New member with a 1966 stepside

[NCD1966]

I have a 66 stepside, been in my family since new. My grandfather bought it new and then passed to my dad, then to me when I turned 16.
I have all the original parts, owners manuel, and sales receipt for it.
My dad restored the truck back in "89 but put alot of bondo in the truck and needs a good restoration again. It had a 250 inline 6 with a 3 on the tree. Now has a 305 V8 with the 3 on the tree.

I had lost interest in the truck and almost sold it to a friend of mine a couple of years ago, but my wife said she want me to keep it and restore it.
So just recently I got the spark to restore it and have a little fun with it.
I decided to clean up the factory steelies, paint them black and grind some used tires for some wide white walls. Also I have a 355ci chevy sb with vortec heads and a 292 luniti cam i plan on putting in there. Should be fun with the 3 speed and factory 3.73 rear.

While i'm working on the body I would like to cut the factory springs to lower it a bit just to get a idea where i want the truck to sit.
Any of you guys have an idea how much lower i will get from cutting a coil out?
I would like the truck to sit a couple of inches lower than stock. But was looking at a 2-1/2 in the front and 3-4 in the rear but I'm not sure how it will look?
Any advice is welcomed

Nick

[62 short step]

Welcome from Louisiana! Sounds like a good truck, post up some pics when you can.

[NCD1966]

thanks nice to see another Louisiana guy here.

[DPowers]

Welcome to the site- Great history and glad that you have found the restore spark-
before I would cut the springs, I would do some research on the site here as some guys have used jeep springs to lower the rear.

[NCD1966]

Thanks for the info DPowers. i guess i will be going to the junk yard for jeep springs this week.

[Captainfab]

Welcome to the forum

Yeah I would listen to your wife. You definitely will want to keep that truck, especially since it's been in your family since new. Plus if she said she wants you to restore it, by all means don't disappoint her. A lot of guys have to fight tooth and nail to get approval from their wives......

[fryer1979]

to the site.

With that kind of family history it really would be a shame to sell the truck, so I too am glad to hear of your renewed interest. Take it from a guy who also married a girl who loves classic cars and trucks; enjoy the rare gift you have in a woman like that, and make every effort to get her involved in the project. You both will really enjoy owning, building, and driving it throughout the years.

And as stated above: we are looking forward to pics.

[NCD1966]

thanks, yeah I dont have many photos I will take some.

[Dinos63]

Welcome kat!!!

[Rogue]

I too have my grandfathers truck, its an heirloom that will never be sold.
It was bought at Hood Motors in Amite, LA.
I used to drive it back and forth to Houston from Baton Rouge, on I-10 when I was in school.

I need to get back on it after I get the Edsel on the road.

[Turkey]

That's what I grew up on. Rock those steel wheels!!

[NCD1966]

Rogue, thats cool. As far as I know my old truck never drove out the state of louisiana and never been in a wreak. I drove this truck as a daily driver up till I was 22. Thats when i bought a 1997 Chevy Suburban to pull my old camaro to the drag strip. Then sold both the sub and camaro and bought my Trans Am.

Turkey, I cant wait to finish cleaning up the steelies and drop the truck.


Later this week I will post up pictures of the truck from brand new till present. (I'll have to find the old pictures)
Its has been a few colors. Originally it was gold with white grill and white front bumper. Then in 1989 my dad had both of them chromed by a company in California. The factory options on the truck was a heater, seat belts, AM Radio, and two rear Mud grip tires. lol