My 5 year 68 build is pretty much done

[pat]

I figured a build thread would be cool, and yall will like it better b/c you dont have to wait for progress. Bought it my jr year in highschool thinking I would be driving it my senior year. Well I was half right, Im a senior in college now and its pretty much done.
Here goes.

Heres a couple pics of when I bought it. Looked for one for a long time, with my dad fighting me the whole way. Didnt think it was a good idea. Well, during my build he ended up with 3 classics, I think its partially my fault . Anyway, I bought it for 3100, as I learned a lot on here, I figured I got raped on that price. The only sheetmetal that I am still using is the bed, one inner fender, the grill, and the cowl panel, it was that bad. The engine was a 283 and a rebuilt TH350 with a shift kit.




I drove it for a month or so until I got antsy and started pulling it apart. Did all the disassembly under the carport at home.


thats Freckles, my 13 yr old dog

[pat]

I took the frame all the way apart, got it sandblasted and painted it with POR15, anybody doing the same make sure to get more paint than you think you will need, b/c I didnt put enough on and it doesnt look as good as it used to. It got a sway bar, 2.5" drop spindles, 2" drop springs, and disk brakes up front. In the back I put in a blazer tank, 2" drop blocks, 3" drop springs, a 3.07 posi (thinking I want 3.73s). Also did a C-notch. Id sure like to bag it one day.

[pat]

Once I found out I had a 283, I decided not to use it. I bought a bunch of parts for a 383, then ended up having a shop build it for me. Its got Edelbrock Performer RPM heads and intake, roller rockers, Holley 650 double pumper, and Dynamax ceramic coated headers. Engine dynoed at 380 HP and 420 ft-lbs.
old motor

new motor


As far as the body work, I got a great deal with a local body shop. Local owner who is a great guy, he let me come up there and learn everything and help out a lot, and save $$$. We started by sandblasting the cab and bed and started on all of the bodywork. Took forever, but I learned how to do bodywork.
.....Ill finish later today....

[Yukon Jack]

Looks great so far! Eager to see more pics.

[Frizzle Fry]

Originally Posted by Yukon Jack

Looks great so far! Eager to see more pics.

[msgross]

nice job...

[pat]

Oops, somehow I forgot about all the rust repair. My dad found a couple trucks at an auction in west texas, came home with them. *Correction, my dad got 4 classics. He bought the white truck in the pic. The blue one was my parts truck. Got an a/c cab that was rough but better than my current one, and a posi rear end.


Had to replace the cab corners, outer rockers, one inner rocker, some of the floor, and the dogleg thing-cant remember the name, but it sucked. I filled in some holes in the firewall, the vents inside the cab, and the gas tank hole. I cut the fuel door out of my brothers wrecked '88 chevy and put that on the side of the bed. I had some sheetmetal bent and made a cover for the neck.

[pat]

few more pics






Also, I shaved the drip rail. I dont think its as hard as everyone makes it out to be. I was pretty proud of myself b/c I did all the rust repair myself with no experience. It'll go a lot smoother next time around.

[pat]

As far as the bodywork, the PO did a number. He welded a 1/4" plate of steel to the tailgate to give it a smooth look. I bet that tailgate weighed 150 pounds. He stuffed newspaper in the tailgate handle and the stake holes and smeared bondo over them. Scrapped the tailgate and picked up a new slightly damaged smooth one and fixed it. Bought 2 new front fenders, found a used hood that was better than my destroyed one. The bed was in pretty sad shape but we got it to work alright. Aircraft paint remover is some pretty strong stuff too!

It was a close choice on paint between the similar color on the current vettes and the lighter blue on the new dodge trucks. I ended up picking the Dodge color, something like Aqua Blue Pearl Coat. more pics

[pat]

I brought the frame up to the body shop and they helped put the cab, front fenders, doors, and radiator support. Oh, anyone doing rocker panels make sure the door is on at the time. Rookie mistake. I also sprayed some undercoating under the cab while it was on a lift.




Back at home

My dad had bought a lift about 2 years ago, still sitting outside our shop, not yet installed... Hes a worse protagonist than me I think. Could have used it dozens of times.

[pat]

Dont anyone buy those Proform grey valve covers. Mine went to crap, the paint is all faded in splotches and they are pretty much ruined. And I havent driven it 100 miles yet.
Ive gotta fix my lock problem, address a couple small leaks, charge the a/c system, and get new valve covers and air cleaner, thats probly about it.

[shifty]

you did a sick job, i'm impressed.

not trying to nitpick but looks like the read driver's side of hood is misaligned.

[toomanytoyz]

You Did a Great Job, Thanks for Sharing............

Rick

[68c-10]

Your truck is beatiful, That is almost exactly how I want mine to look when it is done. What kind of drop did you use?

[pat]

Originally Posted by 68c-10

Your truck is beatiful, That is almost exactly how I want mine to look when it is done. What kind of drop did you use?

2.5"spindles, 2" springs front, 3" springs, 2" block back

Originally Posted by shifty

you did a sick job, i'm impressed.

not trying to nitpick but looks like the read driver's side of hood is misaligned.

Yeah, its misaligned. The gap widens from left to right, and the back of the hood is sticking up a little too. Needs a little attention.


Thanks everybody!

[n2billet]

So, what does your Dad think now? Very nice truck, my son (junior in high school) is starting his build or should I say I'm starting the build and your truck will help him understand it doesn't happen overnight.

[pat]

Dad really likes it now. He wants to drive it but I think Im going to hold off on that. Ive been hassling him to get his Caddy insured over the last several months so I can take it out. Once he gets insurance then we'll talk

Yeah, definitely not an overnight transformation, more like every bit of $$ I made and 5 years of my time, BUT worth it.

[Dova]

i like your truck you did a great job on it...how's the partical board with the sub and amp treating you? are you having any problems with the board and carpet seperating? i want to do something similar with carpet because it looks really good. i'd put 2 10's or 2 12's and mount the amp inbetween probably. but your truck looks sick

[BP68]

Nice job, and good for you for jumping in and learing to do as much as possible yourself.

[BigShoe24]

Great work!!! Looks excellent.

[71swb4x4]

Nice truck!

[sergio rios]

good job ,,,,,,,,,

[Frizzle Fry]

Well done!

[Palf70Step]

Love your truck Pat. Hope mine comes out close to what yours did.

[BB72CHEVKT]

Way to go. Good job fellow Texan!