1966 C10 LB 2wd 283 4spd build
 

Time to start my build thread..
Bought this 1966 C10 LB 283 4sp PS PB Custom model
Pretty much how it was from the factory. Built in Canada
Bought it from the family of the original owner. It has 107000 miles on it.
Here is a picture of when I got it home, and also a picture of it cab-off before work on it.

Re: 1966 C10 LB 2wd 283 4spd build
 

That looks like a clean and straight truck :thumbs:

What are your plans for it?

Re: 1966 C10 LB 2wd 283 4spd build
 

Thanks CaptainFab
Ya, it's decent, but requires the usual rust repair...floor pan, front and rear outer cab supports, pillar btms front and back, inner rockers, outer rockers, some other small pieces to be fabricated. I am working on the passenger side first.

I have two trains of thought about what I would like to end up with...1)completely stock including the colours saddle/fawn/white etc. or 2) mostly stock but choose red in and out and upgrade to fuel in rear, dual master, collapsible steering column.

Thoughts?

Re: 1966 C10 LB 2wd 283 4spd build
 

Jumped right in, I like that.
Following along

Re: 1966 C10 LB 2wd 283 4spd build
 

Just build your truck the way you want it to be so you can enjoy it to the fullest.

Re: 1966 C10 LB 2wd 283 4spd build
 

Some details (bit out of sequence). Here is the steering wheel repair, kind of close to finished. It's interesting that my 1966 Canadian built truck came with this style of steering wheel. Maybe this is not the original, or maybe it is the original and is this style because this 1966 truck was made in Canada late in 1965?

Re: 1966 C10 LB 2wd 283 4spd build
 

Looking good so far
Following

Re: 1966 C10 LB 2wd 283 4spd build
 

For the bottom of the front pillar post repair, I decided to tack a small, 1/4 inch wide strip of 16g to the inside so that I would have some backing and be able to turn the heat up on the weld to ensure strength...

Re: 1966 C10 LB 2wd 283 4spd build
 

Finally, passenger side pretty much done. A number of adjustments were needed to the outer rocker and the cab corner to make them work.

Re: 1966 C10 LB 2wd 283 4spd build
 

Looks like you been there and done that before....good work!

Re: 1966 C10 LB 2wd 283 4spd build
 

Thanks Jimmy! I'm actually quite a newby that this sort of thing, but enjoying the journey. It has been a bit slow, but getting there.

Re: 1966 C10 LB 2wd 283 4spd build
 

I did not see any bracing, did you test fit your door before you final welded your rocker in place? With all of the metal cut out it can move on so you may want to test fit it now make sure everything is still in line. If this is your fist project you are doing great, and you found the right place to read and learn from, the guys on this site have been there and done that. People on this forum are very knowledgeable and will help you through the learning process. Looks like you are having fun and getting it done.

Re: 1966 C10 LB 2wd 283 4spd build
 

Thanks Jimmy. Yes I am new to this but enjoying. I did test fit the door and the front fender to the outer rocker several times in the process so I think it is very close. There were adjustments needed (slits in the outer rocker to fit over the pillar bottoms. For the drivers side I am cross bracing in order to speed up the process and add a level of comfort (less worry about things moving).

Re: 1966 C10 LB 2wd 283 4spd build
 

I like the idea of a stock build on this pickup.

A good friend of mine had a cool 66, he sold it and I didn't know it at the time. man I regret that...........

His was originally the same color as yours.
Carry On!!!

Re: 1966 C10 LB 2wd 283 4spd build
 

Looking good

Re: 1966 C10 LB 2wd 283 4spd build
 

Getting close to finishing the second side of the cab! Of course alterations had to be made to the pieces that I ordered. Here are the alterations to the rocker and the rear brace. Anyone else finding similar alterations had to be made?

Re: 1966 C10 LB 2wd 283 4spd build
 

Managed to make a replacement for the bottom flange at the bottom of the back of the cab.

Re: 1966 C10 LB 2wd 283 4spd build
 

All aftermarket body patch panels and most body parts must be reworked to fit correctly.

Nice work on the lower rear cab panel

Re: 1966 C10 LB 2wd 283 4spd build
 

Indeed, Captain Fab, pretty much every panel.

Took a while to decide how to achieve those curved flanges on the lower centre rear of the cab.

Re: 1966 C10 LB 2wd 283 4spd build
 

Nice work! What did you use to bend and shape those pieces ?

Re: 1966 C10 LB 2wd 283 4spd build
 

Wow, nice work on that cab bottom piece.

Re: 1966 C10 LB 2wd 283 4spd build
 

Jrusher, I used a bead roller with a combination of flanging dies, tipping dies, and back to back flat dies for smoothing. It was a fairly low cost bead roller but did the job.

Re: 1966 C10 LB 2wd 283 4spd build
 

Thanks!

Re: 1966 C10 LB 2wd 283 4spd build
 

x2. Very nice!

Re: 1966 C10 LB 2wd 283 4spd build
 

nice work so far!!

Re: 1966 C10 LB 2wd 283 4spd build
 

Thank you.

Re: 1966 C10 LB 2wd 283 4spd build
 

Thanks 88Stanger

Re: 1966 C10 LB 2wd 283 4spd build
 

Just about to weld the rear of cab outer flange. The original had an upside down 5 stamped on it plus an upside down cross. Has anyone else seen something similar? I am deciding whether or not to duplicate this by stamping it on the new piece.

I will be using copper backing plates held on by cleco in order to make welding easier and keep things lined up.

Re: 1966 C10 LB 2wd 283 4spd build
 

...copper backing plates fastened with cleco

Re: 1966 C10 LB 2wd 283 4spd build
 

Just found your thread...nice build...fearless on the welding work! I wish I was that fearless.

Re: 1966 C10 LB 2wd 283 4spd build
 

Heck I just wish I could weld. :)

Re: 1966 C10 LB 2wd 283 4spd build
 

I'm about to find out if I can still weld.

Re: 1966 C10 LB 2wd 283 4spd build
 

Have finished the rear flange of the cab by bead rolling the shape of the patch panels, welding new metal onto the inside rear floor, using Cleco fasteners to hold copper backing behind the welds, then plug welding the flange (copper rich weld-through primer used in the plug welded flange).

Re: 1966 C10 LB 2wd 283 4spd build
 

Decided to replace the inner/outer, firewall/kick panel edges. Used bending brake then shrinker/stretcher to form the bend.

Re: 1966 C10 LB 2wd 283 4spd build
 

nice work!

Re: 1966 C10 LB 2wd 283 4spd build
 

I have the cab on its nose so that I can finish tidying and detailing the bottom. Created weld-on nuts for the seat bracket bolts by taping a rectangular block similar to the original style. Backed up butt welds where needed and cleaned up. Removed the goopy tar undercoating from the few areas that are original steel. Fabricated a replacement reinforcing plate at the back of the transmission opening, flanged on bead roller to match the shape of the cab floor (not the same as original, but instead modified so that moisture and mud will no longer collect) and added weld-on nuts.

Re: 1966 C10 LB 2wd 283 4spd build
 

Looks good doing good work

Re: 1966 C10 LB 2wd 283 4spd build
 

Thanks 65truckowner Slowly getting there.

Re: 1966 C10 LB 2wd 283 4spd build
 

Looking good! I gotta pop over there some day to check it out!

Re: 1966 C10 LB 2wd 283 4spd build
 

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