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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Anderson SC
Posts: 3,886
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Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
Remember that time back in 2013 when I bought a second '66 truck to drive while the first '66 was apart? This is going to be a rerun of that, except I'm not planning on selling this one.
Ever since I've been into C10s dad has mentioned that he knew a guy that bought a blue and white '66 new and still had it. Dad had occasionally asked if it could be bought but the guy never wanted to sell it. That guy passed away about ten years ago and not long after his wife asked us about restoring the truck, but she wasn't expecting a full restoration to cost so much. She let a neighbor take the truck to get it running and redo the brakes to make it driveable again but he never did anything to it. I had kept up with the truck up until 2018, then it went missing from the neighbor's yard. Fast forward to last December, I went down a road that I hadn't been on in awhile to avoid Main Street, which had developed a ton of potholes from all the rain we had last fall. I spotted a blue 60-66 bed corner barely sticking out from beside a building on a side road so I made a U turn and went back to check it out and it turned out to be the same '66. No one seemed to be home that day so I started checking back every few days until I caught the owner out in his yard. At first he said he didn't want to sell it but the more we talked we figured out that he had been to our shop for glass work in the past, so then he seemed to be more comfortable about talking to me about the truck. I showed him pics of the other C10s I've had, he talked about his other cars, I ended up staying there probably thirty minutes. Before I left I made an offer and left my number in case he ever changed his mind, and this week I got the call saying that he was ready to sell it. This was it back in 2018 before it went missing from the neighbor's yard. I had friends that lived in that neighborhood back then so I would see it often. ![]() The spot it was sitting when I found it in December. Since it was between those buildings only the very corner of the bed was barely visible from the main road. As much as I complain about how bad our roads are, SC DOT's slack road maintenance on Main Street gets credit for me taking a different route and finding the truck again ![]() ![]() As found, after loading it. He had a set of 8" truck rally wheels and new tires that went with the truck and had already mounted two on the front to replace the old flat tires. ![]() Back at the shop I immediately swapped a couple tires on the original rims and mounted them to rid it of the rally wheels.- I can't stand those things ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Digging into it I found the original owners manual, protection plan booklet with protect-o-plate, the SPID, plastic storage sleeve, and old receipts and registration cards. It was registered up until 2000. The engine was rebuilt in 1990 and driven another 13,000 miles before being parked. It's pretty much original everywhere except for a repaint, seat cover, and it had a steel bed floor welded in. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Short term plans are to redo the brakes, fuel system, cooling system, and install a bed floor kit replace the steel floor. Pretty much just do whats needed to make it reliable and drive it as is for now. I'd like to get all that done in time to take it to Run to the Sun in March. After that I'll copy the suspension setup I used on the first winter beater '66, except I'll use air bags in the rear for added load capacity and add CPP 500 series power steering. Long term plans are still pretty simple, I don't want to do anything irreversible. Right now I'm thinking (*subject to change ![]() I pulled all the drums off today to disassemble the fronts and adjust the rears in make it roll easier, the left front was starting to get sticky. The rear self adjusters were still free and easily adjusted. ![]()
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Project Goldilocks '66 C10 Short Fleet BBW Build '65 C10 Highly Detailed Stock Restoration Thread '78 Camaro Targa Roof Build '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work '66 F100 Full Rotisserie Restoration '40 Packard 120 Convertible Coupe Restoration How To Restore and Detail an Original Gauge Cluster How To Detail Sand Body Panels, Edges, Corners, Etc |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Braunschweig, Lower Saxony, Germany
Posts: 786
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Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
A long hunt that paid off, what a great truck.
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------------------------------------------- Greetings Harald My 62 build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829782 |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Rochester, KENT
Posts: 10,537
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Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
Excellent find
And glad you managed to get it. One of my favourite colours too for these trucks. Original wheels look so much nicer on it, despite me loving Rallye wheels.
