3 weeks, 1300 bucks, and a whole lot of sweat - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Tx Firefighter · 11-05-2005, 03:03 PM

Some of you may know, I got injured bad at work and had to take off for 4 months. It really knocked the wind out of my sails, with surgery and rehab 3 times a week and all that.

Anyway, as therapy, I decided to build a little project truck. I've been without a shortbed truck for near a year now, and it's not fun. It was time to build another.

I got a chassis from Matt67350 for 300 bucks. I took it all the way down to the bare frame and detailed it as I reassembled it. I cleaned and painted everything. I rebuilt the suspension and steering and installed lowering components too. It's got 5.5 inch front drop and 6 inch rear drop.

I used an old 1 ton cab and doors I had. I just shaved off the cab lights. I left the neat old sign on the doors though.

I got a bed from Matt too. The bed was a basket case. It's about the worst bed I've ever seen, but the price was perfect. I wound up taking it all apart and replacing the floor. I spent considerable time repairing all the rusted sections too. I burnt a whole roll of wire in the welder on this.

I used an old 292 inline 6 engine that I got from Randy (teeitup) in Kansas. He gave it to me as a core, but it's actually a real solid engine. I figured it would be a good one when I found out it came out of a school district truck. They don't usually drive much, and are real good about maintenance. I had to put a fuel and water pumps on it though. I had an HEI distributor in my shed, so I used that too.

The transmission is a three speed, that I rebuilt by scavenging parts out of 2 other transmissions. I basically combined 3 transmissions into one. I made the shift lever out of an old SM465 4 speed lever, with Mr Gasket mechanism.

It has a used windshield that I traded some welding work for, I installed it myself to save money.

The grille is an old billet grille that was broken in several places. That took me a whole day just to fit it and repair it. It's still not perfect, but it's a decent 10 footer. The front bumper came out of my junk pile. I used a torch and rosebud tip to straighten it as best as possible, then painted it Rustoleum hammer silver color.

A fireman I work for gave me a late model set of rallys off his 88 model truck. I used the centers and rings on early model rallys for a neat look (thanks for the center cap tip Matt).

Anyway, I tally'ed up the reciepts and it came to a little over 1300 bucks cash, and a butt load of horse trading to get this thing to where it is now. I figured about 150 hours of labor over the course of 3 weeks.

I call it "The Plumbing Truck" do to the logos on the doors. I don't know when they were painted, but it was so long ago, that the phone number is "ILL 1692". For you youngsters, that's "Illinois 1692". Phone numbers used to be that way about 30 years ago.

It's still not totally done. I need to round up some turn signal lights, put in the tailiights, and build a new exhaust system. It just has a 3 foot piece of pipe under there now.

ratrod67 · 11-05-2005, 03:17 PM

Looks good. Glad to see you back on the road. Both health and truck wise.

Tx Firefighter · 11-05-2005, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ratrod67

Looks good. Glad to see you back on the road. Both health and truck wise.

Bro, I'm in debt to you on those u-joint retainers.

Not only did you give them to me, but you cleaned them up spotless and put them in a little baggie for me too.

70short/step · 11-05-2005, 04:23 PM

Sweet! Great looking truck! Now if workmans comp would pay for that kind of "Therapy"!

Longstep70 · 11-05-2005, 03:33 PM

Good job man. That's a cool truck.
I didnt know you'd been hurt. Hope you're on the mend.

corn · 11-05-2005, 04:31 PM

NICE! Please dont paint it, it looks killer just the way it is. I love that look...corn

Tx Firefighter · 11-05-2005, 05:58 PM

I won't paint it.

I actually just walked back in from picking up a donor truck for a fuel injected V6 and 700R4 transmission for it. I'm thinking the fuelie 4.3 with overdrive and 3.73's will get good mileage.

**N2TRUX** · 11-05-2005, 06:04 PM

That's a sweet little fleet there TX. I love the cab and doors with the faded white look. Need to paint the bed flat white and patina it to match the cab....

Mudder · 11-05-2005, 06:41 PM

Looks great...I'd drive that thing anywhere. Hope you are getting back to your self. Take care.

