New girl with a new project

[WorkinOnIt]

This truck was my dads project/daily driver about 8 years ago, went to my uncle about 6 years ago, and now that i live with him its now my project.
As a highschool junior I'm not going to have a lot of time during school but My goal is to finish by graduation..
So, I have absolutely no clue where to start, obviously this will be low budget to start. But i want this to be a kick ass truck in the end.
Its a 71' C20 long bed.
Under the hood currently I have a 350 thats been started once.
Normal rust in all the normal places for this truck, Ill be replacing Floorboards
Solid body

I have all the parts, except the core support and outer right fender
All in all it s actually in better shape then the GMC (Last picture) taking into consideration body and repairs needed.









70' GMC K15.... I believe







I want some ideas on where to start! i really don't know what to do..

[nuke1]

Nice start tp a great project. I was close to your age when I started mine, as to where to start, it really depends on what you want, how far you want to go, when you want it done ,and how much money you have. Figure that out first and go from there. Just a simple driver. or a full on Hot Rod. A frame off, or just make it work? think about this and then come up eith a game plan and stick with it.

[Slick67]

Nuke is right. I am assuming you do not have a license yet so you can start with essentially whatever you want IMO. Mechanical is always the best place to begin, all the shiney stuff is best to do later. Great starter! Keep us posted!

[WorkinOnIt]

As for where its going, Its not quite going to be a hotrod not quite just a simple driver. I'm not going to lower it to the floor because with it being a 3/4 ton im still going to use it to haul but, i still want it to look good.

But my thought is do i start with the engine which just needs to be refreshed or go and start with breaks, rotors and such before even looking at the engine?


I have to take out the main gas tank because i was informed that when it was driving it leaked in the cab, so I'm thinking it will be easiest to tear down to the frame and work it that way..

I know I sound like an imbecile but in all reality I am when it comes to restoring anything and I'm still in the thought process of all this until spring break but i can use any help i can get.

[capev86]

network, network, network.....

i'm sure you can use all your charm and find lots of buddies to help you on your restoration. i also like how you plan to go mostly traditional on your build up. classic vehicles are best appreciated when revived not hacked into something totally different. there are plenty of ways to show some flair and make it fun to drive. on my 72 burb 3/4 ton i have replaced the rear trailing arm and panhard bar bushings with poly, added a sway bar and installed braided brake hoses. i do believe in upgrading for the sake of safety or using a material that will last longer and/outperform the original.

i'd say get the truck running for now and safe and legal to drive on the road. in the years ahead find yourself a cheap, efficient economy car that will cost next to nothing to run while you restore your truck. i use Classic Performance Products for my poly bushings (3/4 ton's have a bigger panhard bar and thus bigger bushings that CPP carries unlike the others) and LMC and Jim Carter for almost everything else. i am adding the factory tach and vac gages to my truck 'cause i want all the factory bells and whistles and plan to work my truck (tow trailers). my burb doesn't have much rust but parts can still be expensive. also don't forget the value of craigslist, ebay and even the local classifieds. some parts can be adapted from a newer truck. a 1-1/4" sway bar can be had from a some 3/4 and 1 ton trucks from the 73-87 body style. it will bolt right up. if your truck doesn't already have a 1-1/8" bar you might as well put on the best you can get.....super cheap junkyard hop up. handling is sooo much more predictable with a sway bar.

the guys (and gals) on here are a bunch of knuckleheads (like myself) but between the lot of us we got these classic trucks just about figured out!

[WorkinOnIt]

Thanks Capev, That's the kind of info I'm looking for. LMC is my best friend and I didn't know about Classic Performance Products but I'll definitely look into them.


Does anyone know what if any parts i could take from the GMC? I'm not positive I can steal from it, but I looking at all my options.

[OARNGESI]

Nice start are you taking 2 to make one

[WorkinOnIt]

At this time no. I dont need parts from the GMC because I do have the parts i need.. The option is always there. I might just end up fixing both of them and the Yota.
We will see where life goes.

[culp7]

classicparts.com is also a great source. idk if you knew bout it or not lol

and nice to see another high schooler on here!

[WorkinOnIt]

Yeah I've seen a few High school students on here.. But i don't think Ive seen any other girls in high school.

