Ember - 66 GMC LWB Fenderside

[nifty]

Hey Everyone,
I’m new to the board (well outside of lurking on it the past few weeks, ha), and am about to embark upon my first ever build!!! I’m so stoked, confused, anxious, and in so far over my head (already), I can’t wait to get started!

I’ve been looking for a vehicle with “character” for awhile now, (really since leaving behind my ’83 El Camino when I left home to go to college) 12 years later I found this baby after tracking down an ad in the local paper. After a couple weeks of phone tag and haggling, we met at local shop, struck our deal, and I was driving this sweet thing home!

… one blown radiator hose, running out of gas, and a sloppy first gear later we made it… old trucks… gotta love them, or don’t drive them.

The Vitals:
1966 GMC Fenderside LWB SBW
Chevy L6 250 (3877187, obviously not original)
3 speed manual transmission
P.O. appears to have monkeyed around with the brakes
Most everything else appears to be stock/original (but what do I now, ha!)
… well except for that crazy rear bumper!

Now for what you all wanted…. PICTURE TIME!

[nifty]

Exteriors:

[nifty]

Interior:

[nifty]

Engine Bay:





Undercarriage:

[nifty]

I'm currently calling this project "Ember", with the inspiration being charcoal embers and burnt wood. Basically, I'm thinking the finished project will have a satin/suede charcoal grey body, with the engine compartment supplying the "heat" and nice bright orange color. The interior will be the "ash" with primarily light greys and few splashes of orange. I'm also currently kicking around the idea of actually charring the bed wood, if you're interested in the process look up Sho Sugi Ban which is a japanese process for charred timber cladding for buildings. I'd like to carry some charred wood accents into the interior of the truck (instrument panel?, doors?, floor?), but we'll see how far that goes.





Just getting started, but the bones look fairly solid so this should be a fun ride!

[duallyjams]

it will be fun

[Ta2Don]

Welcome aboard!!! Good looking truck. I'm just up the road in Searcy, re-working a 65 short stepper, I also have similar driver's door damage.

[Ta2Don]

Just a word of encouragement on the Sho Sugi Ban treatment for your bed wood... Looks very unique and interesting. Subscribed , and will be looking forward to updates.

Check out my build thread...
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=533920

[nifty]

Hey Ta2Don, glad to see some other Arkansas folks on here. I'm excited about doing the wood that way. I've done some small installations in some architectural projects so it will be fun to see how it works (or doesn't) with the truck!

Good luck with your 65!

[Ta2Don]

Just sold the centerlink from my original suspension to someone in LR with a 66, wouldn't be you by chance would it? As for your bed wood idea, maybe a thick layer of polyurethane for protection and looks???
Enjoy your 66!

[nifty]

Nope, not me, but I saw a short fleet driving around yesterday over by UALR.

I'm thinking I'll try the traditional chestnut oil finish, which will have to be refinished every couple years or a thin sanded coat of poly, because I want to keep the matte sheen that comes from the charring process. I'm planning on using Cumaru wood (Brazilian Cherry) which can be picked up locally for ~$3 a lineal foot. The charring process actually makes the wood harden and keeps it water tight. Although, I'm kicking around the idea of building a "tray" of sorts that I can use when I'm hauling stuff that'll scuff the wood up too much.

[nifty]

An interesting opportunity arose today... I have been planning on livening up the I6 250 that came in the truck, preferably in a fashion that allowed for a later turbo build. But after visiting a local shop today to talk about getting some machine work done, they mentioned a (30k) Vortec engine and 4L60e (plus computer, alt, harness, etc) that could be had for 1800... certainly seems like something to consider carefully... I have a lot of thinking to do over the weekend!

I'd easily spend the 1800 on 250 engine components and rebuilding a 700r4... its a different direction than I was originally intending, but if my main use of this truck is as a daily driver and weekend fun truck, well... it might be actually be a better one.

Undoubtedly many folks have gone through this debate on here, don't be shy about sharing your advice or thoughts... I'll be stewing on this one for awhile!

[1enick72]

Good looking truck, welcome.

[Ta2Don]

Originally Posted by nifty

An interesting opportunity arose today... I have been planning on livening up the I6 250 that came in the truck, preferably in a fashion that allowed for a later turbo build. But after visiting a local shop today to talk about getting some machine work done, they mentioned a (30k) Vortec engine and 4L60e (plus computer, alt, harness, etc) that could be had for 1800... certainly seems like something to consider carefully... I have a lot of thinking to do over the weekend!

I'd easily spend the 1800 on 250 engine components and rebuilding a 700r4... its a different direction than I was originally intending, but if my main use of this truck is as a daily driver and weekend fun truck, well... it might be actually be a better one.

Undoubtedly many folks have gone through this debate on here, don't be shy about sharing your advice or thoughts... I'll be stewing on this one for awhile!

Don't envy your decision... but it is hard to argue with the durability and mileage gains with the vortec, just my 2 pennies... Best Wishes whichever way you go.