Project roadworthy

[alden]

I don't have nearly the skills of many here (so I greatly appreciate the assistance and knowledge being shared) so for anyone coming in here looking for excitement, you might want to find another thread As the title states, the primary goal of this project is getting the truck truly drivable and safe, down the road I would like to drop it and do some customization, but that will require more time and some semblance of a real workshop.

Onto the background to this point - the truck was bought from texas via ebay, kindof an impulse buy because we wanted a truck to make lowes runs. It arrived January 2009:



It is pretty solid, a few rust spots including the lower rear corners of the cab and the bed has some issues, but the floor is good.

The maiden voyage included having the passenger side door swing open and the exhaust fall off, so the truck was taken off the road until some safety issues could be addressed. While sitting the master cylinder decided to give up the ghost and spill its guts all over my carport so the first real project was replacing that.

The wiring was a bit haphazard so I replaced that (twice because I managed to miswire a ground and set the first replacement harness on fire - LMH Wiring took care of me though and repaired and replaced parts of the harness for free to get me back on track). Also found a replacement gauge cluster on ebay for cheap and replaced my filthy one with lots of broken parts. Put an original style turn signal cup back on, got all the lights working again.

Before:


During:



Cleaned up the taillights and replaced the plastic and wiring:


Fuel was another issue in dire need of some replacement parts. The old fuel filter was getting so clogged by rust particles that the engine was getting starved for fuel, so a new gas tank, new fuel lines, and a new filter was in order. The inline tube lines appear to have completely skipped out on the need for a fuel filter (the pump to carb line was just right to go directly to the carb rather than leaving space for the filter), so I got to play around with a tube bender, I like to think of my fuel lines having a fun loving spirit now



Old:

New:


Replaced all the hoses and belt:


Replacement transmission cover and accelerator pedal
old:


new:


And that's pretty much where it sits right now, the list of things still needed is long:

Check/set timing
Rebuild brakes
New brake lines
Change shocks
Fix/rebuild steering (1/2 turn of slop)
New exhaust
Mount seatbelts
Source original seat
Replace all glass
Repair window mechanisms
Replace/repair door handle/lock mechanisms

[Kim57]

alden
Your truck looks like a very clean original. Keep the pics and updates coming.
Kim

[alden]

Well it needs a few more things, the driveline is making a ton of noise (think it is the rear end) but it made a 30 mile trek today without a hiccup!





Just got a new exhaust, new break lines, drums, shoes, u-joints, center bearing, and shocks.

[sgtusmc]

Your truck is awesome man. I love it!

[53GMC]

love this truck man! keep her on the road!