Over restored truck, options? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jku72 · 06-27-2002, 02:56 PM

I have a 1970 CST longhorn, which I formerly used to do chores, and work. It is a great truck, but after having it all made like new, I am at a loss. What should I do?

dubie · 06-27-2002, 03:07 PM

If I sunk a wack of cash into a truck like these, you can bet for damn sure I would be driving it whenever possible. I don't know if I would haul gravel and eberything else with it, but I would definately cruise all the time.

*Shane* · 06-27-2002, 03:10 PM

Drive It!! thats what GM built them for.....for us to enjoy and drive!

colohusker · 06-27-2002, 03:16 PM

If by hauling gravel, you mean a bag or two from Home Depot, certainly!

I'd defintely drive it every chance I got, of course, I drive my beater every chance I get as well.

my new 72 · 06-27-2002, 03:39 PM

If it's a show pony then make it one, but if you just wanted a very sweet truck to drive to the store and cruise night, then use it for that. We have all spent way more that 10,000 on a new truck just to torture it, you are coming out ahead no matter what you do. It's got character, and not everyone else has one.

Southpa · 06-27-2002, 03:43 PM

Over restored as in finished the job, I assume. Are you sure you have done EVERYTHING you possibly can in the restoration? I'm still working on mine, but when I replace something I always try to go one better than the original. ie. replaced stock steering column with a tilt column, I had bad front crossmember brackets so I replaced the front end with one that had disc brakes. Replaced leaky, cracked windshield with a new tinted one, installed front sway bar. See what I mean?, my truck has more options now.

Anyway, if you are happy with the job you can either sell it at a predictable loss to what you've invested (thats the way it usually goes), and buy another one that needs work. OR just drive it and be happy and put your tools, time, money and effort into another hobby like boat building, or something.

dion · 06-27-2002, 03:52 PM

Drive it! But be careful. I've put more money into my truck than I'll admit but I still use it as my daily driver. I put a bed mat in so I can put small things in the back and I park far away from other cars etc.. Once my truck is done I'll just by another project to work on. I'd say just keep it and get a new project.

mtdave2 · 06-27-2002, 04:32 PM

I was thinking the same thing when I bought my longhorn. Thing was perfect, 32k miles. could deiced what to do, park it? Sell it to a chevy deal to display in their show room? drive it?.....

finally i decided to drive it.. driving these trucks dont wear them out. lack of maintenance and abuse does. so, now the truck has 44k on it, and is in ever better shape than it was. i have fixed almost every small detail. i drive it too, no as a daily driver, but everything is a 60 mile round trip here. other than the price of gas and the 13 mpg I dont even thing twice about driving it.

How much did you put into your truck getting it all nice? 10k? 20k?
Even at 20k you are far ahead of most people who are spending 30 and 40k on a new truck. And it will last 4 times as long.

this is the way IM thinking, and as long as i stick to this idea the truck will be like new for ever

something broke>? fix it right with good parts

Maintenance follow the book. Actually change the trany and rear end fluid like it says ( im suprised how many dont do this). grease the hell out of everything with a zert.

Rust, jump on it immediately, usually I do this after I wash it, just go around with the touch up paint. Have the truck undercoated, and touch up ever 1 or 2 years.

Here is something i learned a few years ago that i didnt know. There are little drains under your door, and on the bottom of the rocker panels clean them out with a hack saw blade. this will keep water from pooling= rust.

I dont think id be hauling anything like a load of rocks, unless maybe i had a plastic bed liner that i could put in and take out.

paint.. i look at paint the same way i look at tires. paint wears out. when it does repaint it before the metal gets damaged..

lol this all seems simple, but i guess laziness gets the best of us

jku72 · 06-27-2002, 04:44 PM

I just feel guilty driving it, and using it. I spent a lot on a frame off, because it was such a good work truck before. Now, it is so shiny, I even wipe my feet before I get in, and my wife was complaining because I dont even dare carry small things for fear of scratching the furniture like bedwood. Now, I have a 1 ton truck with a big block, too heavy to race, too nice to work.
I dont dare drive it in snow, or salt, so that leaves half a year I should not drive it.
I think it is meant to work, and I need to just get over the perfection, and go back to using it, and then in 10 years, enjoy doing another restoration. Hell with it, I'm hauling whatever, and just pretend it's 1970, and I got a new truck.

ckhd · 06-27-2002, 05:32 PM

Let me drive it. I'll put it's first new scratch in it and then you won't be afraid to drive it!

Just kidding. I'm working on a frame of of my '69, and you bet your butt I'll drive the thing when I'm done. I'll even use the four-wheel-drive now and then.

