'66 GMC K25 - Project "Mabel"

[BFoley]

Having just finished a small project on the truck, I figured now was as good as time as any to start a project/build thread for my '66. While I don't foresee actually doing a complete tear-down/build-up for a few years on her, I have plenty of projects that will keep me entertained while allowing us to use and enjoy the truck during the nice months.



One of my projects this winter was relocating the various aux switches that were strewn about. I was originally going to combine the switches with all of the aux gauges in bracket pod that I am currently building. After receiving a radio delete plate, it dawned on me that I could just use that space.

The mess left by previous owners...



My solution...



Doorman Motormite (p/n/ 85904) switches fit perfectly and had some character...



A little bit of model paint, scotch-brite and 600 grit sandpaper...



Holes popped...



Finished (fauxtina and all)...



Now I have a switch for electric fan, flood lights, amber flashing light (future project) and 1 spare.



Even updated the Meyers switch so they all matched...

[TJ's Chevy]

In for the build. Love GMC's boasting the big v6. Have one with a 305E myself. 4 barrel and split exhaust woke that puppy up nicely.

[flashed]

Im in too ,dont have one of this year anymore but still love them.

[RANDY COX]

I'm in KOOL truck can we see more without the grass. WE LIKE PIXS...

[BFoley]

Originally Posted by RANDY COX

I'm in KOOL truck can we see more without the grass. WE LIKE PIXS...

I don;t have a bunch of pic at the moment but I plan on snapping a bunch once I get it outside in the next month or so. Stay tuned!

[BFoley]

Auxiliary gauges where everywhere. Figured I would make a home for them under the dash below my switch panel. Figured I would fab a 4-hole bracket that was enclosed and had similar look and feel of dash.

Bracket face...



Face post-waterjet...



Now I just need to fab the outer wraps and add a few spot welds.

[BFoley]

Looked into having my slotted mags that came on the truck polished. Quote came back at $200. Per wheel. They aren't really that bad but they had some corrosion spots and ridges in the casting that don't look the best.



Turns out that you can do a pretty bang-up job with material from Harbor Freight tools, a DA sander and California Customs Purple Metal Polish.

All in all, I figure it will take me only a single day to do all 4 wheels at a cost of around $75. Not too shabby. For the finish, I 220 DA, 320DA, 400 wet sand by hand, use a buffing wheel with HF grey compound and then finish everything up with a second buffing wheel and the purple polish.

While I will go for a slightly better finish in the end, the right side of the wheel in the below pic is the result of the trial run I did today.

[flashed]

That is going to look good and save a ton of $$$$$$$$ .

[60chevyjim]

I like the aluminum rims !! you are doing a great job polishing them
and no $200 per wheel is even better .
the truck looks great with the lettering , cant wait to see it with the polished slots on it.

[BFoley]

Made some headway on the aux gauge bracket this week.

Before:






After:





The intent was to create a bracket that (sort of) blended into the dash, looked clean, hid the backside of the gauges. I wanted to ensure it also looked aftermarket and well-built but not too "polished". I think the 1/4" reveal on the front and the "tabs" that wrap up behind the dash bottom really rounded out the look.

The bracket will contain all aux gauges, including the one that a PO bastardized the gauge panel with. Hopefully it'll see paint this weekend and I can get a set of SW gauges ordered.

Note: Absolutely no dash metal was harmed during the installation of the bracket. The bracket was attached using existing through-dash openings...

[62stepside longbox]

Nice work. It really flows with the dash and looks like it's meant to be there

[BFoley]

Originally Posted by 62stepside longbox

Nice work. It really flows with the dash and looks like it's meant to be there

Thank you much.

[BFoley]

The aux. bracket is officially done. Now I just need to spend some money on new gauges to replace my mismatched ones.



Even had time today to switch all my gauges from my bezel into a virgin one I paid way to much for.



Gave everything a proper cleaning. This is probably the first time this needle has gone beyond 55 MPH.



Before...



After...



Figured I would take some time, before bolting the bezel in and connecting everything to, to clean up the rats nest of wires created by POs.

Exhibit A...

[TJ's Chevy]

Looks good!

[BFoley]

Originally Posted by TJ's Chevy

Looks good!

It's progress...

[BFoley]

Slowly making progress on dash.

Decided to run all new wires for aux gauges and aux switches. Removed any/all wires that previous owners had run for different things.



Decided to upgrade to all new Stewart Warner gauges. Decided on them as they looked more "period correct" than new Auto Meter ones. Bought a VDO gauge cup for the tach and had to modify the base to mate with steering column radius. Nothing too crazy, but it took some welding and filling.





FIN

[BFoley]

Wiring project is done and the under-dash should be way less of a fire hazard. I had to have pulled 500 feet of PO wiring out of the truck and off of the frame rail harness. All new SW gauges and tach should and be good to go.





For the aux. switches, I settled on far left is electric fan, middle left is fog lights, middle right is back up lights and far right is spare. I designed to bypass the shifter switch for the backup lights until I figure out a modification for the switch/actuator that actually (consistently) works.

[62stepside longbox]

Man that looks sweet. It looks factory, I might have to copy the idea from you with something similar and paint it the same colour as my interior.

[BFoley]

Originally Posted by 62stepside longbox

Man that looks sweet. It looks factory, I might have to copy the idea from you with something similar and paint it the same colour as my interior.

I'm pretty happy with the way everything turned out. I wanted something that looked custom but didn't pop out too much. Plus, you can never have too many gauges. I should probably find some more to put in the speaker holes in the doors...

[TJ's Chevy]

Looks good!

[Palf70Step]

Good looking truck. I am enjoying your build.

[BFoley]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Good looking truck. I am enjoying your build.

Thanks and glad to hear it!

[BFoley]

Decided to make a new (top) PTO cover for the SM420 to accommodate the new transmission fluid temp gauge. 3/16 plate cut out on water jet will have 1/4 NPT tapped hole for sending unit. As long as I measured right, the tapped hole location *should* put the sending unit in fluid but out of way of gears.

Trying to decide now whether or not I want to have a "guard" surrounding the sending unit to protect it and signal wire from ground/road debris.

[Zane M]

I love what you are doing! Looking forward to future progress.

[BFoley]

Originally Posted by Zane M

I love what you are doing! Looking forward to future progress.

Glad you are enjoying. Thanks!