Project: Blank Slate

[djmachinist]

Nate,
I'm new to this forum, I just recently discovered this thread, and have read "Blank Slate" with great interest. Your truck is really awesome!!! The Build info has been very inspiring for my own efforts.

I have aquired an 1969 GMC short bed fleet in mostly original condition. It is a small block 307 & Powerglide tranny. It was a farm truck for 38 years based just outside Hot Springs, Arkansas. The guy I bought it from had it painted light Green. I believe this is the original color, however I think it was originally a two-tone, light green/white like yours. When I had the windshield replaced, I found white paint at the sides and top of the windshield seat. The suspension, brakes and steering need rebuilding. I will convert to disc fronts like you did. I have ordered the disc brake kit with 2 1/2" dropped spindles with 3" drop springs in the back. I ordered everything from Early.

Great thread, I will post pics of my 69 GMC.

[djmachinist]

Nate,
Where did you purchase your rubber bed mat material?

Thanks,
Dale

[72BlckButy]

Originally Posted by matt schlicht

Glad to hear the good news! Now I need to save my money.

You won't regret it...

Originally Posted by sourkraut

nate, that is good to hear! i have the exact same specs and ece drop! cant wait to try it out!

I can't wait to see how it looks on your project. How is that coming along?

Originally Posted by djmachinist

Nate,
I'm new to this forum, I just recently discovered this thread, and have read "Blank Slate" with great interest. Your truck is really awesome!!! The Build info has been very inspiring for my own efforts.

I have aquired an 1969 GMC short bed fleet in mostly original condition. It is a small block 307 & Powerglide tranny. It was a farm truck for 38 years based just outside Hot Springs, Arkansas. The guy I bought it from had it painted light Green. I believe this is the original color, however I think it was originally a two-tone, light green/white like yours. When I had the windshield replaced, I found white paint at the sides and top of the windshield seat. The suspension, brakes and steering need rebuilding. I will convert to disc fronts like you did. I have ordered the disc brake kit with 2 1/2" dropped spindles with 3" drop springs in the back. I ordered everything from Early.

Great thread, I will post pics of my 69 GMC.

Originally Posted by djmachinist

Nate,
Where did you purchase your rubber bed mat material?

Thanks,
Dale

Dale, first off let me welcome you to the best place on the net, and I'm not referring to my build thread. You're going to learn to love this site, I guarantee that!

Actually I ordered my bed mat from a local 4x parts store. They were able to purchase the mat and had it delivered to them all for only $50-60; that's right $50-60. Most mats that I priced were over $100 plus shipping but thanks to my wife (b-day gift) she picked this up for me so I didn't scratch my recent investment.

Let me see if I can locate the info on the mat, and I will get it to you. And don't think that since the price is cheap that the mat is the same way... after cutting it down to fit the SWB (originally a LWB mat) it still has me huffing and puffing when I pull it back out.

Let me know if you have any other questions about the build, the site, MO car shows, etc. BTW, we have several meet and greets throughout the state, and would love to have you make one. Keep posted to the thread in my signature for 2010 dates.

Cheers!
Nate

[sourkraut]

honestly, I have not been doing to much lately on it. usually winters are for projects in the garage but have been super busy with the kids and work. I did have off yesterday and got my front end buttoned up. things are slowing down finally and plan on getting some work done!

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by djmachinist

Nate,
I'm new to this forum

Welcome to the best site on the net!

Nate, What's up with the avatar? When did you change it? Must have missed that. It's cool anyway!

[72BlckButy]

Originally Posted by sourkraut

honestly, I have not been doing to much lately on it. usually winters are for projects in the garage but have been super busy with the kids and work. I did have off yesterday and got my front end buttoned up. things are slowing down finally and plan on getting some work done!

Well I'm glad to hear you are still kicking out some progress, and little by little, it will get done.

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Welcome to the best site on the net!

Nate, What's up with the avatar? When did you change it? Must have missed that. It's cool anyway!

Yeah I changed the avy a week or so ago, just needed a change. The weather has been horrible so there's not chance of getting the truck out in the salt and grime on these MO roads, so I'm stuck with this one.

