guys help me out with ideas

[camjck89]

im about to get my truck on the road here soon so i can just drive it. ive got the p/s and p/b for it just waiting for it to be put in. m not sure where i want to go with this one. i originally bought it just to have a big truck to haul or just raise a little hell in. ive thought of doing the body work on her and repainting, however dont know if its worth it if im going to use like it was intended from the factory. also its 2wd so not much muddin, and its also its long bed so i dont know if ill like it slammed, i mean can go all routes if i felt like it i have the knowledge to do all the body and refinishing work and also i am a welder so if i wanted i could do a wicked rear half bag job. my question is if it was you with this truck what would you do?

[camjck89]

[vectorit]

I'd fix everything with new heavy duty replacement parts.
Upgrade the suspension to heavy duty stock.
Pull all the major dents with out messing up what is left of the paint, while using minimal primer/touch up paint.
Fix any rust I could with out tearing up to much of the body.
Replace the bumpers with stock straight ones.
Have the wheels powder coated white, and clean up the hub caps then reinstall.

All in all, I'd just restore it back to being a safe, solid, reliable, and overall good lookin rig. Then I'd use the heck out of it, while enjoying the truck for all it's intents and purposes.

From there, you can decide what route of customization your rig is suited for to your budget and needs.

Have fun!

[BlackTopMotors]

We all have to make those decisions. If your not sure don't cut her up too much. Work on making her clean reliable yet still fun. I tend to prefer working on the mechanical aspects first...road worthy and safe, tight wiring... Then fix the dents...repaint...interior...

You have a nice truck there. I like a long bed. You could have a really nice work truck as well

Roger

[oldblue1968chevy]

vectorit nailed it!!! He said it all perfectly, maybe build a hot motor for it when ya get bored...nice truck any more pics? specs?

edit, and get stock mirrors those are ugly lol

[camjck89]

hahahah yea thee mirrors are ugly i hate them. thanks for the ideas hat d y mean

[camjck89]

only pictures i have are of it when i first bought it. they are very small thumbnail. my phone was dead today so no new pictures. if i can remember right ill tell you what i can remember from the glove box . i dont know exact code numbers.: medium green, 350 ci v8,th350, oil guage, front steering stabilizer, heavy rear coil, low step rear bumper. im pretty sure thats it, pretty plain jane, i like the idea of a new front bumper however i can only find the chrome front bumper. id hate to shot blast a chrome bumper just to get it powder-coated white.

[vectorit]

Ask the vendors to order you one.
I have found that they don't like to stock them since they are not as popular as chrome.
Though, I'd spend a bit trying to find an original. Since they are made of heavier steel, and small dings and minor damage can be fixed by a shop then painted (that's what I did with mine).
Also, check around your area to see if there is a shop that specializes in straightening bumpers. Kind of a lost art these days, what with the disposable cars/trucks we have now a days. But won't hurt to check first.

If I were you, I would find a shop that is old car/truck friendly. Drive your rig up and ask for an estimate on just popping out your dents, just enough to make the body look straight again and not so beat up. Tell them you don't want any grinding, filling or extensive prime/painting.
Then ask to see of they will finesse your current bumpers straight, and then paint them white again for you.
I have found that some shops like projects like that, since it gives the guys something to do while the big ticket items are slow coming. Works out great if you are in no hurry, and it's what I did in my project when I started. The deal worked out for the both of us, which saved me cash and hassle with storage while I was in a apartment living situation.

Get a shop to do that for you, and you will be a lot more energized to work on stuff like interior or what ever you feel you are good at.

Just my thoughts on what I'd do these days when the money tree in the back yard is dead.

[camjck89]

hey oldblue68 i checked out your build thread, sry about your orig. bed but i like what your doin with it and ill subscribe to it