65Custom Build Thread

[65Custom]

Set seat in the truck to check steering wheel location and seat mounting

[f66]

I really like your dash modifications. I would like to incorporate that in my Truck.

[65Custom]

I decided to go with coolc10's reproduction AC dash Vents rather than trying to emulate it, plus it will be more original looking.

[65Custom]

fitting the AC vent, the template wasn't an exact match so it needed a little adjustment to center it and used the vent itself to mark the mounting holes for the screws.

Also fitted the AC evaporator to make sure the cubby will fit, looks I need to make some adjustments to the cubby depth and one of the defrost ports. I will need to cut off one port and blocked it off to make clearance and use a Y connector for the defrost hose to defrost vents

[65Custom]

A little update not getting much done things have been busy, but have gotten the backup lights mounted, ground down the welds between the firewall and cowl and have put in all the seat belt mounting, getting down the last few things before the bed and front end go out for sand blasting.

[65Custom]

Took off all the brackets in prep for installing the new suspension and changed course on the dash extension, changed back to the first idea the filled center wasn't turning out as expected.

[65Custom]

A little more progress dash extension is mostly complete, a few little touch up things needed the cubbies are not mounted at the top yet, all the welding is finished on the dash extension, assembling the rear suspension spaced the trailing arms back 1" and few other things tidied up. Getting closer to the finish line.

[65Custom]

AC vents finished, and working on power door locks have a proto type ready, next is to figure out how to get the power door actuator to operate the door lock/un-lock

[65Custom]

All the body panels are out for sand blasting and an epoxy coating, the rear end is installed and the front crossmember is removed for a new front cross member and suspension.

[65Custom]

fitting the front crossmember in it's new home, will be relocating it forward around 1 inch to help center the tire in the wheel well. This should also give the truck a better ride with the rear also shifted back 1 inch and the front crossmember forward 1 inch with a new 117 inch wheel base an overall 2 inch gain, should help get some more weight off the front and give the truck a better weight bias.

[Grounded63]

Is the engine staying in the stock location. And, only the crossmember/suspension is moving forward ?

Because, if the engine/trans drags forward with the cross member. And the rear moves further away. It will actually be worse.

[65Custom]

Originally Posted by Grounded63

Is the engine staying in the stock location. And, only the crossmember/suspension is moving forward ?

Because, if the engine/trans drags forward with the cross member. And the rear moves further away. It will actually be worse.

The plan is for it to stay in the stock location or as close as possible, moving it forward with the crossmember would cause too many other issues with clearance for accessories & fan & radiator etc. Keeping it in the stock location should also help with the weight bias keeping the engine weight as close to the center of the truck as possible.

[65Custom]

Front suspension is installed still have to install the front & rear sway bars. the rear sway bar needs custom mount brackets due to the heavy duty axle housing, The housing extends out further, it has shorter axle tubes than the std housing and the sway bar mounts sit right where the tubes are welded and so a stepped mounting bracket is needed, so another custom piece needed to make it all work together

[65Custom]

rear sway bar mount bracket