What did you do to your truck today?

[Grizz1963]

Bit of an overdose this posting, but it was kinda all in one day.

There is a full build thread developing here:


http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=585901


So for the last 6 months or more I have been trawling the interwebs around the world, primarily the USA and UK for another item to strike off the Bucket List.

Nicola and I had figured out we could land a Chevy truck of our own description/spec on our drive from the USA for sensible money, compared to what was available in the UK, so were prepared to do the work to find and import one as there is not a lot of choice over here.

What we wanted was basically a 1960 - 1966 Chevy C10/C20 Short Fleetside truck, with as much chrome as possible.
We like the LongFleetside and Stepside models as well, but a Short Fleet would be ideal. Extras like V8, Disc brakes, new paint (not primer or Matte black)power steering etc would be good too.

One of the important points to keep in mind was that we did not want to spend more than the other two cars had brought in.

Over the weekend I got a prompt from Andy "Motorama" on RodsnSods forum. He had a lovely Long Chevy Fleetside to sell, but of course we wanted a Short Fleetside.
So I checked out the link, loved what I saw. Contacted the seller, spoke to him for quite some time and set a time for today to go view.
In the mean time I had loads of emails, PM's and chats with various people about the trucks spec as I know NOTHING.

A Massive Thank you to all who took the time to explain to me the difference between various upgrades etc. You all made the purchase easier in the end.

That brings us to today.

We left home early and got to Rye on the coast by 10.00 and to the seller, Rob's place a little later, after I had messed up on the destination.

Turns out Rob is a trained nurse (my second trade after military)working in Stroke rehabilitation. He and his wife just had a new baby and the truck just is not right for them now, time for a sensible 4x4. He is also a hardcore biker, and allround nice guy.

After two hours of tyre kicking, a test drive (with Nicola grinning like a Meerkat on speed in the passenger seat) and more time crawling about under the truck like a drunk monkey, we decided to buy the truck.

Insurance was £98/year comprehensive, and £36/year for £3000 recovery service, including European recovery. So total cost for cover £134.00

The truck will need quite a bit of work over time to get it where we want it, but it is a good base.

You can see some of the flaws in the photos.

Here is the sellers description, which actually under sold the truck.

It had a full service carried out earlier this year, all grease points are done regularly (there are lots of them!). New battery was fitted about 3 months ago, New steering box fitted 1 month ago (from LMC Trucks US).
Engine;
It is running a period 327ci SBC V8 fitted with camel hump heads, Edelbrock manifold and carb, Edelbrock intake, Hedman headers, Flowmaster side exit pipes, HEI ignition, Carbon leads, Hi-Flo oil pump, Alloy corvette style rocker covers. 3 speed auto, column change with the obligatory 8 ball gear shifter! Also fitted starter solenoid upgrade to eliminate poor starting when warm due to the headers running close to the starter, never had a problem with starting.
Reciepts present for the majority of engine work which was carried out by a previous owner.
The engine block was painted red at this time but could do with doing again.
Body;
Painted in the states before importation, to be fair this is the weak bit, the paint is in fair condition, very thickly applied, and has helped to protect the vehicle, but there are a few runs here and there plus a couple of scabs on the rear quarters of the front wings (pic) and a small crease on the passenger door where the wind has caught it and flipped it open. The repair panels for the wings are between $10-$20 plus p+p from LMC Trucks US so cheap enough to fix.
There are no structural problems, cab corners, floor and truck chassis are solid, pickup bed is good solid sealed plywood with a rubber liner and a tight tonneau to keep the weather out.
Glass is excellent all round, lights all good and working, as are all other electrics.
Note: This is a Big Back Window truck (If you are reading this, you probably know what it means VS Small Back Window trucks)
Brakes are drums all round but have servo upgrade, very powerful.
Fuel tank relocated from inside cab, to under bed at rear, behind axle, sensible filler neck inside bed. Original fuel tank converted to packing space.
Truck has Radio/CD player fitted in steel dash, looks like it was done with a meat cleaver.
Auto Meter gauges in dash, badly fitted, but all work well.
Truck fitted with Chrome Smoothies with good white wall tyres/tires.
Rear Chrome bumper fitted and has built in towbar with American electrics.
The truck has no spare wheel.
The interior has been retrimmed along the line somewhere, bit 70's style, quilted PVC seat and headlining, classic chrome with holes steering wheel, seems to suit the truck.
I have used this this truck as my daily driver for a year, its done tip runs, carted motorcycles about, I even used it to move house, the only problem I had was the steering box giving up a few weeks ago, now the new one is on it, it is driving better than ever.
These C10's are an easy classic to live with, parts available worldwide, easy to drive and maintain.
60-66 Chevy C10/C20's have been predicted to be the next big thing as they are now being discovered. They drive like a car, but work like a truck.
And.......... you can take the BBQ to shows!!!

