1966 Caprice LSx Swap Project: "Big Black"

[nicke]

Awesome! Keep the pics coming! I'm loving how you are setting this car up!

-Nick

[GarageToys]

Thanks Nick.

Sheetmetal is welded into the gauge cluster opening. The long speedo cluster is going to be replaced with several round gauges and the ridetech air suspension controller will be in the space on the far right where the radio used to be. I removed the factory gauge panel on top of the console and I'm planning on fitting a double-DIN radio and custom housing between the bottom of the dash and the top of the console. Hopefully.




I think once the dash is painted, there is going to be a sea of black paint. It's going to need some contrast to break it up. I was thinking of having a custom aluminum trim panel made to go behind the gauges (similar to the engine-turned panels on 70's Trans Am's-- only different). I'd like to use something like the bowtie pattern Chevy used on the 55-56 Chevy dashes.

[GarageToys]

You can also see in the above pic where the notch was filled in where the factory column shift indicator was located. There is going to be one more panel welded in the dash-- the hole for the heat/AC control panel is getting filled as it will be replaced by a Vintage Air control panel.

[Todd in Vancouver]

Nice work, it's looking good.

[67apostle]

Nice ride! I'm trying to do the same with my 67' Impala. Any advice?

[GarageToys]

Nice ride! I'm trying to do the same with my 67' Impala. Any advice?

Get a 2nd job now.

Sorry for no updates. Since February, I've done nothing to the car except sell off some extra parts. I ended up selling the 6L90e and shipping it to Texas. I've been re-doing my house instead of working on the car, but I'm jonesing to get back to the Caprice so hopefully I'll have updates again pretty soon.

[Airflow]

What a cool build with alot of great work. Will be following this build for sure!

[GarageToys]

After way too long I'm finally back at it. I've stripped the firewall down to bare metal. I've decided to keep the seam across the top and leave the stiffening ribs instead of making the entire firewall smooth. The brake booster/master cylinder will remain but the A/C box is gone in favor of Vintage Air, and the wiper motor was shaved.



After slinging the first round of mud, I'm wishing that I would've cut out the whole firewall and made it flat. I'm already tired of sanding around all the nooks & crannies 

[79loserbluebu]

Any updates? I'm doing a 66 impala wagon just like the way you are just a tad different. What wheels and brakes are you doing? I see you are using coolride in the front and relocating the shock, seems like if you are going to do big brakes it limits your options due to the wheel rubbing on the relocated shock.

[GarageToys]

To answer your questions: I have 13" front brakes from Performance Online and 12" rear discs that I believe I got from CPP long ago. Wheels will continue to be my 17" Cragar Forged SS until that lottery ticket hits.

As far as progress: The firewall is still not in primer, although I have the bodywork pretty close. I did buy my first HVLP gun and just haven't had a chance to practice with it before shooting the firewall.

I did change directions again on my dash... I picked up a 59-60 Impala dash and will fit it in place of the stocker. The 66 is actually wider so it doesn't have to be sectioned and narrowed. I'll need to add about an inch of metal per side.

[PPG TRIGGER MAN]

Hey Kevin, love the build! I've always been into the bigger cars too. The vintage air stuff interests me ,as I'm doing a 62 Buick LeSabre right now,and haven't installed one before. I also ran into a shock placement challenge after installing the bags. I'll be watching. Bryan

[Radlark]

Love this build I am thinking of trading my 61 Belair wagon (PROJECT) for a stock daily driven 67 Caprice!!!

[79loserbluebu]

Glad you are still active with the build. Do you have a part number for the vintage air you will be using?

[krobin]

Very nice! Appreciate you sharing your build. Had a 66 and sold it to pay for a retirement move. Wasn't exactly the car I wanted or wanted to build. So, have been searching and found the one to rescue. Sent you a pm. Would like to pick your brain...as mine is too small...and I don't want to make it that evident to the whole world. Nice car. Enjoy what you have done so far.

[Motown 454]

Nice build. I love the roof line on the Caprice. But then again I remember them when they were new. It swallows up that six speed pretty good.

[cbpldc]

Love the dash! That will look really cool!

Chris

[Mr. White]

It's nice to see other big body cars on bags, nice build, looking forward to more updates!

[GarageToys]

Do you have a part number for the vintage air you will be using?

It's the #671400-VUZ, which is a Vintage Air Gen IV Magnum Universal system.

[GarageToys]

I cleaned out my garage a while back and found my '66. I disassembled the doghouse (which was taken off as one unit) so I could gain some floor space. Once the fenders were detached, I hung them on the car for mockup. The inner fender rubs the tire on full drop, so I'll have to work that out. [EDIT: No problem, no shims have been installed yet and the alignment is way off. Tires should camber-in on full drop and right now the wheel is level on full drop and cambered out when raised. It'll be fine once aligned correctly]. It was cool to see it looking more like a car again.




I also got the firewall in epoxy primer. Next step is to clean and paint the front frame and suspension (and firewall) so I can get the engine in the car for good.

[GarageToys]

I decided to remove the vinyl top glue because I couldn't look at it any longer. That 3M adhesive remover and a Scotch-Brite really did the trick, but it gives you a pretty good head rush if you don't have proper ventilation. Don't be like me- open the garage door. ;)

3 guesses as to which color the car was from the factory. It kinda looks like a police car now, but I'll be painting the roof black before it goes back together. The vinyl top will not be making a return.