66 Short step "Trad Rod" build, A Pabst Blue ribbon theme

[bird7263]

Ok guys, I have been busy working on my 66 since before Christmas. Sorry I have not posted any updated pics. Here a few new ones.. I had Jake at the Drop Shop here in Portland do my c-notch and new panhard bar set up. We also up dated and correctly spaced and attached my power steering. I have found a few hard to find Items. Like my PBR shift knob that I found on ebay. The knob was still in its package from the late 60's or early 70's. I also fond the PBR wood beer case box. I have turned that into my tool box. The steering wheel is a original Superior 500 that has been sitting since the 60's. I knocked off the surface rust, polished what was left and re stained the wood.. Look good?

I am doing this whole build on a budget and have to stay cheap. I did a wood bed this weekend. I used 8' cedar fence boards and cut them down. Then used stainless washers with black screws. The truck Stays in my shop so the wood will not see much weather.. It looks trick and only cost me about $30 in materials.

As I have said before. I have a 350 with M-21. I just had 6-states build me a brand new drive line. I have a 355 posi with dutchman axles. Jake and I decided to go with a 3 inch block and a 5 inch spring. I have about 8 inches of static drop in the rear. Rides and drives like a dream. Power steering was installed incorrectly by the previous owner. We finally got it all centered up and measured up. Steers like a champ. I only have 2 inch drop coils in the front. I like the tail drager look. I am trying to keep the truck some what era correct.

I don't label the truck a "Rat Rod" I call it a "Trad Rod." Meaning Traditional Rod. I love the 60-70 theme and the way they used to build cars back then. I am trying to stay the same. The Truck is not prefect. It has a cheap paint job and a little rust in the rockers. But hell.. Its paid for and she out runs most cars I come across. The posi with the 4 speed is trouble. Tires are starting to get expensive.

[bird7263]

The guy that I bought it from did the frenched Antenna.. Kinda cool and very era correct. Reminds me of an old Bill Hines idea.

[bird7263]

A few more pics

[19GMC63]

Love your truck... that stance is perfect.
Any interior pics?

edit: spoke too soon.
very nice.

[bird7263]

Few more

[bird7263]

Just a few more

[bird7263]

I am not using all shiny parts.. So if it looks dirty, Well its supposed to be that way.. Everything is new or almost new.. I would drive this truck from Portland to LA tomorrow and not think twice..Its just ugly!!!! LOL

[bird7263]

A few more

[joe231]

man that truck is far from "UGLY"
love the bed wood... and the wheels ....and the stance ...and the.....I love it all!!!
nice work!!!!

[bird7263]

Thanks Joe.. I have been hard at work on this.. I bought the truck in August for $4000. After 4 months and looking at least 20 short steps in this era.. I finally found this one.. I paid high price for it.. Meaning is was built to look nice but there were several thing wrong under the surface..The rear was 6 lug front was 5, truck was stock height, blah blah and so on.. you know how it goes. But I have been working hard to make it the most safest and cleanest truck for under $7000...

[joe231]

Sweet man, I think it is a beauty!!
do you have more plans?

[bird7263]

Yeah.. right now I have about 300 horse.. I am gonna add votec heads and headers and really tune up my motor. I want about 400 and maybe a shot of NOS.. just for the track in Wed nights. I really want to build one of those new inline 6's like in the Trailblazers. I saw one on Youtube with a turbo that 9.13 in the quarter mile.. and it gets like 30mpg.. WOW!!!

Maybe bag some day.. but that is just more money I cant waste.. here is my other project I have been busy with too..

[joe231]

nice scoot!!!
some day I'm gonna have to get me a bike.
i just realized you have fleet tail lights in your step fenders, I like that look!!!

[protrash64]

Nice work.....your truck is looking really good. Whats the button on your dash?....horn? Both my trucks have a horn button.

I went to jr high across the street from a Pabst brewery in the early 80's. It was a casualty of the bad times from that era.....Peoria Heights. The old cans had it listed on them. I could smell the steam in class if the wind was blowing the right way.

[bird7263]

What button are you talking about? I do not have a working horn yet.. The steering wheel and horn on the wheel are all wired up.. I just need to run to the local u-pull-it and grab some horns to make some noise.. I am really open to feed back.. You got any ideas or something you see on the truck you would make better? anything I am missing? I did the 67-72 scene for years.. I moved over to the 4-5-6 scene this summer and I am having twice the fun.

[4dranch]

Bird. Very sweet truck, And I agree with Joe the lights look good.

[Oregoon]

Looks awesome!

We share a taste for builds. My plans for the burb are along similar lines. Just need to find some time to set it down properly. Got all the parts for the disc conversion, drop, and rear-end swap ready to go.

Been surfing a lot the last couple of weeks, and working on my house. However, my home-projects are done (for now), and the waves are going to get ugly again in a few days, so it's wrenching time.

Keep at it, your truck looks great!

Oh, and P.S. Mineral oil makes a nice, cheap surprisingly durable wood finish. Good for the weather!

[northern 85]

Very cool rides!

[72freak]

GREAT looking truck!

[ChiefRocka]

Trucks looks nice with that drop.....I like the drag'n a$$ look too !!

What shifter are you running off the M21 ?? It mounts off the tailshaft, right ??

[protrash64]

........the 'button' is the 3rd from the left. Ive looked again and I think now its just a switch with no knob. It looked like a button.

I dont have any suggestions; I think that you are nailing the idea. I would find it very difficult to do period correct type mods. Ive seen others do this and thought it was a great idea.

[jonzcustomshop]

I love the fleet lights in the fenders, I also like the early custom cab trim, I have always liked that one over the 456 version.
the whole truck looks great.
oh yeah wheels and tires, and spiders are perfect too.

[bird7263]

Thanks for all the input guys.. This has been the total budget build. I have been having more fun with this el cheapo then I have ever had with any other project. I am really looking for a newer carpet kit for a lower hump.. I don't want new, cause I don't want it to look new.. so if you guys have an old black one you want to get rid if let me know. ..

[bird7263]

Originally Posted by ChiefRocka

Trucks looks nice with that drop.....I like the drag'n a$$ look too !!

What shifter are you running off the M21 ?? It mounts off the tailshaft, right ??

Its old rusty Hurst INDY Shifter. We found in a pile.. Polished up what was left and and away she shifted. It was a little to short. So we had a build a extension for it.. I will crawl underneath and shoot ya some pics.

[chevytrucknut]

Truck looks sweet. Are going to The Beaches cruz-ins this summer at PIR? I have a set of stepside gravel guards if you want them.You know to cover the triangle hole under cab next to steps.Jack