eventually he was the town mayor and later on a member of the city council. During my travels this week I learned that A.D. had passed in 2014.

I stopped by Crabtree Chevrolet where the building and the sales lot sit empty today. In squished my face up against the glass and saw the parts desk and service department labeled with old peeling paint. The once shiny checkered tiled floor is dusty and broken. I saw a bookshelf with tons of old service manuals and parts manuals. When I met the original salesman Scott Crabtree Jr who originally sold my 66 he told me that the dealership closed its doors in 1970. I was hoping to take the 66 by his house to show him but he wasn't home. Next time I'm up in his neck of the woods I want to see if he wouldn't mind signing my protect-O plate next to his original signature form 1966.

I parked my 66 in the old sales lot and took some photos from across the street.
Sorry if I'm geeking out here guys but it was a very fun trip. I put 300 + miles on the truck and the LS ran awesome.

[DPowers]

Very cool

[CustomCab66]

With the 4L60e in place I was able to run 70 for the entire trip. Tach read 2100 RPM at that speed which is a huge improvement over the old TH 350 which ran 3100 RPM at 70.

LOOK what I found halfway between Stephenville and Glenrose on TX67. This 65 still has the 283 in it or at the very least it's a V8 wearing 283 intake and valve covers. It's all intact under the hood and WOW even has the deluxe steering wheel.

[CustomCab66]

This was also sitting on the same spot of land. Amazing find

[bj383ss]

Those are some very cool pictures. I don't know how you find all these trucks everywhere. I really like that 58-59' I am kinda getting a soft spot for those. I can't decide if I want to get a 59' or a Squarebody.

Bret

[northern 85]

You are not geeking at all these are the stories that need to be shared. Awesome!!!

[CustomCab66]

Back out in the garage working on the fan shroud. It’s tough workin with this stainless. Aluminum is easier to bend and much lighter. Just doing the best with what I have available

[The Rocknrod]

You found those trucks in Iredell?

[CustomCab66]

They were halfway between Stephenville and Glen Rose on 67