Project “Already Built” 68 Shortbed

[jeh]

Well as some of you guys know I sold my 70 shortbed big block truck I worked on for about 5 years this past spring. I’ve went to some shows and swap meets throughout the year looking for another truck, I was wanting something pretty much done this time. With my job I’m only home every other weekend and out of state the majority of the time so I didn’t want to build one. This little 68 shortbed caught my eye and I pulled the trigger on it about a month ago. It’s very clean, rust free, and the hard work is already done. There’s a few things I’m going to change and some things I’ll do just to make it “mine” I guess I really can’t call this a full blown build thread because it’s not but I’ll post up some changes and progress I’m making. I do want to say this is a great forum with lots of knowledge and great information that helped me along on the black truck I built. I had very many obstacles in my way on it but a lot of problems and issues I had were resolved on here.... let’s see how it goes!!!!

[raggedjim]

Nice truck, have fun.

Rg

[jeh]

Originally Posted by raggedjim

Nice truck, have fun.

Rg

Thanks

[jeh]

First thing on the list is the guages and the steering column. I got a set of Dakota VHX guages in black and a Ididit tilt column for it.

[CC69Rat]

Another nice one my friend ! Subscribed. It will be interesting to see what you do with it.

[mud.man.rj]

Truck looks like a really nice clean build, good purchase.
I'm sure you'll put your touch on it soon enough, interior is nice, steering wheel seems to modern but it;s all in what you like.
Mudman.

[CC69Rat]

CST lower wheel well trim maybe ?

[nlped]

Nice looking truck! You’ll need to give us the current specs so we know what you’re working with.

[Vic1947]

Sub'd ...fer sure!

[knomadd]

subscribed!

[jeh]

Originally Posted by CC69Rat

Another nice one my friend ! Subscribed. It will be interesting to see what you do with it.

Thanks Chad, you still selling yours???

Originally Posted by mud.man.rj

Truck looks like a really nice clean build, good purchase.
I'm sure you'll put your touch on it soon enough, interior is nice, steering wheel seems to modern but it;s all in what you like.
Mudman.

Thanks, stay tuned for some interior mods....

Originally Posted by CC69Rat

CST lower wheel well trim maybe ?

I have been contemplating the lower trim, I really like it on the 67/68 trucks

Originally Posted by nlped

Nice looking truck! You’ll need to give us the current specs so we know what you’re working with.

Thanks, I guess I did leave everybody in the dark on the specs

Originally Posted by Vic1947

Sub'd ...fer sure!

Thanks Vic

Originally Posted by knomadd

subscribed!

Thanks

[jeh]

Out with the old, in with the new!!!!
The previous owner had put a set of Dolphin guages in it and I didn’t care for them so I got the Dakota VHX guages in and finished up

[jeh]

I pulled the front wheel off to disconnect the steering shaft from the box, so I hit the wheel with a little Adams metal polish, now I’ll have to do the other 3

[Low Elco]

Nice truck, I very much like the wheels.

[knomadd]

You're going to love those gauges. I have them in mine and they have so many features and add-ons available, it makes them one of the best gauges you can buy. I just wish I hadn't wasted money on a different set before these.

[Bennett68C10]

Gauges look good in there, I have a set of the vhx gauges for my burb too. Also really like the wheels and they polished up nicely!

[jeh]

Originally Posted by Low Elco

Nice truck, I very much like the wheels.

Thanks man

Originally Posted by knomadd

You're going to love those gauges. I have them in mine and they have so many features and add-ons available, it makes them one of the best gauges you can buy. I just wish I hadn't wasted money on a different set before these.

I had a set in the black truck and I really like them so that's what I went with again

Originally Posted by Bennett68C10

Gauges look good in there, I have a set of the vhx gauges for my burb too. Also really like the wheels and they polished up nicely!

Thanks Kieth, I can definitely tell a difference with the quality of aluminum used on these wheels vs the Coy wheels I had......

[jeh]

Got the Ididit tilt column painted and ready to go in. I bought it in bare steel and painted the upper part satin black then cleared the whole thing with a satin clear to keep the natural steel look on the lower part, just something a little different. Waiting on the steering shaft to be delivered now, I bought one with the u-joints instead of the factory style rag joint.

[69CST4x4SWB]

Super sweet to start with but your own touches are very nice! Also LOVE those wheels!!! Thanks for sharing your work.

[Advanced Design]

Great looking truck and good choice on the gauges. Tagging along for more updates.

[jeh]

Originally Posted by 72_GMC_Sierra_Grande

Super sweet to start with but your own touches are very nice! Also LOVE those wheels!!! Thanks for sharing your work.

Thanks for checking it out

Originally Posted by Advanced Design

Great looking truck and good choice on the gauges. Tagging along for more updates.

Thanks, I’ve ran those guages before, super nice

[Vic1947]

Looking better and better! Have you decided on a steering wheel to go with the Ididit column? Lotsa nice ones to choose from to complement the VHX setup.

[jeh]

Originally Posted by Vic1947

Looking better and better! Have you decided on a steering wheel to go with the Ididit column? Lotsa nice ones to choose from to complement the VHX setup.

Thanks Vic, yes on the steering wheel, it’s out in the garage!!!
I got a black Billet Specialty “Draft”. Just waiting to get everything buttoned back up

[Xeen]

That's a nice looking pickup, what engine and transmission does it have in it and how is the rear end set up?

[jeh]

Well I ran into a little issue today that I kind of was expecting. The previous owner installed a Vintage Air kit like you would use in a hot rod, more of a universal kit. I knew this was something I wanted to change when I bought the truck. So today I tore into it, he welded tabs in the opening to make it smaller left and right and cut it out bigger up and down. I’m going to have to cut it back out to the correct width to install the new factory style control panel but it will be to big on the top and bottom...... Keep in mind this thing is all painted and I don’t want to do any welding. I pondered it all day and may have an idea, I thought about ordering a piece of carbon fiber about 1/16” thick and making a nice little “bezel” that would cover the indented area that the ignition switch, heat-ac control, and cigarette lighter is in. Feel free to throw out any other ideas
By the way, I did order a complete Vintage Air Surefit kit for it this morning. Everything he installed is all new but I just don’t think I’d be happy with it