My story on how I got involved in these trucks

[jumpsoffrock]

A sad day for Sammy, but he lives on in your trucks, all the bolts turned and rides taken. Good times.
Dashman, I hope I make as far as they did.

[Getter-Done]

So sorry for your loss.

I lost my Daddy 19 years ago.
He served in the Air Force as did my Momma's Father. (My Grandpa).

They both helped me with my Truck passion.

Again, My Deepest Condolences for your loss.

[MikeB]

That's a nice story, but a tough loss. My son who is several states away had my 69 for a few years. He drove it mostly on weekends to Home Depot or the recycle center, with his kids along for the ride smiling all the way! He spent lots of money at his friend's shop on paint, body, and trim, then later sent it back to me to fix some mechanical and electrical issues. Of course I've added things it didn't really need, like headers! When I leave this earth, he'll get the truck back, and I doubt he'll ever sell it.

[jerry moss]

sorry for your loss, i'm going to be going through the same thing sooner than later, my dad is a month away from 93 and his health is declining quickly. I lost my mom shortly after i graduated high school in 1976- she was only 41-from cancer. please accept my condolences.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by firedog

I am typing this due to the one that got me going with the trucks has suffered a stroke and has lost all movement on his left side. A healthy 60 year old man enjoying his retirement from the military on his measly military pension.

I didnt get a lot of time with my father growing up. He was a career Army Helicopter mechanic. The one summer we attempted to spend together was inturrepted by training for Desert Storm. Thru all these times there was the one constant a Blue and White 1969 Chevy Long Bed. That truck seen many miles between Fort Campbell Kentucky and Missouri and then later between Fort Hood Texas and Missouri. Fort Hood Texas almost ended the life of that old truck when it was broadsided in an intersection. Pushing the bed side in and pushing the rear end almost to where the tire was rubbing the frame. At the same time that this occured my father was retiring from the Army and headed to Korea to work a civilian job. Prior to him leaving the truck was fixed up and fresh paint put on it. The truck set in the garage for 10 years after that.

I graduated high school, entered the real world of work, kids, divorce, and all those adult things you do. But all our conversations always evolved around his truck or the truck that I had bought.
Attachment 1368527
Attachment 1368526

When my father decided to return to the states he purchased a small lot and built a big garage. The next year i started the process of tearing down my truck for my first attempt at a restore and my dad purchased a 71 gmc and 2 pickup truck loads of parts. So that fall and winter we built not 1 truck but we built 2 trucks in the same garage at the same time. Picking thru the stache of parts. Both trucks were completed along with my grandfather building a 1970 4x4 out of our left overs as well during the same time period.
Attachment 1368529

We have had many trips to meet many people on the board, we were at the National Board Meet in Norwood, MO when my engine blew, we went to Kirksville, MO to a midwest meet when I lost my tranny, we have taken 2 trips to the Midwest All Truck Nationals in Kansas City, and the awesome trip to Paris TN for another National Board Meet where it rained most of the way. We have met great people along the way at swap meets and just thru the board. Which led to the most recent project a 1967 Chevy Short bed we bought from Tycoon4u. This truck is awaiting the engine install and a tranny along with interior.
Attachment 1368528
So this is my story of how I got involved into these trucks. Everyone, remember the moments you spend with your loved ones, even if you are on your back laying in a puddle of tranny fluid. You never know when you might have that oppurtunity taken away from you.

You're a lucky guy.

[firedog]

I haven't started back on the trucks yet but I have cleaned up the garage quite a bit and plan on moving into his old house. Hopefully the 67 and his old 69 will be back. On the road soon

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by firedog

I haven't started back on the trucks yet but I have cleaned up the garage quite a bit and plan on moving into his old house. Hopefully the 67 and his old 69 will be back. On the road soon

Glad to hear that Mike. It would be good to see them back on the road....
.

[custom10nut]

Originally Posted by firedog

I am typing this due to the one that got me going with the trucks has suffered a stroke and has lost all movement on his left side. A healthy 60 year old man enjoying his retirement from the military on his measly military pension.

