James and Rachael's Full Service '64

[TypeSL2]

Well, the work has finally began. Quick intro. This is our '64 Long Stepper that we picked up last August. Definitely a rough truck, but we bought it just to have one to use around the house. Of course, I can't leave well enough alone, so there are already plans for it. We love the look of the whole truck, so the only things getting touched are going to be mechanical bits.

Currently, the truck is a straight 6 with 4 on the floor. Fuel tank got relocated late last year, but finally completed the fuel filler modification last weekend. Used a weld-in flush mount fuel filler cap from a chopper. It rides on Coker Tires on powdercoated steelies. They will have to be changed later because of the front disc conversion we have planned. That is basically all for now. Pics...



I have every intention of leaving this on the truck for as long as possible. I could always use the extra cash.




Oh, the irony. Starter crapped out on us 2 weeks after buying it.




Progress pics of the fuel tank relocation


Still has the wood bed underneath, albeit in really rough shape. This will get fixed later. The diamond plate works really well for now.


Not quite hung in this picture, but you get the idea.


Progress pics of the fuel filler that we finally finished up 6 months after the fuel tank relocation.




The filler cap we used.


The finished product. No body filler or anything. Just welded, smoothed and primered. The rest of the fender was already primered, so this blended in quite well I think.




James

[TypeSL2]

And now for the real work. We have begun our LQ4/NV3500 swap. I have picked up the transmission we will be using and had already acquired the LQ4 for my wife's Impala. We will be using the LQ in the truck now, because I received an LS2 last year for the wife's car.

Old motor coming out


The new motor that will be going in. This is when we first got it.






This is the motor all built, just has the wrong intake and oil pan on it. This picture is from when we were going to be putting the motor in her Impala. I have a truck intake and oil pan that I will be using.


James

[TypeSL2]

Future plans include front and rear disc brakes, new wheels and tires, air-ride, and I will re-wire the entire truck including trailer wiring as I plan to haul my Saturn down to Road Atlanta in the near future. More progress and pictures as I have them.

James

[Ta2Don]

I'm in… Diggin' the Filler Cap... Where did it come from???

[TypeSL2]

Thanks man. Bought it off ebay. Was $70. A little more than I really wanted to pay, but after it was all said and done, I don't even care. It looks great compared to a flapper door or some other contraption. I wish I had been able to tuck it behind the reverse light, but there is just not enough downward angle to the tank for that to work. This is almost literally a straight shot from the fender down to the tank. Fills super fast now.

James

[TypeSL2]

Got some more work done this weekend.

Transmission before and after


The wife about to pull the motor out


And the wife with old motor and transmission out


More parts have started coming in, including the crossmember. I am going to try to get the motor and transmission set in the truck during this week if the weather will cooperate. Otherwise it will be in this weekend. I still have a ways to go, but I need it to look like a running/driving truck for the homeowners' association. They are some of the nosiest, most annoying people ever. Always all up in our business. Anyways, more pictures when I get them.

James

[1963c-10]

Welcome and nice looking truck. Progress looks like its going well. Keep the pics and updates coming!!

[Mikes66ChevyC10]

Welcome! Looks like a great project!

[Ta2Don]

thanks for the info on the filler cap…

…and as for the new tranny...

[TJ's Chevy]

Cool truck and cool build! Nice engine goin in to!

[TypeSL2]

Thanks guys. I am kinda in a crunch because we have a HOA that has been on our neighbors about their cars. Need it running if they ever come to inspect it. I wish I had a bigger garage. Rachael's car is taking up all the space in our garage at the moment. The truck will be done long before her car though.

James

[McMurphy]

It seems that every single person who likes calssic cars, and likes to turn a wrench, that lives in a HOA development hates it.
I personally cannot fathom them, and would certainly not tolerate very well someone trying to tell me how to "rule my roost", as it were.

Good luck to you with this, sadly once you end up on their radar with something like this, it seems you are in for a history of harassment until either the vehicle, or you, are gone.

I really like the build though, nice to see your wife getting her hands dirty on it too. Seems our two households would have a lot in common, except we are Ponitac people..... LoL

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by TypeSL2

This is the motor all built, just has the wrong intake and oil pan on it. This picture is from when we were going to be putting the motor in her Impala. I have a truck intake and oil pan that I will be using.


