New Guys Builds

[66-PMD-GMC]

I am new to the group but have been reading some of the threads for more than a few weeks.
I live in Apache Junction AZ and have a 66 GMC that I have been working on for about a year. I am using a 72 3/4 ton chassis. Not really a big deal build like some of the builds on here. My 66 will be used as a working truck for the most part.
I have a few photos so far and I will be taking more as I go along.
I also bought a 63 GMC cab this morning.
It will be going on a frame I am building using a 66 front half spliced to a 79 rear half. It will be a short bed when I am done.
I won't be "slamming" it as that's not my style at all. I am not into the C notched, airbagged rides. It will be sitting lower than stock at a height that I like but again, I'll need to post some photos soon as I noticed that many of you like the photos as do I.
I am going to try and post a photo of a truck that I have on my computer. If it goes through, it is about the ride height that I like. Maybe a smidge lower....
This looks like a pretty good group for the most part and I am excited to be among my own gearhead kind.
THE TRUCK BELOW IS NOT MINE. IT IS ONLY A TEST AND EXAMPLE. THANKS

[Clyde65]

Very Nice, more pics please!

[chevy_mike]

Welcome and definitely post up pics when you get them. Looks like a nice truck to start with.

[66-PMD-GMC]

Again,
The photo I posted was first, a test to make sure this old duffer could actually post a photo and I succeeded!
Second, the truck in the photo is not my truck, it is a front shot of the "stance" I want for my 1/2 ton when it is done.
I am, at the moment, trying to figure out how to get the photos from my digital camera on to my computer.
I also neglected to add that I am working on getting a 63 suburban that a friend of mine has. I'll stash the suburban away until I have completed the first two trucks......
I am now questioning my own sanity....

[creep]

Originally Posted by 66-PMD-GMC

I am now questioning my own sanity....

Don't fight it, that only makes it worse!

[Preacherman5555]

cool

[66-PMD-GMC]

I have had to make lots of concessions to drag 2 projects and one complete ride home.
I don't mind, I love the 60-66 GMC trucks and 'burbs and always have.
Tomorrow I will be putting together the build photos of the 66 3/4 ton.
Right after coffee....

[LostMy65]

Where are the front blinker lights?

[63sbssbbw]

Welcome to the insanity 66
Is your user name an indication that your running a Pontiac ? (that'd be cool)
Lots of great help here,and you are correct,nothing but pic 'hoes here LOL
T

[66-PMD-GMC]

Yeah 63,
I am a tried and true Pontiac fanatic.
I am putting together a stump pulling 440 inch pontiac motor for my 66 GMC pulling truck.
It is a bastardized 455 block swinging 428 fun gear that is just under the 500 ft. lbs numbers in the torque department. I want to use an NV4500 5 spd that a friend has IF I can talk him out of it.
The 63 suburban will get a warmed over old school lopey 66 GTO 389, dual quad, rumpety rump motor that is just over the stock HP in the 360+ range.
I have a 200R4 for that build.
The other pilke of parts I have may make it's way into being a 63 short bed IF I can get a clear title for the cab without too much trouble. Otherwise I have a 66 frame that will take a 474 inch ground shaking Indian motor to slide neatly between the frame rails.
Now I only need to get whatever problem my laptop is having with my camera sorted out so I can give the visually stimulated something to look at.

But first..... more coffee...

[66-PMD-GMC]

Oh,
And I forgot to mention, I don't dare to be different, I challenge everyone to be different.
Seriously,
How original would it be of me to do my 60-66 with a small block chevy and a 700r4?

[63sbssbbw]

That sounds sweet 66
I've had a few over the years.
I've often thought a Vortec V6 (not stock,of course)would go good in my GMC,to replace the I6 (no 305 V6's up here,only chevy inliners),tack on some original V6 emblems
and call it different.
But sheer economics says SBC.
Speaking of different, keep your eyes peeled on here for mudpiles' ride, rear mounted olds 455 w/dual quads,it's pretty cool
T

[66-PMD-GMC]

That would be cool. Sounds like he used a toronado drive train.
I thought it might be fun to rumble from stop light to stop light with V6 emblems on my truck too. I am definately leaving them on.
I have already laid out a tailgate with the -PMD- on the back and a friend of mine is playing with his CNC to carve me up some aluminum PMD letters to go under the grill in place of the GMC.
Just me having fun in the HillBilly town of Apache Junction AZ

[66-PMD-GMC]

OK here is the update on my build.
I picked up a steering column and matching wiring harness out of an 81 GMC box van. The wiring harness has the power window and door lock sections with motors etc. etc and the cool thing is the key is on the dash like my 66.

