Project: Rufus Restoration

[shearjs]

After many years of talking to my dad about doing a joint restoration of a classic ride, it's finally becoming a reality. We came across a truck that had made its way around town to a few different owners, and luckily found it's way home. A tired and worn down 1970 GMC longbed 2WD. My grandpa bought this truck off a used carlot in 1971-72 and only kept it for a couple yrs before trading it in for another ride. During those 2 yrs this truck was used for several different things, including hauling manure to fertilize gma's garden. Long story short, I was given the opportunity to purchase the truck and couldn't pass it up. Up front, I knew it was a major rust bucket, and was going to need a whole lot of TLC and $, but you only live once right. The sentimental value alone was enough to justify the project. Even though I never got a chance to meet my grandpa before he passed, I know he would be excited to see the restoration.

We've been working on the truck off and on for about a year now so I'll try to bring things up to current speed as soon as I can. Until then, I'll leave you with a few pictures from the day I drove it home.

[CrazyDave]

I like the color combo, it maybe rough but they make just about every repair part for it.
Father & son builds are a good thing

[sgaylord]

I agree with Dave. Get you some repair panels, a mig welder, and you will learn some skills you will have a lifetime.

Steve

[cobra_4]

Gonna need a lot of patch panels and you are gonna go through a lot of welding supplies but she can be fixed!

[shearjs]

Luckily, we've come a long way since those initial pictures, and to this point, I believe our ride is rust free. The truck began as a long bed GMC with a leaf spring rear. When I bought the truck, I also picked up a 72 Chevy shortbed with a coil rear, with plans of switching the good GMC parts to the short frame. Fortunately, my dad has his own body shop, which has played a major role in this restoration thus far. Unfortunately, his shop is located a couple hours away from where I live, so I sometimes have a hard time convincing him to wait around for my help. I've missed out on a large portion of the rust repair, but I try to make it home as much as possible to get my hands dirty and put in my $.02. More to come soon.

[shearjs]

[shearjs]

[Officer68]

love it thus far, i converted my leaf spring long bed over to trailing arms, I'm actually in the middle of that now. Im bagging it so it should sit nice and low. Like the color too bad you can keep the patina.

[sgaylord]

There you go! Looking awesome, keep going and you will be driving that thing in no time.

Steve

[shearjs]

Thanks for the kind words! If the pictures aren't obviously clear, I got a great deal on a LQ4/4L80E several months ago, and decided go with the LS swap for my drivetrain. The engine/trans came from a 2004 Silverado 2500 that was a repo vehicle. I was told that it runs/drives and has approximately 70k miles. The excitement got the best of me, and I bought some adapter plates/mounts and engine perches before doing much research, so it's been a bit of a hastle to get everything to fit. Long story short, I had to put the engine perches in the 6 cylinder location due to the adapter plates I was using. All was good until the headers didn't have clearance. Back to the drawing board to make some new adapter plates. These plates barely have the clearance to bolt to the block, but I think I'll be able to make it work. Finally got the headers mocked up and should be getting to the exhaust in the next few wks. Fuel system in a box and ready to be installed.

[shearjs]

Haven't had much of an opportunity to get any work done recently. I did find a great deal on some truck rallys from a fellow board member though. Thanks Rick! Also had a couple pics forwarded from my pops of his recent work on the cab.

[67cheby]

great looking build !

[tattooed_hillbilly]

Man nice build i liike that color!

[JRANGER]

looks good

[shearjs]

Thanks guys. Slowly but surely making some progress.

[shearjs]

Although not much progress, I did get a chance to get some fuel lines ran over the wkend. The AN braided hoses and ends went together easier than I had expected. Unfortunately, I didn't order enough hose ends, so it'll be a slight delay to get it buttoned up.





Hope to have some more parts in this week to get started on the exhaust.

[JRANGER]

wow nice work!

[67cheby]

LOOKING GREAT ! killer set of headers !

[shearjs]

Originally Posted by JRANGER

wow nice work!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by 67cheby

LOOKING GREAT ! killer set of headers !

Thanks!

We've made some pretty good progress the past few months, but I've been slacking with updates and pictures. I will be in the shop the majority of the coming weekend, and I promise to have some new pictures and updates soon. I'll leave you with this crappy cell phone pic for now.

[shearjs]

Update!

I finally had a free weekend to spend some time in the shop. Since my last real update, there's been some pretty good progress. The cab has been set on the rails, and the interior has been painted. Doors and front clip have been fitted temporarily but still need adjusting to close up panel gaps. Dad got a jump start on the body work and it should be ready for some blocking before long. I purchased a hydroboost adapter and a brake booster adapter from Captainfab and got it all bolted in. I was able to get the hydroboost and hoses from the donor truck that I also got the engine and trans from so things went together nicely. Still need to change the pressure fitting on the line that runs from the hydroboost to the steering box, and lengthen the pushrod to bolt to the brake pedal. Also purchased a vent window rebuild kit, so I'll likely be diving into that before long. Enough of my blah blah blah. On to some pictures...

[shearjs]

...

[shearjs]

more.

[mcmlxix]

Originally Posted by shearjs

...

How is the hood clearance? I have the same setup with CaptainFabs bracket and a 2005 GMC hydroboost / MC combo.....

Also, what are you doing for a proportioining valve/block? I picked up a Wilwood adjustable piece because I swapped to rear disc brakes. That MC uses a 7/16x24 fitting and most are 3/8x24.

[bigguy69]

looking good

[67cheby]

Great progress !!