A New Truck in the House

[Chuck73080]

I've been observing here while I searched for my "Retirement Truck". I sold my Kenworth when I retired two years ago, and told my wife I wanted to buy an old truck just to haul trash to the dump and bring home lumber and such.

Truth be told I hanker to make a "Truck Dog" out of my best friend.

Anyway, I was looking for a '72 C20 Camper Special, when I ran across this '66 LWB C30 10,000 GVW dually. It was painted 5 years ago by 4-5-6 Chevy Trucks in Kansas City KS. While it was being painted he went home and built the steel bed for it.

The prior owners didn't drive it much because it only has 62,000 miles on it.

Here is a link to photos of the paint job.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/184381...57653616824764

Anyway, Tony from 4-5-6 Chevy Trucks is going to pick it up and go through it before I bring it home to Oklahoma.

There are many things to do, but first is to swap the 5.14 rear end for a 3.54 Dana Posi.

I want to keep it stock in appearance, but I plan more power, A/C, PS, dual master cylinder, Tach, Uphol., frame mounted fuel tanks and toolbox/bomb removal.

I'll get a photo hosting site set up so I can post progress.

Chuck

[doobiebro]

Saweet! Love the steel bed!

[The Rocknrod]

Interesting.

[MusicMan70]

Welcome Chuck73080!

That looks quite nice and lots of photos too.

[justa dumb hick]

Well now this is somethin’ new and different! And you can’t go wrong catering to yer best friend. Nice rig, although those bright blue wheel’s are a bit too much fer me... not meanin’
to be negative and no offense intended. Looks like a great truck and a wonderful retirement present to yourself. Enjoy!

[Chuck73080]

Originally Posted by justa dumb hick

Well now this is somethin’ new and different! And you can’t go wrong catering to yer best friend. Nice rig, although those bright blue wheel’s are a bit too much fer me... not meanin’
to be negative and no offense intended. Looks like a great truck and a wonderful retirement present to yourself. Enjoy!

Hopefully you find the SS wheel simulators more appealing, my Wife is happy now with the bling.

[grubsster]

Congrat's on your retirement Chuck73080. Nice looking truck! I'm sure you'll get plenty of looks there in the quarter horse capital of the world....

[mongocanfly]

Nice rig...
You can load your pics right to this site..then they'll be saved.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...sting+pictures

[Chuck73080]

Thank you for your help mongocanfly.

This is my copilot Wylie.


[IMG]http://https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/attachment.php?attachmentid=2077936&stc=1&d=1611975460[/IMG]

[Captainfab]

Very nice looking truck. I hope you have better luck with Tony than a lot of people have.

[Chuck73080]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Very nice looking truck. I hope you have better luck with Tony than a lot of people have.

Well, Caiptainfab I am familiar with your wisdom and immense talent, would you mind filling me in with an instant message?

Chuck

[Johns 66]

He tried to swindle 3k from me...Do a google search about 456 trucks, the lawsuits, and attorney general conviction and judgement against him

[duallyjams]

Congrats on your new ride, cool looking truck.

I have personally dealt with Tony and have never had any issue.

[Chuck73080]

Well I've read about the court case, considered my options and spent a lot of time talking to Tony about what happened.

I'm impressed by his wealth of knowledge and willingness to be helpful even before I completed the deal on my truck.

So I will be vigilant and proceed on my path. This is not my first rodeo and at one time back in the '90s I owned several old Fords.

• 1968 Galaxie 500, Y Code 390, A/T, 2 door
  1968 Galaxie 500, Y Code 390, A/T, 4 door
  1955 Ford 2 Dr. Ranch Wagon, 6 Cyl., 3 speed
  1956 Ford Customline 2 door sedan, built 390, 427 cam, dual quads, 4 speed, 9" 4:11 posi, Torque Thrust Wheels, nosed, decked, shaved, raked
  1968 Torino GT FB, S Code 390, 4 speed
  1969 Torino GT FB, S Code 390, 4 speed
  1970 Ranchero, 351, A/T
  1969 Fairlane FB, 351, A/T
  1969 Talladega, Q Code 428 CJ, A/T

I've dealt with well intentioned promises leading to unfortunate results before.

