My 66 GMC LWB

[AZ66GMC]

I purchased a 66 GMC LWB for a weekend cruiser and tow vehicle for my S15 race truck that I'm building. It's a solid original AZ truck and I have the original manuals and Protect-O-Plate. I'm now the third owner and plan to be the last!

My plans are;

76 1/2 ton front suspension conversion with power disc brakes and steering

700R4 tranny swap

A/C (gotta have it here...)

Possibly an EFI system

Resto mod body work

Air lift bags for the rear

and I'm sure more to come...

































Tony

[Shaky]

Welcome! That's a very nice starting point. Other than that single-pot master cylinder, it looks good to go as-is!

[AZ66GMC]

Originally Posted by Shaky

Welcome! That's a very nice starting point. Other than that single-pot master cylinder, it looks good to go as-is!

Thanks Shaky! The brakes are first on my list and I just got a complete crossmember from a 75 Chevy today. Going to strip it next weekend and rebuild it. I ordered 6-lug rotors from CPP to keep the 6-lug configuration.

There is a lot of great info on this site and I'm glad to be part of it


Tony

[Shaky]

Those six-lug rotors are the way to go. I converted my '66 to 5-lug (back before there were six-lug options) and it was a bit of work.

[protrash64]

from Mesa......nice truck.

[DPowers]

Sharp truck

[AZ66GMC]

Thanks protrash64 and DPowers!

I just picked up a 88 700R4 from CL for $300. It had been rebuilt 1.5yrs ago with just under 10k miles. It's a clean tranny.

Plan to start rebuilding the 75 suspension next weekend and hope to tear down the truck in two weeks. Need to get done before it gets too hot...

Shaky, ya I wanted to keep from having to get new wheels and the ones on it will do for now. I would have probably bought new rotors anyways, so just spent a few extra bucks to keep the 6-lug

protrash64, I see that you are in Mesa. I'm up North in Deer Valley. I'm hoping to have the truck all cleaned up to hit the Pavilions soon. Haven't been there in years...




Tony

[protrash64]

Originally Posted by AZ66GMC

protrash64, I see that you are in Mesa. I'm up North in Deer Valley. I'm hoping to have the truck all cleaned up to hit the Pavilions soon. Haven't been there in years...




Tony

....thats OK, I've never been there!! I'm trying to get a few things finished to put a couple miles on my 'burb before the heat. It's coming soon!!

[Captainfab]

Welcome to the forum

You're starting with a real nice truck. The front discs will make a noticeable difference as well as the power steering. Let me know if I can help you with any of the adapters for your swap.

[Franks Fab Shop]

super clean ride!! only a month since i;ve own my second GMC and all ready i want anoter! 's rule!

[jason65]

Good looking truck dude.

[AZ66GMC]

Originally Posted by jason65

Good looking truck dude.

Thanks Jason!


I got my CPP 6-lug rotors in today

Gonna start stripping the donor front suspension this weekend. Hope to have it ready next weekend to be swapped out.



Tony

[198plus]

Nice looking truck you have.

[AZ66GMC]

Well, I finally found some time and had a very productive weekend!


I finished sand blasting the 76 1/2 ton donor front suspension, painted everything and then assembled the majority of the parts

Hopefully, I'll get the truck tore apart next weekend and get the new suspension installed since I have a 3-day weekend! Whoo Hoo!





























Tony

[DPowers]

Looking good

[protrash64]

Nice job, Tony.... Everything looks killer; and the weather is holding out, too.

[AZ66GMC]

Thanks guys!

Ya, the weather was great this weekend. A little too windy for painting, but I did it in the shop instead of under my canopy.

Hopefully next weekend isn't too hot...



Tony

[Shaky]

Nice work! How did you get the springs in there without the weight of the truck to work against? Spring compressor?

[AZ66GMC]

Originally Posted by Shaky

Nice work! How did you get the springs in there without the weight of the truck to work against? Spring compressor?

Thanks Shaky

I actually cut one coil off the stock spring and I was able to barely get the nuts on the ball joints

I'm not sure if it will be as low as it currently is, but for now it will do. I plan to get dropped spindles later when the funds permit. I just want this road worthy so I can drive it to the track on the weekends



Tony

[jgh64pkup]

wow this is a cool build
any pics of the sonoma?

[AZ66GMC]

Thanks guys! I've almost got the front completely stripped and hope to paint it next weekend.

Here are a few pics of the Sonoma. You can see more on the link in my signature













Tony

[AZ66GMC]

Well, I made some progress on the truck last night and today. We had some great weather come in and I took advantage of it since triple digit temps are coming back next week...

I got the front frame rails sandblasted and painted last night. I put the front suspension and steering on today. I set it back on the ground and I think that I will be happy with the height after cutting one coil off the springs.




























Tony

[Captainfab]

Very nice job

I really like the look of satin black on the frame and suspension, with just a few contrasting colored components. What paint did you use?

Remember once you get the engine, trans and front sheetmetal back on, that will drop the front a couple inches.

[AZ66GMC]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Very nice job

I really like the look of satin black on the frame and suspension, with just a few contrasting colored components. What paint did you use?

Remember once you get the engine, trans and front sheetmetal back on, that will drop the front a couple inches.

Thanks Captain

I used Eastwood's Extreme satin chassis black and then their detail gray on the spindles, drag link and idler arm mount. I also used Eastwood's spray gray on the steering box.

Thanks for the steering box plate. It worked out great and was easy to install.

Question for you, rather than cutting the steering shaft I drilled out the plastic pins were the shaft is supposed to collapse in an accident and then just hammered it down 2" to shorten it. I think my column is out of a 67 or 68. Do you see any problems with doing this? I know that I just shorten the potential safety factor by 2" but it will still be safer than nothing...

I still have the shaft from the donor truck that I can use if needed, it's the same.



Tony

[66-PMD-GMC]

Hey Tony,
Thanks for the score on the grill.
Stopped by the platers and they gave me a price on fixing and replating it. Now I just need the extra dough before I drop it off... looking forward to the tax return,,,, filing next Monday... OH! And it was a pleasure meeting you. I think all the 60-66 guys in central AZ should start a club if there isn't one already.