1964 GMC long bed fleetside Update Jan 21 2019

[bill lanfear]

I Began my sixth build for my “Day in 1979” diorama.  I wanted a GMC and being that there isn’t much out there for aftermarket conversions, I took on the challenge myself.  I am using the Revell 65 stepside for this project.  I began the transformation with building the box sides.  I have a 1:1 62 GMC long box so measurements were not a problem.  I used my older 3d printer to get the basic shape and dimensions.  Once this was done I needed to correct the wheel wells so I used the AMT 60 shortbox for the openings and grafted them onto the printed bed sides.  I used solder to get the lip on the bottom in front of the wheel openings.  After some bondo and extensive sanding, I finally had a pair of usable bedsides.  I realized I didn’t want to go through this hassle again and I plan on having another 60-66 Chevy/GMC long box so I made some molds and cast them.  I made a mold of the inner wheel wells and the tail light panels from the 60 kit as well.

 

Next up was the grill.  Again using my 1:1 for reference, I printed basically a block of plastic and literally carved the grill from it, made a mold and cast a usable piece. I still need to come up with the headlight bezels and lenses.

 

 

For the tailgate, I removed the “Chevrolet” from the 60 kits gate and made the GMC panel then put the tailgate together for a master.

 

On to the chassis.  I had to add 9mm to the wheelbase and a few mm behind the wheels to get everything lined up…still need to do some fine tuning on the wheelbase.

 

I painted the truck and began weathering it.  I started with the box and still need to do the front of the cab and hood so it looks a little clean in these pics. I made the wood bed floor out of balsa and painted/ weathered it. It is still a WIP. The 62- 66 Chevy hood is very similar to the 62-66 GMC’s and was pretty easy as all I needed to do was widen the marker lights and the vent holes. The lights themselves will be scratch built.  Here is a quick mock up. More to come as progress is made.  Hope you enjoy! Comments are welcome.  Thanks for looking!

 

 

 

Edited January 22 by bill lanfear

[espo]

Very impressive looking build. I like the bed wood, I remember old trucks that got worked to death and that is what the wood slates often looked like. I have even seen where the wood dry rotted all the way thru in places. The finish on the body looks very much like a truck that has spent it's entire life setting in the elements.   

[Lordmodelbuilder]

Looking good! You have done a nice job making your own parts.

[bill lanfear]

Thanks guys! I appreciate the kindness!

[Janne Herajärvi]

Looks great! I will eyeballing your project since im building `64 Chevy Fleetside right now.. 

[Chevythunder85]

I love the GMCs of that era. Especially the 60-61! Your truck looks fantastic. Are you going to modify the dash to the correct gmc dash?

[bill lanfear]

1 hour ago, Chevythunder85 said:

I love the GMCs of that era. Especially the 60-61! Your truck looks fantastic. Are you going to modify the dash to the correct gmc dash?

Thanks for the comment!  Yes I plan on modifying the dash...not sure exactly how yet. I also plan on making a stock 305 V6 along with the hood emblems.  I too prefer the 60-61 with the bulged hood and wrap around windshield.  I plan on using the AMT 60 Chevy cab in the future to do a mild custom GMC to represent how I will build my 1:1 62.  I am excited to here that the 60 kit is coming back on the shelves!

Edited October 13, 2018 by bill lanfear

[1972coronet]

Super nice GMC conversion , Bill !  

Are you planning to put a GMC V6 in it ?

[bill lanfear]

Small update!  I made the turn signal lenses (not easy) but they turned out ok.  Still working on the dashboard master but here is what it is at this point.  I also got valve covers made for the 305 V6.  The hood emblems were another challenge as they are only 1/4 of an inch wide, but I think I made something usable. Let me know what you think. Thanks for looking!

Edited November 4, 2018 by bill lanfear

[leafsprings]

Excellent fab work! A  conversion kit with all the  necessary pieces offered together would be a big hit! One other item that would be nice would be a small rear window conversion plate that could be glued in the back of the, IMO,  over rated big back window  option, which seems to pop up in almost every 50's-60's  Chevy pickup kit.

Edited November 4, 2018 by leafsprings

[bill lanfear]

On 10/20/2018 at 8:07 PM, 1972coronet said:

Super nice GMC conversion , Bill !  

Are you planning to put a GMC V6 in it ?

 

On 11/4/2018 at 8:21 AM, leafsprings said:

Excellent fab work! A  conversion kit with all the  necessary pieces offered together would be a big hit! One other item that would be nice would be a small rear window conversion plate that could be glued in the back of the, IMO,  over rated big back window  option, which seems to pop up in almost every 50's-60's  Chevy pickup kit.

Thanks for the praise guys, and yes I will see about putting together a mod kit for those interested.  I also have had others mention doing a back window filler so I started on one of those as well.  I have so far created masters for the tailgate, long bed fleet side (wide side) sides, 63-66 dashboard, v6 emblems, valve covers (without gmc scripts), grill, 60-65 script under grill, and back window filler.  These are parts I have created and may not be 100% accurate but they are not reproductions of other parts from previous casters.  I am new to the creating and casting thing but have had pretty good luck so far in creating my own parts and am willing to share them.  I am working on researching the v6 engine and will attempt to cast a block, heads, timing/water pump parts, and intake and exhaust manifolds. I made my own turn signal lights but am not sure if I will cast those or not.  The hood is easily modified as mentioned before so probably won’t master a hood for 62-66 GMC’s.  I might however, do a  60-61 hood if there is demand for one.  If anybody thinks of something else that is needed, please let me know and I will see about adding it to the list.

