New to the Club

[BWickstrom]

In my search for a old truck to drive I went back and forth between buying a restored truck and restoring one myself. By "myself" I mean pay someone else to do the work since I don't have the time or skills necessary. But, the one constant was that it needed to be a 1960 to 1966 Chevy or GMC. I just liked the look of the truck. I looked closely at a couple of 4x4 but let a few guys talk me out of them, saying the ride was too rough for a daily driver.

Once I finally decided I needed to go with a restored truck it then came down to how much I could afford and what style. I looked at several: long bed, short bed, step and fleet. I also was torn between going restored classic or modified.

In the end I went with a restored modified long bed from California. I just liked the look. I'm in the process of restoring a '72 bench seat and installing a stereo, and adding a tonneau cover, but other than that I'll be driving it daily.

Even though I won't be contributing a build thread I look forward to being part of the community...and who knows maybe one day I will build one.

Here she is:

[duallyjams]

that's a clean looking truck.

[RANDY COX]

[Mathew21]

WOW that looks nice, Congrats and Welcome.

[TJ's Chevy]

Welcome waaaaay across the US at Oregon! Great truck!

[DPowers]

Welcome to the site.

[BADAZ chevy guy]

Good looking truck. WELCOME!

[Captainfab]

Welcome to the forum

That is a nice looking truck

Tell us a little more about your new truck.

[BWickstrom]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Welcome to the forum

That is a nice looking truck

Tell us a little more about your new truck.

Thanks for the welcome guys. Maybe some of you saw the truck on eBay, I just bought it from California and had it shipped to FL two weeks ago. It was a frame off and has been re-powered with a small block performance 350 V8. The eBay description said "new" Holley 4 Barrel, but the carb looks anything but new. I just finished a re-build. Arrrghh. It has a Turbo 400 3 speed Trans, with probably a 3.75 ratio, which might be a little low for me considering I'm going to drive it daily. But, it's geared to chirp....maybe not such a good thing for my tire budget.

I'm thinking about a name for the truck, I wonder how many people name their trucks? Do you guys have names for your truck?

[65 C20]

Originally Posted by BWickstrom

Thanks for the welcome guys. Maybe some of you saw the truck on eBay, I just bought it from California and had it shipped to FL two weeks ago. It was a frame off and has been re-powered with a small block performance 350 V8. The eBay description said "new" Holley 4 Barrel, but the carb looks anything but new. I just finished a re-build. Arrrghh. It has a Turbo 400 3 speed Trans, with probably a 3.75 ratio, which might be a little low for me considering I'm going to drive it daily. But, it's geared to chirp....maybe not such a good thing for my tire budget.

I'm thinking about a name for the truck, I wonder how many people name their trucks? Do you guys have names for your truck?

Welcome to the forum and nice truck.
When that was for sale another member put it up for everyone to look at.
Not sure about everyone else but all my vehicles have names.
All the cars have girl names but somehow I decided my truck needed a guy's name. It's ED.
There is actually a thread about truck names here somewhere.

[66PANEL]

welcome, and nice truck!

[1963c-10]

Welcome and congrats on the new purchase. A real sharp looking truck.

[kieth]

Welcome, if you have not found a tonneau yet check out 1-880-craftec or go to their website, they have a nice inexpensive tonneau cover. Only change I would make would be to install clear plastic along the edge of the bed and the tail gate.....to keep from burning the paint.....Kieth

Here are pictures.......just click on the right side arrow to scroll thru pictures of tonneau install, cost about $325.00

http://kieth.smugmug.com/Trucks/66-GMC/i-hSj33GX/A

[BWickstrom]

Originally Posted by kieth

Welcome, if you have not found a tonneau yet check out 1-880-craftec or go to their website, they have a nice inexpensive tonneau cover. Only change I would make would be to install clear plastic along the edge of the bed and the tail gate.....to keep from burning the paint.....Kieth

Here are pictures.......just click on the right side arrow to scroll thru pictures of tonneau install, cost about $325.00

http://kieth.smugmug.com/Trucks/66-GMC/i-hSj33GX/A

Kieth, thanks for the link and pictures, it looks like a great top. But, I've got a special problem in that I can't access the release mechanism on the cover via the tailgate in that my tailgate releases from the inside too. I've ordered an Extang Full Tilt that snaps, giving me access to inside the tailgate. It's unfortunate that I have to cover the oak bed, but living in Florida, and using the truck as a daily driver, I don't have much of a choice.

[kf4jfk]

Welcome BWickstrom! That is a good looking truck and buying one already restored has the instant gratification factor as well. im currently in a frame - off project on my '64 GMC and I cant wait!!!

[kcsa75]

Welcome aboard. I lived in Vero for 13 years.

[tinydb84]

Beautiful truck...

[donthekawguy]

Why do you need a cover for the bed? If your not hauling a bunch of tools you should show off that wood! If it's for gas mileage, thats an old wives tail. The air flow from the wind curling around that back of the cab actualy helps mileage. Saw it on Mythbusters. lol

[BWickstrom]

Originally Posted by donthekawguy

Why do you need a cover for the bed? If your not hauling a bunch of tools you should show off that wood! If it's for gas mileage, thats an old wives tail. The air flow from the wind curling around that back of the cab actualy helps mileage. Saw it on Mythbusters. lol

You make a good point, but the Florida rain and sun would make short work of the sealer and then quickly go after the oak. It is too bad...

[mud.man.rj]

Welcome and nice score on the truck, should be quite enjoyable.