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MY BUILD LINK: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...585901]Redneck Express - 1966 C10 Short Fleetside MY USA ROADTRIPS http://forum.retro-rides.org/thread/...2018-humdinger IF YOU CAN'T FIX IT WITH A HAMMER, YOU'VE GOT AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM MATE. |
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#4 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Fayetteville, Arkansas
Posts: 1,923
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Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
Good to know that they're still out there. 66 real custom cab shortie in the best color combo. Congrats and excellent detective work.
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#5 |
Moderator
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Location: China Spring, TX
Posts: 7,280
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Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
Wow great find.
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Master Chief, US Navy, Retired 1964 C10 Step-side Short Bed - In Progress 2009 2500HD Duramax LTZ 1948 GMC Panel 1956 Big Window Stepside 1953 5 Window Chevy Stepside 1932 Coupe New Seat Foam for Bench Seats? |
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#6 |
Senior Member
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Location: Hickory Flat, GA
Posts: 4,473
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Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
Dadgum, that's nice. I like that turbo idea
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Christian Carpenter 1963 C10 - Frankentruck 283, Muncie 3 speed with overdrive Overdrive wiring here1963-ish truck bed trailer - Half-Wit 1981 C10 - Penny 305, th350 --> Soon to be 350, Saginaw 4 speed 1995 Dodge Dakota Sport "I'll put it simple: if you're going hard enough left, you'll find yourself turning right." - Doc Hudson |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Essex
Posts: 936
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Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
That is a great find!
Ever so slightly jealous..... Turbo 6 sounds like an absolutely wonderful idea. P. ![]()
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Woody's Build - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=658621 If it goes wrong, I blame the Internet... |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Beaver, Pa.
Posts: 197
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Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
Enjoyed the story behind the truck and how you found it again. It sure is a beauty!
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#9 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Posts: 2,073
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Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
That's a real nice truck. I'll be following your magic on this one.
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Sanity'66 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=515110 Long bed, Fleetside, Small back window I've Done So Much, With So Little, For So Long, That Now I Can Do Anything With Nothing. ![]() |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: mid ga
Posts: 553
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Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
Congrats John.
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check out SANFORD build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=522019 |
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#11 |
I'm just glad to be here!
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Longview, TX
Posts: 4,788
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Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
What a find. Will follow to see what you do with this one.
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Karl ![]() 1965 Chevy Stepside(Grandpa's Old Blue) and (July 2015 Shop Build!)(2020, the Saga Continues) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=372424 The LST Challenge: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post7812257 Korbin's 1st Square: "Sunburn" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=418618 1985 GMC Sierra: "White Trash", Korbin's 2nd now... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=632305 Henry - 1984 Chevrolet, Owen's 1st Square |
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DALLAS,TX
Posts: 21,980
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Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
I'm in to see what happens
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67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol. |
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Anderson SC
Posts: 3,886
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Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
Made a little bit of progress. Got pretty much everything for the brakes, fuel, ignition, cooling, and charging systems either here or on the way. I'm just missing an alternator, radiator, carb, and a few gaskets to get it running. The drop spindle/disc kit will be here tomorrow. I found the new tank locally for $50 and already had the old chrome reverse wheels, air bags for the rear, and bumper guards with matching patina. When I sold the other blue '66 I kept the '66 Farm Truck tag that I had on the front of it, so I'll reuse it on this one.