James

Do you feel it's worth swapping the intake & pan just for the truck stuff? The oil pan on the trucks hangs below OE front x-members slightly (possibly depending on which mm swap kit used) so the shallower the pan the better.

The car style intakes aren't really giving up that much torque & look way cleaner vs the truck set-up (unless your plan is to use the 'plastic curtain' to hide everything).

[NEWFISHER]

Get some 6 lug ,disc brake 72 wheels for the front and all will be good, look the same etc.

[TypeSL2]

Unfortunately, I need the Camaro pan and intake for the wife's Impala. Truck stuff has 0 chance fitting in her car. Thanks for the advice though. If need be, I can source another pan later. I think I will be okay with the truck stuff though.

James

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by TypeSL2

Unfortunately, I need the Camaro pan and intake for the wife's Impala. Truck stuff has 0 chance fitting in her car. Thanks for the advice though. If need be, I can source another pan later. I think I will be okay with the truck stuff though.

James

Ahh... That makes sense.

[Low Elco]

Neat deal. I gotta see how this goes...

[Jeff La]

Doing a great job and truck looks good

[TypeSL2]

Thanks again guys. Here is a shot of the motor as of last night.


I am aiming to have the engine and tranmission mated tonight. If all goes well, I will post up some pictures of how it looks when I get it together.

James

[TypeSL2]

Engine and trans are mated. No pictures though. I will try and snatch a photo tonight when I get home. I am gonna put the motor mounts on tonight so that I will be ready to drop it in hopefully this weekend.

James

[Captainfab]

I'm a little late here but....

Welcome to the forum

You're doing some nice work. It's good to see your wife getting involved in the project.

If you need a hydraulic clutch assembly for that NV3500, I do sell a combination power brake booster bracket with a hydraulic clutch conversion for the '63-'66's.

[Grizz1963]

Did a long posting the other day that did not go on when I submitted.

However, still need to say I love the truck and Teamwork makes it even better.

What does your tank come from??

[TypeSL2]

Thanks again guys. The tank is from LMC. It is the rear mount relocation tank. I believe it is originally a Blazer tank? I am really not sure on that one. I bought the side fill tank because I didn't want to have to worry about how I am gonna fill the tank with the current diamond plate steel bed.

Capt Fab. I am needing a few things from you. At this very moment, I want to get that brake booster/clutch adapter plate. I am gonna pm you. Thanks so much for the kind words. My wife has been very active in this project and even moreso in her Impala. The Impala is her baby, and she wants to do as much work to it as she can. I must say, I am a pretty lucky guy.

James

[McMurphy]

Originally Posted by TypeSL2

Thanks again guys. The tank is from LMC. It is the rear mount relocation tank. I believe it is originally a Blazer tank? I am really not sure on that one. I bought the side fill tank because I didn't want to have to worry about how I am gonna fill the tank with the current diamond plate steel bed.

Capt Fab. I am needing a few things from you. At this very moment, I want to get that brake booster/clutch adapter plate. I am gonna pm you. Thanks so much for the kind words. My wife has been very active in this project and even moreso in her Impala. The Impala is her baby, and she wants to do as much work to it as she can. I must say, I am a pretty lucky guy.

James

If you go to this:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...487100&page=22
and scroll down to post 527 you will see our two Pontiacs.

When she got it, this conversation ensued:
Me "You realize that you have to turn your own wrenches on this, dont you?"
Her "That is what I have you for"
Me "Yes and no.... I am here to help, but if you dont wrench on this yourself, and are not able to speak about your car when guys ask...and they will ask....then they will know that it is really MY car, and I just let you drive it"
Her "F*&%^# THAT !! This is MY CAR !!! Bet your a$$ I will work on it then"

And she has, and she is damn proud of it too

I bet your wifes Impala is a beautiful car, I can only imagine how proud of it she is.

My biggest fear is that my wife will fall in love with this truck I am building, and though it is a retirement gift to myself, I may end up losing it...... But dont tell my wife this.

[TypeSL2]

Lol, I understand that. I will post a pic of my wife's Impala tomorrow. It is in pretty good shape on the outside. Underneath needs a lot of work, but the powdercoated frame we had done is the start to a whole new car.

Headed to the junk yard Saturday to source all the break parts and then motor should be going in this weekend.

James