Hey, well I'm 15 years old (16 in a couple months) anyways I came across an old GMC pickup that I think I would like to do for my first classic restoration project. It looks like and early 60's model. I think it would be a fun project to do, I actually might be a mechanical engineer so that could also be a good project to learn some different things. Anyways I don't think it runs, I think they would sell it for about $75. Is it worth it? Where would be a good place to get an engine/tranny? Any idea on prices for engine/tranny? Also, I'll post up some pictures of it after I get back from school. -Thanks in advance!
I'd say $75.00 is worth it even if it dosen't run. The real question is, is it worth restoring. They make alot of patch panels for this truck but when it comes to a fleetside bed you are out of luck. A restoration project is not a money maker though you will put into the truck more than you can sell it for. We do it out of love of these trucks. As far as motors and trannys go it is all on how much you want to spend. Crate motors and building one your self tend to equal out if you don't have a donor motor. Building it up might be more expensive. The advantage is you get the performance you want. Start looking on E-Bay for what you might want.
just remember that GMC parts are a wee bit harder to come across (grills, some dash componets, tailgates are more expensive) But ebay is you freind, sometimes, and if you plan on restoring the gmc motor, it's a tad on the expensive side, I've got a 66 w/ a 351E v6, and parts thus far have been pricey, reason why I'm going to a 350/350 setup Tony
Welcome to the form,good place to find information you need to know about 60s Chevy &GMC trucks most everyone who knows this model of truck 60 to 66 Chevy & GMC truck era have seen the popularity of this model,are more sought after on a daily bases .
Welcome to the Forum! Some advice I would suggest to be successful in these, ( and a lot of other) projects is Learn to Budget. Assess everything that needs to be done. Assess what your skill levels are in getting everything done. If you can't do it yourself, ( I can't do bodywork & paint), then you will need to pay someone to do it. Add it to the total budget. Then determine a logical order of phases and where the project tasks fall in those phases. I recommend the order to be something like " Make it SAFE / Make it RUN / Make it Pretty ". Finally, budget each task. Your chances of successfully completing the project will be greatly increased and you will learn a lot along the way. Best of luck, and we will be here for you when those inevitable questions arise.. Val
Welcome To The Forum, Its Always Good To Hear That Someone Wants To Restore Or Hot Rod An Old Vehicle. Its Escpecially Nice To Here The Youth Say There Interested. Try Not To Do What I Did When I Was Your Age, And Still Have A Problem With. Testosteron Levels Gets To High. I Always Say Im Going To Just Restrore And Then Before I Know It, I Have Built Something That Isnt Fun To Cruise. Follow Dvalintines Guide Lines And You Will Do Great, We Are All Here For You.
Thanks for the replies and the warm welcome! I am not to woried about some of the stuff. Like the tailgate and all that yet. The front end actually looks pretty good on it yet too! I really appreciate the replies though and I'll look further into this vehical to see if I want to do it. The main reason I would though is because right now I have a 01 Cavalier and would like somehitng with a bit more power that would also be a lot of fun to drive! I know i would be sticking money into it but I think in the end it would be worth it! Thanks again, and it is raining pretty bad right now so I'll try to get some pictures tomorrow.
Alright I guess I had a chance to get a picture. Sorry it's really not a good picture but anyone tell me what year it is? Or is it worth restoring? Especially for a first project? I really like the truck and it looks like it could have some potential, but it wouldn't be to hard for a first time project would it?
well it's got a chevy hood, it's somewhere betewn a 64-66. does it have an engine and tranny, or are you going to have buy/build one, where does it have rust, and if so how bad is it? whats the wiring look like? but hey for 75 bucks i'd run with it!!!!!!!!!! just figure out what it's going to take to get it going, and go from there. , if not I'll pay you to get the grill for me...., oh and by the way I'm 25, so I know this seems like quite the task, but it's a hellva lot fun!!!! Tony
I know it has an engine/tranny but I don't know if it works? I'm going to do some research on it tomorrow. I looked at the interior and everything look like it works. Seats a bit torn up and glass from the windshield everywhere but otherwise all the dash and all looks great. The suspension looks ok to me, and the majority of the rust is by the wheel wells . All the bedwood is almost gone to but thats an easy fix. There is some rust on the hood but It didn't rust through so I could probably just sand it down a little bit and paint over it. Also, what I will probably do with the engine is a used one from a junkyard orelse a crate engine and then tune it up from there. I don't know if I want to get into building the engine, I'm good at doing body work/Paint and a lot of engine things. As far as Tte wiring, I'm not to sure about it yet. I'm going to talk to the dealership that owns it and ask him if I can check all that out. Also, here is a picture of the suspension, It all pretty much looks like this around all the wheels. Sorry it's not a very good pictue. [/IMG]
They make complete wiring kits for the less experianced electrician out there. Pretty much plug and play.
dude you need to get that body off the frame and take a real good look at it, and umm, good luck finding a gmc crate motor, and have fun with a tune, like I said some of the GMC parts are on the expensive side, and from that picture, the suspension looks like hell, like i said you really need to get in there and take a look, especially if all the bushing/beaings/brake line are shot your going to spend a ton to get it on the road, let alone safely, but thats just my 2 cents Tony
Hey Aftershock that truck is well worth saving,my Son Matthew has a 1966 c-10 longbed fleetside we will put on the road in 2007 , bought it for $200.00 dollars next post after this one I will pull it up to show you, Matthews truck motor will be v-8 283 ,bought of 62 Stepside right here Jermey,that what I like so much about this form we all have good ideas we are all very proud to hear the younger generation taking interest in Americian Muscle of the 60s Your Hood alone is worth $100.00 just sold one on here for that
sorry, I didn't want my post to seem discouraging, but you need to know the truth, it look preety good (from the picture) and a good canidate for restoration or making it a resto-mod, if you get it just be ready to jump in and spend some time getting all ready to go, it's fun and a good bit of work, but all well worth it!! Tony
Don't worry it wasn't discouraging. I appreciate the replies though. I'm pretty sure it is a 65 with the different hood because the GMC letters are red in the middle and some site said that 66 was the only year they had the red GMC letters.
When you check it out, look closely at the hinge pillars, the roof near the drip rails, and the kick panels inside the cab. If you find serious rust/rot in the hinge pillars,,,, WALK AWAY from it. The same goes for the roof. There are no patch panels for these areas so getting rid of rot would require fabrication. The roof would not be that difficult, but the hinge pillars would be a real problem. Memorize the Buyers Guide here. http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/buyers_guide_60_66.htm especially the section Known Rust Issues. Val
as far as the letter color don't take that info to heart unless you scraped a corner to check and make sure thats the real color, and not painted over! mine are/were also run the vin number, that also tell you what year it is. I've my 66 Gmc for a month and half now, and have loved every minute of it, but as far as motors go - if it's missing you need to look at your options, the gmc motors are hard to find, I can get parts for a 305 but not the 351 I have in mine, plus I re-line at 3400 and that only about 60mph on the highway in 4th gear, so thats also some thing to think about, just don't give up and think that it'll never happen, it all depends on what you want out of this!! Tony