**Palf70Step** · 11-05-2005, 06:46 PM

Very nice job. Looks great.

Tx Firefighter · 11-05-2005, 07:00 PM

N2TRUX, I have some flat white paint, I'm thinking what you're thinking. I'm going to try and match the bed to the truck somewhat. If that works out, I'm going to replace some rust panels and weld up some holes on the cab and front clip too, and spot in the paint.

Bill, this should be my last outdoor project. I did this all in the gravel under my car port with an extension cord to the house for power. We start the dirt work for the shop this week and should have it done by Thanksgiving. Then, I'll be able to work indoors where I can actually jack it up without the jack sinking into the dirt.

The injury is done and healed. I had a knee reconstructed out of some exotic stuff. There's plenty of hardware inside of my leg now. No metal detectors for me anymore for sure.

**Palf70Step** · 11-05-2005, 07:05 PM

Glad the shop is finally getting started. Lying on gravel is not a therapudic as it was when we were yunguns

.

**uncle** · 11-05-2005, 07:28 PM

How did you get the 5.5 drop in front?

Tx Firefighter · 11-05-2005, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uncle

How did you get the 5.5 drop in front?

2.5 inch spindle and a stock spring with 1 coil cut (3 inches for that).

I'll be busy on the shop for a few weeks, but after that, I'm definitely doing the fuel injected V6 and auto overdrive swap in it. I'd say it will probably be fuel injected and on the road by Christmas. I'll get the donor engine and trans pulled out and readied in the mean time to save time.

krue · 11-05-2005, 08:21 PM

Looks good especially for what you have in it.

Sweet72 · 11-05-2005, 08:40 PM

Now that's hustling man, 3 weeks...holy crap! Nice daily driver and it looks pretty good to boot! I didn't know you were laid up either anyway glad to see you're back on your feet, literally.

86swb · 11-05-2005, 09:36 PM

I like the stance. Is that your tail pipe under the truck? My openion - paint the truck one color. It is a good driver the way it is but I just think it would look better one color. MO

Tx Firefighter · 11-05-2005, 09:38 PM

That's just a piece of junk exhaust I put under there just to get it running. I'm swapping another engine in it though, so I won't bother messing with it for now. When I'm done. the pipes will be tucked up real tight underneath. I don't roll with the low hanging exhaust look.

I'll be making a midnight run to the junk pile at my local exhaust shop. They cut brand new exhaust systems off trucks and cars and replace them with cat backs and stuff. I like to scrounge the take offs and build my own. Heck, it's all top quality stuff off new vehicles. Cutting, expanding, and welding, you can make a killer system for free that way.

*wolfthing2000* · 11-05-2005, 09:58 PM

Leave it just as is!!! I love it! Especial.y that shorty header pipe. Why ruin a good thing?? Stick with the six and maybe split the manifold??? Definetly do not paint!
This truck is a perfect example of what it is realy all about!!!
Take notice Foose!!! 1300 bucks and in my book this one takes the trophy over your custom chop/graphicized/channeled/veloured/tinted/crated/TVed/ "overhauled"/tall chick with long legs who hangs around and goofs around for the guys/custom multi layered paints /cleare coated/ tucked and rolled/filled/glassed/blasted/overkilled creation from a story/fantasy bookland/ polished for show/ one of kind signed and autographed/designer car/truck that needs garaged and definetly not driven/ trailer queen/ show stopper!!!

Give me the RAT!!!!!!!!!

**FleetsidePaul** · 11-08-2005, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfthing2000

Leave it just as is!!! I love it! Especial.y that shorty header pipe. Why ruin a good thing?? Stick with the six and maybe split the manifold??? Definetly do not paint!
This truck is a perfect example of what it is realy all about!!!
Take notice Foose!!! 1300 bucks and in my book this one takes the trophy over your custom chop/graphicized/channeled/veloured/tinted/crated/TVed/ "overhauled"/tall chick with long legs who hangs around and goofs around for the guys/custom multi layered paints /cleare coated/ tucked and rolled/filled/glassed/blasted/overkilled creation from a story/fantasy bookland/ polished for show/ one of kind signed and autographed/designer car/truck that needs garaged and definetly not driven/ trailer queen/ show stopper!!!

