1965 GMC build

[BMW Rider]

Rut Ro

Sorry, didn't intend to instill fear in you.

A few tips. Figure out the routing of the wires on the truck, mount the components that can be moved in the best possible locations to facilitate tidy wire runs. Start laying the wiring in place to build up the harnesses. Use small zip ties to control the wires where they branch off and to keep the wires contained. Get rid of excess wire length from those pre-wired accessory harnesses. Once everything is in place and all the wires routed, you can remove it all and wrap the harness with your choice of loom or non adhesive wrap tape -just don't use regular sticky electrical tape except to finish the ends of the wrap. Remove the zip ties as you wrap unless you are using split loom, then they help keep the wires contained. Lastly, use good connectors and terminals and get good crimpers for them. I hate those blue/red/yellow insulated run of the mill type that are so common. I prefer uninsulated terminals with either proper connectors or heat shrink sleeves to insulate them.

 

[Robert Haas]

All done with the wiring, Truck works amazing.

I now have one of the coolest shop trucks in the area.

 

[KMScott]

Just Wow. Enjoyed your post Robert. More pic's later?

 

[jhn9840]

Very nice. I don’t think anyone could have a shop truck that was any cooler.

jhn9840
John

 

[Robert Haas]

Just Wow. Enjoyed your post Robert. More pic's later?

teaser pics of whats happening today













after owning this truck for 4 decades I am finally lowering it properly.

 

[zmotorsports]

Truck is looking great Robert. Great little shop truck.

I had a 1982, then a 1991 each that I had built from wrecks that were my shop trucks. Both I had slammed and trick paint jobs but they were cool as daily drivers and shop trucks. I kind of miss my '91, I even had a shot of NOS on it and was a blast to drive.

Seeing your pictures now makes me miss it even more.

 

[Robert Haas]

Well I got the shop trucks altitude adjusted


before




after

 

[zmotorsports]

Looks much better. Great stance, although the before looks great too.

Better than some of the ones I've seen with too much gap in the wheelwells. The before looks nicely proportioned as well.

 

[matt_i]

Wow, that "tub" look in the back is very unique!! Cool truck!

 

[Robert Haas]

welded in and rough ground the rear quarter.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

That second to last pic, do you go back and fill in more with weld or use bondo to fill the voids?

 

[Robert Haas]

That second to last pic, do you go back and fill in more with weld or use bondo to fill the voids?

the last picture is just primer over the same holes. A little body filler and those "divits" are history.

 

[Robert Haas]

finished the transmission hump that needed raising to clear the 4l80E

 

[Robert Haas]

moving on to the firewall

made cardboard patterns












Then pulled the cab off the frame, the frame off the build table and then mounted the cab to the build table so it is level and square

 

[Robert Haas]

now it is just a matter of cutting, bending and fitting a bunch of 16 G steel

 

[zmotorsports]

Lookin' good.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

That is bad ***.

 

[Robert Haas]

That is bad ***.

Thank You.

 

[xtremek]

 

[Robert Haas]

This tin bending is tough.

Getting it figured out.









what started off as a small modification to let us set the big block back 2 inches exploded into building an entire new firewall.

I am happy with the results but golly I am slow at this type of work.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Love the beadwork. The detail makes the difference.

 

[Robert Haas]

Love the beadwork. The detail makes the difference.

Thank you. It is subtle enough as to not draw attention to it. Should really be nice when we finish it.

 

[zmotorsports]

Thank you. It is subtle enough as to not draw attention to it. Should really be nice when we finish it.

Agreed. It's those subtle details that really pay off in the long run.

Great workmanship.

 

[Robert Haas]

Mock up first trial fit.

 

[xtremek]

Glad to know that I'm not the only slow one, though I know I'm probably still slower.

 

[Robert Haas]

Cleco's sure make this type of work simpler.

I need to get going on acquiring a planishing hammer and an English wheel

 

[Robert Haas]

I have so much respect for the people that just build sheet metal from scratch. We flat **** at it. However we are really stubborn and have no problem throwing away weeks worth of work and starting over.

Due to the very tight conditions and the fact we have re invented the wheel so often on this build it comes as no surprise when bad planning and over estimation of our talents put us behind the proverbial 8 ball.

I am talking about the master cylinders (Yep plural as we are running twins) and the steering column are fighting for their respective homes.



Here are a few pictures to show our pain.

 

[jbmatth]

Rob,
I just discovered this thread this week and have really enjoyed reading up on it. You have done a fantastic job thus far and I look forward to seeing more so I'll be tagging along.

JB

 

[Robert Haas]

Rob,
I just discovered this thread this week and have really enjoyed reading up on it. You have done a fantastic job thus far and I look forward to seeing more so I'll be tagging along.

JB

Thank you.

 

[xtremek]

Glad to see I'm not the only who is more stubborn than they have certain types of talent. There's hope for me. Don't get me wrong, you're stuff looks amazing, I just see some of the same mistakes I make.

 

[Robert Haas]

Yeah the firewall is basically finished.


It is as snug as a bug wrapped around the big block but I can pull the dist. and valve covers without having to move the motor. and that is after I moved the engine back two and a half inches.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Yeah, that's hawt.

 

[Robert Haas]

Yeah, that's hawt.

I sure hope so.

 

[iajonesy]

What size tires are you running up front? That looks really nice with the BBC in there.

Mike

 

[zmotorsports]

Coming along very nicely Robert.

 

[Robert Haas]

What size tires are you running up front? That looks really nice with the BBC in there.

Mike

245/40/zr18

The Big Block does look great in this set up. Can't wait to get the inner fenders and core support built.

 

[Robert Haas]

oops repost sorry

 

[Rag Roc]

Great work Robert; really like the way this project is headed! Continued success.

 

[C_F]

Nice work on that firewall, that turned out pretty schweet!

 

[Robert Haas]

Shot a little You Tube for a project update.

Labor Day at the Multimedia Garage