My "Mator" build

[Mator]

Well, it seems to be that time like a few other "newbies" to take the plunge. First I would like to say this site has inspired me and has given me the confidence to tackle this project. This is my first project ever. I have owned fixer uppers but never really did anything with them. With that said this is not a full on custom but rather a nice DD I can be proud of and say "I DID that".
Let’s introduce her. She is a 67 short step with a 350/TH350. Nothing special but it will light em up. I drove 7 hours to southern Missouri to pick her up. I thought she was pretty solid except for some surface rust. Well it turned out to be a little more than that. That’s when I found this forum and confidence to do most of the work myself.
Here is the first pict I took outside St Luis getting dinner. I couldn’t believe it when some came up and asked me if it was for sale while I was stopped.

[Mator]

Started stripping her down. By hand and boy did I make the wife mad with all the dust.

[Mator]

Well took some time out of sanding and primering to work on the engine and get her running. Needed a new carb and fired right up. The neighbors loved me that day.

[Mator]

Pulled the bed last Jan and sent to sand blasting. I got racked over the coals and learn a leasson about sand blasting and body work. Lets just say I will everything I can before it goes to the shop.

[Mator]

Attached are the picutre of stripping her down.

[Mator]

I would like to say thanks to Art at " Arts classic truck parts" He helped me a truckload of good sheet metal. I have attached a few picts of inners, rad support. He also helped with floor pans. Oh, I might have forgot. While stripping it down I found a few things needed to be replaced. I started with the inners and rad support, floor pans, kick panels cab corners and rockers and a few cab supports. Yes that is a plural for everything. Not to mention a whole lot of welding. I took the plunge and bought my welder since I know how to weld and be robbed at the body shop. I paid $300 for it new. Nothing fancy but I know it more than paid for itself already.

[faribran]

keep it up.. and keep us posted with pics... i have one very similar to this.... mine is green...

[aggie91]

Really nice starting point, that is exactly what I wish I could find...

[aggie91]

Looks realy good, are you sure you are a beginner?

What are your plans for the suspension and wheels/tires?

[gdavis]

All these truck have the same issues. (I mean rust) in about the same places. I like those mickey thompson on your 350. And the small rear glass is also a plus. I have been working on my stepside 68 shorty going on two years. I took it all the way down to the frame. There is not a bolt or a part that I have not touch and cleaned. I am going to paint the cab in Jan. So if you have any questions on these truck you can't find a better place to ask, than this board.. I have done everything on my truck myself.
Being said happy building and welcome aboard. It seems to me that you are doing everything right and you look like you are on track.

[flashed]

Im in for the rest of this beauty of a build ,damn what a nice truck this one will be .

[Mator]

Thank you for the good comments. The suspension, well I want to go with a 3 - 5 drop and upgrade to disc in the front. Again nothing to fancy. That’s part of my dilemma. I want a disc break upgrade and most come with new spindles. I don’t want to buy new front springs and then change later with a drop spindle. I need to rebuild the breaks anyways and don’t want to throw money away by rebuilding my front breaks and then switch to disc either. I was able to find a set of 5” drop rear springs from a co-worker for 50 bucks and ordered a set of spring plates. The only thing I don’t have for the rear is new shocks and an adjustable track bar. For the tires and wheels, as fat as possible. I would like to do a 20 if I can. I love the Rocket Racing Modern Muscle Booster Wheels. But that will take time to save that kind of money and finish everything else.

[Mator]

Well, working on misc motor accessories install. Every day one step closer to hanging sheet Metal.

[54belair]

First of all----Its good to find your build, its looking good! Im kinda partial to steppers and the color. Looks sorta-kinda like mine! Im amazed that I missed seeing your truck on craigs- - -. I usually keep a close eye on all of Mo.
Looks like you had a few surprises (kinda like we all have) but shes looking fine. Good luck with her and have fun.

[Dean'smeanmachine]

man, that looks amazing. are you sure you are a bigginer?

[mcbassin]

Very nice project! you made the rust repair look easy. Subscribing to a killer stepper build

[Dingfodgy]

Very nice work thus far. You're gettin' after it like a pro! I have one suggestion though. That foam air cleaner you have on top of that motor is notorious for catching fire! Please do yorself a favor and replace with with a high quality paper element. I'd hate to see all your good work go up in smoke.

[mud.man.rj]

That is a nice build, really coming along. I like the red you picked, good choice.

[Mator]

Originally Posted by mud.man.rj

That is a nice build, really coming along. I like the red you picked, good choice.

Thanks, That is a sigle stage PPG color I had mixed for the interior and engine compartment to match the House of Color candy apple red I am using on the exterior. I think it came out pretty nice too.

[Mr Chevorlet]

your are doing a fantastic job and i love the color. beautiful so far.

[Mator]

Originally Posted by Dingfodgy

Very nice work thus far. You're gettin' after it like a pro! I have one suggestion though. That foam air cleaner you have on top of that motor is notorious for catching fire! Please do yorself a favor and replace with with a high quality paper element. I'd hate to see all your good work go up in smoke.

Thanks for the advice and your right. I will replace it when I am complete but for now it helps keep things out of the carb until complete. I learned that lesson when I bought the new carb and it sputtered and shot a flame on the initial try to start it and burnt the foam. Now it is an OH crap catcher.

[67cheby]

great looking project !

[Mator]

Well, spent Sunday reassembling the front end to check fitment one more time before sending off to be painted. So far everything looks good on gaps and fitment. I will spend some quality time on a few places I don’t like but it’s not too bad. Now I will have to see what my friend Jeff’s schedule looks like to get it over for paint. I plan on finishing the inside of the engine bay first then do the outside. Here’s a few picts.

[aggie91]

Looking Good!

[Mator]

Well its been pretty slow lately. To damn cold to work in the garage even with my small heater. Got the steering wheel installed and a little farther on the engine. Have a new painter comming by at lunch. I need to finish the paint on inner fender wells and fenders. My other painter is too busy now.