I trust that Tony will do his best to give me the result I desire, the rest remains to be seen.

I am a grown 68 year old man, my eyes are wide open.

I've been wrong before, but I've learned that faith is a virtue and that is the way I choose to live.

This will probably be my last hurrah.

This truck is in the memory of my Father, who took me camping every year for holiday weekends and vacations.

First in a 1956 short bed, step side, F100/slide in camper, then a 1966 long bed, step side C10/new slide in camper and last a 1967 long wheel base Douglas bodied C10/same slide in camper. I graduated HS in 1970 and he remarried that fall. The summer of '71 was the last time we went camping together, the three of us.

We went to our favorite place, a little forest service campground about 13 miles above Silver Lake along the 23 mile run of Rush Creek within the "June Lake Loop" area of California.

So, when the truck is finished, we will take Dad back to Rush Creek, just the three of us. I want to share the wonderful memories with my Wife and show her our favorite fishing hole.

My Dad will be happy there.

[Chuck73080]

Well, Tony picked up the C30 today and trailered it down to his shop in Kansas City. They must of had it parked next to a dirt road, cause it was uber dusty.

Here's a link to his video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maXSPBlGQl4


The 396" stroker is supposed to arrive tomorrow, I ordered a billet flywheel, clutch, fuel pump, regulator, pressure gauge, and a bunch of other stuff today. I think at least half of the stuff is made of gold, or at least it's priced that way.

Tony got a 3:54 Dana to swap in, so that'll be a lot better than 5:14s, 2858 RPM @ 70 is a LOT better than 4126.

[Chuck73080]

Just a quick update on the C30 I spent a couple days in KC after picking up the 60 gallon saddle tanks at 4 State Trucks in Joplin on the way.

Most of the parts are in, at this point we are waiting on Vintage Air, the '87 front crossmember and suspension for power disc brakes, P/S box shipped the other day...

I need to decide whether I want to use a Holley Terminator X Stealth system with a flex-fuel sensor for E85 or just run 91 octane gas with the Holley 850 on the motor. Then set-up the appropriate fuel system, it would save $.50/gallon (after BTU adjustment) meaning a 4000 gallon breakeven point in cost.

I am leaning toward setting the fuel system up for E85 (an extra $300) and decide later on the Flex-Fuel EFI.

The bling has been added, SS wheel simulators, SS mirrors, chrome bumper and grill, the 396 is dressed, US Radiator, shroud, fans and wiring kit are ready, new P/B booster and dual master are there.

So, the truck is entered in the KC World of Wheels show next weekend, afterward the thrash can begin (I'm being wishfully optimistic).

Tony merged current progress pictures with the paint job album from 2015 if anyone is interested.

https://flickr.com/photos/18438143@N...57653616824764

Here are some engine pics that aren't in the album yet.

The Sanderson Headers cause some plug wire issues and the left SS Tru-Ram Ram Horn manifold causes some alternator bracket problems.

Tony says "I'm in good hands", which is what he told me when the fuel tanks that were supposed to be 15" H X 25" W X 37" L turned out to be 15 3/4" H X 25 1/4" W X 37 1/2" long.

So far Tony's hands have been very "good" indeed, "I" wanted the 60 Gallon tanks, "I" ordered them, "I" paid for and delivered them. Tony, on the other hand measured, and due to his being a "hair" conservative the extra 1/4" in the frame to bedside dimension should be OK "Barely".

Actually, I think it's a good thing there's almost 400 miles between us, because I've pushed him outside of his comfort zone a few times (Holley Terminator X Stealth/Flex-Fuel/Hyperfuel G-Surge Single Fuel Pump System supplied by the mechanical fuel pump to prevent fuel starvation caused by "tank slosh" has made his head spin, I'm pretty sure. At the very least he is sometimes at a loss for words and that is a condition Tony rarely suffers from, either that or he's trying to be polite.

