The Stovebolt Site Forums Welcome! Welcome Centre New Bolter from NY

Hey guys,
New here and really glad I found this forum! This is my first truck out of a few classic muscle cars that Ive worked on. Still own a 1966 grand prix.

Im 22 and from NY. The truck is a 1966 c10 stepside...shortbed. The guy I bought it from told me he bought it from Columbia, South Carolina. After looking underneath I can tell from all that red southern mud that I am not used to, lol. I still have to decode the VIN to find more out about the truck.

I randomly stumbled upon this truck driving my cousin home and after I dropped him off had to get back to where the truck was parked to find the owner. Bought it about week and a half ago and already have it all stripped. Im uploading a photobucket album , although I didnt get a good full before photo, all Ive done is strip it so you can still see the excellent condition it was in.

zz3rodder pickup

In the pics you can see that there wasnt a chevy motor in it, guy said it was a cadillac big block. After removing it I ran into the only problem I have with the truck as of now, a cut-up butchered front frame =(

The pics on the photobucket are crappy, and I apoloize for that. I have since bought a new camera to document the rest. I think the lens was messed up on the old one.

Ill be posting a link to a full build thread and hopefully you guys can chime in with some advice on the my problem area of the frame and to get a good laugh at what a butch job it was.

-Pete

Hi Pete, welcome. So you're making the transition from classic cars to trucks? I have a bit of both too. Hopefully you can get that frame figured out, there are several options with that. You may want to check some of the other forums on here for what you can do. You'll meet up with some real experts, Tony works only on the 60 - 66 trucks, he's a real help, does it full time. Good luck with it.

Leo

Hi Pete, welcome from Scotland.
Like Leo says,you'll get great info and help here,and at least you're dealing with red southern mud,rather than red NY rust!

Good luck rectifying the frame,are you going to stick with the Caddy motor?
We look forward to your updates.

Thanks for the welcomes guys!

@1953panel - Yes, Im making the transition to the trucks! I like the look so much better! I had a 1972 Nova roller which I was restoring for myself to keep. It was in excellent condition and I cleaned it all up, stripped the inside etc, basically had it ready for my full resto I was going to do on it. Last minute I decided to sell it, and I had it sold in 2 days on criagslist. Was going to just focus on updating the grand prix I have which is in excellent shape, but needs some new suspension etc just easy stuff not a full resto job.

About 2 weeks after I sold the nova is when I ran across the truck and I had to have it! Originally I wanted a 1950-55 chevy truck, even before I had the nova, I just couldnt find any. Then I found the 66' and it being a stepside sold me.

And after looking at the frame again today its not as bad as I originally thought. But I look forward to meeting some of the experts on here for great advice.

@ jockbolter50 - Ill deal with mud over rust any day!

And no, I wont be sticking with the caddy motor. I dont even hav any info on it except what the guy told me that it was a caddy 502, and after some research found out caddy didnt make a 502, but in fact it was a 472? I really dont know I didnt bother much to get the numbers off the block yet, Ill do that when Im trying to sell it.

As for what will be going in the truck is the motor that was supposed to go in my nova. A GM crate ZZ3 with 345hp/400tq =)
Bought that off a guy who had it in a 1988 cutlass and supposedly twisted the frame. Got it for $1g. After inspecting it, it looks real clean under the valve covers and in the intake manifold. Was told it had less than 10k miles on it.

Welcome to the Bolt ZZ3. With your previous experience with the cars I'm sure you got this truck project well in control. Lots of good folks and information here. I think you'll love it.

Yeah, I know a lot about the RED dirt here in S.C. Been fighting it for years!! (have a sister that still lives in Columbia)

Good luck on your project and thanks for the pics. Your well on your way. See ya around the garage and don't be shy, let us know how we can help.

Thanks for the welcome! Yes, the truck is well under way as you can see from the pics! When I got it, it was a complete truck, which is no stripped down. Patiently waiting for Monday to come so I can get my body guy over here to evaluate the damage.

And yes, I see there are a ton of good people on here ready and willing to help, one of the reasons I decided to join!

And haha I've been to S.C. a couple of times, I always love seeing the red dirt haha. And no not in Myrtle Beach like most typical college kids, I was out in Columbia, Spartanburg, Greenville, and I forget the town but Lake Keowee. Love it down South!

And Thanks again, Im sure Ill deff be needing some help from you more experienced guys.

After some VIN decoding I have found out my truck is a 1964 and not a 1966!

I was just going on what the guy I bought the truck told me, that it was a '66.

Hi, ZZ3, and welcome to the site. I'm sure you've seen the special forum for us '60-'66 truck people. And like Leo said, Tony is awesome help with these trucks. I got to see one of his beaut's at the Stovebolt Reunion this summer.

Anyway, I have had a few surprises while decoding VINs and block numbers myself. All part of the mystery. lol

Looks like a great project. I like the stepsides, too. Good luck, and see you around the garage.

Welcome , Pete !

Thanks guys!