1969 Short Wide

[mcbassin]

Here is the start of my 1969 short wide CST. (Edit: since my son Landen loves his 86 so much this is now my project)
So far all we have done is move the original Long truck and the short frame from the back of my property to the shop area. He started cleaning up the short frame a little too. We really don't have a for sure color (probably victory red). The Faded red CST-20 in the background is my old 70 with a 396/400TH......Here is what we are up against:

[bigblazerboy]

nice looking project. i spot a camaro too cool trucks

[jojo]

looks good. ya'll keeping those lil black mirrors?

[OARNGESI]

looks are you going to build the casmaro next

[mcbassin]

Thanks guys for the props. Yes that is a 68 rs in the background, I got it a little over a year ago and it is next on the agenda, it's pretty much a shell and a basket case right now. I have a 67 rs that is a lot further along than this one. I just picked it up because it was there.

As far as the little black mirrors, I'm not sure where those came from. the donor truck is pretty much the way I purchased it.

Update: we pulled the front end off yesterday and started prepping to pull the engine and tranny. Noticed the pass lower a-frame is hosed, so I will be in the market for one of those. I don't know if you can see in the pics but the PO already changed out the front and rear to 71-72 5 hole suspension. I like the disk brakes way better for a 16 year old. Will try to get pics tonight after work.

Mike

[my67chevytruck]

looks like a good start... Best of luck with your build!

[lks dcvn]

Solid start - any rust to speak of?

[JohnC]

Looks like a good Father/Son project. Looking forward to watching the progress.

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by lks dcvn

Solid start - any rust to speak of?

At first glance the cab looked solid but after removing the front clip yesterday, it looks like we may use a different cab. This one has the usual rust plus structural rust.

[mcbassin]

Update:
We pulled the engine and tranny today. Wow! took 2 steps forward and 10 back. You guys won't believe what we found. Take a look at the pics! I have been wrenching for a long time and I have never seen anything like this. When I purchased this truck from an in-law it was running and driveable. It has sat for a few years. I'm 100/% certain he didn't know about this J-B weld thing. I planned on hauling it to the car wash and sticking right back in the short frame. Now we are looking for a good running used engine or a builder.
Same stuff different day. By the way, Just in case you wondered, I do have a real nice shop It's too full of junk and my boat to get this project inside right now. I figured this would be a running truck pretty quick, guess not.
Pics:

[HeavyMetalChevy]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Update:
We pulled the engine and tranny today. Wow! took 2 steps forward and 10 back. You guys won't believe what we found. Take a look at the pics! I have been wrenching for a long time and I have never seen anything like this. When I purchased this truck from an in-law it was running and driveable. It has sat for a few years. I'm 100/% certain he didn't know about this J-B weld thing. I planned on hauling it to the car wash and sticking right back in the short frame. Now we are looking for a good running used engine or a builder.
Same stuff different day. By the way, Just in case you wondered, I do have a real nice shop It's too full of junk and my boat to get this project inside right now. I figured this would be a running truck pretty quick, guess not.
Pics:

WHOAH DUDE WHOAH!!!! Guess you kinda gotta laugh about it now.... right???

[72BlckButy]

OMG... people will do the strangest things.

Good looking build, best of luck!

[mcbassin]

Nate,
I have studied your "Blank Slate" for a hour or two. I love your subtle mods to an already super condition truck. 69-70 has been my favorite model since day one. You have a sweet ride there. I had a rare rust free 67 years ago, the body was near mint and in original paint. My kid nephew bugged me every day until I traded for his 67 Camaro (rust bucket) that I still haven't restored.

[72BlckButy]

Well I was truly fortunate to locate a truck in that condition; the one I had prior to this was in need of some serious repair.

I have to agree with you though... you just don't see many retaining the 69-70 grills. Even in my short lived experiences with these trucks I have gone from the 67-68 to the 71-72 and finally ended with the 69-70. I've even changed the style I wanted... from full custom to a fairly original truck with minor modifications (clean and sleek).

I will be sure to keep up on this build, and if you run into any issues let me know. I will try to help as best I can.

BTW.. the grill posted above on the blue truck looks to be in fairly good condition. Try to reuse it if you can as they don't make them anymore. The only pictured above is a true original grill and you can tell by the continuation of the lines between the turnsignals and the headlights. Where as mine is a true GM replacement grill ad the black continues on past the turnsignals but they don't reach the headlights. The aftermarket replacements don't continue on the outside of the turnsignals. Use it if you can... I'm going to try and locate a nice original one in the future, as if!

