Project '64
 

I have owned Chevy trucks for years, and have had most all of the styles except oddly enough, my favorite one, the 60-66 version. I've seen some nice ones but it always seemed like there was something around the house that needed my attention (and money) more, so I always passed. I've always been keeping an eye open for one, but because I have so many other projects, it had to be cheap and close by. I'm always looking through Craigslist for parts, and always look through the local area for Chevy trucks. Well, last Thursday, I stumbled on an ad that read, "1964-to1966 Chevy truck", and it was 8 miles from house and it was listed at $300. Needless to say, my Spidey Sense was tingling, and I had to go and look at it.

The owner was a guy going to school full-time who had no money, and the truck was constantly being bounced from friend's house to friend's house because he had no place to keep it. It was at a cousin's house who was going to be evicted, so the seller was desperate. While I was looking at the truck, HE was knocking the price down. I stayed quiet and cordial, and finally he got down to $200 and I just reached over and shook his hand and said I would take it. He was a nice kid, and I wasn't going to let him whittle down his profit anymore.

The truck wound up being a 1964, 3/4 ton. The engine is missing, the 4-speed trans is still in it, and the interior is complete. The body has definately seen better days, but the thing that sealed the deal was the fact that it had factory in-dash air and tinted windows. I've never seen in-dash air on a '64 because I was always under the impression that the in-dash A/C option didn't come out until '65. This thing has all of the A/C-specific holes in the firewall so that leads me to believe that it's all original. I'm going to pick it up in a few hours, and after I get it home, I'm going to do some more investigation because the A/C has really got my interest. Anyway, enough of the BS. Here's the pictures:

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...vyTruck004.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...vyTruck003.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...vyTruck002.jpg

It's also got 3 tanks and they are all still in the truck. For starters, it needs a new grille, marker lights, hood hinges, rear window, taillight lenses. It's also missing the A/C stuff on the firewall on the engine side.

I have a '79 Suburban (454, th400, disc brakes, power steering, A/C) that is going to be the donor to get this truck back on the road. I want to build a cool Home Depot hauler and parts chaser. I am naming this truck Project Cheapskate because I want to spend as little as possible. I plan on hitting the swapmeets, wrecking yards, and Craigslist for parts, and I am going to utilize a lot of parts I already have. I am going to sell off or trade a lot of my excess parts to buy what I need, and trade work with friends to get anything else. This is going to be fun.........

Re: Project '64 Cheapskate
 

That is a nice looking starter truck. With the amount of knowledge you have you should be able to build a very nice truck on a small budget. Good luck and keep posting pictures.

Re: Project '64 Cheapskate
 

Thanks, Mike!

Re: Project '64 Cheapskate
 

Nice find and for the price you can't go wrong. I have only seen a few factory AC 60/66 trucks before. Considering how many of these trucks don't have factory air it's a rather rare opition back in the day and your looks like it is the orginal. So what's your plans?

Re: Project '64 Cheapskate
 

My plans are to use the '79 Suburban as the donor (454/th400/power steering/entire front suspension, brakes and hard lines, and anything else I can use). I am also going to find the missing pieces I need like marker lights, taillight housings, etc, by hitting the swapmeets, wrecking yards, and even using other people's junk items and restoring them. I'm not building a show truck. I just want to make a very solid, dependable parts chaser using all used OEM parts that are readily available.

I'll restore it in the future, but I've found over the years that the quickest way to have your project get way out of hand, over budget, and over schedule is to try to eat the elephant in one bite. Plus, the vehicles I've had the most fun with were the ones that were a little rough around the edges but had super dependable drivetrains.

Re: Project '64 Cheapskate
 

Hey your truck was a good deal. I see parts around for cheap so that shouldent be a problem. Not too much rust either...

Re: Project '64 Cheapskate
 

Had a good day today. Found a complete aluminum stock grille with buckets, bezels, and headlights for $90 on Craigslist and drove to Anaheim to get it. On the way back, I hit the Truck Shop in Orange and picked up a rear window and seal, and some taillight lenses.

