1963 GMC C30 panel truck

[350TacoZilla]

If it wasn't for you bumping this I might not have seen your build man. Its looking good! You don't see many 4x4 builds really and even out of the 4x4's very few of them are 3\4-1Tons. I might have missed it but when you said about the precision seal fitting nice is that a new windshield too or did you get lucky and have a really nice one?

[AJCK87]

Originally Posted by 350TacoZilla

If it wasn't for you bumping this I might not have seen your build man. Its looking good! You don't see many 4x4 builds really and even out of the 4x4's very few of them are 3\4-1Tons. I might have missed it but when you said about the precision seal fitting nice is that a new windshield too or did you get lucky and have a really nice one?

Thanks! Yeah it’s a new windshield, I can’t recall the manufacturer, but it shipped from a local parts place and came to me all in one piece so I was pretty happy! Yeah it is a trim less Persison seal. All in, I’m into the windshield, seal and install for 700 Canadian! Again pretty happy with that.

I want this rig to be a can do machine, I’m building it to use. It will replace my 1997 GMC k1500 once its up and running. I want to be able to take it out hunting, tow the camper trailer and the family around.

Thanks for the interest, I’m back on to it now so more progress to come

[350TacoZilla]

Sounds good man. I plan to make my truck a do all type of build too, haul firewood\pull car trailer\maybe camper etc. Living in MD I might even throw a plow on it if I find one cheap since my 4x4 frame already has mount for a old style meyers plow.

[AJCK87]

Sounds awesome! Would like to see your rig with the plow hooked ups

http://youtu.be/IvkfRml4fCY

Hey guys,

Took the old girl for a little bit of a drive around today!! Felt pretty good, still have a smile on my face!

Got the brakes all plumbed and juiced. All the drive line work to happen.

Stay tuned for more.

[AJCK87]

Hey Guys,

Picked up the panel from the shop yesterday, got to drive it home!
All of the suspension and alignment are all done. Here are a few pictures in behind the new house. Still loads of things to button up, but it felt pretty good cruising down the highway home.

Have a good one,

Anthony

[350TacoZilla]

Very cool that your getting to drive it around now while working on few loose ends, that stage of a project is a great feeling.

[AJCK87]

Thanks! For sure, pretty pumped

Got some time here and there this weekend

Wiper motor is wired and working now, figured it’s a single speed motor. At least it’s functioning, may change to a multi speed motor later. Finished fabricating the wiper arms as well. Used a mix of the panel, dodge and 2007 Suburban wiper arms. I wanted a stronger spring and washer sprayers on the arms. Started mounting the washer reservoir.

Here are a few samples of fabric I’m choosing from for the seats. Going to use a green and white combo of vinyl with on of these fabrics, it’s between B and G for me right now.

Stay tuned!

[AJCK87]

Fabric and vinyl

[350TacoZilla]

Mind spilling the beans on what combo you ended up with for the wiper arms? I had planned to do the jeep arms on mine but I do like idea of having the sprayer on the arm after having it on my yukon.

Cool colors and fabric choice's there! I remember you saying you were painting truck but dont remember if you ever said anything about the chevy hood, plan to keep it or switch to gmc before paint?

[jimmythompson1964]

Can you post more information on what you ended up using for the new wiper arm? I need to do this on my truck.

[AJCK87]

Thanks guys! Appreciate the comments

The image of the wiper back on the truck is the finished wiper arm. Both are done and back on the truck now. I used the end piece, that attaches to the spline post for the wiper linkage, from the panel wiper arm. I drilled out the rivit on that arm and the one on the 92 dodge arm. I used a stainless machine screw and bolted the mounting piece to the dodge arm, I used rubber washers for spacers in between. I used the dodge wiper arm, it’s aluminum with a steel end, as both wiper arms were facing the same direction when mounted and were to long I had to cut and turn the passengers side end piece, were the wiper blade attaches. I had to cut out two sections for each arm, retaining the bend at the end, and weld it back together. I then used the fluid sprayers and tubing from a 2007 Suburban wiper arms. I drilled the bracket, in the 2007 arm, that holds the first of two sprayers in place and drilled out the rivit in the center of the dodge arm, I used another stainless machine screw to replace the rivit and fasten the bracket from the 2007 arm. The 2007 arm has a small drill indent in the steel part of the arm, so I replicated that on the dodge arm. The dodge arms have way beefier springs and the mounting system for the blades is a pin style so they are easy to install. I used a 15” wiper blade off the shelf and the fit and function is good so far. Haven’t tested it on the highway in the rain yet.

I still plan on painting the truck Neptune green and white two tone, one day, after I get it running and using it and saving up for the materials. I did buy a 1960-1961 GMC hood, thanks Nik, needs metal repairs, that I will get onto one day as well. For now the Chevy hood is looking good. More to come. I have been looking at auto fabrics and vinyls from SMS auto fabrics, man they are beautiful but spendy!! Especially after Canadian conversation, like 185 per yard and I’m going to need 4-5 yards of fabric and 4-5 yards of vinyl for what I’m planning and all three seats.
Any one have any good/ reasonably priced places they use in mind? Preferably in Canada

I was able to get out last weekend and get the fluid lines ran and the tank mounted, just need to get that wired in and test it out. One thing knocked out at a time

I didn’t take any in progress photos of the wiper arm build but if you need more info or specific pics let me know

Stay tuned

[350TacoZilla]

Pretty good description of process TY. I mean a close up pic or two of your work wouldnt hurt anything lol. I cant help on the interior hunt really other than maybe check out some marine suppliers for the vinyl atleast, those are some nice looking samples you got though so not sure if boating world will come close.