I'll be careful with it and take care of it like mtDave says, but I don't believe in trailer queens or garage hermits. If you have a vehicle, drive it.

PushinPebbles · 06-27-2002, 05:35 PM

Hey! if ya can't drive it, sell it

moose · 06-27-2002, 06:24 PM

IM restoring my 69 frame up exepted cab. Plan on selling new truck to drive 69 for adaily driver and find a blazer for a prodject

long live 67-72 trucks

quote from ckhd
[I don't believe in trailer queens or garage hermits].

**ThreeQuarter** · 06-27-2002, 08:19 PM

I'm with Dave. There's a way to drive/use these pickups that doesn't wear them out. Of course, you always run the risk of things happening that are beyond your control, like wrecking it. But that's what (classic auto) insurance is for. If you actually enjoy keeping it garaged and using as a showpiece (Cameron's dad in Ferris Bueler's Day Off) then more power to you. Otherwise, it takes some amount of risk to enjoy these pickups.

I had a children's book when I was a kid (bear with me here) that was called "Rabbit's New Rug" in which Mr. Rabbit bought a new rug and invited all of his friends to see it, but nobody was allowed on it. Nobody had any fun and everybody stopped coming to see Mr. Rabbit. Then one day he decided that friends were more important than that rug and then they all got to party on the rug. It was then that everyone could fully appreciate how nice the rug was. I still think of that book when my anal tendencies want to take over.

:p

LOL!

CoryM · 06-27-2002, 09:51 PM

You got the right idea, drive the thing. After you get a door ding or a good scratch you will stop cringing everytime you think about hauling something. Add some antirust stuff (undercoating, grease etc) and treat the truck the way its meant to be treated. I know what your saying though, but hey, its only $$$$. Its already well spent (so long as you drive the truck). Maybe buy a $750 beater truck for the real nasty stuff? or a easily removable bedliner.
Happy Trucking.
CoryM

*Gee_Emm* · 06-27-2002, 10:49 PM

Get a trailer to tow behind it if you want to haul stuff.

WORNBRAKES · 06-27-2002, 11:07 PM

You could always use the '69 K5 beater you list for work. Even better, sound like you have a reason to buy another truck. Then drive the longhorn every chance you get outside of work.

mikej71 · 06-28-2002, 05:01 PM

I don't have to worry about snow and salt, so I'm not sure how I'd handle that. But I would definitely drive it the rest of the time.
I would love to have that nice of a truck to drive all the time.

popeye72 · 06-28-2002, 05:12 PM

I don't drive mine as often as I should but I do like driving it!!

Gotta do some more touch up but not in a hurry yet.
Have fun

View Poll Results: What do I do with an over restored truck?
Keep it in garage forever	6	20.69%
Sell it	2	6.90%
Ignore the resto, use it to haul gravel	21	72.41%
Voters: 29. You may not vote on this poll

06-27-2002, 02:56 PM	#1
jku72 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: cornville, maine Posts: 659	Over restored truck, options? I have a 1970 CST longhorn, which I formerly used to do chores, and work. It is a great truck, but after having it all made like new, I am at a loss. What should I do? __________________ jku Cornville, Maine 68 C10 burb 42 Willys MB 46 Dodge WF-32 1.5 ton 53 & 56 Olds' 60 Cadillac 22 Dodge Brothers

06-27-2002, 03:07 PM	#2
dubie Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 8,853	If I sunk a wack of cash into a truck like these, you can bet for damn sure I would be driving it whenever possible. I don't know if I would haul gravel and eberything else with it, but I would definately cruise all the time. __________________ My name's Tim and I'm a truckaholic My 56 Chevy shop truck build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=562795

06-27-2002, 03:16 PM	#4
colohusker Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Longmont, CO Posts: 436	If by hauling gravel, you mean a bag or two from Home Depot, certainly! I'd defintely drive it every chance I got, of course, I drive my beater every chance I get as well. __________________ ------------------------------------------------ I say it's only money, my wife says it's only a truck.... '71 C10 Deluxe, factory ac, ps, pb, should be done by 2102 Longmont, CO husker95@hotmail.com

06-27-2002, 03:39 PM	#5
my new 72 faster, faster, faster Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Houston ,Texas ,USA Posts: 1,354	If it's a show pony then make it one, but if you just wanted a very sweet truck to drive to the store and cruise night, then use it for that. We have all spent way more that 10,000 on a new truck just to torture it, you are coming out ahead no matter what you do. It's got character, and not everyone else has one. __________________ I'm going to Law School, wanna debate? It's good practice.

06-27-2002, 03:10 PM	#3
Shane Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: over yonder Posts: 14,270	Drive It!! thats what GM built them for.....for us to enjoy and drive!

