Mark's 68 stepside Pacific Art dream
 

Hello all, I've been dreaming about getting a short narrow stepside for many years, and pulled the trigger on this crusty 68. Was going to save $ and get something more complete, but I just couldn't wait any longer. This old farm truck has factory posi, 4:11's and factory 4 speed with the original six. I'm working on getting it running. I'm just going to drive it around town mostly and occasional trips, so the six is fine for now at least. I'm an oil painter (you can see my paintings at www.marklarsonart.com ), and I restore and upgrade classic old shotguns from the late 1800's onward (see http://marklarsongunart.com), so fixing up this newfangled modern truck is right up my alley. It's going to be my art truck, with my painting on the tailgate, with some advertising. Warm gold/green with cream top, possibly hood, and bed rails, with gold leaf pin stripe. That's the dream!

Thanks for all who post here. This site is amazing, and I've learned so much already! :chevy:

Here's the rust bucket before pic, so I can see my progress over time. It has doors, newer hood, etc. Just have to fix everything and put it all together:

https://i.imgur.com/TRdBjUz.jpg

Re: Mark's 68 stepside Pacific Art dream
 

Good luck with the dream! I'll be watching.;)

Re: Mark's 68 stepside Pacific Art dream
 

Please post some photos, we are all about photos here! :lol:

Re: Mark's 68 stepside Pacific Art dream
 

Weird, I thought I had already. Not much to see yet, just an old rusty truck. I can picture it in my mind when it's done though, and it is stunning. Here's what it looks like now. I have the doors, working on getting the engine started this week.

https://i.imgur.com/MWti1Mi.jpg

Re: Mark's 68 stepside Pacific Art dream
 

Hi everyone. I've been working on my truck pretty steadily since purchasing it in March 2023. It has come a long way. I've had to do a full frame off, and the only thing I've kept is the frame and cab. Everything else has been replaced. I've done a 350 tbi conversion from a low mileage 1990 Suburban with a 700r4 after getting rid of the original six banger, which was blown. I wanted a fuel injected motor that would start easily and cruise well, with decent mileage, and not have to spend zillions for an LS conversion.

It has a custom driveline, new Painless engine harness, front power disc brake conversion, new stock springs and shocks, new rear brakes, power steering, new tilt column and shaft, rear efi gas tank, etc. It runs and drives great, and has tons of power. I've been working on the cab since summer, which was completely roached as you can see in the pics. New cab corners, rockers, floor, patched the firewall, and yesterday I took off the roof and am replacing that. I'll add a/c as well. I'll have it done in the spring. As you can see, I've left it stock height so I can use it as a truck. I've never done this before, but once I dove in, it hasn't been too difficult, and lots of fun. Here are a few pics:

https://i.imgur.com/VEJDJuKl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/lclysG1l.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/f0MNSQpl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/oYziok6l.jpg

Re: Mark's 68 stepside Pacific Art dream
 

It's so much fun to drive! I've only driven it around the block to get gas, but it's a hoot. As you can see, I've put 31" BFG All Terrain's on it, so I can take it on bird hunting trips. Who knows, if I like it enough, maybe I'll convert it to 4x4 down the road.
Here are a few more pics:

https://i.imgur.com/uCPJbK1l.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/hGrW317l.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/cGVCQovl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/EZaetXDl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/JeUbgxYl.jpg

Re: Mark's 68 stepside Pacific Art dream
 

I like the look you are going for. I think there are a few other 2 wheel drives on the board with a similar tire and wheel combo.

Re: Mark's 68 stepside Pacific Art dream
 

Thanks. It's fairly unusual these days, but of course this is actually how they were designed. Lowered trucks look cool, but I like this look too. I actually was going to lower it but changed my mind. I even bought the 4" drop springs and shocks, but then I noticed that the lowered springs were much thinner than the stock height ones. Hopefully now it will be able to haul things and have a much better ride also.

Re: Mark's 68 stepside Pacific Art dream
 

Notice the pic of the roof pad that I pulled off, with the "68" markings. It was too full of rust particles to re-use, but it's pretty cool nonetheless.