newbie from northern CA

rbeck204 · Post by **rbeck204** » July 19, 2011, 11:48 pm

Not only am I new to this forum, this is the first time I have ever posted to any forum. In case I screw up on protocol or other fomalities, I apologize ahead of time. I was introduced to this forum by John in Vallejo and I am excited to be here. I have a 61 short bed unibody that is just about ready for it's first road trip. Sorting out bugs and taking brave pills before I go too far from home.
I buy and sell parts for 61 to 66 trucks to pay for my project. If anyone has needs for something let me know (especially rust free CA sheetmetal).
Thank you for allowing me to introduce myself. I look forward to learning about the tricks of the trade posted here.
Rich

HiBoy63 · Post by **HiBoy63** » July 20, 2011, 12:00 am

Welcome from Washington St. Lots of nice people on this site. Dont be afraid to intro yourself in the projects area and be sure to post up lots of pics of your truck we like lots of pix. Good luck and drive it proudly.

ras4434 · Post by **ras4434** » July 20, 2011, 11:20 pm

Welcome from the green Willamette Valley.......that's what rain will do for ya.

64Ranger · Post by **64Ranger** » July 21, 2011, 5:59 pm

Welcome from sunny So Cal...

unibody madness · Post by **unibody madness** » July 30, 2011, 9:33 pm

Rich,
don't know how I missed the post, but I found you today, glad you decided to join we have a great bunch of guys on here.
Welcome vrom vallejo
Were you able to find a 223 or are you getting together with Rodger Carter?
John

rbeck204 · Post by **rbeck204** » July 31, 2011, 12:12 am

John,
i did find a complete engine/trans today in Modesto. Picked up some other nice parts while there too (hood, sutom cab floor trim, grille, etc) Will be starting to put it in in the morning.

Seems like a great bunch of guys. The info here seems bottomless. I look forward to staying involved.

BTW, how do you post pictures?

unibody madness · Post by **unibody madness** » July 31, 2011, 1:44 am

1)download your pictures to photobucket
2)place your cursor over the picture in photobucket
3) run your cursor down the list in the dropdown menu that shows up
4) click on the bottom option,img code
it will auto copy that picture file
5) hit ctrl v on the post you are writing and the picture will attach.
check by selecting preview instead of submit to make sure it worked.

Post by **Casey 65** » July 31, 2011, 1:22 pm

WELCOME from the home of Slick Stock 5

rbeck204 · Post by **rbeck204** » August 2, 2011, 1:09 am

Here is a fairly recent picture of my truck. I bead blasted and epoxy primered the truck. It is in outstanding condition. I have done absolutely no bodywork on it and I intend to leave it primered.

The doors and glass are in now.

It has a 78 Camaro subframe in the front for power sterring and poewer disk brakes and a lower stance. I also used the 78 Camaro rear end and flipped the hangers and used the stock springs.

It has a used 2006 5.3 Liter Chevy fuel injected all aluminum V8 with 4L60E overdrive trans. Computer has been re-flashed to eliminate smog codes and improve performance. I used a black box to convert the electronic speedo output (VSS) to run the stock mechanical speedo.
All stock heater, wipers, light switches etx but used aket to re-wire the entire truck.

I used the stock tank and ran a return line back fior the fuel injection.

18" tires and wheels with Ford logos in the center caps.

It runs now and I am just shaking the bugs out.

unibody madness · Post by **unibody madness** » August 2, 2011, 8:43 am

You sure are lucky to have found a body clean enough not to have a problem with body work. Did you bead blast it yourself?
It sure looks shiney for primer, what did you use? The epoxy primer used on my diff when it was blasted, did not seal the metal and is letting the rust show through
Glad you got it running, but expect a cool reception on the chevy running gear. It is however your time and money and in the finest tradition of hot rodding to do, with what you have.
John

rbeck204 · Post by **rbeck204** » August 2, 2011, 10:35 am

John,
I do expect a cool reception to the Chevy engine from the purists, but the low budget, high power build is what I'm after. To each his own.

I enjoy the building part and being able to put a mixture of parts together and see that it works out when completed. Once you see this truck in person, most people appreciate the quality of the build and don't get too hung up on mixture of parts. In the "good old days" most hot rods were a mixture of all kinds of brands.

Anyway, the truck is what I wanted to build and I enjoy it. From the posts I have read here, the writers appreciate the amount of work and effort expended by the builders, first and foremost.

Oh well, here are a couple more shots of the engine just before completion.

The epoxy priimer has a blue/gray tint and the shine is how it came from the bead blast shop. I used blast brothers in Rancho Cordova. They blast and prime.
When I got the truck, I took it straight to them before I did any work to it so I could see what I was starting with (and it was clean to work on. Price was reasonable and they were fast.

I started on this truck Feb 1, 2011 and it was running by June 15. Here is one more shot of the truck as I picked it up from the blast shop.

rbeck204 · Post by **rbeck204** » August 2, 2011, 10:37 am

Anyone going to the swap meet at ARCO (Power Balance) on August 7? I will be there with a 64 shortbed styleside and other parts for sale. I would like to meet any members that show up there. Look for me and say hi.
Rich

unibody madness · Post by **unibody madness** » August 2, 2011, 5:45 pm

Well I see you are doing a fine job and in a great amount of time.
I have tried to call you back a few times, give me a call, I have a few questions to ask.
Not sure about Arco, I tend to want to buy everything.
John

newbie from northern CA

newbie from northern CA

A picture of my truck (I hope)

Chevy in a Ford

anyone going to the swap meet at Arco 8/7?