1962 absolute newb!

[Hanky]

Hello all, this is my 1st post and my 1st project. I recently bought a 1962 longbed stepper. The truck has the 4 speed on the floor with the granny. A gentelman had it on a back road a couple miles from my home here in Temple, TX. I paid the man, got in and drove it here to my office where I am prepairing to re-build her form the ground up. I have no pics because I started to tear it down before I found this great comunity. I have never turned a wrench or patched a panel in my life so its going to be an intresting process. This is somthing I have always wanted to do and the wife gave me the green light so I am going for it. If there is anyone local that could share some advice to a complete 1st timer about this process, I am all ears and ready to learn. I wanted to say thanks in advance to all who share there knowlege here, and I look forward to soaking it up so I can share and give back in the future.

Hanky

[DPowers]

Welcome to the forum and to a great project.
My suggestion is to do some research and formulate a plan. It also helps the motivation factor if you can drive it as you are working on it. Depends how much you have torn it down whether this is possible or not. Either way, there is a ton of experience and information on this board and also some great people. Pictures are great (and expected ) no matter what it looks like. You can also check out the Texas area to see if there may be some other members in your area. Have fun.

[lakeroadster]

Well you certainly have come to the right place.

I don't know how far along you have gotten on your tear down but you might want to make the project a work in progress, meaning you keep driving it while you work on it.

Often the enthusiasm wears off as the project wears on and being able to drive the vehicle provides encouragement.

That being said the guys and gals here on the forum will help keep you focused and on track.

Do a lot of lurking here and ask any question, there are no stupid questions.

And we need photo's, that's one thing that is a must.

[steverino66]

My .02-
Depending on how far you're tearing down, you'll NEED to be taking lots of reference pictures, bagging and labeling bolts and hardware, taking notes, making drawings, whatever's necessary to avoid ending up with a pile of mysterious parts you have no idea how to reassemble; I attach baggies with bolts or whatever to the parts they came from with steel wire and label the bags with a sharpie also. Invest in an assembly manual for your truck and get a bunch of vendor/parts catalogs for stuff you need or want to replace.
Make an overall plan for the truck and then choose small projects/sub-assemblies to finish and get a sense of progress. Most importantly, walk away for a while when it stops being fun. As mentioned, you're definitely in the right place - have fun!

[Hanky]

Found a couple picks from day1. hope this works.






Thanks for the welcome!

Hanky

[DPowers]

Cool

[skysoldier173rd]

Great start, you're way ahead of a lot of us already. Welcome



www.picturetrail.com/skysoldier173rd

[Captainfab]

Welcome to the forum Hanky

So what do you have planned that prompted you to start tearing your truck apart?

[lakeroadster]

Awsome looking truck. Exterior looks "done" to me, maybe just an altitude adjustment and tires and wheels?

[Hanky]

Well My plan is to do a complete frame off. So far the bed is off. Rotten bed boards removed. Cab has been stripped accept for gauges. Hood, grill, lights, front and back bumer all off as well. I plan to keep the 6, it runs like a top. Not a spit or spudder one. I want to turn this truck into a daily driver that is super reliable, and ready to cruise anywhere I want to go in her. Classic shows and cruises as well. By no means is she to be a trailer queen, but still easy on the eyes. I plan the front and rear drum to disc swap, Complete rewire, power steering, move the gas tank to the back, remove the cancer and replace with fresh metal, New Paint, lower her 2/4, and of course great tunes. Not much to ask of someone who has never done any type of automotive work in there life. Believe me I have joined several chevy forums and autobody forums to learn from. I do know that some of the work will be out of my league. When this happens I will not be afraid to call on a professional. Its rare for me to jump in head 1st, but I figured $ 1500.00 was minimal, alot of my own time, alot of reading, and a ton of hands on is a safe way to learn. I will post some more pics today. Wish me luck!

Hanky

[Hanky]

Here are some pics of where I am at now. These should give you an Idea of what I am up against. Any advice on the easiest way to take care of the rust is appreciated. I have read several threads on cuting it out and replacing. I guess this is my only option.