Give me the RAT!!!!!!!!!

I don't know, I would add a tall chick with long legs every time.

Robert1970C20rstbukt · 11-05-2005, 10:16 PM

very cool truck!

**uncle** · 11-06-2005, 08:33 AM

How's the ride in front with that much drop?

**Hart_Rod** · 11-06-2005, 09:28 AM

Cool ride! I know the 6-banger is cool, but you'll love the fuel injection. Glad to hear you're back on feet.

Rob

Tx Firefighter · 11-06-2005, 12:09 PM

Uncle, the ride is fine. I've lowered several this exact same way. The cut coil is fine riding and aligns fine too.

SCOTI · 11-06-2005, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

Uncle, the ride is fine. I've lowered several this exact same way. The cut coil is fine riding and aligns fine too.

Tx.... I didn't even know you had been hurt. On the job is my guess? Anyway, nice rehab effort

. I agree on painting the bed patina white & leave the doors/front clip as is or just touch up the worst spots (keep it low buck). Definitely do the 4.3/OD trans combo when time permits.

Best of luck on the remainder of your rehab.

11-05-2005, 03:03 PM	#1
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	3 weeks, 1300 bucks, and a whole lot of sweat Some of you may know, I got injured bad at work and had to take off for 4 months. It really knocked the wind out of my sails, with surgery and rehab 3 times a week and all that. Anyway, as therapy, I decided to build a little project truck. I've been without a shortbed truck for near a year now, and it's not fun. It was time to build another. I got a chassis from Matt67350 for 300 bucks. I took it all the way down to the bare frame and detailed it as I reassembled it. I cleaned and painted everything. I rebuilt the suspension and steering and installed lowering components too. It's got 5.5 inch front drop and 6 inch rear drop. I used an old 1 ton cab and doors I had. I just shaved off the cab lights. I left the neat old sign on the doors though. I got a bed from Matt too. The bed was a basket case. It's about the worst bed I've ever seen, but the price was perfect. I wound up taking it all apart and replacing the floor. I spent considerable time repairing all the rusted sections too. I burnt a whole roll of wire in the welder on this. I used an old 292 inline 6 engine that I got from Randy (teeitup) in Kansas. He gave it to me as a core, but it's actually a real solid engine. I figured it would be a good one when I found out it came out of a school district truck. They don't usually drive much, and are real good about maintenance. I had to put a fuel and water pumps on it though. I had an HEI distributor in my shed, so I used that too. The transmission is a three speed, that I rebuilt by scavenging parts out of 2 other transmissions. I basically combined 3 transmissions into one. I made the shift lever out of an old SM465 4 speed lever, with Mr Gasket mechanism. It has a used windshield that I traded some welding work for, I installed it myself to save money. The grille is an old billet grille that was broken in several places. That took me a whole day just to fit it and repair it. It's still not perfect, but it's a decent 10 footer. The front bumper came out of my junk pile. I used a torch and rosebud tip to straighten it as best as possible, then painted it Rustoleum hammer silver color. A fireman I work for gave me a late model set of rallys off his 88 model truck. I used the centers and rings on early model rallys for a neat look (thanks for the center cap tip Matt). Anyway, I tally'ed up the reciepts and it came to a little over 1300 bucks cash, and a butt load of horse trading to get this thing to where it is now. I figured about 150 hours of labor over the course of 3 weeks. I call it "The Plumbing Truck" do to the logos on the doors. I don't know when they were painted, but it was so long ago, that the phone number is "ILL 1692". For you youngsters, that's "Illinois 1692". Phone numbers used to be that way about 30 years ago. It's still not totally done. I need to round up some turn signal lights, put in the tailiights, and build a new exhaust system. It just has a 3 foot piece of pipe under there now. Attached Images __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin Last edited by Tx Firefighter; 11-05-2005 at 03:07 PM.