Truck Freshly MOT Tested on 14 June, so a year of carefree driving ahead.


I guess it is time for a few pics. It is half past
midnight in the UK.


[font size="6"][font color="e63219"]Meet BILLYBOB[/font][/font]

















Where Fossil Fuels are happily converted into Smiles per mile.



Harley the fearless immediately came to mark and inspect the latest addition to the Grizz-Household.



Last pic, Happy man on his truck.





Tim "Bratman" knew that one of Nicola's conditions for getting the truck was to have a "Mexican" Blanket on the bench seat, so when we met up recently in Guildford, he brought me a grey blanket to hide in the car when we went to look at the truck, and then idea was to give it to her if we did buy the truck......
Draped over the bonnet of his '74 C30 Camper Special.

Thanks Tim.



Tim has also sourced us a Chrome towball to go with the rear bumper so that the Grizz-Pod can get around.






[font size="6"][font face="comic sans ms"][font color="52e619"]MEMPHIS FLIERS.......[/font][/font][/font]

A Rockabilly Band who had the truck before Rob had it as a daily.

Their FB page linked below, with some cool pics of the truck.

https://www.facebook.com/MemphisFlyers?fref=ts

I am trying to find out more about the other previous owner of the truck, who I believe built motorbikes and choppers.

Here are some photos of the truck in its previous guise with different wheels.





Future plans for the truck are many, and will be discussed over time.

[Grizz1963]

Went through all the paperwork in the substantial file the truck has generated over the last 9 years since it came into the UK.

About £5000 spent on it by various owners shows that this hobby is not too cheap.

It also tells me why the truck feels as good as it does mechanically.

Cosmetically it will get sorted over time as finances allow, as the purchase price took the whole budget, but the truck needs no work right now, except for the headlights which refused to work the day after its MOT roadworthyness test. Typical of these old cars.

I found a copy of the original California title.



Also made sure I got the trucks security sorted.



When I bought the truck it was obvious that there is no spare wheel.
So the stud pattern is 6 x 140 pcd, so that should be the same as most Japanese 6 stud rims.
Next job is to find a spare to throw in the back for long trips.



So today I did a few things after I got in from work.
I had some spare keys cut, as I only got one set..... typically one works, and one does not.



Then I went down to the garage and got the truck outside, to clean the bed and prep it for paint.
It will stay like this until I can afford to change it all to a wood strip and steel bed.

One of the things I noted when I bought the truck was that whoever did some of the mods in the past, had a very heavy hand.
Some Auto Meter gauges have been fitted, two into the original instrument pod, possibly cutting the holes with C4 plastique explosive or a hammer and chisel. The bottom has also been covered with a piece of ally that seems to be glued on there with super glue.





Loads of cracks in the plastic everywhere you look. Another replacement later type job.



The modern Radio/CD player seems to have been fitted by a mad Badger with a meat cleaver.
Note the edges...... WHY, Why Why can people not do stuff right or just leave it alone if they have no bloody clue?



Then after vacuum cleaning the inside, I turned my attention to the load body.
Plywood, sealed on both sides is better than nothing, but one day when I have some spare cash I will replace the bed with strips and either stainless, painted or chromed strips.

