Need Help!!!

[Mike00]

I'm new to this but I thought I should give it a try. I have a 1972 Chevy truck that was my father's for the last 20 years. The motor and trans. are great but the body is full of rust. I don't want to get rid of it so what should I do??? Does anyone have an other body or cab, bed, etc... I know I can purchase parts at LMC but I don't have that kind of money to spend right now. I really want to restore his truck so any advice, help would be appreciated. Thanks!!!!!!

[junkyardjohn]

MIKE IF YOUR FRAME IS REALLY SOLID, I'D THINK ABOUT TRAVALING A LITTLE NORTHWEST (SAY AROUND CO. OR AZ) & PICKING UP A PARTS TRUCK WITH A DECENT BODY TO REPLACE YOUR RUSTY ONE. IF THE FRAME IS RUSTY (WITH SCALE OR HOLES) & YOU DON'T WANT TO PART IT OUT.. WELL... YOU CAN SET IT OUT NEXT TO THE BARN FOR YARD ART IN MEMORY OF YOUR DAD. JOHN
(OH.. & WELCOME FROM S.E. KENTUCKY)

[centsless]

Welcome!!
Join the board and post a WTB ad. Keep looking on the site and you will find everything you need to fix your truck. There are probably several board members near you also who will keep their eyes out for you locally and let you know if they find something. The wealth of help and knowledge available here is incredible. I have never been more impressed with a gathering such as this. Good luck with your build!!
Bob

[Ole Blue 68]

Hey Mike,

The good news is you're in Texas so you should be able to find plenty of parts in good, relatively rust free condition. Start with the classifieds here on the board.

[shifty]

My advice:

Figure out whether you got a long bed or short bed, step side or fleet side.

Listen to the other guys - post a "Wanted to buy" ad in the classifieds (if possible) and start first with a request to purchase a "clean" cab.

Once you get the cab, start your restoration. While you're restoring, you can start searching for a fleet side or step side bed (either short or long).

Some people sell cabs for a little more that have been patched up already to take out the very common rust spots on these trucks (cab supports, rocker panels, etc.). You got a couple options here:

1) Buy a cab that's already been patched up in those spots, then swap over your VIN plate to the new cab.
2) Buy a cab that needs to have these items patched and patch yourself with a welder and using "ebfabman's" videos (here: http://ebfabman.com/)
3) Buy a cab that needs to have this work done and haul it to a Goodmark install location (call them: http://www.goodmarkindustries.com/) and have them do the repairs, very reasonable pricing!
4) Buy a cab and have someone else do the work.


Those are pretty much listed in order of cheapest to most expensive. #1 and #2 are about tied, because the tools and panels you will need to buy for #2 will be pretty close to what you will pay for a pre-patched cab. The hard part is finding someone whose work you can trust on those repairs.