1970 Project Build

[Johnnyfever]

I've wanted one of these for 20 years and I finally bought one on a whim. Here goes a ton of hard work, money, and fun.

[2GMCTrucks]

Congrats on the '70. I'm a newbie here too and will pickup my '70 GMC (C1500 long bed) this weekend. Lots of work, but love the look of these trucks. Time, money, and effort - that's all it takes.

Post pics and ideas as they come up. Good luck. - 2 GMC Trucks

[gcburdic]

aboard guys from NC!!!

What's the plans for it??....

BTW...you both left out one important word...PATIENCE!!!!

Enjoy your build and post pictures so we can follow along!!!

[Johnnyfever]

I plan to get the in-place 1984 305 in good running condition (probably a new 650 Holley). Right now the plans are to do a "bed-off" restoration. Moving the fuel tank to the suburban/blazer location, repairing what body work needs to be done, and fully updating the interior. I'm looking at either bud light blue or miller light blue for paint color. This will be a casual home depot/lowes driver and tinker toy, but I'm sure I'll end up loving to drive it and will do so more than I currently plan.

[2GMCTrucks]

Thanks for the welcome. I'll get some pix of my truck once it's back from getting new floor pans. She's a 350/350 combo w/a B&M floor shift, long tube headers and an HEI ignition. I'm hoping to drop a 4 or 5 speed manual in her (was originally a 3-on-the-tree). Nothing radical planned for the recently rebuilt engine. Plan on bringing her back to her 1970 glory with some "Custom Deluxe" trim pieces and fresh dark green metallic paint.
Bench seat needs recovering and will update the dash/gauges with a fresh unit w/tach.

[Johnnyfever]

It seems I'm discovering new rust at every turn. If only I had more time to spend on this thing. Looks like I'll be replacing a lot of the floor sheetmetal. One of the most heartbreaking things about the truck is the drivers side front pillar. Looks like someone opened the door and back into a pole with it. I'll post pics of this later.

[Johnnyfever]

I currently have completed the floor work on both sides of the truck except for the rocker panels. It looked as if someone had opened the driver's side door at one point and backed it into a tree. This caused me to completely rebuild the front driver's pillar which took a little welding creativity since the replacement part did not go high enough to cover the damage.

[Johnnyfever]

The passenger side is complete in these pics and the drivers side is being completed. And I changed my mind and bought the full side length inner rocker panels. The partials just were not going to cut it on this cab. Sometimes a little more money can save a lot of headache.
Installed a few new toys on the engine: Aluminum pulleys, new fuel pump, new alternator, distributor, summit intake manifold and summit 600 cfm carb. Looking to get it running possibly next weekend.

[Johnnyfever]

A few more pics of all the work that went on this weekend. I'm heading back to work tomorrow for a little R&R.

[Johnnyfever]

I forgot to post the driver's side "before" pic.

[RCbowtie69]

Just check on your build & it looking you have made some headway on your build.Its shaping up nicely,keep the progress & pictures coming.Keep on Truckin' & welcome from N.C.

[Johnnyfever]

Ok so it's been a while since I have given an update. I've been working on the truck too much and haven't been on the computer. The old gas filler was filled in and I have the new LMC Truck rear placement kit. I know it where they used to put the tanks in the old days but I'm going to move the thing. (I used to have a 53 Willy's Jeep MJ-2A with it under the seat).

[Johnnyfever]

I then stripped everything out of rear suspension. Goodbye to the old 6 lug rear end with a donation from a 72 parts truck. I also picked up the 72 front spindles, rotors, and calipers. I also picked up the 72 doors....they were there and I couldn't help myself. Here are a few pics of the stripped rear frame all painted. I've reassembled with new bushings, but I have no pictures right now. I'll update next weekend.

[Johnnyfever]

I put the doors and fenders back and found the strange gap at the bottom of the driver's fender and door that many of the guys on this forum have. I'm going to look into replacing or shimming the cab mounts.

[Johnnyfever]

Who says you can't fit four 17" American Racing wheels and tires into a Honda Accord?

[VA72C10]

nice progress so far....and love those wheels...

[Johnnyfever]

So, I had an eventful weekend on the old 1970. I installed the fuel tank from LMC Truck and ran 3/8" aluminum fuel line from Summit to the fuel pump. I had to try on the new shoes and then installed the 3" drop springs.
In the morning I primed the fuel line/fuel pump to start it. She was a little temperamental at first, but she finally started. A new battery and a new starter did the trick.

[Johnnyfever]

Comment from the local peanut gallery:

It looks like you installed the fuel tank, then ran a 3/8" aluminum line to the pump. Obvs you were dying to get those new wheels and tires on her, (and those look super sharp!). But here's where things get tricky. You tried to start her up, and she just looked at you like you were nuts. You tried again, and no dice. Finally, she let you know how umCOMfortable she feels being half-way naked in your backyard. Fancy shoes and no party dress? No way!

The next time you want your truck to start, try dressing it thoroughly, NOT just the shoes. Geez.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Tinkermc]

Johnny, I really like what yu have done so far looks good, I had a 69 Mustang Mach 1 with "Tinker Toy" over the rear tires on both sides. I will have to keep an eye on your build

[Johnnyfever]

A loong weekend. I replaced the old 70 drum brakes with 72 disc brakes from the same longbed junk donor that i got the rear axle. This was quite a task, but I'm glad I did it now that it's over. The only issue is that I didn't realize that the drag links on the steering were not the same on the 67-70 as they are on the 71-72....larger tapered holes for the tie rods to attach. Guess I'll take another trip to that longbed donor if it's not in the crusher......To Be Continued.

[Johnnyfever]

Picked up a drag link from uncle.....thanks! I'll be assembling and possibly driving around a the farm a little before I take the front apart to prep for media blasting. I should be back to it in the next week or two.

[ZUBZ]

Looking good

[True 67]

Glad to see the progress..I'm finally starting my project myself..I see that you are local as well as i'm more closer to SixFlags..I'll be glad to lend a hand anytime on the weekend mostly as I'm pretty tied up during the week and the weather is a scorcher..

[dmw319]

looks great! making some good progress

[Tinkermc]

lookin good