Joining the 67-72 Crew!

[Henner]

Hello all,
Here is my story on my 68 short step side (Orginally the 503 teal). My Great Grandfather ordered this truck new in 68 and had it delivered to the family farm in Orlando, Oklahoma. Before he passed away he handed it down to my Grandpa and that is where my memories started of riding around the back roads as a kid in the bed of the truck. When grandpa passed my father took over the truck and I was a little older and still remember at around 10-12 yrs old trying to learn to drive the 3 on the tree, we may have became professional bull riders and didn't even know it!!

As I became older and started my own life and family I wasn't as close to my father as I should have been. Received a call one day from my Uncle that my Dad had suddenly passed away. Once everything settled down all I requested was the family truck because I was next in line and it meant a lot to me. My Dads wife said he had sold the truck several years ago because times were very hard. So, I was on a mission to find this truck, a few years later I had finally found the truck and owner and it was only an hour away from me. I wrote the owner a letter thinking he probably thinks I am crazy. He wrote me back and said what an amazing story and I know this is the truck you are looking for because your Great Grandfather delivery tag is still in the glove box. But....... this truck is very special to my son and I now and it has been our project. Several months had passed and they called and said they would be willing to sell me the truck because they felt that was right.

So, here we are now. The WHOLE truck was sprayed flat black, air ride suspension was installed (manual, no compressor), Converted to disc brakes with 5 lug. 355 motor with Saginaw 4 speed.

It will be a long slow process for me to get this truck back to how I remember it and want it but, atleast I have it back. It does need a lot of work but it's not terrible and can be driven daily if wanted. So far I have fixed some minor issues and removed all the shaker can black from the interior bringing back the patina green interior. In the process of working on the exterior which is going to take FOREVER.

This forum has been great already for knowledge and advice and i'm sure I will have plenty of questions for you guys.

[flashed]

Welcome ,nice truck and Im in to see the rest of the story .

[jeffahart]

Wow, great story!

Now that you have it you can settle in and let time take it course in getting back to your specs.

Welcome to a great forum about these great trucks!

[tommys72]

Good story! That's pretty awesome that you were able to find it and even more so they sold it to you

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

That's very cool.

[RenoKeene]

Going back to stock I hope. I would with that back story.
Great job getting it back!

[Henner]

Yes going to go mostly back to stock besides motor, tranny, wheels and ride height. Im trying to find some wheels I like that will tuck under the rear steps like they are supposed to. These Torque Thrusts have a huge negative offset so they stick out of the tub..

[67 chevelle]

awesome story , cant wait to see it done

[Henner]

Havn't updated in awhile but with the oilfield that way it is now money is tight so project is slow. The PO sprayed EVERYTHING they could get a gun on with flat black. Being on a budget right now so most upgrades have been cheap or just labor on my part. I used carb cleaner and removed all the flat black from the interior. Still working on Engine Bay. I want the truck back the patina 503 green it was when dad had it. Re wired a lot of stuff and got most of the factory gauges working right. (Just need to find a OEM Temp Gauge). Heading to Get new wheels and tires Saturday. Went with the Ridler 695 in chrome 20".

[73737373]

Now that you have some time on your hands......if you sand fairly lightly using about a 1500 grit paper, you can work thru what remains of that flat black on the dash and buff out the green. You probably wouldn't even need the sandpaper. Use Wizard 11048 Mystic Cutting Compound. It'll make that old paint look brand new. The pic is of my 70 GMC that I used Wizrad on...it made that original paint look brand new. Had to use some 2000 grit in few places, but it was done mostly w/a buffer and Wizard. It's not cheap, about $40/bottle, but much cheaper (and better results) than a repaint.

IMHO, you're going in the right direction w/that truck; back to stock. I'm not a fan of modified trucks, but everyone has their likes/dislikes. I'm down in Marlow. Holler at me if you need anything.

[Henner]

7373 I appreciate it and whats even more ironic is when I finally found the family truck it was in Marlow, OK.

[70cst]

Hey Henner ,,,

to the forum and from Ohio.

Awesome story

[El Dorado Jim]

very cool you got the truck back, I would love to have the old '64 chevy pickup my parents had , then I had and sold 40 years ago

[TheCougarine]

That is a super cool story, especially since you were able to track it down and get it back. My grandpa had a 68 step side, of course that truck rusted down and is I'm sure long gone by now. I'm sure it'll be really cool when you're done, I love that green.

[Henner]

Quick question. Why would my rear wheels not be centered in the wheel well? How can I fix this issue? I am fixing to order 2" blocks and rear shock relocators for the rear. Just purchased 2 1/2 drop spindels and CPP drop shocks for all corners.

[Henner]

Forgot to add pictures.

[67 chevelle]

A guess , someone made a shortbed from a long bed and cut too much ?

[Henner]

No this truck has been in the family since new in 68 so i know thats not the case. The person that had it when dad sold it insalled bags and a 12 bolt posi, new drive shaft, not sure if any of this could have shifted it backwards.

[steelhorse]

Great story. Just remember it's a marathon to restore one of these trucks not a sprint. At least for most of us.

[Henner]

Has anyone shortened the trailing arms 3-4" to bring the rearend towards the cab?

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by Henner

Has anyone shortened the trailing arms 3-4" to bring the rearend towards the cab?

I seem to recall some discussion about tweaking the trailing arms on stepside beds.
Your best bet might be in the suspension department to ask this question.

[jeh]

Very cool story, good work on getting it back and anxious to see more

[mcbassin]

Henner, welcome to the forum! I think you have a great story, glad to see your truck is still in the family.
Why don't you go ahead and start a build thread over in THIS section.

[chopnchaneled]

Just getting here, "Great story" WELCOME and signing on for the ride.

[Henner]

All of the shaker can paint is now removed and air bag kit properly installed.