Old Junky Cheyenne Super Shop Truck

[1956cameo]

About 3 years ago I bought out an entire 67-72 collection. There was only one complete (mostly) truck, but about a dozen truckloads of parts. Besides the countless bins of parts I got one extremely solid cab and two short wheelbase frames. One of which was completely restored and even had a rebuilt 350 engine and 700r4 transmission. I also got 2 or 3 truckloads of sheetmetal. After going through everything I realized that I had everything that I needed except the cab to make a patina Cheyenne Super in the light green and white. Fortunately for me I saw a Cheyenne cab in the right color combination on craigslist last September for $400. I immediately called the dude and made the deal. My plan is to make the truck look like an all original and unrestored Cheyenne Super when in reality it will be a truck completely made out of spare parts from numerous trucks. I plan on making it my swap meet and parts running truck. I'm trying to cut costs by using as many parts from my inventory as possible and only buying what is needed for safety and dependability.


So here's what I started with. A craigslist 1971 Cheyenne cab with title for $400. Overall a very solid cab. The only rust is along the inner roof panel above the windshield and the rockers. Sorry for the sideways pics. The early pictures are before I knew that you have to hold the camera sideways for the pics to look right on the forum.

[1956cameo]

So I guess I dont know how to post comments in between each picture. So my cab started life as a 1971 2 wheel drive long bed. A previous owner put it on a 4wd frame and cut the floorboard out for clearance.

Life was good on the way home until the Ford that I was borrowing decided to break down on me in the middle of nowhere! So my $400 cab turned into a $1,400 cab after my $1,000 tow bill from BFE Texas back to south Houston.

[1956cameo]

So after getting the Ford to the mechanic my dad showed up in the first truck that was built from my parts that I acquired of the collection I bought out. It's just a base model longbed C/10, but it is very rust free and a great work truck. Oddly enough they were both orginally that light mint green. So the cab was taken from the mechanics shop to his house in the 71 C/10. I couldn't afford any more tow Bill's!

[1956cameo]

Once everything was home I put running gear on the bare short bed frame that I got.

[1956cameo]

Once the suspension was bolted to the frame the cab settled into it's new home. What started life as a longbed 2wd and was converted into a longbed 4wd will now live life as a short bed 2wd. Since I am trying to keep it looking like an unrestored truck I am only fixing the rocker panels and the hole they cut in the floor when it lived as a 4wd. My son is just starting to learn about metal work and was very excited that I let him remove the rockers.

[1956cameo]

Putting a little front sheet metal put on.

[lolife99]

Love it.
Can you bolt in a factory high hump trans cover vs welding in the low jump floor?

[68Gold/white]

56,
Your plan is a sound one. Taking a vehicle completely apart and not being able to drive it, has bitten me, a couple of times. Thre's many different ways to tackle a "build"
I have 2 classic pickups, a 67 and a 68. Both LWB's. I have no desire for a short bed...

I have been collecting 67/68 parts here, and there. I've bought body panels, some good, some not, all for fair prices. I plan to get my 67 going, this year. I plan to install all the worst body panels on it, have the good ones in the garage to do body work on, when able. It's much easier to work on a fender or even a bedside, by itself, than have the whole vehicle in the garage. THis also allows work the BEST quality of body work!!! The 67 will have a 283/TH350 in it, initially, then a SBC 400/TH400!!! (kinda keeping the build theme the same on the engine/trans also...LOL
Many could benefit from doing things, in this manner.

[IronCanine]

Late to another party. This looks like a fun one.

[1956cameo]

68 Gold/White, I hear you. My first restoration ever is still disassembled 25 years after tearing it apart. It was a 1947 Dodge sedan. A full restoration was just bigger than I could handle, and now that I can handle it my taste in old cars has changed.

Iron Canine, At first it didn't appear that there was much interest in this build, but since at least a few people have expressed interest in watching a low budget build i will take more pictures and make more posts going forward.

[68Gold/white]

Originally Posted by 1956cameo

68 Gold/White, I hear you. My first restoration ever is still disassembled 25 years after tearing it apart. It was a 1947 Dodge sedan. A full restoration was just bigger than I could handle, and now that I can handle it my taste in old cars has changed.

Iron Canine, At first it didn't appear that there was much interest in this build, but since at least a few people have expressed interest in watching a low budget build i will take more pictures and make more posts going forward.

A low budget build is something many need to see, here. It could help many beginner enthusiasts get a project off the ground, in a sound manner, financially and time wise.

[IronCanine]

Always more pictures! Never enough. This just looks like it's gonna be cool.

[Racer2172]

Nice work on a budget build so far. The paint buffed out pretty well.

[IronCanine]

Thanks for the pics! She's a real looker, shines up nice. What's the dealer badge on the cowl?

[1956cameo]

Thanks Guys!!

IronCanine, It says "Ernest Allen Ft. Worth". I don't have any pictures of the badge, but I will get one the next time i go to my dads. I looked them up and it appears they were in business until 2011, then were bought out by a competitor.

[IronCanine]

That's cool.

[68bowtie]

Very well done!

[raggedjim]

I like it very much! Keep posting the progress.

I picked up a 68 stepper recently and I am going to try to keep it simple. Unfortunately it needs a bit more rust repair than yours, but I think I could knock that out in a couple good weekends once the parts get here.

Good luck, Rg

[Ol Blue K20]

I'm in for the rest of the ride!.Looking good by the way......

[1956cameo]

Thanks for the responses everyone! I'm hoping to have more updates next weekend.

[1956cameo]

Not much progress to report at this time. Mainly because I am waiting to see if the Pate swap meet gets canceled. I am holding my cash for that, but if its canceled then I will buy a bunch of stuff to continue progress on the Cheyenne.

Either way here are a couple more pictures. One is a close up of the dealership badge. The second is a mock up with bucket seats. I'm really just storing the seats in the cab. As much as I would like to go with this set up I cant. I have 3 kids and bucket seats are a no go because it means only 1 kid can ride at a time. Even the bench seat leaves a bit of a problem. Its not like the old days where the kids just pile up in the bed like when we were young!

[Ben IV]

Looking great so far. It's amazing how well the factory paint buffs out on these almost 50 to 50 plus year old trucks.

[RCbowtie69]

Great build on budget,keep the pic coming & keep on truckin''

[lks dcvn]

How in the heck did I not know about this thread and/or that 1956cameo was building something cool again.

I followed along with your 'Left for Dead' blazer resurrection thread - count me in for this one as well!

Great work so far...

[LT7A]

That dealer badge is cool and it ties into the history. But the audacity of the car dealer running a couple of screws into the side of my new vehicle to mount a badge?!? I've only bought one new truck in my life and I would have popped a gasket. Now it's just a cool part of the authenticity.