1965 GMC build

[Robert Haas]

The short strokes of this build is to pull down a 1965 GMC pick up that my best friend bought for 5 grand. A sound clean big back window truck that appeared to be rust free and straight as heck.
This is the day we picked it up back in August






So we tore it down and put the frame up on our purpose built fixture and stripped it.



Here is a time lapse of the suspension being pulled off

 

[Robert Haas]

A few picks of the tear down.







Once it was apart we stripped the cab and towed it over to be sandblasted


here it is all done on the way home

 

[Robert Haas]

So we are going to build our own back half with a 4 bar set up, using a 9" ford housing from Moser.

Fully box the frame and build all new cross members throughout.

Rob From No Limit Engineering in Tennessee supplied most of the kit, all we had to do was cut up a perfectly good frame and weld it all together.

 

[Robert Haas]

lots and lots of fabrication goes on now.

out back;

Hang all the suspension pick ups and weld them in place,

pan hard mount and shock mounts
forward 4 bar mount fabbed and welded on









build a half x memember with exhaust passages and drive line hoop

 

[driverinmyhead]

Wow! Nice SWB! Looks VERY solid.

I have wanted one of those for many years now.

When I was a kid, the local body shop/ hot rod shop had a Turquoise and white deluxe big back window '66 with a 283.

In Air Force tech school, one of the instructors drove an Orange and white '64 deluxe 4 speed that sounded very healthy.

At the time I bought an '85 SWB that a fellow Airman (airhead) caught on fire (timing backfire).
I rebuilt it and drove for a while. Definitely need to find a '64-'66 like that one!

 

[Robert Haas]

Then finish boxing the frame






Hang the suspension for first mock up.

 

[Robert Haas]

now the front suspension, we went with a wide ride set up from No Limit as well.

Spectacular build quality.

This is a tubular A arm program with coil over shocks

 

[Robert Haas]

Hanging the spindles and seeing those Willwood brakes in person is a treat. Pure eye candy.

 

[Robert Haas]

So now it is just hard fab work, build the forward cross member and cut out the factory frame dimples to smooth out the frame, fill all the holes and get the frame ready for powder coating.


















That gets you up to date, working on weekends and after work keeps this project at a constant crawl, but the engine and transmission will land in a couple weeks so I can get them nestled in and start building the exhaust and other tedious stuff.

 

[Robert Haas]

Wow! Nice SWB! Looks VERY solid.

I have wanted one of those for many years now.

When I was a kid, the local body shop/ hot rod shop had a Turquoise and white deluxe big back window '66 with a 283.

In Air Force tech school, one of the instructors drove an Orange and white '64 deluxe 4 speed that sounded very healthy.

At the time I bought an '85 SWB that a fellow Airman (airhead) caught on fire (timing backfire).
I rebuilt it and drove for a while. Definitely need to find a '64-'66 like that one!

Yea I love this style of GM trucks I have one myself

 

[driverinmyhead]

Wow! Nice truck!

I go through classic cars like water... still need to scratch that itch (mid 60's Chevy/gmc).

Here is my old '85 I had 20+ years ago. Before and during. Can't find an after pic. Had a built 350 in it with side exit exhaust (cam lope used to set off car alarms...LOL).

Nice build and great fabrication!

 

[driverinmyhead]

What engine and trans is he going to run?

That suspension setup is pretty trick! Is it going to be a fixed ride height or airbags?

Can't wait to see more updates...

 

[Robert Haas]

What engine and trans is he going to run?

That suspension setup is pretty trick! Is it going to be a fixed ride height or airbags?

Can't wait to see more updates...

454 through a built 700 R4


Coil over hot rod, not an airbagged cruiser. This truck will see a drag strip and an autocross from time to time.

 

[chryslerben]

Cool build! I like the geometry adjustment on the top arms.

looks a top quality build for sure.

 

[dontlifttoshift]

While that will change the geometry slightly, the primary purpose of that eccentric is alignment. Sliding the large pin front to back will set caster and rotating it will set camber.

Make sure the powdercoater does not coat the inside of that sleeve. Make sure you load it with anti seize when you assemble it.

Truck is looking good. Rob @NoLimit is good people and makes nice stuff.

 

[Robert Haas]

While that will change the geometry slightly, the primary purpose of that eccentric is alignment. Sliding the large pin front to back will set caster and rotating it will set camber.

Make sure the powdercoater does not coat the inside of that sleeve. Make sure you load it with anti seize when you assemble it.

Truck is looking good. Rob @NoLimit is good people and makes nice stuff.

Technically any alignment modification is an adjustment in geometry as that is exactly what the 3 axis adjustment is about.

