65 chevy pickup build

[Ornery37]

Hi all, this is a great site. I am finally getting time to work on my projects. Here is the first one, thought I would share. Just got started on the front suspension and cleaning up the frame.

[caddyhack]

Nice start to a cool looking truck... are you planning on bagging, lowering, huge radical chop top or all origional? Keep us all updated on your progress

[Ornery37]

Thanks, it is a static 4.5 inch drop kit up front and will be 4 inch drop kit in back. As of right now I will be making my dash board, but having to do some rust repair.

[Ornery37]

I will have pics this weekend, had to repair the fire will lot of rust in the seam that attaches the firewall to the cab. Also been repairing the floors. Rear axle needs rebuild but has a good 3.07 ring and pinion, which will go well with my diesel engine I found.

Does anyone know who would be the best place to get the parts to rebuild the old 12 bolt axle?

[Stepside65]

Looks like a good start. Gonna be interesting to see the stance once you get it all put back together.

[Captainfab]

Check with your local auto parts supplier. The truck 12 bolt was used up thru '82.

Originally Posted by Ornery37

I will have pics this weekend, had to repair the fire will lot of rust in the seam that attaches the firewall to the cab. Also been repairing the floors. Rear axle needs rebuild but has a good 3.07 ring and pinion, which will go well with my diesel engine I found.

Does anyone know who would be the best place to get the parts to rebuild the old 12 bolt axle?

[Ornery37]

cool thank you Capt

[Ornery37]

Finally getting to work on the truck some, still need front shocks and sway bars, but it is on the ground
also working on the small holes in the floor

[Ornery37]

getting some stuff done, and starting mockup of eng

[Ornery37]

well the radiator support that came off the spot that mounts to the frame was gone (first pic), so luckily my cousin had one in his back yard but still needed repair, but not as bad. Now started painting the cab.

[Ornery37]

some progress, some parts I had to rebuild

[Ornery37]

some more pics

[el_bole]

Ornery37,

What front end did you install on your truck....

Im going to be putting on a '73 front end on my '61 and just want to know if your install experience would give me some pointers...

By the way the stance on your truck is way cool....

Thanks,
el_bole

[Ornery37]

thanks, the control arms and spindles are from POL.com and it is pretty straight forward swap with the 63-66. I am not sure with the 61, since it has torsion front, if the 73 will bolt right in?

[Ornery37]

here are some more progress pics. I have the doors aligned, weather stripping on passenger door, and looking through my stock for good pieces of fenders.

[Ornery37]

had to straighten the front bumper some and add a grill guard

[Ornery37]

little progress, had to buy smaller wire

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by Ornery37

little progress, had to buy smaller wire

I'd say you're making nice progress.

[Ornery37]

found new fenders and bed!!! and dug out my old 61 hood.

[Ornery37]

did wet sand on bed, fenders, and good. to clean up loose rust and dirt

[Ornery37]

more pics, rebuilt the passenger vent window, putting together the passenger door, and installed the rear window (what a pain)

[Ornery37]

no pics yet, but was cleaning up the drip rails to fix the visor pannel that is rusted and above both doors rusted on the cap of the truck.. so having to drill out all the spot welds on this one then will have to see if my parts truck has a good cap...and drill all of them

[Ornery37]

cap pics. did not want to do this but the rust was bad.

[Ornery37]

headlight bucket repair

[Ornery37]

then also getting bed ready for new flooring