The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk My adventure has begun!

Well folks,
I just placed my first parts order for my 65 SWB stepside project. It's nothing too exciting, but I'm stoked to get the ball rolling. Thankfully I have a couple local people that can help me out with it since I know squat about working on vehicles. But, I've always wanted a truck like this, and I think it's gonna be fun. Stressful I'm sure at times, but fun.

I ordered a gauge cluster, a truck cover w/cable lock, a glove box insert, and a matched lock set. This truck was owned by a good buddy of mine, who got it from a guy that did most of the work you see on it now. I don't know exactly he was going for, but there are a lot of little things that need to be fixed. It had been sitting in my friends barn for the last four years collecting dust and being driven periodically.

A bunch of interior work needs to be done. I'm planning on taking out the bucket seats and putting a Yukon third row seat in it. I need to upgrade the radiator since it's too small for the 350 in it. So I'm looking at a Summit Aluminum race radiator to fix that. The gear shift is temperamental, so I need to have that and the sloppy steering wheel looked at by a more experienced person.

It still has the clutch pedal in it even though it's been converted to an automatic. The parking brake needs to be reinstalled. The park lights/blinkers are missing. The roll pan is made out of a 2x4, so that's going bye-bye. I need to redo the tail lights, since they're in the "roll pan" right now. But all in all for what I got this baby for, I can afford to drop a nice bit of coin on it. Well...as soon as I acquire the aforementioned coin.

I took some new pics last night when I moved it into the garage. We're getting a good bit of rain this week and the truck has no weatherstripping what so ever in it. So the wife's car is in the driveway until I get that cover in.
New Truck pics

Any suggestions you guys have will be much appreciated! I'm so glad I found a site with so much great info.

Thanks!!
Dave

My guess is that by the time you have finished this project you will be close to expert in the 65 Chevy truck.
Good luck and welcome to the Bolt. Keep those pics coming!

It sounds like you're pretty excited about the truck, so I'm sure you'll enjoy it. My truck has a converted manual to automatic transmission too. It still has the clutch pedal in it and has a 350 also. Good luck and welcome to the forum.
Joe

Dave, welcome to the land of the disturbed. We love it here with our trucks. I converted my automatic to a Muncie 21 four speed.
Takes all kinds.

Looks like you got a good starter project. Have fun and post photos often.

Just remember to stay regular with your medications and keep in touch with your therapist. Without those two basic necessities, you'll be in a rubber room well before your time.
All in all, having the truck will be your only link to any sanity you may have left...after all, you did buy an old truck. That says volumes about who you are already. Good luck.

I think I'd leave the clutch pedal in just to mess with people...for awhile at least. Just remember that the more you knock off your list the more that seems to get added to the back side...take you time and she will come together.

For a chuckle, hook the clutch pedal up to a momentary switch hooked to the horn.....

looks like you got a good start,have fun with it..............dave

Welcome... looks like you have a fun project

and remember it will always cost more than you expect even when you expect it will cost more :-)

Thanks everybody! I got in there last night and pulled a bunch of the extraneous crap out.

So two quick questions:

1. What's the best way to remove the clutch pedal? I got under the dash last night, but didn't really spend a lot of time looking since it was hotter than the backside of hell.

2. I lifted up the carpet and found out the guy bondoed the living hell out of the floor. Is it gonna be better to just try and replace the floor, or sand out the bondo until it's flat. I really should have taken some pics of it.

I'd try a cutting torch if you're not going to remove the cab.

That would be the easiest way.

I had a feeling that was gonna be the easiest way.

I don't know what type car cover you are getting. But rain and car covers don't usually go well together. They trap moisture and cause more problems. So be cautious.
Cleon

I'm getting this $99 one from LMC.

LMC Truck covers

I don't have a garage big enough to store the truck in, so I hope this is a good one. My wife's car takes priority for garage space especially with a 4 week old in the house.

One thing to think about when coving a truck outdoor is the bed usually turns in to a good sized (and heavy) pool. I know my patio furnature cover can fill up with just 5 gals and its a pain to unload. Might get yourself in a bind if the cover doesn't allow the water to flow through.

just make sure it all drains downhill. Put a pole in the bed that keeps the cover above the rails.

I was thinking a pole might damage it inside due to the small diamater. I would suggest a padded barstool or sawhorse or something along this line to give more support to a larger surface area. what ever you use it should be high enough to get above the rails as BIG CHEVY 36 suggested to form a slope like your house roof allowing good drainage. Just my .02

Brad

Welcome and good luck with your project. If you have any questions you picked the right place to be. Everbody here is willing and ready to help. Your truck already looks pretty good.