[Clyde65]

It’s a very nice truck! I’m glad you are happy with it, that’s really all that matters.
My experience with Tony is similar as others, over promise and under deliver. I’m also glad you have both eyes open in that situation too.
I like the body color wheels, I might have painted the top of the cab white tho, to break some of the blue up is all.
Your gonna have some serious power in that dude!
I hope and pray you can take dad camping again, I am sure y’all will have tons of fun and memories, many of us wish we had one more day with dad or mom. So we must take that time to show our love and appreciation! Good luck and God bless!

[Chuck73080]

Originally Posted by Clyde65

It’s a very nice truck! I’m glad you are happy with it, that’s really all that matters.
My experience with Tony is similar as others, over promise and under deliver. I’m also glad you have both eyes open in that situation too.
I like the body color wheels, I might have painted the top of the cab white tho, to break some of the blue up is all.
Your gonna have some serious power in that dude!
I hope and pray you can take dad camping again, I am sure y’all will have tons of fun and memories, many of us wish we had one more day with dad or mom. So we must take that time to show our love and appreciation! Good luck and God bless!

Thanks Clyde65, a white roof would look good, but the paint job was done by the prior owner and I don't know that I would like a white roof in combination with the gray bed. If the bed were painted blue like the cab... I'm getting a headache...

[Chuck73080]

This weekend is the "World of Wheels" show in Kansas City and the '66 looks really good and makes me wish I was there instead of negotiating with roofing companies at home in Oklahoma.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CM4Pxqzj...on_share_sheet

https://www.instagram.com/p/CM5W2fCj...on_share_sheet

The Vintage Air 941164 ordered 01/29/2021 arrived yesterday, I'm really glad I ordered it first.

So, now about the only thing left to get is proper hoses and fittings for the fuel system.

I suppose it's time to decide whether to plumb it for a possible conversion to E85 using a Holley Terminator X Stealth Flex-Fuel system after break-in. I will have it tuned and the Holley 4150 850CFM properly jetted and adjusted before I start the 500 mile break-in, using the 283 manifolds and dual exhaust before installing the ceramic coated manifolds and 2 1/2" pipes. I also plan to run an O2 sensor and gauge, just to keep an eye on things.

[roll_the_dice]

Looks great! When are you getting the truck?

[Chuck73080]

Originally Posted by roll_the_dice

Looks great! When are you getting the truck?

The short answer is I don't know.

None of the frame surface rust has been treated, the Dana 60 3.54 needs to be gone through and posi. installed, interior of cab needs to be lightly refurbished and any rust treated with new floor insulation and rubber mat installed, Classic Instruments Dash cluster and Vintage Air installed, new upholstery installed on seat with new seat belts, the engine compartment needs to be completely refinished and drivetrain installed, Radiator/shroud/fans installed, new Brake booster and dual master cylinder installed, '87 crossmember and new PS box/disc brakes and front suspension installed, all new brake lines run...

Basically the front clip and bed need to come off the truck and a whole lot of work be done. The only parts I haven't actually seen or gotten a shipping receipt on is the front crossmember and suspension/disc brake parts.

There is a ton of work to be done and I'm not totally sure where I am in line. Tony put all the bling on for the show, but didn't want to disable the truck until after.

There is also fabrication required to mount the 60 gallon saddle tanks under the bed and build a battery tray for the two Interstate Group 31-AGM7 batteries.

So as a round number there is about $15,000 in parts, ready to be installed after the prep work is done.

Hopefully things will go smoothly, however to be honest in my 46 year career of driving and owning trucks "SMOOTHLY" has been a rare experience.

[roll_the_dice]

Smooth is a rare word in restorations as you know, but as long you know (you've done this before), then you are fine.

I know we talked about dual rear ends in my thread that I need to revive...but refresh my memory were the 3.54 gears out of the Dana 60 already on your truck or did you source that rear end?

[Chuck73080]

Originally Posted by roll_the_dice

Smooth is a rare word in restorations as you know, but as long you know (you've done this before), then you are fine.

I know we talked about dual rear ends in my thread that I need to revive...but refresh my memory were the 3.54 gears out of the Dana 60 already on your truck or did you source that rear end?

Tony found the Dana with 3.54s and the guy also had the posi for it. He was able to buy two, the second was to replace one destined for his project that he sold to a customer instead.