My 66 step-side

[jesseo]

My dad gave me his old 62 fleet side back in the late 80s for my 1st truck. I have wanted another one ever since. Always loved the step-sides and finally found this one with a donor 283 and turbo 350 trans with the power glide in the bed. All was there but not hooked up.

A couple of weekend and a few hundred bucks later and she runs and almost drives. It seems the "57" 283 runs great but the TH350 is shot. But no all is lost. My buddy who is building a 72 K5 Blazer with an 06 Duramax drive train has a turbo 400 I can HAVE!!!! And I get to use his lift, welder and tools to do the swap.

I still can't driver her and already on tranny #3. Upgrade every time too. Not bad.

I will run it like it is for a while and build as I get $$$ for it. I plan on swapping the cab as the PO beat the snot out of the firewall for the BB he had in it, the floor is rusted out and a sunroof installed.

[jesseo]

Here's a couple of photos for starters. I will post the Turbo 400 swap next weekend. Hope all goes well. Any ideas or links of previous swaps are welcomed, desired and appreciated.

There is some amazing talent on this site. I am glad I found it.

[62 Barnfind]

Looks like you have a good project. From the pics it looks good except the floor. Is that the only metal work you have?
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[jesseo]

Originally Posted by 62 Barnfind

Looks like you have a good project. From the pics it looks good except the floor. Is that the only metal work you have?
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I wish it was. The firewall was beat with a hammer and a sunroof installed. There is a great wrecking yard about an hour and a half away that has all kinds of old cars and trucks. I think I will see what a donor cab might run me.

[jesseo]

Originally Posted by 62 Barnfind

Looks like you have a good project. From the pics it looks good except the floor. Is that the only metal work you have?
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Now that I have had a chance to get under it. NOT A CHANCE on the metal work. Guy had a welder and a plasma cutter and in some cases a giant hammer. Nothing that is not repairable or manageable with a few donor parts and a weld of my own.

[LostMy65]

Welcome.
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[jesseo]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

Welcome.
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Thanks and I know how you feel. If I could have MY 62 back I would in a heart beat.

[61_FL_Apache]

Nice truck!

[jesseo]

Originally Posted by 61_FL_Apache

Nice truck!

Thanks. I looked for about three years for the right price, body style and condition.

[markeb01]

Welcome to the forum. Too bad about the previous owner "improvements", but at least you have a nice looking starting point.

[jesseo]

Update. Got the TH400 in not because it is the best set up with the 283 but the price was right. FREE. Had to move the engine and trans back 3 inches to where it goes and get a new cross member for the tranny. Now the headers fit great. Still need to secure the headers, finish exhaust, h/u trans cooler and weld the floor and stop the rust from getting worse. I promised my wife we could drive it this weekend. I will post pictures soon. The PO had a welder and lover to use it. Wish he knew how. Not that I do.

[luvbowties]

Originally Posted by jesseo

Update. Got the TH400 in not because it is the best set up with the 283 but the price was right. FREE. Had to move the engine and trans back 3 inches to where it goes and get a new cross member for the tranny. Now the headers fit great. Still need to secure the headers, finish exhaust, h/u trans cooler and weld the floor and stop the rust from getting worse. I promised my wife we could drive it this weekend. I will post pictures soon. The PO had a welder and lover to use it. Wish he knew how. Not that I do.

Maybe his 'lover'* will teach you to use it. *see your orig. post*

[jesseo]

Originally Posted by luvbowties

Maybe his 'lover'* will teach you to use it. *see your orig. post*

man I meant love but the way he welded random bolts and washers to the frame I think there was a bit of a love affair with the welder.

[dougf]

lol! Awesome truck, btw! Those floor pans should be simple to replace. The outside looks great. I feel your pain about the previous owner. Check out the "I hate the previous owner" thread here: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=514042 Lots of laughs, and you might have something in common with them and could probably submit some funny examples...

