1965 GMC in the alps. Greetings from Austria. [Archive]

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GMCTom

July 15th, 2019, 01:27 PM

Hi,

my name is Tom and I bought a 1965 GMC V6 3/4 ton :)

At first, I was not sure if I should buy it because an American truck / car needs a V8. But the more I learn the history, the more I enjoy my decision for this engine.

Currently I'm doing a frame off restoration. Here are some pics

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I started with the back of the truck. Everything was extremley dirty but in good condition.

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We removed the whole axle with the leaf springs. Cleaning an painting was a lot of work but I think it was worth it :)

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I also removed the back hangers because the rivets were damaged

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Every part was blastet, primed with zinc and painted black

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Ordered some new rims. Luckily, they fit ;)

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Added some new brake lines in stainless steele

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I try to get the original parts. The front bumper and the parts for the headlights were new chrome plated.

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At the moment i removed all parts out of the cab including the doors and the glas. The front is lowered 3 inches with new springs.

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Next step is to remove the cab and the engine to finish the whole frame and the control arms in front and the brakes.

I will try to keep you up to date in this Thread. :thumbsup:

GMCTom

July 16th, 2019, 07:38 AM

Now the photos should work :ahhhh:

Funky61

July 16th, 2019, 01:32 PM

Welcome to the forum Tom! Beautiful truck and nice work your doing on it. What does the lettering script on the front fenders say?

GMCTom

July 16th, 2019, 01:44 PM

Thank you Funky61 :)

The lettering is "DP Truck Center San Diego".

I think that was the dealer. I searched the internet but found nothing.

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I bought the truck with California plates.

snazzypig

July 16th, 2019, 05:26 PM

Beautiful restoration work!! Congratulations.

Ed Snyder

July 16th, 2019, 11:34 PM

GMCTom

July 17th, 2019, 07:43 AM

Thank you everyone. Nice people here.

Ed, unfortunately not ;) The cars are from a friend of mine. He is the local US car dealer.

GMCTom

July 25th, 2019, 08:39 AM

Hi,

some update to the restoration. I cleaned the steering gear, replaced the seals, renewed the grease and paint it black.

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GMCv6inND

September 21st, 2019, 02:35 PM

Your pickup is really coming along - keep up the great work and I’ll keep looking in on your progress. It must be a pretty good challenge restoring to this degree, so far away from all the parts sources?! I was stationed in Germany many years ago w an old Nova and my father sent me a lot of parts through the mail, including the whole exhaust system.
Your GMC is looking great!

GMCTom

September 26th, 2019, 12:50 PM

Thanks for your motivation :)

Concerning the parts sources you are right. Large parts like crossmember, trailing arms are hard to come by. Unfortunately, there are no US cars on our junkyards.
Everything else the price is ok, e.g. at Rockauto. Price for shipping is ok too. It is cheaper than restore a german car. The prices for spare parts for old cars like VW, Audi, Mercedes or BMW are extremely high.

Here are some new pictures for the 6066gmcclub.

Brakes, spindles, hubs, control arms, shaft, crossmember and the frame I have now completely taken apart. It is currently at sandblasting, priming and painting :D

The frame was painted in the back already by myself but in some places (rivets) unfortunately not perfect, because the rust from the surface could not be removed properly. Therefore completely sandblasting.

One question to all: on the last picture I've found this spring on the frame. What is the task of the spring?

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The next pictures show the pedals, which are back from powder coating. They still have to be mounted.

I will post the photos in the next few days.

James

September 27th, 2019, 10:37 PM

Thanks for your motivation :)

One question to all: on the last picture I've found this spring on the frame. What is the task of the spring?

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I believe that the return spring for the clutch fork.

GMCTom

October 24th, 2019, 08:12 AM

Here are the promised photos of the restored pedal unit :)

Completely sandblasted, zinc primed and powdercoated. Screws are sandblasted and black galvanized.

I also replaced the bushings with new ones.

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jbgroby

October 25th, 2019, 01:33 PM

Great looking ride, taking her down to teh ground is the only true way to know shes been treated right. BTW I do love the view of the Mountains.

tbucketnut

November 3rd, 2019, 05:55 PM

I believe that the return spring for the clutch fork.

Believe the spring is to return the clutch bell crank, I'll double check on mine, I have the sm420 transmission, but any standard will have the return spring.
Steve

GMCTom

November 4th, 2019, 10:16 AM

Thank you everybody.

Ed: if you like the mountains I have a lot of pictures :D

Steve and James: if I understand correctly, the spring is hung here (photo)?

