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  #1  
Old February 3rd, 2021, 12:37 PM
Prowbar Prowbar is offline
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Location: Friesland, the Netherlands
Truck: 1965 GMC 1500, 478 V6, SM420
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Default '65 GMC 1500 project. From the Netherlands

Hello,

A while back I bought a '65 GMC 1500. It is a California made truck that I bought here in the Netherlands. It has the 305E V6 and the SM420 transmission.

I've been looking for a 60-66 Chevrolet for a while, with either a straight 6 or a V8. When I stumbled upon this GMC I figured they swapped the engine, because I've never heard of a V6? After doing some research I discovered these interesting line of engines and decided to take a look.

The V6 runs great, the rust on the truck minimal compared to others that you see. The main point is the bed, it is in rough shape. The bed wood is gone, along with the bed strips. There are tons on bondo on the bedsides, to cover up dents and damage. The fact that the bed is sitting on wooden planks tells the story. There is a generic bed liner sitting in the bed, but there is nothing underneath. The cross beams are luckily still included, they are laying in the bed.

The brakes are non functioning, most of the rubbers are gone. A lot needs attention. I believe the original color to be red. A blue was on top of the red, and they later painted it black. The title that I have mentions the color blue.

Due to space restrictions I decided to park the truck in storage until I start working on the truck itself. We've taken off the bed from the truck to start the fabrication work required to bring it back in better shape.

I'm not planning it to be a show truck. I'll see what I'm going to do about the paint.

The main points are:
-Getting the bed back into shape so that it can be mounted back in the truck.
-Brake work, keeping the drums but upgrading to a dual master cylinder from a '67.
-Checking the engine, possible carburetor rebuild. Converting it to LP fuel. Ignition upgrades.
-Electrical, such as wiring to the lights, dash gauges.
-Changing the sealed beam lights to light that accept H4 lights as sealed beam lights are not allowed here.
-General maintenance.
-Possible repaint in the original color.
-Required welding work.
-Rustproofing

I've bought the X-6523 GMC truck maintenance manuals from Rockauto.com, they sell reprints for a fair price.

This is my first project and I'm learning as I go. I'll be sure to post the progress.

Thanks for looking! David
Attached Images
File Type: jpg GMC4.jpg (285.8 KB, Multiple views, 25 clicks)
File Type: jpg GMC2.jpg (322.3 KB, Multiple views, 18 clicks)
File Type: jpg 20201218_090159.jpg (5.71 MB, Multiple views, 16 clicks)
File Type: jpg 20201218_090212.jpg (4.03 MB, Multiple views, 19 clicks)
File Type: jpg 20201218_090058.jpg (4.08 MB, Multiple views, 17 clicks)

Last edited by Prowbar; February 3rd, 2021 at 12:58 PM.
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  #2  
Old February 3rd, 2021, 12:45 PM
Prowbar Prowbar is offline
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Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Friesland, the Netherlands
Truck: 1965 GMC 1500, 478 V6, SM420
Posts: 452
Thanks: 11
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Prowbar is a jewel in the roughProwbar is a jewel in the roughProwbar is a jewel in the roughProwbar is a jewel in the roughProwbar is a jewel in the roughProwbar is a jewel in the rough
Default Re: '65 GMC 1500 project. From the Netherlands

Some additional pictures.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg GMC11.jpg (331.3 KB, Multiple views, 15 clicks)
File Type: jpg GMC19.jpg (206.5 KB, Multiple views, 18 clicks)
File Type: jpg GMC12.jpg (259.4 KB, Multiple views, 11 clicks)
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  #3  
Old February 3rd, 2021, 12:55 PM
Prowbar Prowbar is offline
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Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Friesland, the Netherlands
Truck: 1965 GMC 1500, 478 V6, SM420
Posts: 452
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Thanked 13 Times in 12 Posts
Rep Power: 204
Prowbar is a jewel in the roughProwbar is a jewel in the roughProwbar is a jewel in the roughProwbar is a jewel in the roughProwbar is a jewel in the roughProwbar is a jewel in the rough
Default Re: '65 GMC 1500 project. From the Netherlands