I spend about 90 minutes with a sharp scribe, hacksaw blade and the short end of my garage vacuum cleaner and a brush cleaning it up.
There is also a very nice rubber bedliner which I have removed till I have painted the bed and it has dried.



Last pic is a shot of the old inboard fuel tank behind the seat....... cut open and painted to make some neat packing and storage space. Maybe I will also carpet it, or remove it at some point, for now it is perfect.



Parked up outside the garage, a nice view that makes my heart smile.



Possibly my favourite photo of the truck so far, sent to me by Rob, the previous owner.

[earl84]

The little brown truck brought me an American Autowire Classic Update kit Even the box it came in says "Quality". Unfortunately, I will not be able to start installing for two weeks, since I am leaving town for a while.

[66farmer]

I finished the wood and mounted the bed for the last time. (I HOPE)

[Andice]

Nice truck 66farmer! Great wood and excellent color choice on exterior paint.

[jbgroby]

Grizz,

When I looked at the tank shot, it took me a minute to tell my eyes what I was seeing I though they were playing tricks, that is a neat idea.

[AngryPirate]

Originally Posted by jbgroby

Grizz,

When I looked at the tank shot, it took me a minute to tell my eyes what I was seeing I though they were playing tricks, that is a neat idea.

66Farmer, I love the bowling alley style bed wood. Well done, sir.

[tmills213]

past week:

trans out/rebuilt
trailing arms welded and powder coated
old trailing arm removal slow as you can see in photos.

[tmills213]

past week:

trans out/rebuilt
trailing arms welded and powder coated
old trailing arm removal slow as you can see in photos.

[mud.man.rj]

That's why they call it a breaker bar, you break when the bar does, looks like it hurts man.

[markeb01]

Got my new Doug's electric exhaust cutouts installed and wired up.

[kieth]

Originally Posted by markeb01

got my new doug's electric exhaust cutouts installed and wired up.

where are the pictures.........////??????

[forestb]

Originally Posted by 66farmer

I finished the wood and mounted the bed for the last time. (I HOPE)

WOW that look amazing!!! Can wee see a close up of the tail lights?

[Blue_Aura]

Originally Posted by 66farmer

I finished the wood and mounted the bed for the last time. (I HOPE)

That is the most beautiful tailgate and bed wood combo I have seen! Great job!
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[Revoh]

I've had these for awhile, but I don't think I've ever shared them here before. I write about a lot of car shows, so I made banners and magnetic signs to promote my car blog. Plus, when I stick the magnets on, they cover up a little more truck, which is always a plus.





Anyway, no big deal, but maybe someone here'll like 'em.

[endlessearth]

My truck has the original carb and it never had major service (and it really needed it.) I had it professionally rebuilt this week and wow, did that 283 wake up. New plugs and wires also helped immensely as it is now running on all 8 cylinders. Amazing how having all cylinders firing quiets vibration and rattles.

I am sure the rest of you would have fixed that straight away when you got the truck but it went straight into work mode when I bought it and it has been such a horse that the motor work just got delayed (although other less crucial things like removing the front bump stops and replacing the windshield wipers, even though it isn't the least bit rainy in AZ right now, managed to get done.)

[Grizz1963]

Got these in the post today from Barney, along with a January 2010 copy of a Hot Rod magazine with a pic of the truck at the 1066 get together being used as a stage for the drummer on the Memphis Flyers Rockabilly band, anyone tell me what they are for ?



Then I pulled this cushion out of a cupboard.

Bought it in South Africa in April.

For the Non-Afrikaans speakers out there, Braaivleis means BBQ.

Years ago there was a Chevrolet advertisement that had the line Braavleis, Rugby, Sunny Skies and Chevrolet.

1974 Vintage advertising.

Braaivleis, Rugby, Sunny Skies and Chevrolet -...

So this is for the truck and teardrop.



Looking forward to having the weekend to play with and get to know the truck a bit better.

