65Custom Build Thread

[65Custom]

Hey guys I have been a member of this site for awhile but not a participating member. So I figure it is about time I started my build thread since I see so many of the guys around me have build threads I figure I should add mine maybe I can add some what not to do's or maybe a to do, I do sometimes hit on something that is good.

I have a 1965 Custom C10 I bought it just outside of Nashvegas in 2007. I have a ton of pictures. I try to take pics of everything that I do some for memory so I can put it back together and others to show what I have done.

The project plan is to do a Resto-Mod as some call it I'm trying to just do some good updates and some custom touches too just want to be a little different in a subtle way Keep the look of the truck mostly original looking but with some things that may make you to ask question.

1. Plans are to put a LS1 and 460le for power
2. I have a locker for the rear & convert it to 5 lug front and rear with a 3:42 gear
3. power 4 wheel disc
4. close ratio power steering
5. front and rear sway bars
6. AC, power windows & locks, tilt wheel, once piece windows (not sure about this one I go back and fourth on it)
7. relocate the gas tank to under the bed
8. Some other custom touches that you will see as I go along ( I hope )

These pics are just after I got her home and started tearing her down. I have the frame ready to go back together and I am currently working on the cab metal work So there has been a lot of work on her (no name yet) much more than anticipated, but this one is being saved although it probably should have scrapped, it looked ok while it had all the paint, bondo & floor repair cover up goo on it
I have plenty more pics to post since I have made a lot of progress in three years just to get y'all up to speed on where I am currently at unless y'all want to just flash forward

Sorry for long post but this is the initial post

[BR3W CITY]

sounds like you have big plans, but your def getting started. Those floors looks scary tho.

[Alan's Classic]

It's good to see you on here and I'm lookin' forward to more pics and progress. Looks like you have a good plan.

I've talked to you several times on the phone, I need to make it a point to stop by and check you out.

[65Custom]

Originally Posted by Alan's Classic

It's good to see you on here and I'm lookin' forward to more pics and progress. Looks like you have a good plan.

I've talked to you several times on the phone, I need to make it a point to stop by and check you out.

Hey Alan I know we just live down the road from each other and I have been wanting to come up see your 65 and the shop you have

We started out builds close to the same time but dang you are much faster than I am about getting things going any way maybe we can meet sometime soon i just have to get off my butt and get up there

[65Custom]

So I'm getting used to this forum so bear with me if I make any slip ups I'm sure you guys will guide me along


Oh yeah I'm bagging my baby Had a friend talk me into it

Somebody may need to tell me how to quote the pics

[65Custom]

A few more shots

Creating templates for boxing in the frame, straightened the rear brace, the rear trialling arms we splitting apart and I found a website where they sell used nascar parts and bought some trailing arms they fit prefect with a little bit of work. Also filled a lot of the holes in the frame for a much smoother look.

[65Custom]

Hope that all these pics does not cause a problem loading them all at once

Yes it was pretty once I got back from the blaster that is a lot of sarcasm in there I guess I'm a glutton for punishment

[65Custom]

I can't show all the pics here but I'll do my best to get yall caught up

and sorry if there seems to be some jumping around just trying to get some of the highlights

Got the frame back from being powder coated and storing at a friends house
Got the cab back from the blaster too
Got a donor cab this one the floor was good but the upper half was rotted so I couldn't just swap them out but it is working out well going to route Im taking even though it seems to be a long road around this rust mountain

Donor Floor before it went to the blast and after I have finished fixing all the Rust it turned out well

[65Custom]

Ok maybe I can get yall caught up on this post or the next one

replaced the A & B post bottoms on both sides

cut the firewall out it had a bunch of holes that didn't come from the factory

yep I had to build the whole lip around the firewall from the floor up really from the bottom of the A post up and around

Finished shot of the mounting flange for the firewall

yep even the windshield washer mounting had holes in it so I replaced the whole thing

[65Custom]

Ok maybe this I can get yall caught up

if you want to see more pics here is my website where I'm trying to chronicle as much as I can

http://home.comcast.net/~remock/

Separating the cab from the floor

Rolling the new floor into place

Setting the cab back down on the floor

welding everything back together after checking for square believe it or not it is near perfect

rebuilt the cowl drip rails to keep the water out of the interior

[protrash64]

WOW! Ton of metal work....it will be nice when its all together; nice job!

[65Custom]

ok I think this one catch most if it up to date
Well almost I have some new pics to take and will post those soon

Working on replacing the bad metal on the back wall


Fitting the rockers I have them welded in place now they look great and the door gaps are near perfect. I am planning on re-skinning the doors since mine are full of bondo, I have the 2/3's of the cowl welded back on and should have it completed by the end of this week and hopefully will have the cab corners on by then too and the back wall welded in place.