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by 72BlckButy

Well I was truly fortunate to locate a truck in that condition; the one I had prior to this was in need of some serious repair.

I have to agree with you though... you just don't see many retaining the 69-70 grills. Even in my short lived experiences with these trucks I have gone from the 67-68 to the 71-72 and finally ended with the 69-70. I've even changed the style I wanted... from full custom to a fairly original truck with minor modifications (clean and sleek).

I will be sure to keep up on this build, and if you run into any issues let me know. I will try to help as best I can.

BTW.. the grill posted above on the blue truck looks to be in fairly good condition. Try to reuse it if you can as they don't make them anymore. The only pictured above is a true original grill and you can tell by the continuation of the lines between the turnsignals and the headlights. Where as mine is a true GM replacement grill ad the black continues on past the turnsignals but they don't reach the headlights. The aftermarket replacements don't continue on the outside of the turnsignals. Use it if you can... I'm going to try and locate a nice original one in the future, as if!

Nate,
Thanks for the insight about the grill, I was actually going to use the original. This is just a "get your feet wet" build to hopefully teach my son how to do basic mechanical tasks. We will keep the truck in the family so later on we can do a full on restore. He is 15 and will be driving this puppy before the end of the year hopefully. I am seeking as much info about these trucks as I can get since I haven't worked on any in probably 10 years.....kids, home building, hunting, fishing...keeps me too busy.

[JohnC]

Wow that is amazing on how that thing was running. I agree there are some crazy people out there that do crazy things.

I applaud you on the lessons you are teaching. There are so many kids out there now that don't even know how to do basic things to a car. A friend of my wife's son didn't even know how to put gas in his car until about a year ago.

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by JohnC

Wow that is amazing on how that thing was running. I agree there are some crazy people out there that do crazy things.

I applaud you on the lessons you are teaching. There are so many kids out there now that don't even know how to do basic things to a car. A friend of my wife's son didn't even know how to put gas in his car until about a year ago.

Yes Jon it is crazy, but apparently that JB shouldn't be underestimated. This engine didn't leak coolant until I knocked the JB off....then it turned into a messy leak. I'm in the market if you know someone has a good running used 350 or a builder.
Mike

[72BlckButy]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Yes Jon it is crazy, but apparently that JB shouldn't be underestimated. This engine didn't leak coolant until I knocked the JB off....then it turned into a messy leak. I'm in the market if you know someone has a good running used 350 or a builder.
Mike

That still blows my mind...

[my67chevytruck]

Mike,

What's your plans for the C-20? I could see your son puttin around in a 396/400 powered '69

[mcbassin]

I think I'm going to turn it into a short box. The last 10 years or so, I figured I would just do a restore as an original 3/4 lwb. I think I would enjoy it more as a swb with 1/2 ton suspension.

[JohnC]

I would agree. That's probably what I would do too. I know there are several here who think differently, but it's your truck. You should do what you want to it.

[my67chevytruck]

Mike, sounds like a plan to me!

[mcbassin]

Updatew/o pics)
Finished pulling the front suspension and rear differential. I'm looking for new U-bolts now, the originals were hammered. Moved what was left of the long bed to the back of my property. Still searching for a 350 engine (not a cracked one). I would really like to find a good used one that we can plug and play. This is probably the lowest buck restore project on here. The main goal is a safe reliable truck first. Then later we can trick it out. I also purchased a 86 model to fix up for now ( needs a motor too). I will try to get some pics this weekend. we started cleaning the shop last week! Garage sale time.....Hopefully we will be able to move inside soon.

[JohnC]

you can get U-bolts for the rear end at Atwoods. They have a large selection of them.

[72shymedblue]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Updatew/o pics)
Finished pulling the front suspension and rear differential. I'm looking for new U-bolts now, the originals were hammered. Moved what was left of the long bed to the back of my property. Still searching for a 350 engine (not a cracked one). I would really like to find a good used one that we can plug and play. This is probably the lowest buck restore project on here. The main goal is a safe reliable truck first. Then later we can trick it out. I also purchased a 86 model to fix up for now ( needs a motor too). I will try to get some pics this weekend. we started cleaning the shop last week! Garage sale time.....Hopefully we will be able to move inside soon.

Great pics and a great project for your son. Not only will he have a safe, COOL vehicle to drive, but working with you to build it will make him appreciate it that much more, and also lets him get the satisfaction and bragging rights of helping build it himself.
Let us know when/where the garage sale will be- I wouldn't miss it.