Can't decide what to do next - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

lukecp · 07-08-2003, 07:50 PM

I have been slowly working on and daily driving my turck in the almost 3 years i have owned it. Right now, i can't decide what i want to do next to it. My whole drivetrain has been gone through, as well as the brakes. The only thing that hasn't been messed with is the rear axle, which seems OK and dosen't make too much noise. I have narrowed it down to a few more engine mods, or starting on body work.

My current engine runs really well, and has great power. But, i wouldn't mind putting a Comp XE262 cam in it, a new HEI distributor, and Perfomer RPM intake. I have to drive the truck every day, so i don't want to make it into too big of a gas hog (right now i get 11-13 mpg).

Or, i could buy a small 110V MIG welder and start fixing the rust. The truck needs both rockers, most of both floorpans, cab supports, and the lower right fender cup. It also has rust above the windshield pretty bad. Amazingly, my cab corners are fine. I have all the new metal needed, as well as a clipped cab to fix the rust above the windshield.

What is holding me back from doing body work is the fact that i have almost 0 experience at it, besides spreading a little bondo. I can weld OK, but it has been awhile and i don't have much experience with bodywork. I can to the mechanic work on it OK, i have experience with it.

What would you do if you had my truck?

70c10 · 07-08-2003, 07:58 PM

I would get the welder and get that going.

Class of 69 · 07-08-2003, 08:14 PM

I second the body work. You've put a lot of time, and money into the engine, and having a reliable drive train is the most important thing. But, now that it is dependable, it's gotta look good!!! " If all else fails, it MUST look good" Just a slogan I see on some show cars!! LOL. Body work isn't my strong suite either, so I'm paying to get mine done, but it will look good. These trucks look soooo sweet all restored!! You will be even more proud of it when it's done!

JimKshortstep4x4 · 07-08-2003, 08:37 PM

That is a "me too" from me!

You can weld and you obviously have some ability, otherwise you would not have gotten this far with your truck. Start with the easy projects and go from there. Time and patience will work on getting it to look good.

Good luck!

Jim

lukecp · 07-08-2003, 08:43 PM

Looks like 3 for the body work....Now that i think about it, the bodywork would proably cost less, if i can pick up a good used mig for pretty cheap. I only have 5 weeks to work on it, and then i am moving out and will have no place to work on it......maybe if i hurry up and start cutting, i can at least get the rockers and floorpans done.

Thanks for the help

*racedvl* · 07-08-2003, 09:42 PM

Body work.

Billy G · 07-09-2003, 05:59 AM

Mig Welder!!! I spent the 4th weekend visiting family....and decided then to go ahead and get the welder...that way when funds are tight....I can spend hours doing body work.

Billy G

1972ChevyGuy · 07-09-2003, 09:25 AM

Anybody ever bought any cab corners? Mine are rusted pretty good (A softball size hole) How do they fit in? Weld up?

jhwkns · 07-09-2003, 10:18 AM

You won't regret buying a welder.

mtdave2 · 07-09-2003, 12:38 PM

5weeks to work? egad.. i wouldnt get too crazy taking stuff apart. dont want to wind up with your truck tore apart trying to paint. then the move hits... maybe do small bits at a time..

but id vote body work too.

wnc mountain · 07-09-2003, 03:05 PM

Body work while you have a place to work on it.

Ron · 07-09-2003, 03:13 PM

Do something fairly simple first, like just one rocker. Ease into it. Don't get into a hurry. I like to take my time at this sort of work.

71-longbed · 07-09-2003, 03:33 PM

i agree with mtdave2 .....take your time

07-08-2003, 07:50 PM	#1
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	Can't decide what to do next I have been slowly working on and daily driving my turck in the almost 3 years i have owned it. Right now, i can't decide what i want to do next to it. My whole drivetrain has been gone through, as well as the brakes. The only thing that hasn't been messed with is the rear axle, which seems OK and dosen't make too much noise. I have narrowed it down to a few more engine mods, or starting on body work. My current engine runs really well, and has great power. But, i wouldn't mind putting a Comp XE262 cam in it, a new HEI distributor, and Perfomer RPM intake. I have to drive the truck every day, so i don't want to make it into too big of a gas hog (right now i get 11-13 mpg). Or, i could buy a small 110V MIG welder and start fixing the rust. The truck needs both rockers, most of both floorpans, cab supports, and the lower right fender cup. It also has rust above the windshield pretty bad. Amazingly, my cab corners are fine. I have all the new metal needed, as well as a clipped cab to fix the rust above the windshield. What is holding me back from doing body work is the fact that i have almost 0 experience at it, besides spreading a little bondo. I can weld OK, but it has been awhile and i don't have much experience with bodywork. I can to the mechanic work on it OK, i have experience with it. What would you do if you had my truck? __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