Once I have all that done I am moving to the roof panel got a panel from greg65 that is way better than what is on mine

Once I have all this done I think that I can truly say this this is one rust free cab it should be good for another 40 plus years I hope since I have been trying to don extra things for rust protection that was not done when they originally put these things together.

talk to y'all soon!!

[65Custom]

Originally Posted by protrash64

WOW! Ton of metal work....it will be nice when its all together; nice job!

Thanks man I think I am slowly beginning to get good at it although I'm not fast. I think that is due to me being a perfectionist but knowing that I'm not able to make it perfect but basically making sure that I'm doing it right even if it takes me longer My dad had one of these trucks when I was a kid and I fell in love with it, it will be my luck that once I get it finished my son will want it and Ill have to start another one any it will be fun

[65Custom]

OK these bring everyone up to date as to where I'm at in the build I know that this is not all that exciting but it has been almost three years of work so far. Maybe i can be of some inspiration for someone who has one that seems like it may be too far gone so you can see it is possible to save one. and yes I may be a little crazy for trying to keep this one alive.

door gaps are really good and the doors decent but will be reworked I think I will reskin them since going that route is a bit cheaper than new shells

[Captainfab]

WOW! you've done some serious metal work on that cab. I'm impressed with the results. Keep up the excellent work. I'm looking forward to updates.

[greg65]

What did you decide to do with the bed you bought out of Texas?

[MacAttack]

Really dig the close-ups on the fab work - showing the rust challenges.

Please keep us posted, step by step - lots of excellent information!

Mac.

[1964C10]

Wow, awesome work! that is definitely a lot of sheetmetal work. Welcome and keep us posted we are such picture monsters lol

[66Z71]

That is awsome. After seein the rusted floor in the begining, I was ready to write this one off as another project that will never see the light of day. But replacing the whole floor??? that is frikin awsome. I love it.

[65Custom]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

WOW! you've done some serious metal work on that cab. I'm impressed with the results. Keep up the excellent work. I'm looking forward to updates.

Thanks I have about half of the cab work completed there will be more to come since the roof panel gets replaced too looked good till it was cleaned up at the blasters

Originally Posted by greg65

What did you decide to do with the bed you bought out of Texas?

I decided to keep it I think it is very fixable with parts from the other one

Originally Posted by MacAttack

Really dig the close-ups on the fab work - showing the rust challenges.

Please keep us posted, step by step - lots of excellent information!

Mac.

Will do, I had to get new cab corners the ones I have from LMC seem to not fit very well and after talking to Alan about his I decided to try another set I'll let you all know how they work out

Originally Posted by 1964C10

Wow, awesome work! that is definitely a lot of sheetmetal work. Welcome and keep us posted we are such picture monsters lol

Yeah man will do

Originally Posted by 66Z71

That is awsome. After seein the rusted floor in the begining, I was ready to write this one off as another project that will never see the light of day. But replacing the whole floor??? that is frikin awsome. I love it.

Yeah man I wish they had actually made a replacement floor for ours like the do the 67-72 but it has been a great learning experience and not as hard as one might think

[65Custom]

I decided to go ahead and get new skins for my doors since the skin cost is considerably less than one new door shell and I got nothing but time on my hands to fixmy

doors. Since I tried to find some good doors but everything I come accross is worse than what I have.

The parts came in today and DS panel is bent in the top corner by the mirror mounting holes I will probably be call them them tomorrow about that one.

I also bought new cab corners since I was having issues with getting them to fit right without a lot of cursing and other things flying across the garage and after

talking to Alan about his and what he ended up doing I decided to get new ones.

I searched all the suppliers and settled on one that i thought might be the correct ones.

I got the new cab corners too and man what a difference. I don't want to hammer on any of the suppliers out there but I cant believe they get away with what they are

selling.

Some of you out there may have already experienced this but attached are pictures of the first ones I bought sitting next to the new ones and you can really see the

difference.

If anyone is about to do this you may want to re think the parts you have. The new ones have the correct shape to the B Post also at the bottom where they meet the rocker

it also has a more correct pinch weld on the back wall, it is amazing how much better these are in just the shape etc.

I fitted the the passenger side today and it look pretty good to me, these fit like a charm and look correct and were much easier to get fitted.

As soon as I can post pics again I will put them up

[jgh64pkup]

awesome build

[65Custom]

Alright here are the pics of the cab corners if anyone wants to know where they came from just send me a pm.

[DPowers]

Way cool

[ruffrida2005]

man looks like you've been doing a lot of work.