BTW: the frame is now sandblasted and painted. Also the crossmember and the control arms. I want to mount the parts in a few days to post new pictures :)

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tbucketnut

November 4th, 2019, 08:01 PM

I dont think that is the correct spring, the spring your showing looks more like the one found on the emergency brake assembly to the back equalizing plate.
Here is the pic of my spring on the clutch bell crank. Hope this helps. My truck is a 64 so maybe different.

1st pic is clutch second pic is ebrake.

James

November 4th, 2019, 11:11 PM

GMCTom that is the correct spring. You should also have a stiff wire to extend the spring so it can connect to the clutch fork, see the picture of mine. it should be a long coil spring not a short one. I also have the spring that tbucket show for the parking/emergency brake.

tbucketnut

November 5th, 2019, 05:49 AM

James, that means mine is probably wrong then. Your setup looks exactly like my 53 truck though, same spring and stiff wire extender.

GMCTom

November 5th, 2019, 09:05 AM

James, Steve, thank you a lot for the pictures.

I think I have the solution. The probably best wife in the world gave me the maintenance manual of my GMC truck to my birthday :D

The spring is the right one. It is connected to a link (bended wire). This link is conencted to the frame. The other end of the spring is connected to the release fork of the clutch. Don't know if it is allowed to post a picture out of the manual.

Thank you for the note regarding the spring of the handbrake. This one is missing completely :ahhhh:

GMCTom

November 5th, 2019, 09:10 AM

James

November 5th, 2019, 09:26 AM

My clutch spring extension wire is 6" long.

GMCTom

November 25th, 2019, 08:44 AM

At the moment winter is coming but the show must go on :winter:

I sandblasted and galvanized all screws black. Yesterday I mounted the crossmember.

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Next step is the control arm on the left side. This parts are also back from sandblasting and powdercoating.

tbucketnut

November 26th, 2019, 01:50 PM

Looks great Tom, very fine workmanship, thanks for the pictures. Sending a PM.

GMCTom

January 8th, 2020, 09:18 AM

Hi,

small update on the project. In the last days I mounted the crossmember for the handbrake

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Next step was to mount the upper and lower control arm. I got the screws back from black coating. I installed the lower control arm despite the problem with the dimension of the shaft (see the following link)

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I have to cut new threads on the bolts of the upper control arm. The old ones are damaged. The next thing was to install the tank. I painted it black. I think that goes great with the rest ;)

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I have also started to install the brake line. This is also done in stainless steel. A two-circuit system with the master cylinder of a 1967 GMC is also planned.

I'll post photos of it when I'm done.

tbucketnut

January 8th, 2020, 02:32 PM

Hi Tom,
As always your attention to detail is unsurpassed. Your chassis looks amazing. I really enjoy reading and seeing your progress on your GMC. Your build really sets the bar high for frame off restorations.
I have used the 3/8" aluminum soft tubing for fuel line too with really good results when I built my T bucket in 2011. It works great and forms well to the frame irregularities and is easily clamped using rubber lined clamps. I would suggest installing one of these fuel filters as close to the fuel tank as possible with a 1/4 turn petcock too. It has a replaceable filter and will insure the fuel is perfectly clean to the carburetor. It is substantial in size (filter medium)and a standard manual fuel pump will easily draw through it.
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I hope I am allowed to insert this link,it is not to promote summitracing but to show as an example the type/size of filter only. Many other companies sell them.

Keep up the good work, it is not always easy to put on the warm clothes and get out the to work when it is winter.

Steve

GMCTom

January 9th, 2020, 07:32 AM

Hi Steve,
thank you for your comment and your honest opinion. I will still be embarrassed :D
That with the fuel filter would be a good idea, since I'm not quite sure what to install here.
I will post a few pictures below of what the constellation looked like when it was purchased.
The original fuel pump was installed against an electric one, if I see it correctly. A filter was also installed shortly before the carburetor. I don't know whether that was so good or bad. Maybe you have a few more tips. Can I use the pump again in the pictures?
Tom

James

January 9th, 2020, 11:10 PM

GMCTom where did you get that thermostat housing? I can't find one to fit my 64.

jagarra

January 10th, 2020, 03:27 PM

From your pictures it looks like the previous owner installed the electric fuel pump where the original gas filter was located. Those holes in the frame were the mounting point for the bracket housing/filter assembly. Originally the fuel line was a steel line from the filter on the frame to the fuel pump, steel to the carburetor. The original had a screw on cover with a canister type filter inside, the filter insert still available from NAPA. (I had to buy a special size filter wrench to unscrew mine to prevent damage) the style that was reference from Summit is close to what was there originally.
You are doing a fantastic job on your restoration.:goodjob:

regards,

GMCTom

February 26th, 2020, 08:13 AM

GMCTom where did you get that thermostat housing? I can't find one to fit my 64.

