1966 custom cab short
 

Bored at work today figured I’d start a thread about my latest build . 66 c10 custom cab short fleet . I’m going to try to keep this one as original as possible unlike the other two I’ve built with ls engines , turbo and lowered etc . The truck was really all original so going to keep it that way . Leaving the outer paint as much as possible. I still luv the old paint/patina look. Maybe one day this one will get full paint when I retire .
I bought truck out of Sacramento last year and ended up getting it shipped up because of covid . The cab was in really good shape In the lower areas but after blasting a lot of cab I seen rot in upper areas . I was kinda surprised coming from California I figured it would of been drier.
Anyways here’s some pics of build. I started on all the mechanical early winter and the metal work in late January I think . Haven’t worked on it as much at all this summer but getting back at it again. It’s coming along and all the hard dirty work is pretty much done :)

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Pulled engine after running it abit found the block was cracked. Then one thing led to another and figured I myswell tear whole truck down lol . The block was dated 1966 and I ended up finding the same numbered 283 engine long block for $300 Got the frame etc blasted and I coated it with endura epoxy .
Went through the engine and heads and refreshed pretty much everything . Same with all the brakes and suspension and the power assist

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

The easy work

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Like most of you know this is when the real dirty work starts and many hours of welding fitting and grinding . Lower floor area was really good for most part had to do usual inner outer rockers, a pillar , one b pillar patch , kick panels , some toe board. Then the upper areas which I didn’t expect to have to do :(

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

An more cutting and welding. The drivers door was bashed in pretty good I tried to find another blue door but after looking for awhile I ended up taking it to a body guy I know an he got most of the damage out . That was way beyond my skills was worth the $100 I paid him

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

awesome... you got my attention with the STOCK build. i love factory stock. i have a 58,000 mile all stock 65

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Passenger side didn’t have as much rust as usual

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Yes Im with you on the stock look. Your truck sounds like a gem . I lowered my 65 quite abit and did a ton of other changes. The rough ride gets old after awhile

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Then the cab corners and all of the rear lower cab flange was pretty rotted so did it all. Getting better and the cab corners and not warping warping everything lol

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Next all the upper rot . Pulled roof skin , seen all the rot from inside so replaced whole outer eyebrow , a big patch above windshield on inner panel . Then saw some rot above the back window and more on the rear over hang outside back panel . Lucky I had a donor truck to get some patches off and I used the roof skin off of it too . Guy gave me the whole truck he just wanted it off his property .

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

More cutting and hacking . I used 3m adhesive and a few spot welds to secure roof skin . Saved me a ton of welding

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Roof back on and inner patch almost done above back window

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Thats some great work. :)

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Thanks

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Last of the patches done :) now on to some easier stuff . Sealed and used raptor bedliner on bottom of floor and will epoxy up all welded areas and start body work . Hope to get some colour on inside of cab before the cold weather comes

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

I am doing the same thing you are with the patina. Mine is blue and white also. What are you plans for the door jams? I cant decide if I want to paint the door jams or just leave them. I am going to repaint all the interior and do the same floor work you have done. Great work by the way it is looking great

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Thanks ! I’ll check your thread out. On my 65 and my wife’s 61 I did all same work except ls engines etc and I left the door jams the original old paint but this truck I’m going to do the door jams as it will save some work if I decide to paint the outer body down the road . The inner doors will get full paint like my other trucks to match the new interior paint .

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

i really like your build and i think you are knocking the rust repair out of the park.your cab looks really nice.i was wondering if the outer floor panels that you used are short at the bottom where the rocker spot welds back on the bottom lip.i remember you saying when you put the full floor in the red truck that the bottom of the floor needed a small strip added to it.

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Yes thanks on the home stretch now. I thought about doing full paint a few times but I lose patience and its way more $$ and time. One day I'll paint one. Yes ive had to add a small strip to the inner floor on my wifes 61 and should of did it on my red 65. This truck it was only short about a 1/8" or so towards the front of the rocker so i left it as is

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Really like your build plans.

Kudos on the cab rust repair! I've been doing a lot of the same work and understand the challenges.

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Finally getting some colour on. Been working 13 hour nightshifts the last 4 weeks, 6 on 1 off shutdown schedule so not much shop time lately. I have another month to go on nights :(

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Looks great! :chevy:

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

I'm liking this build and you're doing a fine job of it. Preserving most of the outside paint yet fixing all the rust has always been a big challenge to me. Knowing when to stop and how to blend the paint, that's the hard part. You are doing great and looking forward to your progress.

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

purdy!

Re: 1966 custom cab short
 

Looks really good! Another fellow Albertan here. If you need a hand, my better half is in Sherwood park, so I'm there all the time. I'd gladly come help out if needed. I absolutely love the blue and white trucks. fantastic progress so far.