Intro 1965 GMC K1502
 

Looking forward to getting educated on this board! I've been reading for a few days and just wanted to say thanks for all the great info.

1965 GMC 3/4 ton K1500
Original 305e v6, 4 Speed
14K miles on odometer

Re: Intro 1965 GMC K1502
 

Welcome; Nice truck you have there!

Re: Intro 1965 GMC K1502
 

1965 GMC 3/4 ton K1500
Original 305e v6, 4 Speed
14K miles on odometer[/QUOTE]

Nice looking truck you got there, the later model bed looks good on it too.:coolphotos: Would love to see some more pics posted of it.:ok:

Re: Intro 1965 GMC K1502
 

Thanks guys. Having a blast driving this old girl the last few days.

Re: Intro 1965 GMC K1502
 

Hopefully not too dumb of a question....but how do you remove the original air filter (oil type filter) from the housing? I couldn't figure it out so just bought a new edelbrock filter. Thanks for any info/advice!

Re: Intro 1965 GMC K1502
 

Stick with the paper element filter -- your engine will thank you for it. They're about 99% efficient compared to about 95% for the best maintained oil bath filter. Much less than that for a poorly maintained one.

Looks like your frame got shortened in order to accommodate a short bed. That's what I did to the '66 Clyde in South Carolina has now. You can see it in my avatar photo.

Re: Intro 1965 GMC K1502
 

I've heard some guys have gutted these oil bath air cleaners and installed paper elements but do you really want to do that? Just recently in the last couple of weeks we've had posts on original GMC air cleaners.

Re: Intro 1965 GMC K1502
 

Like the cab clearance lights, that's been a tradition in my family on all our green GMC's from the 62 K1000, the 68 KM2500 and to the most recent truck I inherited from my father a 2001 1500 GMC Sierra HT. The 62's were dealer installed back in 66 and they didn't quite do it right:pullinghairout: with 4 clearance lights rather than 5, The 68 we ordered the truck to be equipped with the lights from the factory:upyes:

Re: Intro 1965 GMC K1502
 

Thanks Ed. Will stick with the paper element! As to the frame. Not shortened, maybe the previous pic was a bit skewed. Here's another angle....

Re: Intro 1965 GMC K1502
 

No interest in gutting it. I thought for sure I was missing some simple way to pop the oil bath filter out. Guess not. Thx!

Re: Intro 1965 GMC K1502
 

Looks great, with four or five!:welldone:

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Still looks like a short bed to me. Do you have a 6-1/2 foot bed with 115" wheelbase, or an 8 foot bed with 127" wheelbase?

Re: Intro 1965 GMC K1502
 

115" wb.
78" il
186" ol

Re: Intro 1965 GMC K1502
 

If you didn't shorten it, then a previous owner did. Three quarter ton pickups only came with a 127" wheelbase. Cool truck for sure! Glad you found our forum!

Re: Intro 1965 GMC K1502
 

Very interesting. Thx !

Re: Intro 1965 GMC K1502
 

Thanks, Ed. Great eye! Here's how she started life as a LB.

Re: Intro 1965 GMC K1502
 

Looks like it led a pampered life at the fire department!

Re: Intro 1965 GMC K1502
 

Welcome aboard and a very nice truck to show. :thumbsup:

Re: Intro 1965 GMC K1502
 

Oh, Former firetrucks are great values! very well maintained, usually very low miles, and good drivetrains, meaning good power and durability. Will normally be a couple holes in the body to patch from lights and sirens, but normally no rust.

I actually like the Orange paint, readymix concrete company I worked for between my Jr. and Senior year in College and after I graduated had everything painted the same shade of orange, even the D100 Dodge shop truck.

With the miles and condition of that truck you should enjoy it for another 20-30 years!

Re: Intro 1965 GMC K1502
 

Yes sir!

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Thanks! I love Crustine and she's the one that got me interested in this truck! Love the mods you've done. Looks and sounds great!

Re: Intro 1965 GMC K1502
 

Thank you. That sure is the hope! Bought her for my 14 year old to prep as his first car. A few simple mods coming up this fall. Looking forward to it. Thanks again to all on this site for the great information.

Re: Intro 1965 GMC K1502
 

That sounds like a great Father-Son project. Take lots of pictures. Something you will remember forever!

Re: Intro 1965 GMC K1502
 

Curious about the original stance on a 3/4 ton 4 wheel drive.....the current setup I inherited from the prior owner has a 1" block on the front and a 6" block in rear....pics attached....would like to return more to original....any pics/experience out there? Keeping in mind the current Short wheel base.
Thank you!