![]() I pulled the tank and cleaned up the back of the cab where the old tank had leaked. I soaked it in Purple Power, scrubbed/rinsed, then scrubbed off the surface rust using CLR and steel wool. I'll coat it with Penetrol to seal it back up and bring back some color before the tank goes in. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() I pulled everything that was going to be replaced and did a quick scrub down of the engine compartment. The firewall and engine need to be repainted but I'll make sure the engine is good first. ![]() ![]() A couple of bolts were stubborn and broke off so I had to weld washers and nuts on what was left to extract them. ![]() ![]() ![]() Mating surfaces cleaned up with a wire wheel, then flattened with a file. ![]() Bolt holes chased and flushed with brake cleaner. Gasket surface cleaned to bare metal with a wire wheel. ![]() I still consider myself an aircooled VW guy so all this water pump/radiator stuff is still kinda strange to me ![]() ![]() The carb is a lost cause. I'm looking into using a newer Rochester Monojet instead. ![]() ![]() ![]() I've had a pair of old aftermarket chrome reverse 8" wheels for a few years, plus a single 6" and single 7" but never could find a either a 6 or 7 to make a front pair even after running multiple wanted ads. We had a leftover pair of 8" barrels so I started cutting the centers out of rusty original wheels to swap into the 8" barrels. ![]() ![]() ![]() I pressed the centers in pretty much all the way to the front edge of the drop center so they'll have about 1.25" more backspacing than the rear pair for a staggered look. That's still more lip than I wanted up front so I might find a pair of 7" hoops instead. I want the big and little look but with a wider width to stretch/support the sidewalls better than the stock wheels. I also don't like the way the wheel center is more inset in the drop center on the rear pair- that shrouds the hubcap, so I might build one more 8" like this, use those on the rear, and build two 7's for the front. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
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Project Goldilocks '66 C10 Short Fleet BBW Build '65 C10 Highly Detailed Stock Restoration Thread '78 Camaro Targa Roof Build '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work '66 F100 Full Rotisserie Restoration '40 Packard 120 Convertible Coupe Restoration How To Restore and Detail an Original Gauge Cluster How To Detail Sand Body Panels, Edges, Corners, Etc |
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DALLAS,TX
Posts: 21,980
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Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
I dig the wheel tweaks.
I guess the Permatex Aviation is like Gasgacinch?
__________________
67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol. |
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Essex
Posts: 936
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Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
Very clever on the wheels.
P. ![]()
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Woody's Build - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=658621 If it goes wrong, I blame the Internet... |
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#16 |
Moderator
![]() ![]() Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: China Spring, TX
Posts: 7,280
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Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
Great work you do.
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__________________
Master Chief, US Navy, Retired 1964 C10 Step-side Short Bed - In Progress 2009 2500HD Duramax LTZ 1948 GMC Panel 1956 Big Window Stepside 1953 5 Window Chevy Stepside 1932 Coupe New Seat Foam for Bench Seats? |
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Newport, North Carolina
Posts: 629
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Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
Can’t wait to see the progression. I always really enjoy your builds and the level of quality and detail you put into your work.
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Braunschweig, Lower Saxony, Germany
Posts: 786
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Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
Great work, great ideas.
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------------------------------------------- Greetings Harald My 62 build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829782 |
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#19 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Scotts, Michigan
Posts: 3,770
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Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
Nice progess....following along on this one.
Marc
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...........__________ .................. ((__|__||___\____ ..;.;;.:;:;.,;..;((_(O))____ (_(O)) 1948 Chevy Truck - Finished SOLD!! 1953 Chevy Suburban "Family Truckster" Completed: Spring of 2021 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=605484 1994 4x4 Blazer - "Field Find" https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...ferrerid=30857 |
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#20 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: May 2014
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 555
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Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
Always wondered how people did the wheels in the old days- thanks for posting this.!
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Kitsbeach (Ken) 1967 C10 LWB (now SWB) Fleetside 6cyl Saginaw three-on-the-tree "No Frills" 1980 C20 Long to short & static drop "Square One" |
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#21 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Anderson SC
Posts: 3,886
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Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
Not at all, Gasgacinch seems to just be contact adhesive, it smells and acts the same as DAP Weldwood for vinyl tops. Permatex Aviation isn't sticky like Gasgacinch so you can reposition gaskets if needed and it never sets up all the way hard so it's easy to clean off later.