I didnt get a lot of time with my father growing up. He was a career Army Helicopter mechanic. The one summer we attempted to spend together was inturrepted by training for Desert Storm. Thru all these times there was the one constant a Blue and White 1969 Chevy Long Bed. That truck seen many miles between Fort Campbell Kentucky and Missouri and then later between Fort Hood Texas and Missouri. Fort Hood Texas almost ended the life of that old truck when it was broadsided in an intersection. Pushing the bed side in and pushing the rear end almost to where the tire was rubbing the frame. At the same time that this occured my father was retiring from the Army and headed to Korea to work a civilian job. Prior to him leaving the truck was fixed up and fresh paint put on it. The truck set in the garage for 10 years after that.

I graduated high school, entered the real world of work, kids, divorce, and all those adult things you do. But all our conversations always evolved around his truck or the truck that I had bought.
Attachment 1368527
Attachment 1368526

When my father decided to return to the states he purchased a small lot and built a big garage. The next year i started the process of tearing down my truck for my first attempt at a restore and my dad purchased a 71 gmc and 2 pickup truck loads of parts. So that fall and winter we built not 1 truck but we built 2 trucks in the same garage at the same time. Picking thru the stache of parts. Both trucks were completed along with my grandfather building a 1970 4x4 out of our left overs as well during the same time period.
Attachment 1368529

We have had many trips to meet many people on the board, we were at the National Board Meet in Norwood, MO when my engine blew, we went to Kirksville, MO to a midwest meet when I lost my tranny, we have taken 2 trips to the Midwest All Truck Nationals in Kansas City, and the awesome trip to Paris TN for another National Board Meet where it rained most of the way. We have met great people along the way at swap meets and just thru the board. Which led to the most recent project a 1967 Chevy Short bed we bought from Tycoon4u. This truck is awaiting the engine install and a tranny along with interior.
Attachment 1368528
So this is my story of how I got involved into these trucks. Everyone, remember the moments you spend with your loved ones, even if you are on your back laying in a puddle of tranny fluid. You never know when you might have that oppurtunity taken away from you.

Wow! Your thread brought tears to my eyes.
I pray that your Pops makes a full recovery. (I too, hit the big 60 earlier two months ago).
I too spent a little time in boots, to the toon of 30 years in the Airborne Infantry. He and I probably shared the same mud and dust along the way.
My son followed in my footsteps, and has been a Mechanic in the Army going on seven years now. You and my son could swap stories for hours.
I grew up helping my dad and Grandpa work on their vehicles to include all the tractors and other farm equipment.
My son was 6 weeks old (my daughter was 3) when I bought my truck, so he has never known anything different than me driving and working on it, all his life.
As a child, he would take time out from playing with his friends to help me under the hood, or on our backs underneath. He could explain to his friends what we were doing while we tuned the carb, or set the points.
All through his life he learned the art of searching for parts at the “Junk Yard”,
And rebuilding carburetors, distributors, any time I was home. No matter where he is in the World, out phone conversations go from hm asking about guidance to become a more effective NCO, to “watcha be doing on the truck?”
Now, whenever he’s home, we spend our time in the shop under the hood of one of our vehicles.
I don’t know if my truck will ever be completely finished (I have ALL the parts need to complete it in three truck boxes), but if we do get it done, I already got my eyes on a few others that we’re going to build for him.
Again, My prayers to your dad, and if it could ever happen, I’d love to meet y’all.
Drop me a line if you’re ever in the Pigeon Forge (Tn) one of the shows.
Getz, I could go on and on, but I won’t

[firedog]

Well after 11 tears of sitting. I got it going..

Clutch was stuck, put it in 4th gear with the clutch in and bumped the key till it broke loose
Replaced the rotten fuel lines and put on a new fuel pump
Spent several hours washing it
Installed the seat that was redone and sitting in the corner

Then took it down the street, and a brake stuck so tomorrow is new wheel cylinders and a second try for a drive

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by firedog

Well after 11 tears of sitting. I got it going..