Re: Intro 1965 GMC K1502
 

Here's a factory pic from 62, it's not the greatest since it shows the suspension articulating.

Re: Intro 1965 GMC K1502
 

The folks on this board are incredible. Thanks so much for the pic. It looks like the stance is pretty much the same as my current truck.

Re: Intro 1965 GMC K1502
 

It does look close but I think your may have 2-3 more inches of height.

Re: Intro 1965 GMC K1502
 

[QUOTE=1965GMCK1502;68024]Curious about the original stance on a 3/4 ton 4 wheel drive.....the current setup I inherited from the prior owner has a 1" block on the front and a 6" block in rear....pics attached....would like to return more to original....any pics/experience out there?


How's this for a 3/4 ton stocker:upyes:

Re: Intro 1965 GMC K1502
 

[QUOTE=bigblockv6;68041]Looks great!!

Re: Intro 1965 GMC K1502
 

I've always read that front lift blocks are not a good idea. They typically have more stresses from turning and are more prone to loosening, And all kinds of bad things happen if they fall out.

Plus I like trucks with a little Rake to them, a little higher in back than in the front. Then if you haul something the truck levels out. Nothing worse in my opinion than a truck with it's tail sagging or dragging.

My truck is not a GMC but is a stock 3/4 ton 4wd long box, 8 ft., rear sits about 4-5 inches higher than the front. It takes over a Ton sitting on the back half of the box to get it sitting level. I does have over-load springs, an extra short spring on top of the normal 4-5 leaf pack that catch "L" shaped spring perches. With your short box the rear about 3 inches higher would look nice.

I still like that Orange paint! And the clearance lights!

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Thanks! I like the rake as well just think this current set-up is a bit off. Will remove front block entirely and reduce rear to 2", maybe 3". Totally agree with you re orange paint and lights! Considering a black cab roof and black step rails...
Current rear-end whine is taking precedence though. Need to figure that one out.

Re: Intro 1965 GMC K1502
 

Milwakee Railroad Intermodal Trucking used a LOT of Mack trucks, orange with black frames, wheels, and front fenders, front bumper too. Sharp looking paint scheme. But that was the way trucks got painted back in the early days, -Teens, -'20's, '30's, '40's. Hood and cab a color, front fenders black.

I've seen Orange and White work really great too. Depends on how much brightwork you want. I'm NOT a fan of these "Murdered Out" cars & trucks.

Re: Intro 1965 GMC K1502
 

Have you check the rear end oil? Could also be bearings/gears noise. In my truck before I drove it I check it and found it only had a 1/4 cup of oil in it. When I removed the cover I discovered the gears and bearings were shot. Fortunately I was planning on removing the 4.11 and installing the 3.54. With the new parts I can only hear the wind blowing in my hair. :ahhhh:

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Thanks, James. Planning on getting in there in the next few days. 3.54's must be a pleasure to cruise in!
Started scraping the exhaust manifold to get ready for paint last night and wondered about original manifold color? Found some press pics from when engine debuted on the 6066 info sight and looks like all red? But some others show silver or black. Deciding on which way to go.....?

Re: Intro 1965 GMC K1502
 

Why some press photos show the manifolds red is because the engines were painted with the manifolds on but after running the engines the red would burn off revealing the actual color which is yellow. When my father took delivery of the brand new KM-2500 back in March 1, 1968 I clearly remember the exhaust s being yellow. A 1960 GMC tilt cab commercial confirms that, you can find it on youtube. I painted the exhaust manifold on my 478 yellow as well:thumbsup:

Re: Intro 1965 GMC K1502
 

Looks great! Thanks for the research and reply.

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I’ve been driving her around as much as possible the last month or so and have really enjoyed learning the history behind these old GMC’s. A month in and that 305e has really grown on me! Here are some recent pics....still haven’t gotten around to lowering the rear end. Next on list! After that looking to bolster the interior support on bench seat. Has anyone had any luck with aftermarket benches or sport seats that they could recommend? Thx in advance.

Re: Intro 1965 GMC K1502
 

Beautiful truck.

Same color as my old Lumber Trucks.

(The 6500 and 9500 listed below)

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Thanks, Bill! Any pics to share?

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Your truck appears to be lifted by a couple inches or so. Here are photos of the factory lift block on the rear end of my '62 Suburban, and the front end showing no block.