__________________
Project Goldilocks '66 C10 Short Fleet BBW Build '65 C10 Highly Detailed Stock Restoration Thread '78 Camaro Targa Roof Build '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work '66 F100 Full Rotisserie Restoration '40 Packard 120 Convertible Coupe Restoration How To Restore and Detail an Original Gauge Cluster How To Detail Sand Body Panels, Edges, Corners, Etc |
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#22 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Anderson SC
Posts: 3,886
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Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
I found loose lower ball joints when I pulled the original spindles, which lead to ripping out everything except the crossmember and steering parts. The pitman and idler arms feel tight and I adjusted the play out of the steering box so those should be good to go until I piece together power steering parts. I'm undecided between a CPP 500 series box or a normal ratio squarebody box. I liked the CPP box we used in the '68 Chevelle we built but I'd like to see some long term reviews before buying one. Redhead Gear was another option I've looked into but their reviews have been iffy lately. The slightly slower squarebody ratio box might be a better option for interstate trips and backing a trailer, the Chevelle steering ratio was almost too fast. If anyone has feedback on what box they're using let me know.
Before completely disassembling everything I mounted the wheel to check clearances front and back. Fender clearance is great, ball joint and tie rod clearance is kinda close. I may need to run a 1/4 spacer. ![]() ![]() Everything underneath was caked with grease and red clay. This mixture sets up hard enough that the pressure washer would barely touch it. I ended up soaking the arms in a container with old gas which dissolved the original paint and took the grime off with it after some scrubbing. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() I used a pallet jack to roll the truck out of the stall so I could pressure wash the crossmember and wheelwells. ![]() ![]() After the arms were stripped of most of the paint and grime I drilled out the spot welds holding the bump stops on, pressed out the ball joints, and removed the cross shafts. The old cross shafts were still tight and in good condition but the seals were rotting and coming apart. ![]() ![]() I mocked up one of the lower arms to check the clearance between the arm and crossmember, I wanted to see how much further forward the arm could be mounted to add caster. ![]() Adding a new dimple to relocate the arm 3/4" forward. ![]() Crossmember cleaned up and painted. ![]() All of the new parts are painted/assembled and are ready to go back on, just need the LCA U bolts that won't be here until Tuesday. I also cleaned up and painted the stock springs after cutting one coil off. ![]() I pulled the rear brakes apart, pulled the axles and flushed out the diff to prepare for new axle bearings/seals, and repainted the backing plates. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() New tank is in, lines are flushed. I bought a Monojet carb from a late 60's/early 70's C10 since I'm more familiar with setting those up, but it arrived with a bent idle mixture screw and the wrong needle and jet so I have those parts ordered to get it ready to mount. I also ordered an aluminum radiator but it ended up having a monor defect and it's replacement was damaged during shipping. I'm hoping to have everything under the hood mostly finished up this week so I can start it for the first time. ![]()
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Project Goldilocks '66 C10 Short Fleet BBW Build '65 C10 Highly Detailed Stock Restoration Thread '78 Camaro Targa Roof Build '55 International Metal/Body/Paint Work '66 F100 Full Rotisserie Restoration '40 Packard 120 Convertible Coupe Restoration How To Restore and Detail an Original Gauge Cluster How To Detail Sand Body Panels, Edges, Corners, Etc |
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#23 |
67-72 parts collector,
![]() Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Mid-MO
Posts: 22,699
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Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
You sir do excellent work.
You attention to detail is perfect.
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Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823 |
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#24 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Scotts, Michigan
Posts: 3,770
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Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
Its hard to tell which pics are the before and which are the after....bha ha ha.
Your attention to detail is next level. Marc
__________________
...........__________ .................. ((__|__||___\____ ..;.;;.:;:;.,;..;((_(O))____ (_(O)) 1948 Chevy Truck - Finished SOLD!! 1953 Chevy Suburban "Family Truckster" Completed: Spring of 2021 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=605484 1994 4x4 Blazer - "Field Find" https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...ferrerid=30857 |
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#25 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: mid ga
Posts: 553
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Re: Winter Beater Build 2.0- '66 Short/Fleet BBW
John did you have any interference with the front wheel and lower control arm with the dropped spindle?
__________________
check out SANFORD build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=522019 |
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