[jesseo]

Originally Posted by dougf

lol! Awesome truck, btw! Those floor pans should be simple to replace. The outside looks great. I feel your pain about the previous owner. Check out the "I hate the previous owner" thread here: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=514042 Lots of laughs, and you might have something in common with them and could probably submit some funny examples...

Thanks, I'll have to send some pics of the "exhaust hanger" a washer welded to the frame.

[ChevyFreak60]

Hey man how are those derby caps mounted on the rallies? Nice truck BTW!

[jesseo]

Originally Posted by ChevyFreak60

Hey man how are those derby caps mounted on the rallies? Nice truck BTW!

Not sure how they are attached. I've been too busy fixing what the PO did to this poor truck. Engine mount cut and engine moved WAY to far forward on homemade mounts. Tranny also on home made bracket, welded bolts and washers all over the frame. Washers were used as exhaust hangers. The trans cooler mounted under the passenger side floor, hmmmm air flow???? Had to replace tranny too. Bell housing fell apart as I took the TH350 out. Trans tunnel completely cut out and sheet metal welded in it's place. Beat the heck out of the firewall, I think, to fit the BBC that used to be in the truck, probably mounted to far back against the firewall. Removed the heater and WELDED a fan to the firewall. I do love the rally wheels and new tires though and the 283 from a 57 chevy seems to be strong. I love the body style and other than the normal floor rust the body is pretty straight. Other than the firewall and sunroof. I'll be taking pictures this weekend. I plan to get it where I can drive and work on it as I go. Some year it will be a GREAT truck.

[Bret B]

How else would the caps be on there..........welded of course

[luvbowties]

Originally Posted by Bret B

How else would the caps be on there..........welded of course

..."welded of course"...

Gotta love it!
sam

[ChevyFreak60]

There's no way they would weld them on! You need access to the lug nuts. ...Or are you being sarcastic?
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[ChevyFreak60]

Ha ha ok I take it back, maybe they are welded on. Sounds like a freakin headache man. Cant wait to see the updates. And pics of the wheels of you don't mind.
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[jesseo]

Originally Posted by ChevyFreak60

Ha ha ok I take it back, maybe they are welded on. Sounds like a freakin headache man. Cant wait to see the updates. And pics of the wheels of you don't mind.
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See next post for wheel pics. Sorry for the delay. Truck has been at my buddies shop and I've only been able to work on it before work so 4am to 6:30 am for a couple of weeks now. Towed it over by a Ford but drove home, straight headers and all She is home where I can work on her.

[jesseo]

Originally Posted by ChevyFreak60

Ha ha ok I take it back, maybe they are welded on. Sounds like a freakin headache man. Cant wait to see the updates. And pics of the wheels of you don't mind.
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These wheels, the short bed step-side and the 283 were the main selling points for me.

Updates. Removed the cross member moved the engine and trans 3 inches back. Replaced the dead TH350 with a strong TH400. Got the HEI working, new wires and moved the trans cooler in front of the radiator instead of under the passenger floor. Got new seat belts in and added a middle belt. New floor shifter. Mounted forward so the wife can have her feet on the floor and not all over the shifter. Cleaned up some wiring.

Next. Finish the exhaust. Cover the floor and rust (until I get a new cab) connect the new instrument panel and gauges. Clean up wires, vacuum lines etc. DRIVE THE WHEELS OFF HER.

[ChevyFreak60]

Good work man, its gonna stay real nice. Are those rivets on the wheel caps? Kinda hard to tell on the pic.

[jesseo]

Originally Posted by ChevyFreak60

Good work man, its gonna stay real nice. Are those rivets on the wheel caps? Kinda hard to tell on the pic.

They are screws with the square head. I need to take them off and inspect the lug nuts. Given all the other myths I was given about this truck it would surprise me that those are hold the wheel on. Drove for the 1st time Saturday. Brakes do seem to be in good shape. Wish I had the ebrake linkage though so I can have an e brake. Makes me nervous with only one line for all the brakes and no e brake.