Project 'Irish Zombie'

[LeatherMan69]

After alot of ups and downs, back and forths, doubtful thoughts and other temptations i finally went full force into a build. Granted its not far along just in the tear down stages I've told myself to finish what i've started and build a kickass truck. Here are some pics. Oh and by the way. Im definately a low buck guy, so no fancy stuff is gonna be on here! !

So here is the starting slate... 1969 c-10 fleetside longbed. Picked her up for 600.00 and she has a running 350 with a 400 turbo trans. (supposed to be stock, will look it up after i clean up all the grease and crap up) Now, the bad things about this truck... where do i start.... OH, The ungodly amount of rust! haha! The cab is by far the worst part and got the grunt of all the Indiana weather. My floor pan is something to be desired, rockers and cab corners...? wish i had em! Bed rails, a few got spared, but the salt and rain and 41 years of life took the rest in a blaze of glory. The bed needs some pounding out it spots but for the most part is in decent shape. Lot of cosmetic work to be done. But damnit thats supposed to be the fun part!!

Here are some pics of whats going on so far. Been on this forum for a little bit and have learned alot just by reading and communicating with you guys! thanks for all the info and for being a cool forum with some kickass members!

NOW for what you've all been waiting for.... PICS DAMNIT!

[LeatherMan69]

Here are some pics of the bed when i yanked it off. You can tell from the undernieth side that this is gonna be a rusty old girl in need of some tender love and welding.

[LeatherMan69]

Here are some pics of what i did last night... Took off the fenders to unvail a disturbing truth.... The Previous owner must have been a low buck to no buck guy as well. Cause he was PUTTY QUEEN! Chuncks coming off on handfulls! my wheel wells are 40% putty 40% rust, and 20% worthlessness. So needless to say i will be getting new ones!

On one of the fenders this guy tried to rig up his hown front fender corner as you can see in the pic. He bent some metal up, riveted it to the truck then slathered what....? thats right MORE PUTTY! But the silver lining in all this is... well.... i guess i gotta still look for it! ha! But this being my first build will put my so called 'Skills' to the test. Hoping i have some to test! Going full force on this thing now. Taking my time and doing the small stuff till I got some money to do the big stuff!

[LeatherMan69]

couple more odds and ends pics

[LeatherMan69]

THe rims in this post i picked up for 75 bux. Aluminum turbines that'll be powdercoated later on.
Did i mention there was alot of rust? When i bought these cab corners and rockers i didnt know how extensive the rust was and what i actually needed. Which is a heck of alot more patch panels so... i got wait till i can afford em. Thought it'd almost be cheaper to find a cab that wasnt so jacked up. But not easy round these parts!

[LeatherMan69]

I will post more progress as i make it!

[CURSED GEARS]

Hey Leatherman, most of thats going to buff out!

[Dingfodgy]

I feel your pain brotha'....I am a$$-deep in rust repair at the moment. If it's any consolation-it's not a terribly difficult thing to do, it just takes crap loads of time and as you know- our time out in the garage is good times, not to mention pert near free ('cept for the barley-pops and band-aids!)

[LeatherMan69]

Originally Posted by Dingfodgy

I feel your pain brotha'....I am a$$-deep in rust repair at the moment. If it's any consolation-it's not a terribly difficult thing to do, it just takes crap loads of time and as you know- our time out in the garage is good times, not to mention pert near free ('cept for the barley-pops and band-aids!)

Barley pops do help alot!! haha! My cab is a nightmare, but after some well spent money i think i can get her straightened out

[LeatherMan69]

Originally Posted by CURSED GEARS

Hey Leatherman, most of thats going to buff out!

HaHaHaHa thank buddy! i could use an extra set of hands if/when you can pull yourself away from your garage!

[CURSED GEARS]

Originally Posted by LeatherMan69

HaHaHaHa thank buddy! i could use an extra set of hands if/when you can pull yourself away from your garage!

I keep promising, don't I? Soon I should have some free time.

[oldblue1968chevy]

i hate rust...werent you young gun or something before with a swb truck? looks rusty, keep itup what're the plans?

[LeatherMan69]

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

i hate rust...werent you young gun or something before with a swb truck? looks rusty, keep itup what're the plans?

yea i was, i learned fast that i was by far not even close to being as young as some guys on here. So i changed it. Same truck tho. New found appreciation for it. I went through a time where i didnt do much or anything to it cause i lost a bit of interest. But as soon as i put in on craigslist it didnt feel right. So i took it off after bout a week or so, got back out there and am going as far as my budget is letting me!

Plans, well im a low buck to no buck guy, but want to do quality work. The engine runs just needs some modifications here and there for apperience. Gonna get lowerd, but nothing to slammed. If i would have to say what direction i was going in, i would have to say it would have more of a hot rod feel. Not a resto mod, or dragster, or anything like that, Just a nice too look at badass truck that turns heads.

[LeatherMan69]

Got a few things that didnt take money or at least to much money to do, done. Me and a buddy yanked off the front fenders So i could start patching them up and getting them right and ready to set aside for primer and paint. Upon this venture i came accross some difficult questions. One mainly, but before that here are some patch pictures. I took the reflectors out cause they clash with my eventual paint scheme. Also i had to patch a part that was rusted through on the top end of the outer wheel well. Here are those pics

[LeatherMan69]

Then I patched up the reflector holes.

[LeatherMan69]

couple more for the reflectors.

[LeatherMan69]

Oh and i may get some flack from some of you for this but dont worry i got another tailgate. I told you I was low buck..... Here's my "scrap metal" I pulled this off with. Oh and i cut out the "Chevrolet" for a wall hanger

[LeatherMan69]

SO here is my problem, you can see from the photos that the lower front of the fenders are very rusted out. I cannot find any patch panels for these!!! do they make em? if so where am I not looking! I do NOT wanna buy a whole knew fender. The previous owner thought it was a good idea to putty the hell out of it and hide all the problems. I guess out of sight out of mind for some people! Let me know if you have a good low buck idea for making these right, or know where i can get some patch panels for these.. LMC doesnt seem to carry them, Havent checked brothers yet. thanks

[oldblue1968chevy]

ouch lol...maybe if you had a junk fender take the section outa it? idk im not a bodyman by ANY means...

[mjensen]

I'm fairly certain that they make the front repair piece of the fender. There are several board vendors that are extremely knowledgeable and very helpful. My experience with has been awesome with Mike (mgbmike) at Bump and Grind garage (www.bumpandgrindgarage.com).

[oldblue1968chevy]

My vote for vendor is Tim Christian AKA Top bannana parts in Virginia. Yeah Im pretty sure they make that patch, but dunno how low budget ya are lol

[CURSED GEARS]

What youve done so far looks good. I'll be seeing it for real today. See you then!

[LeatherMan69]

Thanks Mjensen i just looked it up and yes they have em! not to bad either 42 bux. I appreciate that. I must not be looking in the right places. Oldblue im gonna look at your vendor too, price em all out!

[LeatherMan69]

I know this is nothing special but i bought some nice bedsides and a tailgate for 75 bux. Pretty happy cause its gonna save me LOTS of time

[madmopar]

Originally Posted by LeatherMan69

I know this is nothing special but i bought some nice bedsides and a tailgate for 75 bux.

GREAT DEAL!!! It woulda been a great deal for just a good tailgate!

When you started, this truck was in worse shape than my parts truck... I thought I was crazy for wanting to fix it! Props to you for saving this one from the cancer & crusher!