 

[dontlifttoshift]

Technically, sure. I was speaking more to the purpose of the eccentric. I read ChryslerBen's post as implying that it was there as a geometry adjustment but the eccentric doesn't exist so you can move your roll center and camber curves......which you know.

 

[chryslerben]

Sorry gents think I've thrown in a bit of lost in translation from across the pond, yes alignment is what indeed what meant.

In fact it's a slight laziness in terminology from myself.

 

[Robert Haas]

I think I knew what you were implying, no problem mate.

 

[Robert Haas]

I picked up a bare block and core transmission I will be bolting in today, need to fabricate the transmission cross member and start getting serious about the exhaust system.

 

[bigguns69]

Nice... Like the bolt in front suspension. Going to do the same for the new suspension on my 66 mustang. A truck looks like a blast to build. Might have to be the next project.

 

[Robert Haas]

We picked up the mock up block and heads from a friends machine shop. Bolted it to our core 700R transmission and got it nestled into the frame.

 

[Robert Haas]

The Headers Greg Bought from Summit are for a Chevelle and they fit perfectly.













Now I can build the transmission cross member and get started on the 304 Stainless exhaust system.

 

[michaelwolson]

ooh I love old chevy trucks. The project is looking great. I have a squarebody but always wanted one of this generation. Too bad I can only find them trashed or with a long bed.

 

[Notch1988]

Nice work! I'm just getting back onto my 66 GMC that's been waiting for TOO long.

 

[KMinAF]

Forgive my ignorance, but I have questions about boxing a frame. Is it done for strength or aesthetics? Is it welded the full length or just stitched? When the plate is added is it cut so that it is a corner weld or or does it cover the face of the open frame necessitating a surface weld?
Just curious

 

[apollo11]

Nice!!

 

[Robert Haas]

Forgive my ignorance, but I have questions about boxing a frame. Is it done for strength or aesthetics? Is it welded the full length or just stitched? When the plate is added is it cut so that it is a corner weld or or does it cover the face of the open frame necessitating a surface weld?
Just curious

Done properly it closes the "U" channel increasing rigidity. It should be fully welded and to convert the channel into a tube.

 

[csp]

ooh I love old chevy trucks. The project is looking great. I have a squarebody but always wanted one of this generation. Too bad I can only find them trashed or with a long bed.

The 60-66 are stupid simple to convert from LWB to SWB since the body lines on the bed are parallel to the bedrails along the entire length.

I wish my '69 bed was as easy to convert without buying new bedsides.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Robert Haas, luv your work...

Looking forward to following your build..

 

[iajonesy]

Robert, that truck is going to be killer. Do you have a part number for those headers? If you do, would you post it or PM me? Thanks and keep the pictures coming.

Mike

 

[Robert Haas]

Cross member for transmission is built.

 

[Robert Haas]

Started on the 3" Exhaust. This stainless 304 is nice stuff.




Damn a 3" system running through the middle of this frame sure eats up real estate.

 

[Robert Haas]

I'm "exhausted"

 

[Robert Haas]

Robert, that truck is going to be killer. Do you have a part number for those headers? If you do, would you post it or PM me? Thanks and keep the pictures coming.

Mike

These are the Hedman long tube headers for the 1970 Chevelle.

We ordered them from Summit.

Summit part number HED-63198

 

[matt_i]

Just trying to learn...curious why you didn't use the 4L80 (E), the 400-based transmission instead of the 700R4 ?

The rest of it looks wonderful! cutting out the frame "bubbles" is to seal off the boxing from collecting water, correct?

 

[Robert Haas]

Just trying to learn...curious why you didn't use the 4L80 (E), the 400-based transmission instead of the 700R4 ?

The rest of it looks wonderful! cutting out the frame "bubbles" is to seal off the boxing from collecting water, correct?

Partially, mostly aesthetics. I always drill drain holes in these type of builds.

700's are fine for up to 500 hp and properly built run forever.

 

[Robert Haas]

finished the exhaust to the back of the mufflers. Waiting on parts from Flowmaster to weld up the back section. Fabbed up some brackets so I can use urethane isolators and got them all in place. the exhaust is rock solid and will not transfer vibration or sound into the frame, nor make contact through the cross member.

 

[Robert Haas]

Now we had a big day, we loaded the cab back on to the frame so we can figure out a few final fab details on the frame (Steering shaft galley, and valve cover clearance on the firewall)














nice to have the fab back over on the pretty side of the shop, even if it is only for a mock up.

 

[Robert Haas]

This build gets no love here,

Maybe if I throw in a couple rebar vise stands we might get some participation.