This place (usa I know I know lol) is $8.95 a yard and have a dark green that might interest you, I saved place because they have a bright orange that I might use as accent color in my build. They offer free samples but not sure on the whole canuk shipping deal.

https://www.marinevinylfabric.com/pr...SABEgKSX_D_BwE

[AJCK87]

Here are a few photos of the finished wipers.

[AJCK87]

Few more

[AJCK87]

Got some time on the truck today. Been trouble shooting a few things. Washer fluid pump is wired in and working now, really nice having the sprayers right on the arms. Checked the wiring running to the speakers and dome light, all good, had to mess around with the wires, for the dome light, under the dash. Have the dome light wired in with the dodge door jam switches and a manual switch in the headlight control. Works awesome! Open the door, light!

[AJCK87]

There is something going on with my stereo. I had a look at the wiring and I mixed up the battery and ignition wires into the back.... and now it doesn’t power up. Fuse is fine and there is 12v to the power pin inside, it’s a custom sound stereo for the 60-63, now there is only a few volts going to the fuse, must be something burned in between.has anyone heard of this, would mixing the wires cause this? I hope I didn’t fry it.

Anyways, got my drivers side window fixed up, the vent window was a bit close at the bottom and was pinching my window when I would roll it down. Had to reattach the window to the frame and then address the pinch. All better now. Got the handles and rollers on as well. More checked off the list

[350TacoZilla]

hmm I wouldnt think having those 2 switched would do much since they are both supposed to be 12v hot, only difference being constant hot vs switched. Maybe in doing other projects a wire got pinched or something? also did you test both inputs to make sure both are getting 12v at the source you tapped into? I could see if you mixed up hot & ground or something.

[TJ's Chevy]

Glad to see ya back at it again. Looking awesome! Just got a 99 Dodge 2500 with a 24v 5.9 cummins and a 5 speed. Love it! I'd highly recommend straight piping it if you haven't already. It sounds amazing when you do.

[350TacoZilla]

Here is a pic of the white-dark green-teal samples I had got. I requested them along with the black and orange I planned on and got them 2 days later.

[AJCK87]

Yeah, fair points 350! I will have to go over it again. I just assumed my ground was good. But I did track power along the ignition wire. I have 12v right to the back of the stereo, once it transitions, in the circuit board, inside to the in unit 15a fuse it’s dropping voltage. Seems weird, I know it did work when I first istalled it. I think I will give it a bench test to check the ground. I don’t see any scorching inside the unit.

Thanks TJ! These motors are pretty awesome, just the sound of the engine when your cruising. That 5 speed would be awesome! 1999, so it must be a NV4500, or do you have something different? I do like the idea of straight pipes, they aren't ridiculously loud, but these engines definitely benefit from the back pressure of a muffler and length of exhaust pipe.

Those samples look pretty decent! It would be pretty clean. I had to go and look at sms and all their fancy era fabrics and vinyls, and now I’m pretty set on what I want hahaha. Figure I’m going with G for the fabric. Thanks for the help!

[TJ's Chevy]

Originally Posted by AJCK87

Thanks TJ! These motors are pretty awesome, just the sound of the engine when your cruising. That 5 speed would be awesome! 1999, so it must be a NV4500, or do you have something different? I do like the idea of straight pipes, they aren't ridiculously loud, but these engines definitely benefit from the back pressure of a muffler and length of exhaust pipe.

I did a 4 inch straight on mine, actually lowered the EGT's when pulling hills so it helped. Mileage went up to actually. It's an NV4500, with 3.55's and 35's I feel sorry for that trans. haha Recently was rebuilt and I drive easy on it. When funds and time allow I'm gonna look into swapping in an NV5600 and put the 4500 in my 64 GMC.

[350TacoZilla]

Man if I had the money a ford ZF-6 behind a cummins would rock, both my dad and I have had 6spd rams and 6spd super duty's and the ZF is a sweet shifting trans for being a truck transmission. Nice part is they already have the adapters since ford guys swap the engines in all the time. I think a ram G56 would be my second choice followed by the NV5600, its not a bad trans but I didnt like it as much as either the G56 or ZF.

[AJCK87]

Hey 350, I do like the sound of a 6spd! I figure I’ll have to do some more research before I make a decision.

We just got hit with that cold spell, so I decided to work in the shop this weekend. Got started on the 3rd row seat. Made brackets for one point of the shoulder belt. Also fabricated brackets for the two buckles. Wanted to get those installed as I had to take off the vinyl to proceed with laying out the belt mounting in the seat back, getting the foam cut and sand blasting the seat frame. Picked up some marine vinyl at a local shop, it isn’t the exact colour I was hoping for, but at $20 CND per yard I was sold hahaha. Sure beats the $105 CND for the one I was looking at. Just the expense for the nice fabric. I ordered 4.5 yards of the G option. Went with a fawn or beige thread, will match the seat belts and contrast nice. I figure I’ll go back to stock colours on the inside. Metallic fawn and white stripe down the door.

[AJCK87]

Seat materials

[350TacoZilla]

Hey thats got a nice sheen to it for marine vinyl! I like it paired with the G fabric, originally I liked the G or A fabric samples you had paired with the D vinyl, good call on the thread matching the seat belts to give contrast to the fabric\vinyl.

I know its not a big priority at this point but what are plans on steering wheel? I'm also going to be using a dodge column and had thought about trying to use a later model GMC wheel with it rather than the normal parts store grant wheel I have used in like 5 other trucks lol.