Rotten 66 Farm Truck Build

[jdorrough]

While waiting on the parts listed above, I've also spent time over the last couple weeks under the hood. I finally sorted out my brakes and steering. I went with POL for both but looking back I may have taken a different approach if I knew how long everything was back ordered. I'm talking months, not days. Probably due to covid but annoying none the less. After getting the Hydro-boost installed I couldn't find any pre-made or diy hose kits that I liked so I ended up going with bulk Fragola hoses and buying each Fragola fitting needed to incorporate the Hydro-boost, rack and pinion, reservoir and pump. Very pricey but ended up with a clean look. Their system is pretty easy once you get the hang of it. I learned pretty quickly not to over torque those aluminum fittings when I stripped out a $20+ elbow.

I also included an interior shot. I've got the new Dakota Digital gauge cluster installed. The steering wheel is buttoned up now that I've gotten the linkage hooked up under the hood. Lastly I put a set up lap belts in but I'm really starting to rethink the bench seat. I think I'll want to go buckets with at least a three point belt later on. I backed it out of the garage to move it from one garage bay to the other and tapped the throttle after the clutch was fully engaged. To my shock, I didn't really go anywhere fast but instead left a trail of tire smoke and black marks for my wife to enjoy on our driveway. This thing is going to be a death trap.

[88Stanger]

Originally Posted by jdorrough

While waiting on the parts listed above, I've also spent time over the last couple weeks under the hood. I finally sorted out my brakes and steering. I went with POL for both but looking back I may have taken a different approach if I knew how long everything was back ordered. I'm talking months, not days. Probably due to covid but annoying none the less. After getting the Hydro-boost installed I couldn't find any pre-made or diy hose kits that I liked so I ended up going with bulk Fragola hoses and buying each Fragola fitting needed to incorporate the Hydro-boost, rack and pinion, reservoir and pump. Very pricey but ended up with a clean look. Their system is pretty easy once you get the hang of it. I learned pretty quickly not to over torque those aluminum fittings when I stripped out a $20+ elbow.

I also included an interior shot. I've got the new Dakota Digital gauge cluster installed. The steering wheel is buttoned up now that I've gotten the linkage hooked up under the hood. Lastly I put a set up lap belts in but I'm really starting to rethink the bench seat. I think I'll want to go buckets with at least a three point belt later on. I backed it out of the garage to move it from one garage bay to the other and tapped the throttle after the clutch was fully engaged. To my shock, I didn't really go anywhere fast but instead left a trail of tire smoke and black marks for my wife to enjoy on our driveway. This thing is going to be a death trap.

Ok, wait a minute, is it me or am i seeing a pattern here, red body, blakc rims, black trim on front hood marker lights.... so a Red and Black Theme?!?!

I built my 1969 LX C10 in Flat Black with Red Highlights and the 1966 C10 will be 383 stroker with Muncie 4 speed in Flat Red with Black highlights!!

Either way, love the build!!!

[jdorrough]

Small update. I was able to salvage my old grill, bumper and radiator support brace. I didn't get fancy with it. The bumper was bent pretty bad where someone hooked a chain directly to it. I torched the worst dents and smacked them with a hammer then moved onto primer and paint. The other progress made was the A/C system from vintage air is now installed. I work alone and this was definitely a two person job. I'll wait until I can drive it somewhere to get the system charged. I think I'll cry if any of the fittings leak and I have to pull it all back out. Next up, the bed. She's rough.

[72cs20]

Nice work throughout!

I like that control panel for the VA system. Is it back lit? I don't they offered that one when bought mine. I may need to upgrade.

[jdorrough]

Originally Posted by 72cs20

Nice work throughout!

I like that control panel for the VA system. Is it back lit? I don't they offered that one when bought mine. I may need to upgrade.

I'm glad you asked. You reminded me that when going through the install, I remembered seeing an extra wire labeled for lighting but I didn't hook it up at the time and forgot all about it. So, sure enough when I hooked it up, the control panel is in fact back lit. The picture below shows which parts light up. The A/C text also lights up when you have the selectors moved to cold or defrost.

VA Part number-473276, they also make a chrome one

[72cs20]

Nice! Yeah, I like those controls way more than the rotary controls I have.

[jdorrough]

Getting close the finish line. I have included a couple pictures of the latest efforts. I ended up buying most of the bed parts as the original was just too far gone to rust and dents. The bed panels needed more work than expected (holes missing, incorrect lines, ugly welds, ect.). I also added a pic of the interior now that it's finished up with the speakers installed.