1965 GMC Short Step Hotrod driver

[drmatera]

I just purchased this '65 for my wife. I couldn't figure out a way to convince her I needed a 3rd hotrod so I pitched it as "her" hotrod. She was all over that so we picked this baby up.

The Plan -

Look like an old farm truck
1. Leave outside appearance stock

Have modern drive train for dependability
1. LQ4 / 4L80E / Late model posi rearend

Have nice interior for wife's comfort
1. A/C
2. Stereo
3. Comfy bench seat
4. Sound and Heat insulation everywhere
5. Power Windows

Update Suspension
1. Undetermined

[Bomp]

Nice looking truck,
Had to remove the same patch panels on my trucks too.
Sub'd

[drmatera]

Thanks, It's gonna be a slow go but my wife wants it done ASAP so I better get back out there.

[62stepside longbox]

Looks like a really nice truck, do you plan to keep the 67-72 fenders?

[drmatera]

No I really don't like them, they will be swapped for the right fenders.
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[drmatera]

Started removing bolts to the front clip, rain stopped me. Hopefully we'll get it off one evening this week.
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[drmatera]

I think I found a donor truck. 2007 Chevy 2500 2wd . It has the 6.0 engine and I believe it may have the 6L90 6 speed trans.

[drmatera]

Got a lot done over the weekend. Next step is to remove the cab and have it media blasted while I finish removing the drive train. Then the frame will get blasted and reassembly will begin. I hope to have the chassis done with the engine installed by the time the cab comes back from getting the new floors and rockers.

[drmatera]

A little progress. I met a great fellow C10 owner (jhrusk) here in Ga and scored a repop passenger door from him. Also started building my gantry for R&Ring the cab and bed.

Picking up my 5.3 / 4L60E on Thursday and hoping to get the seat and possibly the rear end from the 2002 donor truck as well, thanks to JP Muscle Cars.

[drmatera]

Busy weekend. Got the cab off the chassis and the engine / trans out.

[drmatera]

Time to order up some parts

[drmatera]

The cab is stripped of everything but the windshield and rear glass, ready for media blasting. Also the CPP Ls swap kit arrived so I cleaned up the engine a bit and installed it. I thought everybody said use the front frame mount location but I ended up using the rear mounting holes as the engine was way to far forward. On to suspension work.

[drmatera]

The Trans crossmember doesn't seem quite right. Maybe I need some spacers to raise it up a bit

[drmatera]

Life has gotten in the way of my hobby here lately but I'm re-focused on getting this thing on the road.

Updates:

I've put body repair on hold while I get the chassis stuff done. The engine / trans placement is done, removed the stock rear end and picked up an explorer 8.8 with 3.73 / posi and disks. Now I need to weld new spring perches on the rear end and get it mounted up so I can get a driveshaft built. I'm really not sure what to do on the front end suspension and brakes but I want to keep it simple and with off the shelf parts. Any tips would help from the guys that have been there - done that.
As for electronics I am using the factory engine harness and fuse block from the donor truck. This will be the most simple straight forward way to get the truck running. I sent the ECU out for re-flash and hope to have it back by this weekend.

[Mark T]

What year rear end did you use? To get the posi does it need to be a sport edition?

[drmatera]

Originally Posted by Mark T

What year rear end did you use? To get the posi does it need to be a sport edition?

Hey, Not sure about the sport but it seems like a lot of explorers came with the limited slip. When looking at them check out the little metal tab bolted to the diff cover. There are numbers stamped on it. The first 3 numbers describe the gear ratio and there will be an L after the first digit. ex: 3 L 73 is a limited slip 3:73 axle. If there is just an empty space after the first digit it is an open diff. 95-01 (maybe 02) Explorers is where you want to look.

[CES2749]

Hey glad to see someone close to me working on these trucks too. What is the width of the explorer rear end compared to the 12 bolt. I know a local guy that put this rear end in a 50's chevy truck. He said that posi came in 4x4 models usually.

Thanks

[drmatera]

My truck had the dana 44, the Explorer rear end is a bit narrower. I measured it a while ago but don't remember off hand.

[drmatera]

My friends over at NuTech did a great job on my frame. Now we can start putting all the suspension and brake goodies on.

[drmatera]

Front suspension going on