Hi James,

sorry about the late reply. I have currently checked the housing on the engine, but unfortunately I cannot find a manufacturer or a logo. The previous owner has already assembled it.

If I disassemble the engine, I will send you detailed photos.

GMCTom

February 26th, 2020, 08:47 AM

Time for an update ;)

Installed the anker plate with new lowering spring (3") and new ball joints on the lower and upper control arm.

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Also installed the overhauled steering gear (new seals, new grease, paint...)

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Derusted, cleaned and painted the hubs. They also get new bearings and seals.

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I also preinstalled the steering arms

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Next step were the brakes. I blasted all springs, sheet metal parts and galvanized them new. The passenger side was preinstalled.

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Installed the hub, the drum and the wheel with the new tire :D

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In the next two weeks the chassis should be ready for a photo shooting outside :upyes:

tbucketnut

February 29th, 2020, 02:23 PM

As usual Tom your workmanship is unparalleled. Your brakes look twice the size as my 1000 trucks. Congrats on getting it to a rolling chassis. Keep up the good work.

Zorba

March 1st, 2020, 03:55 PM

WOW! That is impressive.

GMCTom

May 13th, 2020, 01:01 PM

I hope everybody is fine :thumbsup:

The last weeks I installed the brake lines again (dual circuit)

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Next project was the Muncie 318 transmission

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Next thing was fun. Someone pressed a further washer into the main drive gear. I think this was the reason why the rear bearing of the main shaft was broken. The additional washer pushed the main shaft backwards.

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I also found the speedometer from 1965 :D

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After disassemling the transmission I cleaned and painted the housing

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Started with assembling. New bearings, needles,

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Next step is the steering column and the engine. the engine is currently dismantled. Update will follow as soon as possible ;)

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GMCTom

June 10th, 2020, 12:16 PM

Update-Time :)

As I said, the next step is the steering column. Currently I have disassembled, blasted and powder coated the steering column. Next step is to assemble it. I also painted the first parts by myself. I think it's not so bad.

There is only a little problem with the plug of the turn signal. The counterpart on the wiring harness is unfortunately no longer available. Someone was playing with a knife. Unfortunately, the connector can no longer be bought. I will probably lay the cables straight through and connect them with solder connectors.

The most difficult decision for me was the choice of color for the truck . I've been most concerned about it for the past two years. The decision was made for Fawn for the interior and Light Blue for the exterior. The roof top turns white. I think that goes well together. I bought extra original color cards on eBay.

The first engine parts have already been painted. Please don't hit me, but the red from Ford worked best :D

Now the pictures for you. If someone needs detailed photos, please contact me.

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Funky61

June 10th, 2020, 06:22 PM

Beautiful detail and work GMCTOM! The Ford red looks right on the mark. :welldone:

snazzypig

June 11th, 2020, 04:09 AM

Outstanding work GMCTom!! I can see many happy hours of labor there.

GMCTom

June 15th, 2020, 06:25 AM

Hello friends

Thank you for your positive feedback. That motivates me in my project. Special thanks to Steve for his help by mail :)

GMCTom

July 17th, 2020, 07:54 AM

Steering column is almost finished.

This website was useful.
Link ( To view some links or images in this forum your post count must be 1 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Maybe you should introduce yourself with a new topic? )

What is still missing is a new turn signal switch for resetting the lever. It's available at LMC. Here some photos.

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Ccsmith

August 2nd, 2020, 04:22 PM

Wow! The work you have done is really impressive

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

GMCTom

August 17th, 2020, 08:40 AM

Thank you Ccsmith :thumbsup:

At the moment the engine is in progress. Cleaned and painted it the last weeks.
Next step is to change the timing chain. The plan is also to put the engine back into the frame over the next 3-4 weeks.
I'm currently waiting for the newly galvanized screws.

The part with the aluminum foil looks like from outer space but its cheap and fast :D

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GMCTom

October 8th, 2020, 08:09 AM

The big part of the engine is back in the truck ;)

Mounting the timing chain cover and a new timing chain

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Putting the cleaned oil pan back on the engine

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Engine is ready for transport :)

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And back in the frame. Exactly one year after pulling it out :D

Used some new motor mounts from Rockauto. They fit perfect.