11-05-2005, 03:17 PM	#2
ratrod67 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 2,269	Re: 3 weeks, 1300 bucks, and a whole lot of sweat Looks good. Glad to see you back on the road. Both health and truck wise.

11-05-2005, 04:23 PM	#4
70short/step Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 1,579	Re: 3 weeks, 1300 bucks, and a whole lot of sweat Sweet! Great looking truck! Now if workmans comp would pay for that kind of "Therapy"! __________________ For every person with a spark of genius, There are a hundred with ignition trouble. 70 Short/Step

11-05-2005, 03:33 PM	#5
Longstep70 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: San Jose , Ca Posts: 235	Re: 3 weeks, 1300 bucks, and a whole lot of sweat Good job man. That's a cool truck. I didnt know you'd been hurt. Hope you're on the mend.

11-05-2005, 04:31 PM	#6
corn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: here Posts: 5,789	Re: 3 weeks, 1300 bucks, and a whole lot of sweat NICE! Please dont paint it, it looks killer just the way it is. I love that look...corn

11-05-2005, 05:58 PM	#7
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: 3 weeks, 1300 bucks, and a whole lot of sweat I won't paint it. I actually just walked back in from picking up a donor truck for a fuel injected V6 and 700R4 transmission for it. I'm thinking the fuelie 4.3 with overdrive and 3.73's will get good mileage. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

11-05-2005, 06:04 PM	#8
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	Re: 3 weeks, 1300 bucks, and a whole lot of sweat That's a sweet little fleet there TX. I love the cab and doors with the faded white look. Need to paint the bed flat white and patina it to match the cab.... __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

11-05-2005, 06:41 PM	#9
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	Re: 3 weeks, 1300 bucks, and a whole lot of sweat Looks great...I'd drive that thing anywhere. Hope you are getting back to your self. Take care.

11-05-2005, 06:46 PM	#10
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 47,216	Re: 3 weeks, 1300 bucks, and a whole lot of sweat Very nice job. Looks great. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

11-05-2005, 07:00 PM	#11
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: 3 weeks, 1300 bucks, and a whole lot of sweat N2TRUX, I have some flat white paint, I'm thinking what you're thinking. I'm going to try and match the bed to the truck somewhat. If that works out, I'm going to replace some rust panels and weld up some holes on the cab and front clip too, and spot in the paint. Bill, this should be my last outdoor project. I did this all in the gravel under my car port with an extension cord to the house for power. We start the dirt work for the shop this week and should have it done by Thanksgiving. Then, I'll be able to work indoors where I can actually jack it up without the jack sinking into the dirt. The injury is done and healed. I had a knee reconstructed out of some exotic stuff. There's plenty of hardware inside of my leg now. No metal detectors for me anymore for sure. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

11-05-2005, 07:05 PM	#12
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 47,216	Re: 3 weeks, 1300 bucks, and a whole lot of sweat Glad the shop is finally getting started. Lying on gravel is not a therapudic as it was when we were yunguns . __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

11-05-2005, 07:28 PM	#13
uncle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Conyers,Ga. Posts: 7,288	Re: 3 weeks, 1300 bucks, and a whole lot of sweat How did you get the 5.5 drop in front?

11-05-2005, 08:21 PM	#15
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	Re: 3 weeks, 1300 bucks, and a whole lot of sweat Looks good especially for what you have in it. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

11-05-2005, 08:40 PM	#16
Sweet72 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 1,534	Re: 3 weeks, 1300 bucks, and a whole lot of sweat Now that's hustling man, 3 weeks...holy crap! Nice daily driver and it looks pretty good to boot! I didn't know you were laid up either anyway glad to see you're back on your feet, literally. __________________ '72 GMC SWB C1500 Custom, frame-off in progress. 383 SBC, 9:1CR, Comp Cams XE262H, Scat internal balanced crank, Eagle SIR 6" rods, Keith Black dish pistons, Dart Iron Eagle 72/180 heads, Weiand Stealth intake, Stewart stage I water pump, Holley 4bbl vac sec, TH350 with B&M Shift Improver Kit. 12 bolt positraction.