Clutch was stuck, put it in 4th gear with the clutch in and bumped the key till it broke loose
Replaced the rotten fuel lines and put on a new fuel pump
Spent several hours washing it
Installed the seat that was redone and sitting in the corner

Then took it down the street, and a brake stuck so tomorrow is new wheel cylinders and a second try for a drive

Flipped the picture for you Mike. Good to see it running again. Keep us updated on the progress.

LockDoc

[firedog]

Well the brakes fought me, ended up changing all 4 wheel cylinders, both rear metal lines, rear brake hose, back brake shoes, both front brake hoses, and the master cylinder. The new wheel cylinders on the front were difficult to get to the bleeders, but finally today I got it done and took it for a 15 min drive.

After a oil change and another wash I think I will drive it to work Monday.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by firedog

Well the brakes fought me, ended up changing all 4 wheel cylinders, both rear metal lines, rear brake hose, back brake shoes, both front brake hoses, and the master cylinder. The new wheel cylinders on the front were difficult to get to the bleeders, but finally today I got it done and took it for a 15 min drive.

After a oil change and another wash I think I will drive it to work Monday.

Good deal. Glad you got it sorted out....
.

[lil hoodlum]

Originally Posted by firedog

Well after 11 tears of sitting. I got it going..

Clutch was stuck, put it in 4th gear with the clutch in and bumped the key till it broke loose
Replaced the rotten fuel lines and put on a new fuel pump
Spent several hours washing it
Installed the seat that was redone and sitting in the corner

Then took it down the street, and a brake stuck so tomorrow is new wheel cylinders and a second try for a drive

That's a really nice ride!

[Steeveedee]

Good job all around, and yeah, those front wheel cylinders thankfully only need bleeding every few years.

[firedog]

Been driving the 69 for a week or two now, replaced the tires and that made a huge difference in the ride, considering they were 20 years ago, other then that it's running great, found a 70s style cb radio for it and now looking for a gun rack for the back.window.

[zicc1835]

when I began reading this tonight I didn't expect the sad news ...I have suffered loss of my DAD when I was to young to have any good memories and a brother taken from us too I am building memories and have been with my kids and now grand kids God Bless you and the folks on this board ....what a great community hope to some day travel and meet some of you all in person....
Jz

[Getter-Done]

Originally Posted by zicc1835

when I began reading this tonight I didn't expect the sad news ...I have suffered loss of my DAD when I was too young to have any good memories and a brother taken from us too I am building memories and have been with my kids and now Grand-Kids. God Bless you and the folks on this board ....What a great community hope to someday travel and meet some of you all in person....
Jz

Thanks for sharing this.
I have these memories of these trucks because of my Grandpa and my Daddy.

They both Instilled in me to keep things going and fix what you can.

Now as you have Typed. You are the Flame Keeper for your children that are wanting to be Gearheads.

[LockDoc]

-
Here is a picture of me and Sammy with the "Hard Luck" trophy he won at the All Truck Nationals in Riverside, MO. in 2011.

"This is the traveling Hard Luck trophy. Not only did he have electrical problems on the way but he and firedog set up their pop-up canopys on Friday night and when they came back the next morning they found that a storm had rolled through and destroyed both of the canopys. All that was left was pieces." ....

[firedog]

I still have that trophy

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by firedog

I still have that trophy

Good deal! Glad to hear that. Here is a better picture of it in case anyone wants to see what it looked like..... Sammy sent me the railroad spike and I made the trophy.
.

[firedog]

Ironically, April 22 is his birthday, he would have been 71.

Miss him dearly, don't realize what you have until it's not there.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by firedog

Ironically, April 22 is his birthday, he would have been 71.

Miss him dearly, don't realize what you have until it's not there.

That is for sure. I was home for Thanksgiving day 1983 when my dad passed away. I performed CPR on him until the ambulance got there but he didn't make it..... Sad Thanksgiving that year.