[72BlckButy]

Was finally able to do a small update to the '69 this winter... simple but cool IMO.

From this...



To this... legal and documented.

[mcbassin]

Well now, it's good to see a picture of the truck Nate...figured it was in storage somewhere. Nice looking tag too.

[72BlckButy]

Well it's kind of in storage as of October.... with the "salty" weather we have in the winter, it hasn't gotten any farther than the concrete pad outside the garage door.

[OARNGESI]

Plate is a nice touch

[VA72C10]

like the plate. i have one for mine when it's finished

[67_ShortFleet]

Where are you in Mo that you have no snow in your pictures? LOL. I have alot of family around Brookfield and some in Kansas City Mo.

[sourkraut]

cool plate, nate! hey, iam a poet!

[gcburdic]

Nice....any significances to this plate??

[72BlckButy]

Thanks a lot guy's! I've been sitting on this plate for several months just waiting for the numbers to open up and yesterday was my lucky day.

Originally Posted by matt schlicht

Where are you in Mo that you have no snow in your pictures? LOL. I have alot of family around Brookfield and some in Kansas City Mo.

We actually located in the Jefferson City area, however I do travel through Brookfield on a regular basis for work, and will begin hitting the KC area as well. As far as the snow, our's has all but melted away, but with the amount of salt and grime out on the roads, it will be a few more weeks before I feel safe taking it out.

Keep posted on the events happening in MO this year, would be great to have you attend one.

Originally Posted by gcburdic

Nice....any significances to this plate??

No real significances to the plate Geoff... I had been searching for one back last summer and ran across this one that read 669-272. I thought well heck 69-72 is pretty neat so why not. I had the plate shipped from NC or GA if I recall correctly, and since plates were used on a yearly basis is was only active for 12 months. It was in real nice shape so on the truck it went.

[highperf4x4]

I

Like

It

[72BlckButy]

Thanks Travis!

[highperf4x4]

You're Welcome Nate!

[Puropedo]

Nate, that plate just added more personality to your sweet ride, good job!
Did you get the set? Here in Cali you have to have the set in order to register them for your classic....

[72BlckButy]

Actually during that era, they only issued one plate for the vehicles. Now I'm keeping an eye out for a nice looking plate for the front... not sure what I'm going to end up with though. Original USA-1, custom made plate to match the rear plate, who knows.

There's a few more updates for this build but those will come with time...

[Puropedo]

I vote for a plate replica for the front.......Any plans for big wheels?

[72BlckButy]

Not sure quite yet... but it's on my mind. I do have an interior upgrade to put together and install.

[70k52wd]

Originally Posted by 72BlckButy

Actually during that era, they only issued one plate for the vehicles. Now I'm keeping an eye out for a nice looking plate for the front... not sure what I'm going to end up with though. Original USA-1, custom made plate to match the rear plate, who knows.

This plate comes to mind

[brn agn]

That plate really adds to the character of your truck. Do you think you can get away without running a matching plate on the front of the truck? When I lived in Missouri, I drove a 87 IROC-Z (no, I didn't have a mullet). I installed a new front fascia and refused to drill holes for a license plate. It seemed like I got pulled over every other month for not having a front license plate. Come to think of it, I got pulled over for a lot of things in that car, but I digress...

[72BlckButy]

Originally Posted by 70k52wd

This plate comes to mind

Charlie... am I going to have to come down there?

That plate might actually work.

Originally Posted by brn agn

That plate really adds to the character of your truck. Do you think you can get away without running a matching plate on the front of the truck? When I lived in Missouri, I drove a 87 IROC-Z (no, I didn't have a mullet). I installed a new front fascia and refused to drill holes for a license plate. It seemed like I got pulled over every other month for not having a front license plate. Come to think of it, I got pulled over for a lot of things in that car, but I digress...

I shouldn't have any issues with running only a single plate because back in '69 that is all that was issued. However, I do know exactly what you are saying as far as being stopped for only running a single plate on a late model vehicle. I did a new front fascia on a Blazer/Jimmy I owned a few years ago and wasn't about to drill into the freshly painted pieces. Never walked away with a ticket, but did get to know several of the local PD and Hwy Patrol on a first name basis.