Bringing home the baby

[summitflier]

New to the forums here. Just got my "new" truck last month.
Lots of good info here.

[summitflier]

Well, it's a start anyway.

[summitflier]

It's actually a 68, with 69 hood and fenders.

[Jonlopes]

Nice start. Are you going to leave it alone or swap the front end back to the originals? Personally, I like the 67-68 front ends better than 69-72.

[jessemthompson]

Looks like a good start. Just have to get rid of that horrendous looking shifter lol.

[VWNate1]

Looks O.K. to me !

[boynton]

Originally Posted by jessemthompson

Looks like a good start. Just have to get rid of that horrendous looking shifter lol.

2nd! It looks like a great truck you just need to clean it up a bit (undo the redneck engineering) any plans yet?

[summitflier]

I agree about the shifter, I'm surprised no one mentioned the wheels.
I'm not sure how big the hole in the trans hump is until I take out the shifter.
(I assume this is the big hump model). I was told the hump doesn't usually unbolt from the floor. (Is this true?) but mine does. It makes it handy.

The TH400 is leaking everywhere, front seal, rear seal, bottom pan pan.
I got a B&M 700R4, but I need to move the trans cross member to make it fit.
I think Performance online makes one I might try.

The engine (350) is starting to smoke some (I suspect rings, but it runs decently enough for now)

Bought a Scott's Hotrods IFS. I'm leaving it close to stock height. Has 12 inch wilwood disks, and aldan coilovers, also has a power steering box. Got a saginaw type power steering pump, but needed longer hoses with special fittings to work with the power steering on the IFS. Also got an ididit tilt steering from Scott's. Had to get an intermediate shaft and universals for it. (Stock steering shaft doesn't fit).
Also went with 5x5 bolt pattern on front. (a LOT more wheel options than the 6x5.5).

Also bought 5x5 axles for the GM 12 bolt rear from Scott's as well.
Finally got 11 inch disc's on the rear. I know 13 and 14 inch disc's are cool but this is all I need. I plan to get a moser spindle type posi (3.73) for the differential.

Right now the manual steering with the 12 inch steering wheel is pretty rough.
The non-power drum brakes on all four corners seem to stop it easily enough.
Thinking of going with at least a 14 inch steering wheel (haven't decided what kind yet).

The rear coil spring are shot, it almost looks like I have the rear lowered 2 inches. The trailing arm bushings look pretty bad also. The rear shocks are leaking. They look to be Monroe 911040's. I looked them up, and found the specs on them. (stock height)
collapsed length 11.75 inches. extended length 18.38 inches. travel 6.63 inches.
I am considering going with coil-overs on the rear. I suppose you just leave the coil springs off the trailing arms if you go this route. The idea is that there would be more stability moving the springs out a couple of inches on each side.

The trailing arm cross member looks good, but the bushings are shot. The trailing arms themselves look to be in pretty good shape. I could be wrong, but I really don't see any reason to replace them.

All the gauges are dead. No speedometer, no gas gauge, no oil pressure, water temp, no turn signals, no head lights and no brake lights. (other than that I'm in good shape).
I did pick up an American wiring harness.

I suppose step one is to strip everything down the frame. Depending on how it looks I may have to get it sand-blasted. Then hopefully powder coated. Then install the IFS and re-install the rear trailing arms. (with no springs and new bushings).

All four tires have slow leaks (but the 15 inch wheels don't look so great to me anyway).
So as soon as I get the 5x5 IFS and 5x5 rear axles installed, the next step in 5x5 wheels.
Thinking of going 18 inch rear and 16 or 17 inch front. (I like the raked look).
I'm not sure how wide I can go with the stock axle. I have 15x8's on the rear now.
I would like to go at least 9.5 wide.

So that's the plan for phase 1. Just getting the frame and suspension in good shape.

The body is in pretty good shape, just a few minor dents and superficial rust. The front passenger side fender is from a GMC K20.
I'll have to get a fender. It doesn't match the rest of the truck. (well not much of the truck matches the rest of the truck).

Oh yeah, the wood bed doesn't have any wood, so I can see the asphalt beneath.

[michael bustamante]

those are the old wire luxor wheels arent they?
I used be a lorider

[summitflier]

Originally Posted by michael bustamante

those are the old wire luxor wheels arent they?
I used be a lorider

Yes they are.
I can make you a very good deal on them
(but they are pretty rusty).

[summitflier]

Originally Posted by Jonlopes

Nice start. Are you going to leave it alone or swap the front end back to the originals? Personally, I like the 67-68 front ends better than 69-72.

I'm thinking since I already have it mostly 69/70, I'll likely go that way.
I like the sloped 67/68 hoods better. There is actually someone here
in town that has the 68 hood with a 69 grill, (he told me they didn't fit together very well, so he had to do some fabricating). It actually looks pretty decent.
I'll try to get a pic next time I see him.

[hugger6933]

Don't think we all haven't thought something about your wheels. The truck does have a high hump that help you when it is time to repair the hole. Sounds like you have some lofty goals for the truck. Good luck. Jim

[michael bustamante]

Haha no my wire wheel days are long gone. I like ol school muscle now! Vroom vrooooooom!!!!

[summitflier]

A few more angles.

[boynton]

Sweet plan. Sounds like you have a pretty good handle and some experience with these trucks. Looking forward to your progress

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Lots of potential. Love the wheels.