Here are some pictures of where my project is at this point.  Please forgive the crappy lighting and pictures and please don’t pay any attention to the paint and chrome faults as I have been handling this thing more than usual to test fit parts as I create them and its getting beat up in the process.  I can fix it!  I sprayed Molotow chrome for the first time through an airbrush and WOW!!!, I am impressed!  Unfortunately, I have handled the grill so much it looks terrible but I will re-shoot it when final assembly is taking place.  Here is a mock-up with the cab and box just resting on the frame (not aligned) and grill and bumper are temporarily stuck on for checking accuracy etc. Thanks for looking and let me know what you think so far.

 

[leafsprings]

Count me in on a GMC conversion kit!  All the pieces look great. There are two other small items you might want to consider to make 100% complete. The Custom trim package included a small emblem on the rear pillar behind door window and some GMC hubcaps ( basically Chevy hubcaps without the bowtie, just the GMC letters in the center)

[bill lanfear]

Thanks for the tip!  I've actually been brainstorming on how to make both of those items as my project is a custom cab and I have the 64 kit with the hub caps.  I was leaning towards a decal for the custom script as its so small, I am unsure if I can make a decent one from scratch.  I have the same issue with the gmc letters on hubcaps and valve covers.  I will experiment and see what happens!  Thanks again!

[leafsprings]

Your right, very small, decals would be great too. Here are a couple of photos of the V6 which may help. IMO, these should have been called the Y6

Edited November 22, 2018 by leafsprings

[Scalper]

wow.. the wood in the bed looks amazing.

[dodgefever]

Those conversion parts look great. I'd be interested in a set if you get some cast.  Are you planning to do the rear leaf springs too?

[bill lanfear]

5 hours ago, dodgefever said:

Those conversion parts look great. I'd be interested in a set if you get some cast.  Are you planning to do the rear leaf springs too?

Interesting!...I can't seem to confirm what years offered leafs or if they were standard and coils an option?  My 1:1 62 has coils.  Do you have any info on this?  They would be pretty easy to make for this if I can get some factual info on it. Thanks for the idea,  I didn't think of any suspension differences for GMC's v Chevy in the 60-66 yrs.

[leafsprings]

60-'62 1/2 + 3/4 tons used rear coils, '63-'66 1/2 + 3/4 tons used rear leaf springs. All 4x4 and 1 tons used rear leaf springs.

[Chariots of Fire]

That's been a lot of work but your efforts have been worth it!  You probably are aware of this by now but patience is a virtue, eh?

[bill lanfear]

Thank you everybody!  looking at the engine pics I see the one pic has the right head forward and all the other pics have the right side aft...mirrored image maybe but the alternator is on the same side.  I assume all the different displacements had the same block but different bore and stroke...probably a doctored image for an ad!  Thanks leafsprings for the pics, there are a couple I have not seen before and they will help.  On the leafs,  I found this pic with the measurements and leaf count so they will be added to the list to create!

[Lordmodelbuilder]

Any updates on this build?

[bill lanfear]

Sorry, I have not been working on this build so much as I have been working on getting all the mods fine tuned for those who want to build fleetside long beds and or GMC's.  I will get back to it eventually.  There are many parts I have been working on for the AMT and Revell 60-66 Chevrolet kits.  I had to redo the bedsides as they were a little short and had to remold them so I will correct this on my build as well.  I have also been working on 67-69 grills for the Mobius Fords and am working on making an 8ft regular bed and 73-75 and 76-77 grills for the Firestone 78 Ford and also a 8ft bed for the re-issue Fall Guy Chevy. I can't seem to upload any pics right now but will as soon as possible. Thanks

 

[bill lanfear]

This seems to be the only picture I can load!  Will keep trying.  It is a cast of the GMC dash I created.

 

 

[bill lanfear]

Shrunk down the pics so now they will load.  Here is what I have been working on for the 60-66 Chevy kits.  The v6 emblems and valve cover are printed by me using my own digital models and printer and not casts.  The v6 emblems look rough in the picture but are only 6mm wide and I had to zoom in quite a ways to capture the detail. The ridges are unnoticed to the naked eye.  I will try printing them face up like the valve cover to see if I can get better results as I am a perfectionist.  All parts are original models or modified kit parts and not re-pops of existing or long lost parts.  Still working on GMC tailgate, 305 engine, spare tire mounting hardware for the stepside fenders, back window insert, and tailight caps for the long bed sides among lots of other parts for other makes and models.  Progress is slow but steady, thanks for being patient.  Tell me how I am doing!

 

 

Edited January 22 by bill lanfear

[Lordmodelbuilder]

You have been busy! Parts all look really nice!