Here are some pictures of the bed removal and the subsequent rust repairs.
There are a couple of rust spots, all in the bed side behind the support beam, these get full of wet dirt and eat the metal away. I'll probably modify the support beams to let the water/dirt escape instead of trapping it there.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 20210102_090904.jpg (2.96 MB, Multiple views, 11 clicks)
File Type: jpg 20210102_105821.jpg (4.20 MB, Multiple views, 8 clicks)
File Type: jpg 20210102_092726.jpg (3.21 MB, Multiple views, 9 clicks)
File Type: jpg 20210130_144632.jpg (3.60 MB, Multiple views, 13 clicks)
File Type: jpg 20210123_160808.jpg (3.71 MB, Multiple views, 9 clicks)
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  #4  
Old March 1st, 2021, 11:30 AM
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GMCTom GMCTom is offline
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Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Tirol, Austria
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Default Re: '65 GMC 1500 project. From the Netherlands

Hi David.
Welcome to the forum. At the moment I'm also restoring a 1500. I also thought about swapping the V6 at first, but after doing some research I decided to keep it. Not everyone here in Europe has it.
Have fun with your GMC and stay motivated :-)
Tom
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  #5  
Old March 1st, 2021, 02:17 PM
Prowbar Prowbar is offline
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Join Date: Dec 2020
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Prowbar is a jewel in the roughProwbar is a jewel in the roughProwbar is a jewel in the roughProwbar is a jewel in the roughProwbar is a jewel in the roughProwbar is a jewel in the rough
Default Re: '65 GMC 1500 project. From the Netherlands

Quote:
Hi David.
Welcome to the forum. At the moment I'm also restoring a 1500. I also thought about swapping the V6 at first, but after doing some research I decided to keep it. Not everyone here in Europe has it.
Have fun with your GMC and stay motivated :-)
Tom
Thanks Tom, you have an impressive build going on. Mine won't be a frame off restoration, just fixing what needs to happen. Are you going to run it on gasoline? Gasoline isn't cheap here, thats why I'm converting to LPG. (Liquid Propane Gas)
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  #6  
Old March 1st, 2021, 04:16 PM
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GMCTom GMCTom is offline
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Join Date: Jun 2019
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Default Re: '65 GMC 1500 project. From the Netherlands

Quote:
Thanks Tom, you have an impressive build going on. Mine won't be a frame off restoration, just fixing what needs to happen. Are you going to run it on gasoline? Gasoline isn't cheap here, thats why I'm converting to LPG. (Liquid Propane Gas)
Yes, my plan is to run it with gasoline. In Austria it's also expensive but not so expensive like in the netherlands. I think nearly 1,30€/liter (normaly I'm a Diesel driver) but I think I will not drive more than 2.000km/year with my GMC.
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  #7  
Old March 24th, 2021, 06:32 PM
Prowbar Prowbar is offline
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Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Friesland, the Netherlands
Truck: 1965 GMC 1500, 478 V6, SM420
Posts: 452
Thanks: 11
Thanked 13 Times in 12 Posts
Rep Power: 204
Prowbar is a jewel in the roughProwbar is a jewel in the roughProwbar is a jewel in the roughProwbar is a jewel in the roughProwbar is a jewel in the roughProwbar is a jewel in the rough
Default Re: '65 GMC 1500 project. From the Netherlands

Quick update. Still busy with the bed rust repairs. I've welded a new section underneath the front panel. The welding work on the bedsides is mostly done, except for the angled sections with the square holes for the bedwood. These still need to be welded in.

I'm also working on the bed crossmembers, de-rusting them to prep for paint. The small cross strip that is mounted just before the rear axle has some deep pits and rust holes, new sections will be welded in. the rest has pitting also, but is still usable.

I'm going to buy a stud welder to help with the dent repairs. I've ordered bed strips and bed bolts. I'm looking around for pine wood the bedwood.

