Here we go again

[killthewabbit]

A few months back, I talked myself out of a trade that was my 69 Chevelle for a 66 GMC SWB that was pretty rusty, had leafs, and a 6 cylinder. I'm personally looking for something not as rusty with a V8 and coils all the way around.

This 65 Chevy SWB came along, with a V8. I haven't heard back yet if it has coils, but I don't see leafs behind the wheel in the side pics. I asked about the hole where the panhard bar looks like it should go. I can see rust in the rockers, and a spot on the driver's side bed just above the wheel lip.

The guy basically said it ran really good and has a TH350 auto. He didn't mention anything about the interior and body, so we're swapping emails back and forth about it - or more accurately, I'm swapping emails with the guy's girlfriend.

Truck pics are here (too big to embed):

http://www.atleastihavechicken.com/6...k/100_2490.JPG

http://www.atleastihavechicken.com/6...k/100_2491.JPG

http://www.atleastihavechicken.com/6...k/100_2493.jpg

http://www.atleastihavechicken.com/6...k/100_2494.JPG

http://www.atleastihavechicken.com/6...k/100_2496.JPG

Anybody got an idea on anything special I should look for or ask about? What can you guys tell me about the truck. The panhard bar hole has me a little bit worried.

[hewlett2002000]

well its got a gmc hood on it. most likely springs. not a ton of rust but its there. overall a good lookin truck, i think.
John

[joe231]

out side looks pretty good
that is a panhard mount, so it either has coils and needs a bar, or has leafs and someone swapped in a coil spring axle

[tiggamonsta]

By looking it the pictures I would guess there is more rust then you see. It looks like there is filler on the passenger door near the top of the cowl. Overall it still does not look like a bad truck. I would definitely get an up-close look before you take it though.

[protrash64]

I believe you can make out a leaf in the drivers side pic in the shadow behind the rear tire. I have the same 'extra hole' in the pumpkin from a 68 rear axle on my leaf frame. I think you would be able to see the trailing arms on the shot from under the backend.

[ChiefRocka]

I agree with Protrash...looks like a leaf to me.
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[Chevy Fleetside]

That frame looked pretty rusty to me also. If the frame has that much I can only imagine what the floors and cab mounts look like. You really need to get a close up look at it.

[killthewabbit]

Yeah, I agree. I do need to get a closer look at it. Would you guys think it's worth $2500 or so? I hope it's not against the rules to ask. That's kind of the price range of my Chevelle and the truck.

I haven't heard back from the dude yet, so still no answer on the leafs vs coils yet. It does look like there's leafs in those pics right where ChiefRocka circled.

[ConnDemned]

I have a 66 with what I call "over load" springs on it, so it has coils and then some small leafs on the back... it could be the same as this truck you're looking at. I would say the panhard bar could be missing.

[killthewabbit]

Well, it does have leafs.

Both parties are interested in a trade, so I'll keep updating here what happens.

[killthewabbit]

I'm going to meet the guy on Saturday to take a look.

I know a lot of parts are available repop for these trucks, but not as many as 67-72 or even 73-87. Is there anything that I should run away from if I see it? For example, I know the rockers are rusty, and there's a spot above the rear wheel lip, but patches for those two are available. Should I run if I see cab support rust?

Also, aside from the rockers, what's prone to rust on these?

Thanks in advance. I'm starting to get pretty excited about this one.
Will

[joe231]

you can get replacement cab supports. there are lots of parts out there, and there seems to be more coming.
just depends on how much you are willing to replace/repair

lower rear of the front fenders rotting out is pretty normal
cab corners, floor panels, lower kick panels, lower a pillar, lower portion of the doors, front corners of the hood, around the windshield, inner flanges on the bedsides where the wood sits.......all I can think of right now


that truck looks like a good start!!

[killthewabbit]

Thanks, Joe. I hope it turns out to be as nice as it looks in the pics.