07-08-2003, 07:58 PM	#2
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,856	I would get the welder and get that going. __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads

07-08-2003, 08:14 PM	#3
Class of 69 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Stillwater MN Posts: 1,166	I second the body work. You've put a lot of time, and money into the engine, and having a reliable drive train is the most important thing. But, now that it is dependable, it's gotta look good!!! " If all else fails, it MUST look good" Just a slogan I see on some show cars!! LOL. Body work isn't my strong suite either, so I'm paying to get mine done, but it will look good. These trucks look soooo sweet all restored!! You will be even more proud of it when it's done! __________________ 69 GMC K10 ..some restoration required....still..

07-08-2003, 08:43 PM	#5
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	Looks like 3 for the body work....Now that i think about it, the bodywork would proably cost less, if i can pick up a good used mig for pretty cheap. I only have 5 weeks to work on it, and then i am moving out and will have no place to work on it......maybe if i hurry up and start cutting, i can at least get the rockers and floorpans done. Thanks for the help __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

07-09-2003, 05:59 AM	#7
Billy G Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Dayton, Tx (in Old River) Posts: 286	Mig Welder!!! I spent the 4th weekend visiting family....and decided then to go ahead and get the welder...that way when funds are tight....I can spend hours doing body work. Billy G __________________ My FAMOUS LAST WORDS...."Ima Gonna!!" - 1970 GMC 1500 swb/step 250 I-6 3 spd - "The GEM" - 1976 Chev Scotsdale swb/step 350/350 - "The JEWEL" - 1982 Chev C-10 swb/step 250 I-6 3 spd - - 2001 Chev Silverado LT -

07-08-2003, 08:37 PM	#4
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	That is a "me too" from me! You can weld and you obviously have some ability, otherwise you would not have gotten this far with your truck. Start with the easy projects and go from there. Time and patience will work on getting it to look good. Good luck! Jim

07-08-2003, 09:42 PM	#6
racedvl Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Woodstock, IL Posts: 7,020	Body work.

07-09-2003, 09:25 AM	#8
1972ChevyGuy Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Kannapolis, NC Posts: 552	Anybody ever bought any cab corners? Mine are rusted pretty good (A softball size hole) How do they fit in? Weld up?

07-09-2003, 10:18 AM	#9
jhwkns Registered Cruiser Join Date: May 2002 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 2,230	You won't regret buying a welder. __________________ I intend to live forever. So far, so good.

07-09-2003, 12:38 PM	#10
mtdave2 newly minted old timer Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Hudson WI Posts: 3,521	5weeks to work? egad.. i wouldnt get too crazy taking stuff apart. dont want to wind up with your truck tore apart trying to paint. then the move hits... maybe do small bits at a time.. but id vote body work too. __________________ ____________________________________________ 72 c20 longhorn 65k org miles and counting! 69 k10 Suburban

07-09-2003, 03:05 PM	#11
wnc mountain More hobbies than money! Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Raleigh, nc, usa Posts: 655	Body work while you have a place to work on it. __________________ '70 cst10/swb 350, 3 on the tree, factory buckets. '70 GMC lwb 350/350 ps,pb '72 c-10 lwb 350/350 a/c, ps, pb '72 Blazer project

07-09-2003, 03:13 PM	#12
Ron Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Zillah Wa. USA Posts: 394	Do something fairly simple first, like just one rocker. Ease into it. Don't get into a hurry. I like to take my time at this sort of work. __________________ '69 SWB '76 International "Terra" "Hooked on holiday beer"

07-09-2003, 03:33 PM	#13
71-longbed Its Magically Delicious Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: oregon Posts: 2,398	i agree with mtdave2 .....take your time __________________ 71 C10 LWB 350sbc -TH350 12 bolt 3.42 Posi Of all my favorite things to do, The utmost is to have a brew. My love grows for my foamy friend, with each thirst-quenching elbow bend. Beer so frosty, smooth, and cold it's paradise pure liquid gold. Yes beer means many things to me that's all for now cus I gotta pee.

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