Project: SUT (Simple Utility Truck)

[1964C10]

Ok, you guys have inspired my to start my own build thread here
I bought mine off eBay a little over 4 years ago, fairly clean and straight although it looks better in the pictures then it actually was. The paint was superficial and I wasn't able to go see/drive it before buying. BUT I wanted the truck!! sooo $2900 later I am the proud owner, did I over pay?


Unfortunately, other commitments, family etc has kept me from doing anything but stare at it, until this year
But it has taken its toll unfortunately.

[1964C10]

Now onto the good part
Here she sits today with the bed and the rear taken apart. I am just about done getting everything painted except for the framerails which I will do this week and then put it all back together yesssssss

This is a original California truck so everything is not rusted much but mostly dirty and greasy. For example things like the trailing arms are still sharp enough on the corners to cut your finger, yeah learned that the hard way hahahah.

[1964C10]

My goal for the truck:
1) Simple so that it is easy to maintain, no exotic parts, paint job etc.
2) I want to make it a reliable, comfortable daily driver, so it's going to be automatic (I live in SoCal) electric windows, power steering, power brakes, power door locks, etc
3) For me trucks where meant to be used, so I am making it that a trip to Lowe's to pick up sod or haul away an old fridge isn't going to make me cringe.
Thanks for looking and also for all the help that has already been giving here by members!!

[jgh64pkup]

nice are you keeping it stock height

[1964C10]

I am not sure yet, I am think progressive rate springs in the back at least so it won't sag with a load, as far as any drop after I get everything setup with wheels and tires I might do some drop to get the truck to sit level, I haven't gotten used to any rake yet but who knows lol. I am really doing alot of reading/looking on here to get some ideas. The rims that are on there now were freebies and are Weld Racing forged rims, they were really expensive but the chrome is peeling like crazy!! I called the company but it has gone bankrupt and got bought out a few years ago and of course they aren't honoring any warranty. Well at least I have no money in them but I might just get them sandblasted and polished, or just sell them cheap lol, 6 lugs are hard to find.

[1964C10]

Ok since it's 100% humidity outside and I cant paint my rear frame rails I'll share some entertaining story hehehe

See I live in a "typical" SoCal neighborhood, working class people, stucco houses with clay rooftiles. For the past 2 years I had the truck parked in front of my house and worked on it occasionally, and no one complained. Then we get some "new" neighbors across the street, well apparently they wanted to live in Beverly Hills but could only afford it here so now she sits in the front lawn sipping wine. I guess my "ugly" truck was in her way so she called code enforcement and I got my first warning, well that ended getting "filed" properly lol. Not two weeks later I get a ticket! "No parking for more then 72 hours" This was Monday morning around 10ish, so I started calculating: trash pickup on friday means my truck is in the driveway to make room for the trash can so there is nooo way it could have been 72 hours. I go to the City and file to have the officer's paperwork showing where it's 72 hours, I get this copy of a page in a scribbled notebook, with just my address and "monday morning" written on it. Clear to me I am gonna win this thing, so I file a petition and wait my court date with the arbitrator. I present my case and files in my favor yessss, I get my $42 back, yes the whole thing become a principle at some point. Fast forward about 3 months: I back out of my driveway and I see the code enforcement truck kind of behind my truck watching it, so I back up next to the guy and he takes off, knowing he has been 'spotted' lol. I dont know, it's wasn't a good day for me I guess so I decided to give chase (5L Mustang so it was a short chase lol) he keeps pulling over and park behind him, then goes again, we did this like thru several streets in the neighborhood until he finally left the area. Moral of the story: I haven't seen him since and it's been 6 months

I have no idea why I am sharing this, if it came across boring, it definitely was funnier in person

[sixnine]

Originally Posted by 1964C10

My goal for the truck:
1) Simple so that it is easy to maintain, no exotic parts, paint job etc.
2) I want to make it a reliable, comfortable daily driver, so it's going to be automatic (I live in SoCal) electric windows, power steering, power brakes, power door locks, etc
3) For me trucks where meant to be used, so I am making it that a trip to Lowe's to pick up sod or haul away an old fridge isn't going to make me cringe.
Thanks for looking and also for all the help that has already been giving here by members!!

Great plan! That's exactly what I have planned for my '72.

[1964C10]

Awesome, I see your plans for a powerplant are an LSx, I would love to know how that is going?

[1964C10]

Well my truck is on the dolly! Now I can move it in and out of the garage to clean the rear frame rails. I actually have them wire wheeled today and sitting in phospho overnight ready for one last sanding and then primer tomorrow. Check out my homemade dolly...

[Palf70Step]

You have a nice start on your truck. It will be interesting to watch it go back together.

I am sure glad we don't have to deal with the code things you folks over there seem to. I guess there is an advantage to living in a so called "behind the times/backwards" state like Mississippi.

[jgh64pkup]

im glad i live in texas
in the small town i live in the only thing ive gotten called on is for disturbing the peace
hint: delta force 40s

[1964C10]

Yeah that is the price we pay for no bugs, no humidity, no heat ;-) Just kidding I grew up SC and I do miss certain things about living there.

[1964C10]

Thanks for all the comments and support, it definitely helps to keep going!

Here she sits ready for primer, wire wheeled, sanded and phospo treatment, I know I didn't get it all but then again this isn't a Barrett Jackson restoration neither. What do think good enough?

[1964C10]

[ANTHONY67]

Keep up the work looks like a great start.

[1964C10]

Well I got it painted with hammered paint. That turned out ok but needs a second coat. I primered it with rusty metal primer which is brown and used charcoal hammered paint and now you can see little brown spots through the charcoal. When you paint with this stuff it goes on like a solid layer and then a few seconds later it "pools" leaving bare spots unfortunately going over it with a second coat while it is still wet does not help completely. So I think next time I will primer, paint with gloss black, wait 2 days and then top coat with hammered paint. Pictures coming

[1964C10]

Thanks Anthony!!

[ruffrida2005]

good looking start you got going. Alan really makes you mad to see all the work he's doing on his and your just starting! Atleast that's how I feel because I dont have my truck here!

[VDOG]

What is Hammered Paint?

[1964C10]

Hammered paint is kinda hard to describe but I think refer to it as wrinkly paint. Typically you see it on industrial machinery, it has that bumpy finish to it. I will post some pictures soon of my frame, you might be able to see it, I am not sure since it is almost black. The stuff is pretty hard which I like, hence the industrial application

[VDOG]

Ok krinkle paint, the bumpy paint on frames and on our inner fender wells under the hood. Gotcha!

[1964C10]

Well the backend is all put back together what do you guys think? passable? I didnt do anything to bearing for the driveshaft because PO did something funky and it's not aligned correctly but I am leaving it for the moment because it will be getting a different engine/trans down the road.

[1964C10]

Well here are two little things I had to do to make things work, First the bracket for the ebrake cable was stock but it was just not working well with the wrong spacer etc so I used a stainless bracket with an aluminum backplate and some SS hardware. There is actually a groove in the back aluminum piece plus some rubber to keep it from rubbing, the stainless loop bracket actually fits inside the groove of the cable.

Second, the hole in the frame for the ebrake cable either is not in the right spot or something either way it had rubbed a groove into the frame and of course started to destroy the cable so I fabbed a bronze bushing with a beveled edge and a groove for a spring clip to keep it in place.


Notice the rubber boot for the cable had to hunt that down since the cables dont come with any.

[jgh64pkup]

wow that looks good

[1964C10]

Thanks! I am learning as I go