The heads get

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The cylinder heads are currently being redesigned. We have reground the valves and the valve seats are milled. An exhaust valve was burned. I bought also a new one from Rockauto but the slot on the end of the valve was on the wrong position. We also ground a new slot in.

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The last days I cleaned up the flywheel. After reading some threads in the forum it seems to be a desaster with the clutch :ahhhh:
Luckily I have the same flywheel as Pepsi in his truck.

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I've ordered the AMS 04528 clutch on Rockauto. Tomorrow I will receive it. After reading in my book there are four different type of clutches. I think I have the Borg Style. But I'm not sure because the spring is diaphragm style.
I really hope it will fit.

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Funky61

October 8th, 2020, 07:50 PM

Great Progress GMCTOM! Thanks for posting the photos. What brand/Model of engine stand are you using?

GMCTom

October 8th, 2020, 08:09 PM

Thank you Funky
I bought the engine stand in a german webshop:

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Its also available from KS Tools but it costs more than twice.

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GMCTom

January 13th, 2021, 09:18 AM

A Healthy Happy New Year to everybody!

Little update. Unfortunately, there is not much going on at the moment. It's very cold here :winter:

Mounted the transmission on the bellhousing and the new driveshaft. The old one was no longer usable. Cylinder heads and other parts are also back on the block. Here are some pictures.

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I also added a fuel pressure gauge. I'm not happy with the airfilter. I think I will change it with a black one. This was the first thing I bought when I bought the truck :D

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At the moment I'm trying with the new exhaust pipes. I will add a steel exhaust with 2 1/4" diameter and Flowmonster mufflers. They are the same like the Flowmaster 40.

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I can't wait to start the engine :rowdybeer:

I ordered a new waterneck (75 Pontiac TransAm) because the old one was a modified from a Chevy small block. Let's see if it fits.

GMCTom

January 13th, 2021, 09:35 AM

I forgot the information about the clutch.

Unfortunately the Rhino clutch did not fit :banghead:

I did it like MilitaryChevy (thank you) and milled something away from the hub.

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FetchMeAPepsi

January 13th, 2021, 02:08 PM

Is that the three finger rhino pak clutch or a different one? What did you mill down?

GMCTom

January 13th, 2021, 03:39 PM

Yes Pepsi, this is the three finger clutch. I think you used the same?

I milled down the hub on the flywheel side (red mark on the photo). I think I milled down 8mm. The hub sticks out on the wrong side so it would rub against the flywheel. The original clutch is flat on the flywheel side.

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Here the flat side of the original clutch

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FetchMeAPepsi

January 13th, 2021, 04:21 PM

Yes, I used the same one. I don't notice any rubbing though. It all bolted up just fine. Now I'm wondering if i'm rubbing my flywheel in there....

GMCTom

January 13th, 2021, 06:55 PM

Yes, I used the same one. I don't notice any rubbing though. It all bolted up just fine. Now I'm wondering if i'm rubbing my flywheel in there....

Hmm... I think you would hear that. I suspect that the hubs are never assembled in the same order/direction during the production of the clutch. Possibly yours was pressed in the other way around. TJ had the same problems with his Rhino.

GMCTom

March 1st, 2021, 10:43 AM

Hey guys. The day of the day was at the weekend :bump5:

We started the engine. I was a little nervous but it runs great. The sound is awesome. I installed FlowMonster Mufflers (the same as the FlowMaster 40).

Unfortunately, I only have poor video quality. I will post another video from the next run.

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GMCTom

March 1st, 2021, 10:51 AM

I ordered a new waterneck (75 Pontiac TransAm) because the old one was a modified from a Chevy small block. Let's see if it fits.

The waterneck of the 75 Pontiac TransAm fits together with the holes. Only problem is, that you can't use the heat sensor.

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Prowbar

March 1st, 2021, 01:15 PM

GMCTom, Great work you've done so far! Great info as well regarding the clutch etc. No other modifications to the engine other than replacing the timing chain?

GMCTom

March 1st, 2021, 02:23 PM

Thank you :)
I changed the timing chain and toghether with a friend we do a valve job. One exhaust valve was broken and doesn't close completely. Cleaned the coolant holes and finished the surfaces of the block and heads and used new gaskets. Heads were ice blasted.
I also installed an original mechanical fuel pump (the pre owner used an electrical) and new fuel lines.

snazzypig

March 6th, 2021, 04:04 AM

Beautiful work GMCTom and your engine sounds great!

GMCTom

March 25th, 2021, 09:10 AM

Little update but with not so good news.

