Slammed 1966 GMCummins 12v

[slimjim66]

Here we go, I’m mainly doing this to keep record of my build and to share with you guys. All help and comments are appreciated, if you don’t like what I’m doing f**c off I don’t care.

1966 gmc Long stepper
Gonna cut into a short bed stepper, I have a short box with steps and fenders but I’m going to try and use the original box cause it matches the truck. I’m not doing any rust repair except for the cab. The cab is in alright shape, needs the regular crap, rockers, corners, floor patched and some small holes above the windshield. But for the rest of the truck I’m leaving the rot cause I like the way it aged

What I’m gonna try and do with the box is... in order to cut a long bed down to a short bed you need to take 20” total out of the length, 12” in front of the rear wheels and 8” from the back. I personally think the step sides rear part of the long beds look better and more proportion with the extra 8 inch so, I’m going to attempt to leave that part but take the 12” from the front of the box. If that makes sense

I got the truck locally but the guy I purchased it from got it from southern Saskatchewan up here in Canada (I’m from Ontario) here come the pics

[slimjim66]

I was originally going to use a LQ4 but have since changed my mind for a 12v Cummins. I had bought a complete 2003 gmc 2500 from a buddy but ended up parting the whole thing out once I decided on the Cummins.

[slimjim66]

Been cleaning the crap out and taking it apart

[slimjim66]

The truck is going to be bagged, I’m going to “Z” the frame front and rear and make all my own air rod mounts. I’m not looking to spend a ton of money on this build. I did pick up a set of 22” GM transit wheels also found a guy on Instagram whole sold me some clips so I can instal some old GMC dog dish hub caps. I also ordered a set of Selfmade Fab inner fenders and rad support covers they should be here in the next couple weeks.

[slimjim66]

Forgot pics

[slimjim66]

Here’s what I built last year, the main reason I’m trying to keep this one cheap is cause I spent it all on this.

[slimjim66]

I feel like I’m talking to myself here, I tinkered today and tried to figure out my gauge situation. Anyone know if there is a pin-out or if there is an adapter harness to use the factory gauges with new sending units? I’m just looking for the temp and fuel

[sixty4bigwindow]

Definitely not talking to yourself, I will be subbed for this one! Can't wait to see how it turns out after seeing that MONSTER of a Lincoln! That thing looks mean as hell!

Back to your truck, I'm super intrigued about these diesel swaps. Anything that can make those kinds of power, smoke, and get decent mileage, is super cool! Good luck, keep the updates coming

[dieseldude4bt]

I'm along for the ride.

[slimjim66]

Originally Posted by sixty4bigwindow

Definitely not talking to yourself, I will be subbed for this one! Can't wait to see how it turns out after seeing that MONSTER of a Lincoln! That thing looks mean as hell!

Back to your truck, I'm super intrigued about these diesel swaps. Anything that can make those kinds of power, smoke, and get decent mileage, is super cool! Good luck, keep the updates coming

thanks man, it works good, i love that car... and yeah the diesel stuff is mental, i went to the UCC (ultimate callout challenge) in Indianapolis this year and saw some crazy stuff. i don't think ill get to wild with the 12v but i said that about my Lincoln so we will see

[AJCK87]

Originally Posted by slimjim66

I feel like I’m talking to myself here, I tinkered today and tried to figure out my gauge situation. Anyone know if there is a pin-out or if there is an adapter harness to use the factory gauges with new sending units? I’m just looking for the temp and fuel

Welcome! Definitely on board with the 12 valve conversion

I am doing a similar swap in my 1963 10 1/2 ft panel

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...668178&page=11

I started you on the page with the finish result of what I did for my gauges. I used the stock Dodge cluster and did some custom work to make it work with the 63 cluster panel. I am using the harness from my doner truck so the more things that plug and play the better. I see there a few of these swaps happening and I am very curious how everything will come together, like wise on your build.

Cheers!

