Idiot's Guide to Truck Restoration?

[Gary]

OK supposed to pick up the LWB 72 GMC this weekend. And I'd like to start getting a plan of what to do in what order.

Ultimately I want to turn what's currently a pretty solid daily driver with a still decent interior into a pretty nice ride.

Should I start with the motor? (402BB + 700R4 is in there now) The paint? Interior? Maybe get the suspension and underside done first?

I've always wanted a hotrod(ish) old truck so now's my time too bad I don't know much

[gotmud]

Go to the book store and look for a book on restoration. Lots on the vendors on the main page offer them to and will deliver to your house. Where you start will probably depend on how many franklins are in your checking account...and how long you want to work on it.

[minibike]

This probably won't be popular advice, but if I was going to turn it into a nice machine to drive on a regular basis, I would start with suspension/brakes (just repairing, not putting a lot of aftermarket stuff on it), then go to the drive train...then to the stuff people see.

[smokekiki]

I agree with Minibike.If you can't stop,or can't keep it running,it's not much of a daily driver.

[Longhorn Man]

The paint and body is the most expensive portion of a rebuild, and also the most man hrs go into it. If fundage allows, i say start there.
An advantage of painting it first, is the fact that you'll be more pumped up to redo the rest of it so you can get the 'good lookin' truck out of the garage.
However, you do have to be very carefull working on a truck with fresh pint, that first nick or scratch is gonna hurt and make you wanna cry.
Onless it is someone else's fault, then you'll want to kill them.
A book will help quite a bit, however, there is nothing like jumping in and getting your hands dirty. If you have a buddy that is into the same hobby, or a child that is old engough to apreciate it, then you are that much ahead. Get a digital camera, or a poloroid, take pictures of everything. That way next year, or 5 years down the road, there is no question of how that alt bracket went.

[weasel29gm]

I'd drive it some and see how it runs first. Then set a budget and and go from underneath to the outside. Always have some mad money to buy a deal. I've been buyin' for 3 years and if you find a item for the interior now buy and store it. Same goes for the other stuff. Have fun and this is the best place for tips and advice.

[gotmud]

I agree with longhorn here....get a kid to help out....not only will you have a kul truck to drive when its done but your legacy will live on long after your truck dies!