Preservation not restoration Martino build
 

Hello to everyone I am posting a new build thread for my 1967 gmc 1 ton truck. It's a all original never been touched old mason truck only thing not original is the seat and bed floor. It has a 305e V6, 4 speed trans and a ho72 rear with 5.14 gears. I want to rebuild everything that is struturaly bad and repair it to make the truck as solid as it was when new. All the rust has made the bed and boxes weak. I am trying to only fix what needs it and save the patina and then have it clear coated after all repairs are completed.

Re: Preservation not restoration Martino build
 

Sent out all the drawings of patch panels to rebuild the backs and bottoms of boxes all the structural rot. Gave them to local metal supply shop that bends and cuts steel also so should have a great patch panel to use in about a week. Carslie spring opening is next weekend gonna try to find bedsides to use as patch panels as well.

Re: Preservation not restoration Martino build
 

Also looking to put all original parts back on the truck but missing the wheel caps have the wheels if anyone has them I will buy them. Hopefully they will be in PA next weekend

Re: Preservation not restoration Martino build
 

Started taking the left box apart to assess the rot damage on back and bottoms, there was nothing g left holding the boxes on but rust. I have the new panels comming next week, I cut all the spot welds and removed most of the back and bottom left some of it to hold the shape. Once the new panels are in they will look the same as before but have structure again

Re: Preservation not restoration Martino build
 

I'm Sub'ed.
I hope you find your hubcaps.
That will top it off with that nice original work horse look.

Re: Preservation not restoration Martino build
 

Thank you I hope I find them too I want to keep it all original and put the original wheels and everything back on and I'm trying very hard to save all the patina and not fix anything you can see. It's very hard to not fix the rockers and cab corner that's all the cab needs to be perfect and I'm trying to talk myself out of it and leaving the rust alone lol

Re: Preservation not restoration Martino build
 

Started replacing metal today in spots that I can patch easily the big panels are still being made and can't wait for them to get in so I have referance points again. This spot will have to be faked as original because you can see it but I will patina it up afterwards. Looks much better than the rot holes at least.

Re: Preservation not restoration Martino build
 

Thank you gym locker.

Re: Preservation not restoration Martino build
 

Good Idea using the locker.
Looks good.

Re: Preservation not restoration Martino build
 

Same guage steel and the bends where the perfect shape and measurements couldn't pass up not having to form my own shape from flat stock.

Re: Preservation not restoration Martino build
 

Good morning all, great news today all the custom made patch panels from dutchess metal supply are done and I brought them home and did a quick test fit without cutting out the old rotten steel and they fit amazing. They did a great job fit like they where suppose to only down side is I went with 16 guage steel instead of 18 hopefully it won't be a bear to weld the two together.

Re: Preservation not restoration Martino build
 

Did you purchase this from grump truck? Or did you change your name?

Re: Preservation not restoration Martino build
 

I purchased it from grump truck a few weeks ago

Re: Preservation not restoration Martino build
 

Awesome, glad it's being saved
Good luck with it. Keep up the good work

Re: Preservation not restoration Martino build
 

It's a tough build to try and save the patina I've had 3 of these trucks and I've never had a harder time then just this tool box lol. It's rotten beyond repair really but if it takes 3 months that's what I will do I love to utility body look and never had one

Re: Preservation not restoration Martino build
 

Done for today a little bit at a time bottom is tacked in ready for the back to go on soon

Re: Preservation not restoration Martino build
 

Some more progress today, got the right side bottom all tacked in and the back of the box also tacked in. Just have to bend the side flaps back over the back and replace some rust and the back will be done. Still have the other bottom plate to do but not too much left.

Re: Preservation not restoration Martino build
 

Some pics

Re: Preservation not restoration Martino build
 

Cool truck...looks like you're doing a good work on those boxes!

Re: Preservation not restoration Martino build
 

Thank you. The only thing I'm still trying to figure out is how to make the new metal on the front look like the original metal color and wear

Re: Preservation not restoration Martino build
 

Nice truck and great work repairing the boxes!

Re: Preservation not restoration Martino build
 

Thank you deislewrencher they are getting there alot of work left on just the boxes.

Re: Preservation not restoration Martino build
 

Really nice sheet metal work!
I'd suggest you go to youtube, and surf your way through faux patina and rust videos. You might just find with something that will help you :)

Re: Preservation not restoration Martino build
 

Ok so I will chime in a again to this thread since I have the whole story. Ms Martino had the truck in the garage for years since her husband died and wanted to get it back on the road well the local garage kind of laughed at her and and said to junk it. So she did and the local tow guy hung a forsake sign on it. As we all know a 1 ton with this driveline isn't a highly sought after truck to drive so it sat and sat I bough it and sold the buddies that it had figuring it would help keep my coat down. Was in a bit of a money crunch then. The papers were a mess so I spent the time through NY to get that fixed and got it running driving and in the road. Had to sell it to get caught up on bills. Me and Steve kept in touch and still do and now it's Here. I have 1 original hubcaps off the truck kept it figuring steve wouldn't put the wheels on. I truely regret selling that truck. All it needs is a 4.10 gear swap and it would be a great runner.

Re: Preservation not restoration Martino build
 

I think I have about the same gears in my truck. It's truly horrible on the highway. 45 feels like the speed limit of it dispite fairly high 235/85-16 rubber.
A six-speed with two overdrives might do the trick :)