newbie intro, Austin TX, family heirloom truck!
 

Greetings from Austin, Texas! My name is Jeff, and I just got a 1978 "Heavy Half" Longbed w. 110,000 original miles. Here is its story:


My grandfather (RIP) bought this truck brand-new in 1978. It was the last vehicle he owned.

My grandfather (my mom's father) served in WW2 as a machinist's mate and later went on to own his own machine shop. He remained in the Navy reserves through the rest of his life, and (very long story very short) fell ill about the same time I was born. I remember him walking, but once I was about 5-6 years old he was bedridden. He died when I was 16 of complications from a concussion (fell from his wheelchair, very sad story).

Fast forward to present day. I just got home from a Memorial Day lake trip, freshly sunburned, and I get an email from my uncle (my mom's brother). He said he's taken care of my grandfather's truck since 1980 (when my grandfather was last able to drive), maintained it, etc, and just bought a new truck, and that he has no use for it anymore but would rather see it go to a family member than sell it. The truck is in perfect running condition, even the a/c works (and has been converted to modern coolant). It's a 350 V-8 w/ a new 4 barrel carb and a new cam.

I said I'm not in a position to buy a vehicle, but I'd love to have it for sentimental reasons, along with the fact that I'm about to remodel a house with my future-father-in-law (a house I plan to buy from him), so between the move and the remodel of the house, the truck would come in very handy. He said, "well, I was hoping you'd want it, and I'd like to get $1 for it."

Yes, one dollar!

Anyway, it ain't pretty, but it belonged to my grandfather, and I remember being a little kid looking at it thinking it was the coolest truck in the world. Talking with my uncle about the ol' truck brought back a flood of memories I hadn't revisited in many many years. Needless to say, today was better than Christmas morn' to me. I'm picking up the truck next weekend and I can't wait to restore it to its former glory. I'm very excited about having this old truck:

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j1...ine/papaf1.jpg

I have big plans for it. I've been wanting an old single cab long bed truck for a long time, and I can't wait to get my hands (and wrenches) on this one.

I plan on doing the bodywork and restoring the interior first, as it is mechanically sound right now. I also want to drop it 2-3", and then do some engine mods.

Nice forum y'all have here, I'm glad to be on it!

Re: newbie intro, Austin TX, family heirloom truck!
 

Hey, Jeff, nice project you have there. Welcome, from central Indiana.

Re: newbie intro, Austin TX, family heirloom truck!
 

:welcome2: from a fellow Texan!:D

Re: newbie intro, Austin TX, family heirloom truck!
 

Awesome story! Welcome from Arizona!!

Re: newbie intro, Austin TX, family heirloom truck!
 

:welcome2: from Knoxville Tn....

Re: newbie intro, Austin TX, family heirloom truck!
 

Welcome to the board from a fellow Texan

Re: newbie intro, Austin TX, family heirloom truck!
 

:welcome2:from Ca.:chevy:

Re: newbie intro, Austin TX, family heirloom truck!
 

Welcome from Knoxville TN!!!

Re: newbie intro, Austin TX, family heirloom truck!
 

Cool! Looks like a good solid truck to start with. Welcome to the board and more pictures are always welcomed.:D Don't forget to keep us posted on your progress!

Re: newbie intro, Austin TX, family heirloom truck!
 

nice story and good to hear youre gona keep the truck goin

welcome to the board

Re: newbie intro, Austin TX, family heirloom truck!
 

I finally got the truck this afternoon. I couldn't stop grinning the whole 2 hours home! To my pleasant surprise the a/c blows nice and cold, the brakes grab HARD (like better than my '06 jetta!?!?) the power steering is nice and smooth, and the 350 puts out good power. I was expecting a really slow pig and it goes pretty well!

The interior is a lot better than I expected, but the body looks like hell. It really needs a lot of body work. At least, it needs a passenger side 1/4 panel, a new bed (or bed side, or serious massaging), and a lot of TLC.

I plan on working on the bodywork first, as everthing else is basically ok. It runs great!

Once I got home I took the ol' lady and the 6 year old for a ride around town. Sure was fun! Patsy Cline's version of "Crazy" came on the radio, it couldn't have been better!

I'm happy!

Re: newbie intro, Austin TX, family heirloom truck!
 

Welcome to the board from West Tennessee.

Re: newbie intro, Austin TX, family heirloom truck!
 

Welcome to the board from South Mississippi!:D

Re: newbie intro, Austin TX, family heirloom truck!
 

:welcome2: from CT! Its always nice to keep things close and in the family if possible. Sentimental value is priceless!

Frank

Re: newbie intro, Austin TX, family heirloom truck!
 

I put the ol' truck to work yesterday. I cut down some trees and hauled them off.

new pics:

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j1...theoltruck.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j1...ndhistruck.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j1...e6-1-08013.jpg

Re: newbie intro, Austin TX, family heirloom truck!
 

Great back story on your truck. I have my grandpa's truck, also. And it looks like we both have our work cut out for us on these old rides.

By the way, welcome to the board from NWest Austin

Re: newbie intro, Austin TX, family heirloom truck!
 

imagine that, 2 guys w/ their grandpa's old trucks in Austin. Howdy neighbor.

Sounds like a country song!

Re: newbie intro, Austin TX, family heirloom truck!
 

:welcome2: to the board from Mid-MO!!!

You'll find this place to become your second home. There's tons of information, friends, parts, .... and so much more.

Just to wanted to bring this to your attention....

2008 Board Meet in Big Sandy, TN

Re: newbie intro, Austin TX, family heirloom truck!
 

WELCOME from ATLANTA ,Ga

Re: newbie intro, Austin TX, family heirloom truck!
 

Welcome from West KY....

Great story, too...

Re: newbie intro, Austin TX, family heirloom truck!
 

Welcome from FT Worth TX.

Re: newbie intro, Austin TX, family heirloom truck!
 

Welcome to the boards

Re: newbie intro, Austin TX, family heirloom truck!
 

Welcome to the board from Philadelphia. Thanks for sharing that great story. Good luck with both of your projects!

My 6 & 8 year old daughters love my truck, too. Eyes wide, big grins!

Your grandfather sounds like he was a good guy-

-Todd

Re: newbie intro, Austin TX, family heirloom truck!
 

Welcome from Western Kentucky.

Re: newbie intro, Austin TX, family heirloom truck!
 

Welcome from Lebanon, Ohio!