While keeping an eye on the local marketplaces I've scored some parts: cab rubbers from polyurethane (for a C10 so the rear mounts won't fit however), patch panels for the front fenders are new brake shoes for the front brakes.

A local shop that specializes in american cars had a Felpro gasket set for a 305 V6 for sale, how cool is that? Paid 50 euros for it, great price.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 20210324_170624.jpg (5.83 MB, Multiple views, 7 clicks)
File Type: jpg 20210324_163354.jpg (3.92 MB, Multiple views, 8 clicks)
File Type: jpg 20210224_104019.jpg (3.53 MB, Multiple views, 4 clicks)
File Type: jpg 20210306_145535.jpg (4.52 MB, Multiple views, 4 clicks)
File Type: jpg 20210306_160624.jpg (4.62 MB, Multiple views, 3 clicks)
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  #8  
Old March 24th, 2021, 06:34 PM
Prowbar Prowbar is offline
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Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Friesland, the Netherlands
Truck: 1965 GMC 1500, 478 V6, SM420
Posts: 452
Thanks: 11
Thanked 13 Times in 12 Posts
Rep Power: 204
Prowbar is a jewel in the roughProwbar is a jewel in the roughProwbar is a jewel in the roughProwbar is a jewel in the roughProwbar is a jewel in the roughProwbar is a jewel in the rough
Default Re: '65 GMC 1500 project. From the Netherlands

More pics
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File Type: jpg 20210320_114520.jpg (4.44 MB, Multiple views, 3 clicks)
File Type: jpg 20210306_132617.jpg (4.22 MB, Multiple views, 4 clicks)
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  #9  
Old March 24th, 2021, 07:12 PM
Prowbar Prowbar is offline
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Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Friesland, the Netherlands
Truck: 1965 GMC 1500, 478 V6, SM420
Posts: 452
Thanks: 11
Thanked 13 Times in 12 Posts
Rep Power: 204
Prowbar is a jewel in the roughProwbar is a jewel in the roughProwbar is a jewel in the roughProwbar is a jewel in the roughProwbar is a jewel in the roughProwbar is a jewel in the rough
Default Re: '65 GMC 1500 project. From the Netherlands

Pitting in the small crossmember + electrolysis to loosen the stubborn rust scale. Then a wire wheel on an angle grinder. After some rust converter primer they are ready for paint.
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File Type: jpg 20210324_180945.jpg (2.93 MB, Multiple views, 2 clicks)
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  #10  
Old March 30th, 2021, 10:08 PM
Prowbar Prowbar is offline
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Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Friesland, the Netherlands
Truck: 1965 GMC 1500, 478 V6, SM420
Posts: 452
Thanks: 11
Thanked 13 Times in 12 Posts
Rep Power: 204
Prowbar is a jewel in the roughProwbar is a jewel in the roughProwbar is a jewel in the roughProwbar is a jewel in the roughProwbar is a jewel in the roughProwbar is a jewel in the rough
Default Re: '65 GMC 1500 project. From the Netherlands

Well, sometimes things do not go as expected. A fire ravaged the place where I worked on the bed parts and had stored them. Luckily the pickup (without bed) is stored elsewhere, so I'm lucky I still have it.

Its not my house, but that of my grandparents. Glad they are OK themselves. That is the most important. Sheet metal can be welded onto or replaced.

The bedsides were not great but I'm guessing they are scrap now. It seems the tailgate and front panel and still salvagable. The fenders too, but you can't see 'em on the pictures but they were there also (resting against the post with the vise). 2 of the crossmembers were also in the fire, one looks usable but the small one is all twisted up. In the pictures one can also see a couple of Opel 6 cilinder CIH engines. Also a couple of VW 1.6 diesels. All burned up too.

Some pictures:
Attached Images
File Type: jpg brandschade.jpg (448.0 KB, Multiple views, 17 clicks)
File Type: jpg brandschade1.jpg (425.6 KB, Multiple views, 13 clicks)
File Type: jpg brandschade2.jpg (374.3 KB, Multiple views, 10 clicks)
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