When I got back, a buddy dropped over and said that he might have some of the other parts I need in his scrap pile, and told me he would take a look when he had time.

A very good day!

Re: Project '64 Cheapskate
 

Nice truck looks awsome...I am just redoing a pro street 66......maybe when we get both of them done we can have a go ...chuckles. Seriously great job really like what you have going on there.

Re: Project '64 Cheapskate
 

Had to work on Sunday, and wound up checking out a wrecking yard in Lancaster that's kind of on my way home. I walked through and found nothing, but on my way out, I saw a '63 C-20 longbed in the holding area. I talked to the yard foreman about when the truck was due to hit the yard, and he said "Tuesday afternoon".

So, I went to work early to offset the time, and I split at 1pm. Went to the yard, and it wasn't out yet, so I waited like an expectant father until it came out. Once it did, I jumped on it like a rat on a cheeto. The body was pretty beat, but complete. The interior was stripped out, not much there.

I grabbed a pair of hood hinges, both aluminum headlight bezels, both front marker light assemblies, both rear taillight assemblies, driver's armrest, and a perfect tailgate w/chains and trunions for a grand total of $127.00

I plan on going back to grab the fender extensions, the upper and lower valences, and possibly the steering column (automatic).

It's still got the custom cab front windshield stainless trim and sail panels (It's a '63). Unfortunately, the steering wheel was gone.

Re: Project '64 Cheapskate
 

So you are starting this sickness again huh.lol On to another project? Yeah you've got it bad my friend.lol Good luck with her, I'm sure she will be really nice when done.

Re: Project '64 Cheapskate
 

You found me, Kabwe....I'm guess I'm busted, huh? Psst..don't tell any of the guys on the 55-59 forum that Ive been two-timing them over here.

I'm still focused on the '55, but I'm going through that fun phase when you get a new project and you learn tons of cool stuff everyday. I'm building the truck that will haul the parts for the '55 around.

Re: Project '64 Cheapskate
 

The weather was awful today, with 34 degree temps and a stiff 20mph wind, but I still got to work on the 'ol beater. I spent the last few days cleaning and detailing some of my wrecking yard parts, and today I put them on.

The first thing I did was to remove both broken hood hinges and replace them with the 2 excellent ones I bought for $9 each at Pick-A-Part. Then, I installed the front marker lights that I paid $8 each for. I buffed the lenses and straightened out the bezels and hit them with some double-o steel wool. The hood opens and closes sooo nice now.
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...slist001-1.jpg

Then I moved to the rear and installed the $51 tailgate and the $6 taillights. The girl at the counter at Pick-A-Part felt bad for me and discounted the taillights because the bezels were wasted. After about 40 minutes of hammer and dolly work and some steel wool, they look pretty decent.
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...slist003-1.jpg

I'm still working on the grille, so I wasn't able to install it yet. I pulled off one of the fender extensions and plan on doing some welding on it to fix an ugly area where the camper support struts went through it. Plenty of things to do!

Re: Project '64 Cheapskate
 

Nice work man! It's nice that you found a truck this vintage in a pick a part. It is pretty rare, it seems to me, to find anything pre-'75.

Re: Project '64 Cheapskate
 

Man, that is so true. But if you've got a late-80s/early 90s GM front wheel drive car, it must be pure heaven. The secret of the self-service yards is just keep hitting them and if you're lucky, you'll get to the good parts before it becomes stripped-out carcass.

I found that '63 by pure luck. I'm going back on Friday to see what's left. Might be ugly........especially if the scavengers tried to gut the interior armed with only a cresent wrench and a claw hammer, which is very common out here.

Re: Project '64 Cheapskate
 

:lol:Seriously. And now that saws-all's are easier and cheaper to get, it is even more dangerous out there.

