'65 GMC 1500 project. From the Netherlands

[FetchMeAPepsi]

Looking good! But you're missing out welding in the freezing cold. Imagine the stories you could tell your grandkids about both burning and freezing at the same time! And if it's wet, there's the shock factor that works better at wking you up than a bucket of coffee

[Prowbar]

Haha, don't believe I missed out on anything Fetch...

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Finalized the Dana 60 install yesterday.

Took one additional leaf out of the leaf spring package as I've seen some forum posts where the 1500s had a 2000lb and 2750lb leaf spring package. I'm pretty certain mine had the heavy-duty 10-leaf package. Decided to remove two leaf springs to get closer to the 2000lb rating.

Anyway, installed the rear axle with all the new components. The new U-bolts needed a slight modification in the corner. The originals were forged and allowed a much sharper radius due to their shape.

The brakes almost bled themselves by gravity only, only the right one took 3 pumps to clear out all the air.

Had to install the axle outside around freezing temperatures, that SAE 90 gear oil is thick as molasses... Quite a lot of fun creeping underneath the truck to fill up the axle to the required amount.

Used lots of rust-preventative grease and anti-seize on all the components. When I had everything installed and the bolts snugged, I drove it on the lift to finish torquing all the bolts to spec. All the U-bolts and leaf spring bolts needed to be torqued to 200 ft-lbs according to the book... Quite the chore to do, the U-bolts stretch a lot before the torque spec is reached.

When all was said and done, it was time to break in the gears. Drove home, around 15 miles under light throttle. Checked the temperature halfway through the trip and when I was home. The temperature halfway was 77 Fahrenheit and 95 degrees Fahrenheit when I got home. Looks pretty good. No strange noises or howls either as far as I can tell.

The suspension is much improved now. Could use some new rear shock absorbers, though. The original Delco Remy's are still installed but show their age now.

Did another trip today, 15 miles or so. The end temperature was around 100 Fahrenheit, I drove at around 40-50 miles per hour this time.

The 3.54s gear change makes driving a whole lot more fun compared to the 4.11s! The 2nd and 3rd gear take much longer before you have to shift, and there is no need to rev up the engine as much. Driving 55 in 4th gear is very pleasant, not having to wind out the engine as much.

Very satisfied with the change so far.

[James]

Looks really good. The 3.54 gear made a big different in my truck too. You just need to recalibrate the speedometer.

[Prowbar]

You're right. Went around hoping to find a 3.54 speedometer gear and yoke for the SM420, but to no avail. However, it looks like the speedometer is now the speed in kilometers per hour divided by 2. That makes it easy to remember. But I have to confirm that using a GPS.

[James]

I used the adapter to correct my speedometer/odometer from:



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The specific one I used is: AA12844/CBI 16257

[James]

Here is a catalog on it.

[Prowbar]

Originally Posted by James

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I used the adapter to correct my speedometer/odometer from:



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The specific one I used is: AA12844/CBI 16257

Wow, impressed with their selection. What did an adapter of theirs set you back if I may ask?

[James]

Originally Posted by Prowbar

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Wow, impressed with their selection. What did an adapter of theirs set you back if I may ask?

On October 2016 it cost me $103.24. The ratio I needed was 1:1.2844. Your might be different if the speedometer/odometer is original. Mine has been refurbished and brought up to a newer standard.

I found this out the hard way, I bought it cause it looks alot better than my old one.

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[Prowbar]

Long time no post.

Been busy with the GMC, though. Started on the long awaited body work.

List of rust repairs to do:
- Front fenders + reinforcements
- Both lower side of doors
- Both rockers, kick panels and floor sections
- Upper front windshield frame is completely rotted away. This will be quite the work I think.
- Hood, corners and around the hinges.
- Right hand cab corner.
- New windshield rubber
- Rebuild the vent windows.
- Bed fenders & dent removal
- Bed rear cross sill
- Tailgate dent removal
- Right side cab braces

Started with replacing the tired cab mounts with polyurethane cab mounts. This way we have a good starting point. Next up is the the driver side door. Replaced the hinge bushings as well.
Driver side doors needs 2 patches in the outer skin, and a completely new inner bottom panel. Was my first serious sheet metal, made some mistakes and learned from them.

[Prowbar]

Work on the passenger side door. Used a new inner door bottom patch panel. Outer patches I made myself.
Went a little overkill with the curvature at the ends, the patch panel is too curved at the ends. Corrected this later.