Project Jones--a different kind of build-up

[gferris5]

Howdy-
So I thought I'd start my own truck build-up thread. I want to document the progress in such a way as to keep it and have something cool to look back upon later as well as creating a place to get good feedback from those who have more experience than I. My goal is to have a truck built with a unique philosophy of using every choice as an opportunity to do something different--even if it means struggling and swearing (Addendum: skills and especially money are the limiting factor, hence the lack of a fuel injected Caddy engine and so forth, bear with me).

My dad gave me the truck, we called it Jones because we thought such an American truck deserved a solid, American name. Jones served my family well for about 15 years and then was forgotten to death around 1990. It sat for nine years before I painted it for my senior project in high school, not a great paint job, but it keeps the rust off. I had a good summer job in 2003 and I bought a ton of parts for it, but college kept me from getting everything together and getting it running. Now that I have graduated, I don't have much more time, but I do have my own garage space (clean-out pending) where I will have to get the truck towed so that I can get it running.

Okay, stats:
1968 Long Bed, 2wd
What I have ready to go (everything is new):
GM Crate 350, intake, carb, headers, mufflers, dist. etc.
4 core radiator, bed-mounted battery,
TCI 700-r4--that OD had better be worth the trouble.
Audiobahn sound system.
The drivetrain is pretty "vanilla" but it will be great to have basically a new truck with a tested combination. This truck is going to be a driver.
*I'll also fill in more details as I move the truck along, this post is just to get acquainted.

Pics are coming in next thread.
Cheers!