Project 1960 cheapskate

[nhtc33d]

I Bought this 1960 GMC truck in 2018 then I bought a 1966 Chevy 2 weeks later as a parts truck. Both sat around collecting dust until late 2019 and I have been working on the GMC since then. It has (had) the 305 v6 with manual trans and actually ran really well.
The Chevy was bought more so just for the parts vs another project. It was an abandoned project and the prior owner pancaked the crossmember and installed a step notch in the rear.
I thought the body on the GMC was in ok shape but when I started tearing it down and sent it to sandblasters I found all kinds of hidden rust treasures! It ended up needing the typical east coast rust repairs on cab and doors and the area above the top the the windshield was really bad. Bedsides were really good and only needed two small patches about the size of a quarter. Tailgate is nice but has few dents on the top. I will update with more progress pics tomorrow.

[nhtc33d]

A few more progress pics. Time to start chopping!........

[nhtc33d]

Some more pics. I cut 7" from the front and 5" from rear. I think it makes a more balanced looking bed. On the cab I installed new rockers, partial floor pans, cab corners and the inner and outer patch panels above the windshield. My last trip to junkyard I saw this breaking bad meth lab look alike

[bsarts]

Nice work! How did the patches above the windshield go? Got any pics of that?

[nhtc33d]

Originally Posted by bsarts

Nice work! How did the patches above the windshield go? Got any pics of that?

I dont have any action shots but I can take some finished pics.
Outside was pretty easy but inside was more difficult since they dont make a exact patch panel for the 60-63.

[nhtc33d]

More pics... Rear notch and dash surgery before,during and after.

[60chevyjim]

nice work on the gmc chassis , quarter and dash .
I was looking at putting a 60 dash I have in my 51 chevy pu yesterday .
the dash fits your truck well having the wrap around windshield ,
it will look good with a 60 impala steering wheel too.
do you have any pix of the pancake crossmember and the front chassis on the chevy.
I want to pancake the front crossmember on my 65 rat truck. I bought a 79 crossmember and rear axel , but I want to leave it 6 lug and drum brakes.
it is a 6 cyl 3 on the coloum with a 3 one barrel carburetor intake manifold.

[nhtc33d]

Originally Posted by 60chevyjim

nice work on the gmc chassis , quarter and dash .
I was looking at putting a 60 dash I have in my 51 chevy pu yesterday .
the dash fits your truck well having the wrap around windshield ,
it will look good with a 60 impala steering wheel too.
do you have any pix of the pancake crossmember and the front chassis on the chevy.
I want to pancake the front crossmember on my 65 rat truck. I bought a 79 crossmember and rear axel , but I want to leave it 6 lug and drum brakes.
it is a 6 cyl 3 on the coloum with a 3 one barrel carburetor intake manifold.

Yes I am pretty happy about the way its fitting so far. This is the only picture I have of the pancaked crossmember on my phone. If need more pictures let me know.

[nhtc33d]

Some more pics of the progress and of my garage supervisor. Bedsides mocked up and inner bed frame done. Bed floor and tubs finished. Still need to get aluminum strips cut to cover gaps between the boards. Got a 377 sbc and a saginaw 4 speed to propel this junker. Gonna have to figure out some type of hydraulic clutch. Anyone have any suggestions on a setup or kit for this?

[60chevyjim]

thanks for the pix of the crossmember . looking at the pix of the chevy truck it looked like it was recessed up into the chassis .
but in the pix you just posted I see that it is bolted to the bottom of the chassis.
I cut my front springs but I want it lower without dropped spindles so I can leave the drum brakes . I put shorter rear springs in it , but it needs to go lowering the back.

your truck looks great . I like the work you did on the back of your chassis.
didn't the gmc have a factory hydraulic clutch ?

[Captainfab]

I make and sell this kit for the brake and clutch.

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=362375