Six Million Dollar Truck - We can build it better!

[Woodyboat]

Well, I've decided that I will at least get my build thread started even though I don't have any progress to report just yet. I only bought this truck a couple of weeks ago. I'm not going to say how much I paid for it but I will say that it was dirt cheap. However, considering the shape the poor old thing is in, it SHOULD have been cheap. I stated in another thread that I'm sure that I won't really be saving any money in the long run. But here are some photos to show the beginning stages of this build and I will keep coming back and posting more as the work progresses.

Now I just need to figure out how to post photos. Hmmmm.

[Woodyboat]

Yes, it's raining in Tennessee today.

So here's the back story. I found the truck on CL over near Bardstown, Ky. From my house in Clarksville, it was 175 miles to the seller's house. I was skeptical because of all the rust. We just aren't used to seeing that sort of cancer here in the South. But the truck ran SO good I took a chance. The transmission shifted really well and the steering tracked straight as an arrow. Even the knuckle in the tilt wheel is not loose at all. It's just like it came from the factory.

Now I've owned these 454s before and I have always like them a lot. I always rationalized the poor mileage against the amount of work I could do with them. But, I'm not kidding or exaggerating at all. Honestly, the tank was almost completely empty when I got the truck. It was sputtering when I left the seller's house. I drove straight to the first gas station and put in $28.80 worth of 87 octane. The truck ran like a top the entire 175 miles back home and I've driven it around on some errands for a couple of days now. I don't know the exact mileage, but that's the best I've ever gotten from a 454 - I do believe. Time will tell.

On the Interstate, the steering wheel was perfectly level when going in a straight line. I could take my hands off the wheel and the truck could go a quarter to half a mile before I would have to correct. There is absolutely no play in the steering at all.

Throttle response is instant and goes like a big block should. The temp gauge never climbed above 190. Once I got home, I took a compression check and all cylinders are even at 110 psi.

So... it's rough on the outside but seems very stout underneath.


Even the air conditioner works.

[Woodyboat]

I don't think there is an undented or unrusted panel on this truck. LOL

I am sure going to learn about body work. But then, I think that's why we do these projects.

I have no idea WHAT happened to that poor gas door. ROTFLMTO!

[TwoFiftyShifter]

Not much rust if you ask me!

Cool truck. I love the brown ones.

[Woodyboat]

Oh yea, there's plenty of rust. Just wait until i start pulling out the carpet and taking off the door sill trim plates. Haha. But, I'll tell you what? There won't be any rust when I'm finished with it. I'm the kind of guy that can't stand the thought of buying any vehicle new. I just have to have the old ones and I always want to keep them on the road for as long as I can.