Re: Project '64 Cheapskate
 

This truck lived a hard life, and had a cabover camper for a good part of it's life that caused a lot of issues. The rear cab mounts are broken, and there are areas all over the truck where the metal is torn because of the forward camper support struts and the spare tire that was mounted in front of the grille. I grabbed the driver's side cowl extension to show you some of the damage:
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...igslist004.jpg

The metal is torn badly, and the previous owner drilled numerous holes. The paint on the truck is original, and I want to save what's there because I like the patina. This repair is going to be tricky because I have to hammer and dolly the metal back into place, shrink the stretched areas, make a few patches, and at the same time save as much of the original paint as I can. I saw a link on this site about a guy in Texas who used CLR and a Scotchbrite on his '59 ElCamino with AMAZING results, so I just had to try it for myself:
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...igslist006.jpg

CLR is amazing! I used very little with some hot water and just light hand pressure on the Scotchbrite.
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...igslist007.jpg

As soon as it warms up I'm doing the entire truck!!! I'm still working on the repair of the cowl extension, and I'll post more pics soon.

Re: Project '64 Cheapskate
 

Here is the panel after I did a bunch of hammer and dolly work and slowly stitched the torn areas back together. I drilled about 15 .098 holes to stop-drill all of the cracks. The cracks had spread everywhere. Getting it all dollied and stitched back together helped get the outer shape back to where it needed to be. I'm still deciding on whether to make the patch panels the circular shape or just cut a large square panel that fixes them in one shot. The skin was also torn around the edge of the entire area where it meets the cowl, an area about 10" total. I still have to fill the 1/2" hole in the front corner, but that'll be a snap.
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...slist014-1.jpg

Re: Project '64 Cheapskate
 

You have way to much timne on your hands. :-)
I need to locate a project like this but with a little less damage on it b/c I am not as handy at the metal work as you are.
Do you still have the Camaro on your car lot? :-)

Nate

Re: Project '64 Cheapskate
 

Tuning in for this one. :metal:

Re: Project '64 Cheapskate
 

nate95gsr-
You are very sneaky, so be careful, I know where you live :lol:
If the word gets out to Lynn (my wife, your sister-in-law) that I own this truck, you will never get a Christmas card again........Right now, it's Top Secret. When I get it running, I'll break the news to her and tell her that we can use it to help landscape the yard. Until then.....shhhhhhh.

Re: Project '64 Cheapskate
 

I have an idea for a truck I want to run by you soon since it seems that getting my hands on a 68-72 SWB is going to be next near impossible for the money I want to spend. I don't know if it will work or not. I will try to give you a call this weekend.
Your 55 is looking kick ass with the wheels and all of the awesome metal work on it. I showed some pics of it to a guy I work with who was amazed.
Also I will be hush hush with this truck stuff to Lynn but how much is it worth to you? ;) j/k

Nate

Re: Project '64 Cheapskate
 

I really like the motorcycle turn lights..lol

that truck looks better already...looks like a great truck..I am jealous it has AC...wish my 62 did

keep up the work, u got an engine for it yet ?

Re: Project '64 Cheapskate
 

I would gladly donate the rear motorcycle lights to your project. I've looked at those things numerous times and shook my head, but never put two and two together and figured that they were motorcycle turn signals. Knowing my luck, I'll give them away and then find out that they are ultra-rare lights worth $500.

As far as the engine, the truck with get a complete drivetrain and suspension transplant from a '79 Suburban I have stashed away. It ought to ride and drive pretty nice when it's done.

Re: Project '64 Cheapskate
 

I love it! but why? oh why? cant we just finish the ones we already have started! huh, I have a wife who would love to own that truck! great score I love the feeling of a new toy! as for my 57 its sitting in the snow bank and the 72 im beginning to burn out on! need summer. looking at my 48 chevy yesterday and was really tempted to take it for a little cruise, but a few more weeks and the snow will be gone. enjoy your new toy!

Re: Project '64 Cheapskate
 

Hang in there, brother. Warm weather is coming soon. I love your projects, and was wondering how you're doing. Hadn't heard from you lately.