[luvbowties]

Originally Posted by Grizz1963

Got these in the post today from Barney, along with a January 2010 copy of a Hot Rod magazine with a pic of the truck at the 1066 get together being used as a stage for the drummer on the Memphis Flyers Rockabilly band, anyone tell me what they are for ?



Then I pulled this cushion out of a cupboard.

Bought it in South Africa in April.

For the Non-Afrikaans speakers out there, Braaivleis means BBQ.

Years ago there was a Chevrolet advertisement that had the line Braavleis, Rugby, Sunny Skies and Chevrolet.

1974 Vintage advertising.

Braaivleis, Rugby, Sunny Skies and Chevrolet - YouTube

So this is for the truck and teardrop.



Looking forward to having the weekend to play with and get to know the truck a bit better.

Door "bumpers" that fit into holes in the rear of the door jambs.
Sam

[Grizz1963]

Originally Posted by luvbowties

Door "bumpers" that fit into holes in the rear of the door jambs.
Sam

Virtual beer for you Sam.

[19666Trucker]

fuel pump, new lines, sock for the tank and drinking alot water, here in the 110 deg carport, i'll take it any day over a shovel full snow.

[lgehring]

I am a happy guy!
Today was my first official test of my 1966 c20 w/dump. We had a storm come thru Oxford Ks last night. Limbs and trees everywhere. My amazing wife and I loaded and hauled 4 big loads by noon. I did 2 more after dinner. The truck performed as it should!!! Will haul more tomarrow for neighbors and relatives. Had to quit for today,98deg and muggy. I feel like we sweat a gallon for every load! The good Lord protected us and blessed me w/ a truck,a man can't ask for any more than that! Have a great day! Lowell

[gimmy 64]

Originally Posted by lgehring

I am a happy guy!
Today was my first official test of my 1966 c20 w/dump. We had a storm come thru Oxford Ks last night. Limbs and trees everywhere. My amazing wife and I loaded and hauled 4 big loads by noon. I did 2 more after dinner. The truck performed as it should!!! Will haul more tomarrow for neighbors and relatives. Had to quit for today,98deg and muggy. I feel like we sweat a gallon for every load! The good Lord protected us and blessed me w/ a truck,a man can't ask for any more than that! Have a great day! Lowell

you should have taken pictures for the working truck thread

[Trsmotrhed]

Made a cover for inside bed for fuel fill lines.


Test for panel.


I couldn't stand the bed rail being removed for the suburban tank so butchered tank up again.

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[TotalNewby]

Brought home my first classic truck a few weeks ago, 1964 Chevy C20. Havng problems with the tail lights. When we brought it home, we had no rear tail or brake lights, no blinkers. Over the last week and a half I have replaced bulbs, fuses, and the brake light switch. Still nothing, crawled underneath and found a frayed wire gong to the license plate light, pulled it off and did a pretty good repair. Now I have blinkers, but still no tail or brake lights. I am stumped (and frustrated!) Anyone got any more ideas??? I hate to give up and pay to take it to someone who knows what the heck they are doing!!!

[endlessearth]

Originally Posted by TotalNewby

Brought home my first classic truck a few weeks ago, 1964 Chevy C20. Havng problems with the tail lights. When we brought it home, we had no rear tail or brake lights, no blinkers. Over the last week and a half I have replaced bulbs, fuses, and the brake light switch. Still nothing, crawled underneath and found a frayed wire gong to the license plate light, pulled it off and did a pretty good repair. Now I have blinkers, but still no tail or brake lights. I am stumped (and frustrated!) Anyone got any more ideas??? I hate to give up and pay to take it to someone who knows what the heck they are doing!!!

Welcome to the forum. This is the right place to ask for sure. I have a 1964 C20 that I recently purchased too. Maybe you have a bad ground at the housings. I had some electric issues like you are having too. The thing that fixed my issues was fiddling with the rear light housings by screwing and unscrewing the screws that hold them in place until I got a good ground. I would only count as a shade tree mechanic if the tree had one leaf so I could be wrong. They might have turned on out of pity.