Project: Grandpa

[fordguy40]

This is my first, but not my last, squarebody. And this project is more of a restoration and an attempt to get this beast reliable and presentable again, so its scope is more limited than a lot of the awesome builds here. Initially thought about lowering it, then going the 4WD conversion route, but finally decided to just enjoy it for what it originally was; a bare-bones, no-frills work truck.

It's a 1980 C30 Custom Deluxe with ~186K miles and has been in my wife's family since new. Only options as far as I can tell were the 350, TH400, A/C, gauges, and radio. Was told that it had last been driven around 4 years ago, but it was regularly getting its fluids changed even while sitting. Only cancer I've found is near the weatherstrip pinchweld at the driver's side floorpan; the rest of the undercarriage and engine compartment are solid and really clean. The plan initially is to go through and get it sorted mechanically and not so much aesthetically; leaving the outside ugly for a while so I can park it anywhere and use it as a "truck". Only upgrades in mind now are 16's, Vintage Air, and an LQ4/4L80E.

Here's the day we tried to pick it up out in the desert. Fired right up with a new battery, but wouldn't stay running, wouldn't go into gear, and had no brakes. We weren't driving this thing home....