As for Clasicparts.com never heard of them but I'll look into them also Thanks

[72chevyfleet]

nice truck wow your the first girl in high school that i have seen on here or even heard of working on a truck thats a first whats your toyota look like? nice 4x4 too

[WorkinOnIt]

I 'm used to that, being the only girl who works on trucks.. I grew up with it

As for the yota, I'll get pics up. Its almost done except for some minor details Like the fact that my uncle wont let me finish it, so i'll put my effort into the chevy while i have time.


New update:
Found a guy with the fender and core support Working on details but i should get the parts soon.
Also have the 350 that came with the truck when my dad first bought it. I'll probably tear it down to see if its worth using over the new engine thats in it currently.


Also: Looking for a project name, Give me your ideas

[72chevyfleet]

Ol' Blue or somethin like that

[oldblue1968chevy]

wait, YOUR A GIRL WITH AN OLD TRUCK MY AGE!!

wow! there is alot of HS on here im a junior with a 68 lwb dubed blue goose. welcome theres alot of cool stuff on here! still cant belive your a girl with an old truck thats awesome!

[Todersauce]

For body parts you can try www.dansclassic.com down town and the swap meet is coming up too. Seems to be a lot of 67-72 trucks and parts around here too.


That truck is nearly twice your age! My project name suggestion Gold Digger.

[WorkinOnIt]

Calm down haha, Yes I'm a girl but that's not the point!!
The truck is a few years over twice my age lol

Ol' blue Just seems too plain..
And Gold Digger? Hmm I'll Think about it
but I don't think it fits

[capev86]

forgive that young buck.....that's all we can think about at that age. i remember being in my teens (i just turned 30). it is rare to find a young lady into rickety old trucks....so he does have an excuse for his over exuberance. most young ladies are only into expensive tuner cars or fast motorcycles...anything that is expensive and in style. check out the link (article) i posted. i thought it was funny, 'cause i started out with the family aries wagon (still have it) and it was an awesome first car. it was freedom any day of the week....something that was very rare in previous generations and young people just don't have respect or even a clue on how things used to be.

http://www.birminghamster.com/index032801.htm

[WorkinOnIt]

That article is so true. Most girls just want everything hand to them, hell most guys do too.
But as for me I refuse to have a new car or truck. I Love old trucks, I'm not into those stupid nitro cars, sure there cool looking and fast but I know for a fact I would kill myself.. I get my speed fix from the quads, I dont need to go fast on the road, which i already go too fast as it is
Plus, I don't trust new cars, at the risk of sounding old fashion, They just don't build em like they used to. :P

Obviously I'm Kind of a different breed, But I will always find it funny that it's such an odd thing to see a hs girl on here.

[67chevy1series]

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

wait, YOUR A GIRL WITH AN OLD TRUCK MY AGE!!

wow! there is alot of HS on here im a junior with a 68 lwb dubed blue goose. welcome theres alot of cool stuff on here! still cant belive your a girl with an old truck thats awesome!

x2

[silverstreak]

Here's a thought, does your school (or maybe another in your area) offer a vocational tech program where they teach auto repair or body work? They're always looking for project material so students can get hands on experience. It may be a cost effective way for you to get things done and it may speed up the process a bit. You could be getting the engine running at home while they could be fixing some rust for you back in the classroom.

[culp7]

damn cool, any progress?

[WorkinOnIt]

This will be very sloww build thread. Im still in school right now and im managing softball girls for the next three months so i have to find time, and it wont happen right now..

[culp7]

i feel yah there... wrestlin season has cut bout 80% out of my truck workin time... thank god it's over

[threeonthetree]

Nice truck. Ha
Fire that 350 yet?
Do anything? Got it inside?
Pics of engine cab floor box floor.
3/4= 8 bolts??

Also I never would have pictured a girl running a ol rusty chevy 3/4 ton.
But sweeet
Good luck with the project.

[ERASER5]

Personally, I would go with the GMC 4X4. In the end, K10s are worth more than C20s. I am also partial to GMCs. That said, I like the work truck theme you have for the C20. My trucks work. Well, at least they do when I don't have them torn apart.