My 65 step build and first chevy

[Crazy Rusty]

A little dark

[step65]

Originally Posted by Crazy Rusty

A little dark

Thanks Crazy Rusty I can see that yours does have the one inch bracket in rear as well. I think I may have to make some.

[step65]

Originally Posted by mlitch

Looking Awesome! I recently got me a 64 Stepside and am in the process of doin pretty much everything you have done, but I z'd my frame and installed bags. I've had mine since October of last year. I was hoping to have her on the road by June ... probably not. By the way we are neighbors, I'm in Menifee.

Thanks Mlitch me too was hoping to be ready for the Brothers truck meet in I think July over in Corona. We will see lol.

[step65]

Started to get bed wood dry fitted. I am going to have to move my gas tank to the left as much as possible in order to get fill spout close to middle of board. I centered the gas tank between the frame and can move probably a inch that should be enough to get me away from edge of board. I will show measurements when I move it in case anyone else uses the Boyd tank as well. Here is pic of bed wood fits perfectly Mar-K is real nice. Tank may line up better on the fleetside not sure.

[step65]

Well I got the bed dry fitted and the gas filler door in. I was able to just leave the tank centered between the frame rails. I could only move it about a inch to either side so it still would not have been centered. The filler door works well and provides fairly easy access.

[step65]

Took it all apart and spent most of the weekend you guessed it sanding. Got the first coats of stain on the wood. I want a really dark stain will take pics soon.

[step65]

As for the cross sill question. Brothers tells me Mar-K said they have a flat bracket which is impossible for my truck. I have a email into Mar-K asking them to verify. The cross sill location is determined by the pre drilled holes on wood. The height is set by the rear cross sill so there is no way a flat bracket will work it requires the one inch brackets. Just a heads up if you buy one for your 63,64,65,66 stepside you will need a different bracket than you get with the cross sill.

[step65]

Found this on the Mar-k site looks like Brothers was just bs to get me off the phone they did say I could return though. I waited a month for the part lol. Frustrating when this stuff happens.

1963-1966 Short Bed
Bed side sheet metal is the same as the 55-59 and 62-66 but the 55-59 angle strip has a different bolt hole pattern. Therefore the bed sides of 1955 -1959 may be interchanged with 1960-1966 if the angle strip is changed to the correct year series.
The fender design is unchanged from the 55-59 and 60-62 model.
Rear sill mounting brackets are about 4" long and 3" tall, 31 3/4" apart.
There are three cross sills and one reinforcing strip supporting the wood. The cross sills have a 1" tall spacer welded at each bed-to-frame bolt location. Because of this welded spacer, the cross sills should not be interchanged with any other year series due to the significant modifications required.
Seven bed strips and eight boards. The board length is unchanged from 60-62 models but the widths are different than 1955-1959 models. This affects bed strip bolt locations in rear sill, cross sills, reinforcing strip and front bed panel.
Bed strip and angle strip bolt locations are the same as 60-62 but different than 1955-1959 models, making them not interchangeable with 55-59.
Chevrolet tailgate remained unchanged. GMC tailgates changed to a block style lettering beginning in 1963.

[step65]

Got the bed wood finished and installed. Was a challenge but came out pretty nice I think.

[step65]

Also got wiring ran to rear down the frame wired in the gas tank sending unit. Then installed the rear fenders and steps. Now its time to focus on electrical. I hope to have it done in 3-4 weekends.

[TJ's Chevy]

Truck is looking fantastic!

[step65]

Originally Posted by TJ's Chevy

Truck is looking fantastic!

Thanks TJ slow but sure.

[Bomp]

Really nice looking truck

[61K10]

your bed came out great! Looks good as the rest of your tk. Love the gray color also. You're almost there--have fun.

[step65]

Originally Posted by Bomp

Really nice looking truck

Thanks Bomp cant wait to get it done.

[step65]

Originally Posted by 61K10

your bed came out great! Looks good as the rest of your tk. Love the gray color also. You're almost there--have fun.

Thanks 61K10 almost hoping by this June or July.

[step65]

Quick update been working on electrical pretty much. I have the engine all finished up now. Also got rear bumper and hitch on and finished all electrical in rear except reverse light not sure where I am going to put one yet. Got the tank vent line ran and the rear end vent line as well. Now working in cab on column electrical and Vintage air stuff.

[step65]

Latest update been busy with life and had not worked on truck for a month. Finally got a chance to get back to it. Got all the Vintage Air wired just need to install the switch panel inside and plug in. Got the fans wired and used the Trinary switch from VA to send override signal to the adjustable Derale fan controller I got. Got the headlights wiring harness done and installed the grill. Then wired the relays for the headlights. This stuff took longer than I thought but came out pretty good. Just have the signal lights in the hood and will be all done under the hood and then can focus on inside cab. here are some pics.

[step65]

These battery cable are pretty nice. Got them from K-Four switches was able to cut to fit and install ends also put a fiberglass sleeving on them to help protect down by headers.

[step65]

Here is the lights and relays

[step65]

Got most of electrical finished this weekend. Still need to tuck some wires away and secure them better but all seems to be working. I had to drop my column down some to get the gauges in but worked out ok. I also installed some adjustable switches on the doors for lights they worked out good as well. Here is a few pics. I really like the way Vintage air modified the switches to get rid of cables once I calibrated them they work great. They are real smooth and easy to adjust. Next is all the ducting for heat and ac and then windows. Only thing left to wire is parking lights in hood when I install it.

[step65]

Got my new old school Grant from Summit yesterday. Wished it was darker but still like it. Maybe a future project to refinish.

[step65]

Latest updates got a few things done. The thermostat housing started leaking just sitting so got rid of it and went with GM housing that uses a gasket. Also added a mechanical temperature gauge in the radiator hose. It helped to adjust the fans when to come on.

[step65]

Got the steering wheel on.

[step65]

Installed the back window.