06-27-2002, 03:43 PM	#6
Southpa Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Victoria, BC, Canada Posts: 2,409	Over restored as in finished the job, I assume. Are you sure you have done EVERYTHING you possibly can in the restoration? I'm still working on mine, but when I replace something I always try to go one better than the original. ie. replaced stock steering column with a tilt column, I had bad front crossmember brackets so I replaced the front end with one that had disc brakes. Replaced leaky, cracked windshield with a new tinted one, installed front sway bar. See what I mean?, my truck has more options now. Anyway, if you are happy with the job you can either sell it at a predictable loss to what you've invested (thats the way it usually goes), and buy another one that needs work. OR just drive it and be happy and put your tools, time, money and effort into another hobby like boat building, or something. __________________ 1970 GMC 1500 Custom Original 350/TH350 Victoria, BC, Canada You can wish in one hand and crap in the other. See which one gets filled first.

06-27-2002, 03:52 PM	#7
dion 72 Cheyenne Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,086	Drive it! But be careful. I've put more money into my truck than I'll admit but I still use it as my daily driver. I put a bed mat in so I can put small things in the back and I park far away from other cars etc.. Once my truck is done I'll just by another project to work on. I'd say just keep it and get a new project. __________________ Burnout Idle 1972Cheyenne 1966/67Stouts

06-27-2002, 04:32 PM	#8
mtdave2 newly minted old timer Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Hudson WI Posts: 3,521	I was thinking the same thing when I bought my longhorn. Thing was perfect, 32k miles. could deiced what to do, park it? Sell it to a chevy deal to display in their show room? drive it?..... finally i decided to drive it.. driving these trucks dont wear them out. lack of maintenance and abuse does. so, now the truck has 44k on it, and is in ever better shape than it was. i have fixed almost every small detail. i drive it too, no as a daily driver, but everything is a 60 mile round trip here. other than the price of gas and the 13 mpg I dont even thing twice about driving it. How much did you put into your truck getting it all nice? 10k? 20k? Even at 20k you are far ahead of most people who are spending 30 and 40k on a new truck. And it will last 4 times as long. this is the way IM thinking, and as long as i stick to this idea the truck will be like new for ever something broke>? fix it right with good parts Maintenance follow the book. Actually change the trany and rear end fluid like it says ( im suprised how many dont do this). grease the hell out of everything with a zert. Rust, jump on it immediately, usually I do this after I wash it, just go around with the touch up paint. Have the truck undercoated, and touch up ever 1 or 2 years. Here is something i learned a few years ago that i didnt know. There are little drains under your door, and on the bottom of the rocker panels clean them out with a hack saw blade. this will keep water from pooling= rust. I dont think id be hauling anything like a load of rocks, unless maybe i had a plastic bed liner that i could put in and take out. paint.. i look at paint the same way i look at tires. paint wears out. when it does repaint it before the metal gets damaged.. lol this all seems simple, but i guess laziness gets the best of us __________________ ____________________________________________ 72 c20 longhorn 65k org miles and counting! 69 k10 Suburban

06-27-2002, 04:44 PM	#9
jku72 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: cornville, maine Posts: 659	I just feel guilty driving it, and using it. I spent a lot on a frame off, because it was such a good work truck before. Now, it is so shiny, I even wipe my feet before I get in, and my wife was complaining because I dont even dare carry small things for fear of scratching the furniture like bedwood. Now, I have a 1 ton truck with a big block, too heavy to race, too nice to work. I dont dare drive it in snow, or salt, so that leaves half a year I should not drive it. I think it is meant to work, and I need to just get over the perfection, and go back to using it, and then in 10 years, enjoy doing another restoration. Hell with it, I'm hauling whatever, and just pretend it's 1970, and I got a new truck.

06-27-2002, 05:32 PM	#10
ckhd Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: St. Johns, Arizona Posts: 2,660	Let me drive it. I'll put it's first new scratch in it and then you won't be afraid to drive it! Just kidding. I'm working on a frame of of my '69, and you bet your butt I'll drive the thing when I'm done. I'll even use the four-wheel-drive now and then. I'll be careful with it and take care of it like mtDave says, but I don't believe in trailer queens or garage hermits. If you have a vehicle, drive it. __________________ my 2¢ - t.i.o.l.i. Bowen 1968 K20 fleet 1969 K10 swb fleet 1972 K10 Suburban 1972 C10 lwb step 1992 K1500 'burb 1995 K2500 'burb 1997 C1500 'burb 1999 K1500 2000 K1500 'burb Why do I own so many Suburbans?