I stumbled on this one. I've been collecting parts, but haven't had much time to work on it. This entire month has been full of issues, like the complications from the wife's surgery, crazy work schedule, and the fact that my Civic got totalled on Thursday. I t-boned a drunk driver who made an illegal u-turn in front of me. I was running at about 55 mph when I tagged him. Right now, I feel like I got ran over by a bus. Could have been a whole lot worse. I'm glad to be above ground, most of all.

Re: Project '64 Cheapskate
 

Glad to hear your doing well.....sounds like it was a bad crash...It cracks me up when I read your posts about hide'n trucks and stashed parts...lol.....reminds me of the old days before i ex'd that issue..lol..Now I have to hide my friends projects at my house and park mine at their place so their wives don't know who has what.... you have some great projects and you can come to my shop and hit steel anytime. I wish i could do that kind of body work, it's on my list of things to learn after I get the second phase of my shop finished. Keep up the good work

Re: Project '64 Cheapskate
 

Sorry to hear about your car accident I hope all is well. But I must tell you that you Sir will been known for now on among us 55-59 chevy truck guys as the Terrell Owens of classic trucks. Talented but not a team player.lol We have been waiting on you to finish your truck and you have abandoned us for this C20.lol

On a serious note, I hope things return to normal for you soon. Good luck buddy.

Re: Project '64 Cheapskate
 

Terrell Owens!! That's too funny. Do I whine and complain that much???:lol:

Seriously, I haven't done anything truck related since the accident. All of the paperwork and doctor and chiropractor appointments, along with my normal crazy work schedule, takes up almost all of my time lately. I leave the house at 3:30 am in the morning and finally get home at around 6:30 pm almost every night. It's wearing me down, big time. It's frustrating because I have so many things to do, but just don't have the time or energy. That should change soon, though.

I'm getting a lot of ribbing from my local buddies, too. They are asking the same questions. I can't wait to get back on the '55 again. In the meantime, I get on this site everyday and check on everybody else's projects. It keeps me motivated until the time when I can jump back on my own stuff. The weather is too nice to be inside!

Your 55-59 project is one of those things that keeps me motivated.

Re: Project '64 Cheapskate
 

well glad to see your ok! Ive been in a few accidents caused by others and I can relate to the neck and back issues. well between work and family, Im a happy man, but need a new set of wheels on the road for summer. theres a lot of new cars in town. most guys here talk the talk then run down south and buy a finished car!!! then try and convince everyone that they built it. lol Its a small town and everyone knows everyone, so come on guys.lol got my 48 out two days ago and been driving it around, but im bored with it. installed new gauges on friday, but the lust is gone on this one. the sad part is I could get a good dollar for it, but this is the one my wife is in love with. I try to talk her into letting me bodywork and paint it, but the answers the same every time!! go play with something else and leave the rat rod alone. would like to finish the 72, but ive spend a lot and I mean a lot of money on it lately, and have all my parts now minus exterior trim, bumpers, interior seat foam and carpet,ect...... well my friend lets just keep on truckin!! cheers

Re: Project '64 Cheapskate
 

How many gallons do the side tanks hold. I am look at my options to move the gas tank out of the cab.
Thanks Jeff.

Re: Project '64 Cheapskate
 

I've been pretty busy lately on work stuff and finally had some time to do a little work on the old beater. I went to Wal-Mart and bought a few gallons of Purple Power and fired up the pressure washer and went to work. The truck had dirt and grease caked so bad that it took multiple applications to get most of it off. I need to get a pressure washer with more psi, or get Brad's steam cleaner fixed. After cleaning it up, it was pretty obvious that this poor truck had been seriously abused by the previous owners. I'll treat it right.

Underneath the hood, it went from this:
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...vyTruck005.jpg

To this:
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...igslist049.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...igslist048.jpg

You can see the hack job on the A/C holes in the firewall that the dealership did back in '64. I was told that the A/C in the '64 trucks were not installed on the assembly line, but at the dealerships. Disregard the block-off plates. I found those (in white even!) at a local wrecking yard and they are merely serving the purpose of sealing the firewall from dust and critters.