11-05-2005, 09:36 PM	#17
86swb Born a Chevy Man Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Navarre, Florida Posts: 10,221	Re: 3 weeks, 1300 bucks, and a whole lot of sweat I like the stance. Is that your tail pipe under the truck? My openion - paint the truck one color. It is a good driver the way it is but I just think it would look better one color. MO __________________ John or 86 (Viet Nam combat Vet-BIG RED ONE) '65-'66 1986 Chevy SWB Silverado 1984 Chevy Longbed Silverado New Kia Sportage (Wife's car and she loves it) CHEVY, American made w/pride! If you can read this, YOU NEED TO THANK A TEACHER! If you can read this in ENGLISH, PLEASE THANK A SOLDIER! GOD BLESS AMERICA AND BLESS OUR FIGHTING TROOPS



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11-05-2005, 09:38 PM	#18
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: 3 weeks, 1300 bucks, and a whole lot of sweat That's just a piece of junk exhaust I put under there just to get it running. I'm swapping another engine in it though, so I won't bother messing with it for now. When I'm done. the pipes will be tucked up real tight underneath. I don't roll with the low hanging exhaust look. I'll be making a midnight run to the junk pile at my local exhaust shop. They cut brand new exhaust systems off trucks and cars and replace them with cat backs and stuff. I like to scrounge the take offs and build my own. Heck, it's all top quality stuff off new vehicles. Cutting, expanding, and welding, you can make a killer system for free that way. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin Last edited by Tx Firefighter; 11-05-2005 at 09:41 PM.

11-05-2005, 09:58 PM	#19
wolfthing2000 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,276	Re: 3 weeks, 1300 bucks, and a whole lot of sweat Leave it just as is!!! I love it! Especial.y that shorty header pipe. Why ruin a good thing?? Stick with the six and maybe split the manifold??? Definetly do not paint! This truck is a perfect example of what it is realy all about!!! Take notice Foose!!! 1300 bucks and in my book this one takes the trophy over your custom chop/graphicized/channeled/veloured/tinted/crated/TVed/ "overhauled"/tall chick with long legs who hangs around and goofs around for the guys/custom multi layered paints /cleare coated/ tucked and rolled/filled/glassed/blasted/overkilled creation from a story/fantasy bookland/ polished for show/ one of kind signed and autographed/designer car/truck that needs garaged and definetly not driven/ trailer queen/ show stopper!!! Give me the RAT!!!!!!!!!

11-05-2005, 10:16 PM	#21
Robert1970C20rstbukt Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Beeville, Texas Posts: 1,943	Re: 3 weeks, 1300 bucks, and a whole lot of sweat very cool truck! __________________ RJD 1984 Chevrolet C30 welding truck 454/SM465 1977 GMC C15 pickup 350/TH350 1970 Chevrolet C20 pickup 350/TH400 1970 Chevrolet K20 Suburban 454/TH350 1969 GMC 8500 478M V6/5 spd winch truck

11-06-2005, 08:33 AM	#22
uncle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Conyers,Ga. Posts: 7,288	Re: 3 weeks, 1300 bucks, and a whole lot of sweat How's the ride in front with that much drop?

11-06-2005, 09:28 AM	#23
Hart_Rod ************* Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pensacola, FL Posts: 17,858	Re: 3 weeks, 1300 bucks, and a whole lot of sweat Cool ride! I know the 6-banger is cool, but you'll love the fuel injection. Glad to hear you're back on feet. Rob __________________ Rob - https://www.instagram.com/hart_rod_c10 As Iron Sharpens Iron, So One Man Sharpens Another. Proverbs 27:17 FOR SALE: DBW pedal bracket - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=651123 FOR SALE: Hood Brackets http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=679945 1987 Silverado SWB - 34.5K original miles http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=801834 1969 SuperBurb - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=200387 1968 Farm truck - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=358692 1968 SWB - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=551258 1948 Chevy - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=122164&page=3

11-06-2005, 12:09 PM	#24
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: 3 weeks, 1300 bucks, and a whole lot of sweat Uncle, the ride is fine. I've lowered several this exact same way. The cut coil is fine riding and aligns fine too. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

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