06-27-2002, 05:35 PM	#11
PushinPebbles My dad's 68 Join Date: May 2002 Location: VA Posts: 444	Hey! if ya can't drive it, sell it __________________ Jack M. 67 C-10 SWB 355 built T-350 tranny hurst shifter 17x8in KMC's on michelins, clear tails and back up lights slammedUPDATE i have decided on my bag setup and will post further info when i recieve all the parts **************************** 88 1/2 ton suburban 4x4 350/700R-4having a 9 in lift w/ 38 in tires 4 12 inch Lightning Audios *************************** 87 silverado 3/4ton jacked up 10-12 inches black and rubberized bed coating 35 in michelans ************************** Dad's truck 68 C-10 stepside, 468 BB, tubbed, weld wheels, Nason black,lots more **************************** grand dads truck 68 C-10 stepside fuel inj. 350/700R-4soon in audi silver **************************** 84 toyota pickup 22R 5 speed 2WD slammed, shaved and all the body lines filled w/ buickGN scoop,bout to be sprayed in 2003 mustang green metallic w/ silver flames **************************** S/N=BIGGYTYME@aol.com (hydros) "No fat chics, truck will scrape"

06-27-2002, 06:24 PM	#12
moose Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Omaha Nebraska Posts: 154	IM restoring my 69 frame up exepted cab. Plan on selling new truck to drive 69 for adaily driver and find a blazer for a prodject long live 67-72 trucks quote from ckhd [I don't believe in trailer queens or garage hermits]. __________________ 69 C/10 swb coming along slow but sure 4 yr and counting Omaha Nebr 7I JIMMY 350 4speed daily driver/next prodject 99Yukon wifes

06-27-2002, 08:19 PM	#13
ThreeQuarter Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Texan in Iowa Posts: 2,522	I'm with Dave. There's a way to drive/use these pickups that doesn't wear them out. Of course, you always run the risk of things happening that are beyond your control, like wrecking it. But that's what (classic auto) insurance is for. If you actually enjoy keeping it garaged and using as a showpiece (Cameron's dad in Ferris Bueler's Day Off) then more power to you. Otherwise, it takes some amount of risk to enjoy these pickups. I had a children's book when I was a kid (bear with me here) that was called "Rabbit's New Rug" in which Mr. Rabbit bought a new rug and invited all of his friends to see it, but nobody was allowed on it. Nobody had any fun and everybody stopped coming to see Mr. Rabbit. Then one day he decided that friends were more important than that rug and then they all got to party on the rug. It was then that everyone could fully appreciate how nice the rug was. I still think of that book when my anal tendencies want to take over. :p LOL! __________________ Ben '68 Chevy C10 Custom LWB 327/TH400 2nd owner '16 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE Dblcab 4wd 5.3 Last edited by ThreeQuarter; 06-27-2002 at 10:01 PM.

06-27-2002, 09:51 PM	#14
CoryM Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Surrey, B.C. , Canada Posts: 874	You got the right idea, drive the thing. After you get a door ding or a good scratch you will stop cringing everytime you think about hauling something. Add some antirust stuff (undercoating, grease etc) and treat the truck the way its meant to be treated. I know what your saying though, but hey, its only $$$$. Its already well spent (so long as you drive the truck). Maybe buy a $750 beater truck for the real nasty stuff? or a easily removable bedliner. Happy Trucking. CoryM __________________ 1970 heavy duty C-10 fleetside sport truck. Vancouver B.C. Canada http://www.geocities.com/chevroletc1070 "Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high." Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, Canadian Army



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06-27-2002, 10:49 PM	#15
Gee_Emm Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 3,991	Get a trailer to tow behind it if you want to haul stuff.

06-27-2002, 11:07 PM	#16
WORNBRAKES Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Hughesville, MD Posts: 1,350	You could always use the '69 K5 beater you list for work. Even better, sound like you have a reason to buy another truck. Then drive the longhorn every chance you get outside of work. __________________ Mario and Mandy Hughesville, MD 20637 69 C10 305/350 71 K5 Basket case 75 K10 Rescue Parting out 77 MG Midget Parting out 15 6.7L Cummins Last edited by WORNBRAKES; 06-27-2002 at 11:09 PM.

06-28-2002, 05:01 PM	#17
mikej71 Unregistered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Houston, TX USA Posts: 538	I don't have to worry about snow and salt, so I'm not sure how I'd handle that. But I would definitely drive it the rest of the time. I would love to have that nice of a truck to drive all the time. __________________ 71 SWB Stepside SB400/TH350

06-28-2002, 05:12 PM	#18
popeye72 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: chesapeake, va Posts: 172	I don't drive mine as often as I should but I do like driving it!! Gotta do some more touch up but not in a hurry yet. Have fun __________________ 72 Custom, 400SB,T400,PS,PB,AC Chesapeake, VA

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