I'm going to keep plugging away and get more stuff done. Next step will be to install the new rear window glass and continue cleaning. The inside of that thing is NASTY.

Re: Project '64 Cheapskate
 

Jeff-
I'm really not sure how much they hold. Maybe someone else on the board might know? I'd say somewhere in the neighborhood of 15-20 gallons each?

Re: Project '64 Cheapskate
 

Got a lot done today. Cleaned all the junk out of the bed, took the seat and tank out to clean the cab floor, replaced the broken glove box door, and installed the new rear window glass.

I've done a few rear windows in some of my later trucks, but have never done a window with a lock strip. Man, what a pain. I was planning on trying to do the windshield myself, but after today, I'm calling somebody who does that stuff for a living.

Next on the list: Finish the cab floor, re-install the tank, CLR the inside of the cab, re-install the seat. Pull out the old 4-speed, cut the old exhaust out.

Re: Project '64 Cheapskate
 

Pictures:
Up on the patio and out of the dirt
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...slist050-2.jpg

New rear glass installed
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...igslist056.jpg

Gutted all the nasty stuff out of the interior. It had sat without a rear window for probably 15 years and it had about 30lbs of dirt inside.
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...igslist053.jpg

Driver's side floor. A few tiny pinholes, but mostly surface rust from water being trapped under the floor mat.
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...igslist054.jpg

I was able to clean out the gas tank, so the next step is re-mount it and keep knocking stuff off the list. I am debating on whether to keep the saddle tanks or remove them. I don't plan on using them, and they are just extra weight.

Re: Project '64 Cheapskate
 

I worked on the 'ol '64 today with the intention of re-installing the tank. I went to Napa and bought a section of fuel hose for the filler neck only to find out the Chevy used a hose that is 2 different sizes on the ends. Oh well.....I didn't let that slow me down so I continued cleaning up the inside and decided to CLR the passenger side of the truck. I was amazed. See for yourself:

Before:
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...slist050-2.jpg

And After:
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...igslist061.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...igslist062.jpg

It looks like somebody shot him in the butt with some bird shot! Jealous husband perhaps?:lol:
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...igslist064.jpg

I did a real quickie CLR job, and I plan on finishing the rest of the truck and then going back and working all of the little areas. One thing I couldn't help noticing was all the little dents I found when I was doing this. This poor truck was was used and abused. Now, I have to think of what shop logo I'm going to go with. I have a few in mind.

Re: Project '64 Cheapskate
 

Wow. Still not bad for $300 though? I can't wait to hear the shop names you come up with. Should be interesting.

Nate

Re: Project '64 Cheapskate
 

I actually got it for $200. AND it came with the factory underdash ash tray that can fetch over $200 on ebay. I couldn't pass on the truck.

Still undecided on whether to use a real race team logo or a made-up shop logo. Haven't decided yet. Whatever it is, I'm thinking about using red and black as the colors because the truck has a red outline border around the side trim that someone painted years ago. The paint is pretty faded, so I'm going to have to rub off almost all of the logo to make it look aged. I'm still up in the air about wheels and tires, but those alone will make a huge difference in the look of the truck. Gotta have a '60s vibe........

By the way, Happy Father's Day little brother!

Re: Project '64 Cheapskate
 

well for $200 is even better. one question, are you going to lower it or let it be?

also, happy belated fathers day to you to big brother.

Re: Project '64 Cheapskate
 

Cant go wrong for $200.00

Re: Project '64 Cheapskate
 

Very true. The truck has the hard-to-find factory underdash ashtray, which the A/C trucks had, and I have seen them sell for well over $250 by themselves. Before I went to go look at the truck, the owner had said that it had all the A/C stuff in it, so I was skeptical. When I got there, I peeked into the window and saw the A/C ducts and the ashtray and immediately knew that I was not leaving until that truck was mine.

I always make the joke that I went to go buy an ashtray and the guy threw in the truck to sweeten the deal.....