The original radiator is leaking. Temporarily I bought a used one from a 1966 Chevy C10. It seems to be ok. The dark spot on the front of the radiator is only dirt. The original one I will send to a shop for repairing.

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Now the bigger problem. Between the left cylinder head and the block it's leaking a little bit coolant. I think I have to grind the heads. Maybe anyone else had an advice or already had the problem itself?

GMCTom

July 27th, 2021, 08:47 AM

Hope everybody is fine :)

Now some time has passed and I still spent time on my other project a Dodge WC51. But work on the GMC continues anyway.

All Body parts are blasted and primed. Some parts are also body filled and sanded. I do it all myself. Sanding for hours is a bit like meditation :D

Two parts are completely finished with paint. I do this with a friend in his wood workshop. I like painting with the gun. When the parts are painted, the project feels almost finished and you know what all the hard work is for. I didn't like the first attempt with the baby blue but the second one is perfect. It's harbor blue from Ford :oops:

I also chrome plated the painted grille.

Next step is to prime the cab. Maybe I'll be able to put the cab on the frame this summer.

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tbucketnut

March 27th, 2022, 04:57 AM

Very nice Tom, it is time for an update friend. I know you have been working hard on this truck lately. You need to show off your very good work. All I can say is wow!

Prowbar

March 27th, 2022, 07:22 PM

Very nice Tom, it is time for an update friend. I know you have been working hard on this truck lately. You need to show off your very good work. All I can say is wow!

I agree! we can surely use an update!

GMCTom

March 28th, 2022, 04:26 PM

OK, update time :D
It's been a little bit stressful lately but i've been working on the GMC every free minute. I'm a bit behind my plans but in April, at the latest in May I want to put the cab on the frame.

Let's start with the paint. Tailgate, fenders and the frontmask were painted in Ford Harbor Blue. First try wasn't successful (orange skin) but the second one is OK. I will polish all parts after mounting.

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Testing the chrome plated frontmask with the color

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I like the blue color to the red engine :)

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Started with the cab in August. First some epoxy primer. 2 layers. Then some filler work on the roof, rockers and the back. Steve thinks the cab is in good condition. He knows worse ones. Put some underbody protection on the cab. Only in a few places.

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After that I started with the third layer EP. Then sanding the roof. Ready for paint (Ford Wimbledon White).

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Painting the underbody blue. And here one question, Steve and I are still guessing: is this a low or a high hump? The truck has three on a tree, but we welded the hump in that was laying in the cab :D

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And finally get back the GMC logo newly chromed

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Next steps: sanding inside the cab. Paint it with Nissan beige met (EV0) and after that paint the rest of the cab blue.

FetchMeAPepsi

March 28th, 2022, 05:35 PM

I'm pretty sure that's a high hump. Someone will beat me with a stick if i'm wrong, but the low hump barely has any hump to it if I remember right.
Nice update! That color looks shaaarrrppp!

GMCTom

January 25th, 2023, 10:00 AM

Time for a big update. A lot has happened over the summer :D

Painted the cab inside in Nissan Beige (EV0). Everyone who sees the color is amazed. After that the rest of the outside was painted blue.
Mounted the cab on the frame. What a great day! :upyes:

Put in the steering column and the pedals. Also installed the wiper mechanism. Steering wheel for some photos with the new chromed horn button.
Next step was the wiring. I rewired the whole harness according to the original wiring diagram. I also used new "original" connectors. Parking lights are now in the head lights in white. It is not allowed that parking lights are orange in Germany and Austria.

Put on the front mask for first test. Installed the carpet (with mass packing and for high hump) in black. Installed the back window with a new seal.

Also the brakelines are nearly finished with a dual master cylinder. Between the work on the truck I cleaned the original seat with some leather products. Looks like nearly new.

Tested the front lights. Everything works fine.

In the fall I grinded the doors and the hood. Ready for painting. Doors turned out great. The hood we have to repaint in spring.

At the moment I'm working on the rest of the wiring and the back fenders. Some body work. Painting them in spring when it's warm again. Bed wood is planned to work on in the next weeks (cut and plane). Ordered some oak wood.

Looks like the project will be finished in spring/summer after 5 years. Get her back on the road.

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jmfurgason

January 25th, 2023, 04:17 PM

Great job, your 65 looks fantastic !:goodjob:

tbucketnut

January 27th, 2023, 03:29 PM

Such great work Tom. It is obvious you are loving every minute of bringing this GMC back to life.
Sent you a message in phone app.

GMCTom

January 28th, 2023, 07:27 AM

Thank you everybody :)