Anthony

[slimjim66]

Originally Posted by AJCK87

Welcome! Definitely on board with the 12 valve conversion

I am doing a similar swap in my 1963 10 1/2 ft panel

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...668178&page=11

I started you on the page with the finish result of what I did for my gauges. I used the stock Dodge cluster and did some custom work to make it work with the 63 cluster panel. I am using the harness from my doner truck so the more things that plug and play the better. I see there a few of these swaps happening and I am very curious how everything will come together, like wise on your build.

Cheers!

Anthony

Nice work man, i just briefly went through your thread, ill have to slow down and read it when i have time.

[slimjim66]

I know I’m a bit ahead of myself here but I’d like to use the factory gauges then hide my other gauges in the glove box. Anyone know if there is a pin out or a way to adapt new sending units to these old ones? They worked the day I took the old motor out. If not I have a plan to use new ones behind the cluster

[dieseldude4bt]

I used the Chevy sending unit in my Cummins engine and all the dash gauges work like it had a sbc in it.
On mine the oil is mechanical and the temp is electric, I also use a chevy alternator.

[slimjim66]

Originally Posted by dieseldude4bt

I used the Chevy sending unit in my Cummins engine and all the dash gauges work like it had a sbc in it.
On mine the oil is mechanical and the temp is electric, I also use a chevy alternator.

ya mines all electrical, i wish i knew where the 11 prong plug went from the back of this cluster. would make my life a lot easier. oh well either way if i have to put new gauges in ill have to put them in.

[jimmythompson1964]

If this truck ends up looking half as cool as the Lincoln it will be a head turner.

[richards72chevy]

I like that Lincoln.

[bigblazerboy]

any progress? curious to see how the bed comes out. have a 66 lwb step as well i was thinking of only shortening the front a foot maybe and leave the rear longer. i really want to find a wrap around step bumper for it too

[slimjim66]

Originally Posted by bigblazerboy

any progress? curious to see how the bed comes out. have a 66 lwb step as well i was thinking of only shortening the front a foot maybe and leave the rear longer. i really want to find a wrap around step bumper for it too

not really man, im sourcing some parts and its been to dam hot out to be cutting and welding in the garage. soon though ill be back working on it.

[slimjim66]

update...

Ive ordered a bunch of my parts to get rocking on this thing. shipping to canada is a way to ridiculous so i have all my stuff shipped to a buddy in new york and then go pick it up and have a visit. sometimes coming back they make me pay tax/duty at the boarder but most times they let me go. so im just waiting on a few backordered parts to come in and ill be going to get them. I've ordered i would say 90% of what i think ill need from patch panels to interior to everything ill need for my rolling chassis. left out things like windshield, driveshaft, paint, bed wood and such cause ill just buy them locally.

[slimjim66]

Did a thing tonight, long box delete kit... feels good to finally start cutting into this thing.

[63suburban]

Looking Good!

[slimjim66]

Did some more tonight, still gotta take off all the useless stuff I don’t need, flip the trailing arm cross member and build some bag pockets. Still waiting for some back order parts before I can go get them.

[slimjim66]

Doesn’t look like a lot but cutting off all those extra mounts, trans cross member and some things here and there really took some time and a lot of zip cuts. I did flip the trailing arm cross member and cut the Center out so it will lay on the ground. I’m ordering some steel this week so I can Z the frame and fill that void I now have in the cross member. Got some sand for sand blasting the frame too

Can’t wait to get the chassis done so I can start the assembly process. All my parts are in so hopefully I can find a day to go get them all. I had a terrible experience with one of the company’s I ordered through. I won’t say who cause I like to hope it was just a fluke but I don’t think I’ll use them again (unless I have to) anyways here’s some pictures...

[slimjim66]

Also, getting the drums off the front was a bit hard, they were riveted to the hub, am I to assume these are the factory drums? Even after grinding the rivets out I had to smash them off cause the grooves in the shoes were so bad.

And under the frame I found some soles from rubber boots fastened to the frame??? No idea what the intended use for this was but something I can think about for awhile.