I am going to see if I can retrofit the power windows and door locks to the 66 hardware.

The column for the van extends out of the firewall about 10" +/- and using the center section of the 79 truck column piece, it all bolts together and right to the power steering gear box from the 79. That seemed too easy.

A couple different shape round wire brushes on my drill that I use to mix thinset along with some cheap degreaser and the frame is clean.
Several rattle cans of black paint and a body mount kit and the truck is going back together.

I am working on a photo series for the guys that love the pic's, (this includes me) and I am learning all sorts of cool stuff about crop, zoom, resize and other photo fixer terms.
I am hardly a photographer so please be patient with me.
Shoot, it took me 2 days and help from someone else to find where the program put the photos after I loaded them on my laptop. DOH!

I also utilized the frameside motor brackets that the motor mounts bolt to from the 79, on the 66 and it only took narrowing the top rail of the truck frame at the mounting point about a 1/4" for the holes to line up.
This detail makes my Pontiac motor a bolt in.

The transmission cross member from the 79 came in handy as well on the 66 frame too but it required a hole or two to be drilled.

The K member and front suspension bolted right in and required 1 hole to be drilled per side and 1 to be elongated per side and again, I have photos.

I am just trying to organize it all so it makes sense.

I'm a gear head not a power-point wiz...

[markeb01]

A Pontiac engine is going to be very cool. Always liked those engines, like a Chevy only better. Looking forward to the pics.

[66-PMD-GMC]

Originally Posted by markeb01

A Pontiac engine is going to be very cool. Always liked those engines, like a Chevy only better. Looking forward to the pics.

I have never liked small block Chevy's, ESPECIALLY when I find them in firebirds and GTO's or any other Pontiac.
I won't get on my soapbox about Pontiac vs Chevy, but when I got my 66 GMC and yanked out the V6 that was going to take at least 6K in parts alone to rebuild, I knew that no way was I going to do what everyone else is doing and drop a mouse motor in there.
The Pontiac motor I am using is a torque MONSTER and definitely fits the bill for me.

[Captainfab]

You sound a lot like a friend of mine....he's 100% Pontiac to the core with Pontiac tats and all. He has built a couple nice Pontiacs (Ones that never were built but should have been) Plus he currently has a '68 ish extended cab GMC that is all Pontiac. I personally like Pontiacs and think it is a crying shame that Pontiac is no more I'm anxious to see your truck build.

[66-PMD-GMC]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

You sound a lot like a friend of mine....he's 100% Pontiac to the core with Pontiac tats and all. He has built a couple nice Pontiacs (Ones that never were built but should have been) Plus he currently has a '68 ish extended cab GMC that is all Pontiac. I personally like Pontiacs and think it is a crying shame that Pontiac is no more I'm anxious to see your truck build.

Thanks,
I am anxious to get to the point of firing up my motor but level heads must prevail.
I also need to get that bracket/adaptor ordered from you.
It is the last part I need to finish the steering.

[63sbssbbw]

Sounds like everythings humming along nicely 66
Once you get the pic thing down pat it seems to get easier (like anything I guess).
T

[66-PMD-GMC]

I tried posting photos with captions and it was all goofy each time I previewed it.

[Captainfab]

The only way I know of to do that is to have your pictures on a pic hosting site such as photobucket. That way your pic's have a URL and you can use this icon to add the pic you want. Then you can add text where you want it.

Originally Posted by 66-PMD-GMC

I tried posting photos with captions and it was all goofy each time I previewed it.

[66-PMD-GMC]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

The only way I know of to do that is to have your pictures on a pic hosting site such as photobucket. That way your pic's have a URL and you can use this icon to add the pic you want. Then you can add text where you want it.

Thanks very much... I'll get it one way or another...

[66-PMD-GMC]

Here are the first 3 photos of my 66 build.
At this point I have retrofitted the 79 front and rear suspension components to the 66 frame and checked ride height and functionality.
I don't have a photo with the motor mocked up in the engine compartment unfortunately but I love the stance/ride height at this point.
For me it is perfect for pulling any trailer or hauling pretty much what I need to.
After I was happy with the way everything is going to go together it is time to tear it down and scrub it up and squirt on some paint.

The frame and suspension that is.........

[66-PMD-GMC]

Sometimes the progress is so slow I feel like I am going backwards!

[protrash64]

.....just keep at it and you'll get there sooner or later. What color are you painting it?