66 Build

[McMurphy]

Your dash extension is very clean !! Nicely done

[Modges'66]

Very nice work so far!
Let me know how the intermittent wiper thing works out.
I am pretty sure that you will need to adapt a newer style wiper motor in order to make it work because they are controlled differently....I have been trying to figure out the same thing for my build, but at this point I will probably just control the stock motor for low & high with the column switch, and adapt a motor later on to incorporate the intermittent function.
I really don't plan on getting caught in the rain too often anyway, as I will probably start to cry, and then I will need wipers on the inside! LOL!

[Hotrod1952]

Thanks for the compliments guys. I will post some pictures and info once I get the wiper thing sorted out. I have a plan - just have to test it all out. And I am waiting for a part for my 66 wiper motor. (the park switch was bad inside the motor I drilled out the rivets and found a new switch from an obsolete parts place.)

[1963c-10]

great job....and quick work too!!!

[Hotrod1952]

Fighting the wipers. I am still working through getting a delay system to work with a column mounted switch. I ended up using a motor from a 95 Astro van(it was free to me). I purchased a column switch for an Astro and guess what - it did not fit in the 87 r20 column. So I am presently making a switch out of parts of both. I will post switch pictures later. As far as the mounting goes the astro motor fits in place nicely. The wiper arm off the Astro is the same length. I just ground the back side of the ball stud and drilled out the hole to accept the stud off the 66 arm. If you do this make sure to check the orientation of the stud(ask me why I know this) because if it is wrong the passenger wiper linkage will not be in time with the driver side.

[Modges'66]

Hmmm.
Looks like a lot of work to me!
I got my intermittent wipers working today using ALL stock GM parts!!!!
I am using the column from a '91 sub, along with it's switch & speed controller...and the STOCK wiper motor works perfectly!
Working on drawing up the wiring schematic so that I can share.
Kinda stupid I know, but I'm really excited!

[Hotrod1952]

yeah it was a lot of work. But the parts were cheap/free for me. I would think there is a better way!

[Hotrod1952]

Okay. Time to get some more photos up. I got the motor set in place. I used stock 66 mounts and ended up modifying the perches to get the exhaust manifolds to clear. I also ended up moving the engine/trans 1" forward and drilling new holes for the perches. I used a stock 87 r20 2wd trans cross member. After all was said and done I found a 94 Chevy van aluminum 1 piece drive shaft at the local auto salvage (63.5" long). Changed the U-joints and shortened the front yoke spline end 1.25" and it slid right into place. Wired up the original ignition switch (with a couple relays for the current). Poured a couple splashes of gas in the throttle body and she fired right up!

[Hotrod1952]

Working on getting rear fuel tank installed. I bought a new Tank for a Blazer knowing it would take some work to get it to fit. Ended up making cross frame box floor supports out of heavy wall 1" tube for the tank rest against on top. I plan to cut the box cross members down where they cross the frame for clearance of the tank. Also ended up removing and filling filler tube and installed it lower down on tank. Welded all up and covered it with JB weld. Also removed 90 Ohm resistor unit from sender and tack welded a 30 Ohm unit onto the tank mounted fuel pump/sending unit.

[Hotrod1952]

Not much time to work on the truck this last while. Got dash gauges installed. I used a stock 66 gauge dash and installed 3 gauges from the 87 into the 66. I kept the fuel gauge from the 66. I put white face decals on it. I filled two holes in the bezel painted it to match the exterior of the truck. I have to get a completed shot of the gauges taken and posted.
I need to work on neutral safety wiring as the column interlock was removed when I shortened the column.

[Hotrod1952]

Over the weekend I decided to set an old box on the truck so I could determine rear end ride height. I ended up lowering the rear leaf spring mounts 2 1/2' to get the Look I'm after. Looks like I'm definitely going to need a C-notch set-up at the rear and probably drop the front (2 1/2" spindles on now) by cutting 1 coil out or ordering lowering springs.

[Hotrod1952]

Thought I'd post a picture of the gauge panel.

[Hotrod1952]

Been a busy summer. Not much work time for the truck in June/early July. Pulled the driver door out of storage and started prepping for rust repair. A previous smiley dent was not pulled out very well so I removed the body putty to work the metal better in that area as well.

[TJ's Chevy]

Looks good chillin in the sun!

[Turtleman]

I'm really impressed. I like what you've done. I'm interested in seeing how the air goes in.. I have a 66 1/2 ton and am starting to use a 87 doner front suspension, then add the gearbox and steering column.

[Hotrod1952]

I warped the door repair badly when welding it. Decided to replace the whole outer skin.

[Turtleman]

Good to see your still at it. I haven't seen any updates in awhile so I was wondering if you sold it or what

[Hotrod1952]

I've ben spending any spare time I have trying to get some work accomplished on the doors for the cab. Seems like everything else always takes priority lately. I guess they call that "Life". Anyway here are some photos of working on the doors and the inner door panels. I like the look of the 66 car armrests and am using them for this project.

[Hotrod1952]

More pictures:

[1963c-10]

Doors are coming along nicely!!! Great job.

[3/4ton Randy]

Hotrod '52 you do good work. I noticed both you and Turtleman both had newer parts trucks that you were using. Have you ever considered putting the old cab on the new chassis? I have a similar situation (66 truck and 85 parts truck) although you are far ahead of me. I have been looking into doing a cab and chassis swap.

[Hotrod1952]

I investigated that, the frames are so different that in my opinion it is easier to change out the front suspension with a 73-87. As far as the rear... I changed it to the 87 because I had it. Probably easier to leave it stock with new rubbers/springs etc.

[Hotrod1952]

Working on right door yet.

[Hotrod1952]

Also working on a custom grille.

[Bomp]

Custom grill is looking good