On a side note, what's the difference between the Chevy and GMC hoods? I've been trying to figure it out myself since that first response to my original post, but they look the same to me.

[joe231]

i'm looking for pics.....


GMC




My Chevy


here is a LINKY to a good front shot of a GMC

[19GMC63]

Originally Posted by killthewabbit

Thanks, Joe. I hope it turns out to be as nice as it looks in the pics.

On a side note, what's the difference between the Chevy and GMC hoods? I've been trying to figure it out myself since that first response to my original post, but they look the same to me.

Check this page out...
http://6066gmcguy.org/Hood.htm

I've been looking for one in the middle, tn area, so if you don't buy it LMK.... maybe I can trade hoods with the current owner.

[SIR]

...also check the hood by the running lights,under the "brow" above the windshield and "gutters around the cab,get pictures of the floor without the carpet or whatever is on the floor,$2500 may be to high throw $1000 on the table and see what happens,if ALL of the before mentioned places have rust through.adjust your price accordingly,remember what your skill level is so you don't get in over your head...sometimes you just have to pass untill something better comes along,good luck.

[killthewabbit]

There's no sheetmetal patches made for the "brow" and "gutter" area you're talking about, right? Those would be custom made individual pieces or new cab time, from what I understand.

I guess it does have a GMC hood, doesn't it? Weird.

I noticed one more thing just now. The gap between the rear of the cab and the front of the bed is normal looking on the passenger side, but almost nonexistent on the driver's side. Would this be an indicator of frame damage, or just saggy bed mounts?

[joe231]

Originally Posted by killthewabbit

There's no sheetmetal patches made for the "brow" and "gutter" area you're talking about, right? Those would be custom made individual pieces or new cab time, from what I understand.

correct

Originally Posted by killthewabbit

I guess it does have a GMC hood, doesn't it? Weird.

yep, GMC

Originally Posted by killthewabbit

I noticed one more thing just now. The gap between the rear of the cab and the front of the bed is normal looking on the passenger side, but almost nonexistent on the driver's side. Would this be an indicator of frame damage, or just saggy bed mounts?

could be either the frame or the bed...

[4dranch]

Im no expert like most of these guys, but the fastest way for me to tell the difference in the hoods is the turn signal or running lights. Chevy's are rounded on all four sides the same and the GMC's top inside corner kinda points to the center.

[killthewabbit]

I just heard something I was hoping you guys could clarify.

I just heard that leaf springs didn't come on 65 Chevy trucks. Is that true? If that's the case, I wonder if this was a GMC and maybe got converted to Chevy grille or something.

[502tripower]

Originally Posted by killthewabbit

I just heard something I was hoping you guys could clarify.

I just heard that leaf springs didn't come on 65 Chevy trucks. Is that true? If that's the case, I wonder if this was a GMC and maybe got converted to Chevy grille or something.

I think both GMC & Chevrolet could be ordered both ways but the leafs were more common on the GMC's.

Personally I think one is better off trying to find something that is not rusty or has minimal rust. They are out there and, not that much more. Just takes some persistence. If the cab is rusty and the rest of the truck is pretty nice then your offer has to reflect that.

[SIR]

.....if you do deside to keep looking this is what I did,depending on your location,country/city,go to your computer and make a "wanted" poster with exactly what you want,and place it a your local mom&pop store bullitin board and see what happens....or post a 'wanted' on crags list in you aera,or several aeras and wait.....I found a guy that 2 of them in his yard,got them both for $1000,I just got luckey I guess...........less than 1-mile from my home.

[4dranch]

Have you looked up the VIN number yet? this link may help you out.

http://www.6066gmcguy.org/VinNumber.htm


here are the data plate locations on my 63. hope this helps

[kizer]

65's had leaf springs. I had one for a day that was a 4wheel drive

[502tripower]

Originally Posted by kizer

65's had leaf springs. I had one for a day that was a 4wheel drive

I believe all 4X4's were leaf.